Nintendo to open first ever UK merch store next month in London

Abandon hope for your wallets, all ye who enter here (Nintendo)

A temporary pop-up store for Nintendo merchandise is due to open just in time for Christmas and we can only imagine how long the queues will be.

Nintendo is, as you’ve probably had cause to discover yourself, a very odd company. We’d be here until tomorrow listing all the different examples but one of the more curious, considering how much they like money, is that until recently they’ve made very little effort to take advantage of fans’ love of merchandise.

For the longest time the only Nintendo Store in the world was in New York City and they only opened one in Tokyo (that isn’t in its own building and looks more like a pop-up store that just never closed down) in 2019. Although more recently they did add one in San Francisco and Kyoto.

There’s nothing at all in Europe but this October there will be a pop-up store in London, that is going to empty fan wallets quicker than even the most desirable DLC.

You realise none of this is going to be cheap (Nintendo)

You can see some examples of what will be sold in these photos, and it’s specifically stated that it will include items currently only available in the Japanese stores. That means franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend Of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Pikmin, and Kirby will be represented.

It’s possible, although Nintendo hasn’t mentioned it, that there may be some London specific items too. The store will be in the Westfield London shopping centre in Shepard’s Bush London and that’s previously been used for a Pokémon pop-up store, where they sold an exclusive cuddly Pikachu with a brolly and a bowler hat.

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The store will be open for four weeks, from October 22 to November 16, and will include things such as keyrings, badges, bags, soft toys, stationery, and ‘exclusive collectibles’.

Splatoon glasses and coasters for the discerning Inkling fan (Nintendo) How to reserve a ticket for London Nintendo pop-up store

As happened with the Pokémon pop-up, you really need to make a reservation before you try to pay a visit, or you might not get in.

Reservations will begin on October 7, when you’ll be able to pick a date and a timeslot. According to Nintendo ‘those most eager to visit will get the opportunity to visit ahead of the pop-up store opening to the public’ but there’s no explanation yet, of exactly what that means.

The website to register for a pass isn’t open yet but to get a pass everyone that’s older than seven years old will need a Nintendo Account (that is linked to the same Nintendo Account family group if they’re going as a family).

Nintendo Accounts are free to set-up but you’ll have to do that before you try to register, so probably best to do that now. Kids ages six and under don’t need an individual pass, but the person they’re with does.

The exaction location of the pop-up store is Westfield Shopping Centre, London, Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush W12 7GF. It’s easily accessible via public transport, with more details here.

The store will be around from October 22 to November 16, with open times of 10am to 9pm, and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.

Those are very cute (Nintendo)

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