Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[Viator]

To bring up another Nintendo related topic the store in New York closed a few days ago and when it reopens the new name will be Nintendo NY. Now, when I saw the news I wondered if it was because maybe Nintendo World would be used as the name of the land and they didn't want the store to have the same name. I also wondered if we would see Nintendo Orlando and Hollywood stores at each respective CityWalk (I sure hope so).

Considering that Citywalk in Hollywood has been having some..questionable plot locations for future retail/dining, I would not be surprised to see Hollywood get an announcement for a NHW to open around the summer.

As for Orlando, I can see Nintendo working great as a store also, it just matter on placement and how they handle it.

 

[Teebin]

How long have some of you known these Nintendo stores were coming? And which storefront in NY are you talking about. You say it as if it is obvious.

 

[Nico]

It sounds like the NY store opened in 2005 and is going through a rebrand and remodel.

 

[Viator]

How long have some of you known these Nintendo stores were coming? And which storefront in NY are you talking about. You say it as if it is obvious.

I was just saying that it's a idea that can work in Universals citywalk,

And as for NY, there's been a Nintendo retail store I believe near Times square on 48th street. And..a bit of irony because of this year being Pokémon's anniversary; before that; it was a..Pokémon center of all things.

 

[Mike S]

I was just saying that it's a idea that can work in Universals citywalk,

And as for NY, there's been a Nintendo retail store I believe near Times square on 48th street. And..a bit of irony because of this year being Pokémon's anniversary; before that; it was a..Pokémon center of all things.

It's in Rockefeller Center near the Comcast building.

 

[Mad Dog]

It's in Rockefeller Center near the Comcast building.

A very appropriate location. Fallon could easily pop in and spend a few......New attraction , "Jimmy Fallon Races through the NYC Nintendo Store"....With all of his falls and injuries, it would be like a bull in a china shop. :yikes:

 

[Viator]

It's in Rockefeller Center near the Comcast building.

Its not exactly..in the Rockefeller Center area. Technically, its in the Rockefeller plaza as you drive on 48th west. Close to the actual building of the Rockefeller is the place where I believe they tape The Today Show, so you can fill in the remaining blanks there.

I do think that Nintendo would be a really good retail choice for both coasts, as it draws in something that Hollywood HAD (The Gamestop there that got closed for Things from Another Worlds expansion) and something Orlando has not had at all I believe.

That said, I am very curious to see how Nintendo is implemented outside of the parks, as that can be a true merchandise giant for Citywalk in general, but it depends on how in hell they do it.

 

[quinnmac000]

Its not exactly..in the Rockefeller Center area. Technically, its in the Rockefeller plaza as you drive on 48th west. Close to the actual building of the Rockefeller is the place where I believe they tape The Today Show, so you can fill in the remaining blanks there.

I do think that Nintendo would be a really good retail choice for both coasts, as it draws in something that Hollywood HAD (The Gamestop there that got closed for Things from Another Worlds expansion) and something Orlando has not had at all I believe.

That said, I am very curious to see how Nintendo is implemented outside of the parks, as that can be a true merchandise giant for Citywalk in general, but it depends on how in hell they do it.

All they need is park exclusive merchandise and game events. Custom Amiboos you could only get at Universal Studios

 

[Mike S]

All they need is park exclusive merchandise and game events. Custom Amiboos you could only get at Universal Studios

Minion Amiibos would be very popular I would imagine. Minions dressed up as different characters perhaps?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Replace the Billabong store or other crappy locations and put Nintendo in. Imagine how huge that'd be for visitors.

 

[MrRoamer]

Replace the Billabong store or other crappy locations and put Nintendo in. Imagine how huge that'd be for visitors.

I'd say replacing Hart and Huntington or Element would be better. I think that Billabong has too big of a foot print for a Nintendo store, plus the shortcut would be a lot more of a headache for everyone.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'd say replacing Hart and Huntington or Element would be better. I think that Billabong has too big of a foot print for a Nintendo store, plus the shortcut would be a lot more of a headache for everyone.

