Nintendo officially opened its doors today, May 15, in San Francisco at 331 Powell Street in the heart of Union Square. This new location marks Nintendo’s second official retail store in the United States, following the success of the iconic Nintendo NY store. Previously known as the Nintendo World Store, the New York location underwent a major renovation and rebranding effort before reopening in 2016 as Nintendo NY.
To get an inside look at what the new Nintendo San Francisco has to offer, IGN visited the store to explore the exclusive merchandise, interactive displays, and unique experiences available to fans. Additionally, we had the opportunity to sit down with Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, to discuss the significance of opening the company’s first West Coast retail location.
A Conversation With Nintendo's Leader
Of course, with the highly anticipated [ttpp]Switch 2[/ttpp] set to launch on June 5, our conversation naturally turned to the next-generation console. We asked Bowser about the expected availability of the Switch 2 in the U.S. both at launch and in the months that follow. We also touched on several key topics including the newly introduced Game-Key Cards, which have sparked some debate among fans and retailers alike.
With the release just around the corner, all eyes are on Nintendo to see how this new chapter unfolds—not only in terms of hardware but also in how the company continues to engage with its growing fanbase through physical retail experiences like the new San Francisco store.
