There’s a cool new destination in San Francisco that Nintendo superfans of all ages will want to check out: a two-level Nintendo retail store on Union Square. Open for playing and shopping as of Memorial Day Weekend, East Bay families could use the store as an endpoint for a BART adventure or a reward for a child who has just endured an afternoon of adult shopping errands around Union Square.
I took a preview tour of Nintendo San Francisco this week, during which Nintendo reps enthusiastically showed off a colorful array of themed stations and explained how it was meticulously designed to be immersive and delightful for children and nostalgic adults.
Visitors can experience Nintendo’s products, characters, and worlds, plus purchase exclusive merchandise or play games on the oversized screens.
The shop is a colorful and immersive place that invites visitors to explore at their own pace. For impatient kids, you’ll want to steer them to the most engaging, interactive elements first, so head downstairs to find playable games and scavenger hunts.
Play games on the big screen (downstairs)
There are a few large consoles available for interactive gameplay. Sign up for your time slot as soon as you arrive.
Customize a Nintendo Switch system to your exact preferences (upstairs, back)
Walk straight to the back and right of the ground floor to find the Nintendo Switch customization station. Pick your colors and design your handheld device your way. This feature is only available in SF, NY, and Tokyo — not online.
Search for little Pikmins & earn prizes
It’s not only shopping and big screen game play. While in the store, guests can get stickers in the stamp passports and scavenge for miniature Pikmin figures. Any staff member can tell you how to play these games.
At the end of the day, it is a store. In addition to games and game systems, Nintendo San Francisco offers a unique shopping experience filled with Nintendo’s characters, worlds, and exclusive products including accessories, apparel, home goods, and souvenirs only available at Nintendo SF.
On both levels, the merchandise is grouped by stories and characters. I grew up on Super Mario and found the branded items too cute to put down. While I was not in the market for a set of Mario and Luigi dishes, I was charmed by them and kept swinging back up for another look.
If the Animal Crossing aesthetic is what speaks to you, you’ll be in luck with additional items to choose from.
Plan your visit to Nintendo San Francisco
Location: Right on Union Square, 331 Powell Street at Geary
Phone: 415-825-6850
Website