I think "large footprint" is what a Nintendo store needs. It'd sell more than just games.

 

[Viator]

I think "large footprint" is what a Nintendo store needs. It'd sell more than just games.

This. Nintendo isn't just a IP that is contrived to selling video games; it has some of the most profitable retail items in the market; two in particular; Amiibos and Pokémon. Sure, you can say that Nintendo doesn't own Pokémon, but they do own a stake in it, and with a lot of the merchandise that Pokémon has sold, Nintendo has gotten a bit of it.

And then the true Pokémon of Nintendo, Amiibos. Those suckers can fly off the shelf faster than you can put them, and its cool how they can be used in some of their big games (especially Smash in that regards).

In short; Nintendo needs something larger in space for a Citywalk store, especially on both coasts; as the retail sales for both stores; would be out of the roof.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I think "large footprint" is what a Nintendo store needs. It'd sell more than just games.

The NYC store is more than just a company specific GameStop. They have a smal history museum, lots of demo stations, merch, displays, and more. Plus they could use this location as a destination of sorts for launches of products like Sony did with the Sony Store and the Metreon back in the day.

 

[JungleSkip]

The NYC store is more than just a company specific GameStop. They have a smal history museum, lots of demo stations, merch, displays, and more. Plus they could use this location as a destination of sorts for launches of products like Sony did with the Sony Store and the Metreon back in the day.

Also could have a kickass "Blue Sky Cellar" showcasing Nintendoland and any other Nintendo projects that come down toe pike

 

[MrRoamer]

Just looked at pictures of Nintendo Store NYC. Very surprised with how big it is, I was thinking it would look way too cluttered similar to the Think Geek store but I could see them pulling something off similar to World of Disney. Part of me does hope they shrink some of the console play areas though, maybe have a single stage area that they rotate things out with and have Mario Kart, Smash Bros, etc tournaments there too.

 

[UNIrd]

How have I missed the Nintendo store in NYC? I was just there and have been there a few times since 2005.

 

[RichOBJ]

How fast Nintendo moves on this in discussions is important, too. Japanese game companies have a reputation for dragging their feet on big decisions.

I believe Nintendo's financial situation isn't performing too well. Quick check of their financial info shows a steady decline in net sales since 2011, so while they may talk about it, they may still be trying to figure out their direction.

A theme park presence will easily help marketing and partnership profit. If Universal gives up a portion of the revenues (something not crazy due to Nintendo's financial situation and history of the company wanting every penny its characters make) that may be worthwhile since it prob wont be expected of Nintendo to invest any -- if a little -- to build/maintain.

 

[Viator]

^
wasn't this project has been in some sort of development since 2014, no? Because if that's the case, then I have to think that if its opened in 2019; it'd be a project that takes 5 years. From negotiations to opening day, and that would..make some sense.

Given a company as stated by Rich, Nintendo (or any game company from Japan) likes to keep their aces close to them. Atleast here, it seems that they have Miyamoto on-board with the project heavily, and it could be good to assume that Thierry could be involved with the creation of the land, no?

It is all going to depend on whos in-charge for the development. As to be honest; I can easily see Coup be the head for this project, to work close with Shigeru on how its executed, much like how Coup worked heavily with WB and JKR to bring Potter up and running, it can easily work out well.

We also have to expect that Nintendo in circumstance, will be as protective if not more, then how JKR was with Potter and the implementation of her IP in the parks.

Although, that's just my personal opinion on how Nintendo could be handled, as they are a very, very, VERY protective company in every aspect.

 

[JungleSkip]

^
wasn't this project has been in some sort of development since 2014, no? Because if that's the case, then I have to think that if its opened in 2019; it'd be a project that takes 5 years. From negotiations to opening day, and that would..make some sense.

Yea, this is about right, seemingly. They went to Nintendo with a pretty detailed pitch. The time since that is hammering out the final details