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Nintendo of America Inc
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
27 reviews for Nintendo of America Inc
Honestly, I am rather disappointed that Nintendo of America does not give tours of their main facility. I mean, sure they are working on a bunch of secret projects that would most likely compromise the universe if ever leaked (no sarcasm intended - I'm a fan! :D) but maybe set those things aside and give us True Believers a more robust pilgrimage?
Bah, my complaints are miniscule compared to actually BEING in the presence of the NOA headquarters! And the Customer Service Center, while definitely as small as previous reviewers mentioned, makes up for its size by the sheer amount of fandom packed within its walls!
I bought this amazing Legend of Zelda t-shirt, a shot glass from Mario Party, and a Toad mug, which were all very nicely made. (They have this Chain Chomp volleyball that I really wanted, but didn't want to spend $20 for...next time for sure!)
I won't go too much into detail, since Bekki H. has given us a very detailed account of the whole deal, but man, even if it was just a small drop off for damaged systems and accessories, it was still something else to be in the presence of Nintendo's American hivemind!
I would be remiss if I, too, did not offer a shout-out to the guys behind the counter - they were courteous, friendly, funny and willing to hang out and talk about whatever. They made us feel welcome even though 98% of the facility was pretty much off-limits to us. For that, my girlfriend and I thank them for a great experience!
Nintendo of America is located in Redmond, Washington--mere steps outside of Seattle (OK, I'm exaggerating a little, but it's really close) and since my husband (and I) have played Nintendo forever, we had to check out Nintendo's campus while we were in the area. (We also went to Mircosoft's Campus/Vistor Center, but that's another post).
Behind a very unassuming door is the unassuming Customer Service Center. If you're local and need to get a repair you can bring your Nintendo there, and if you're like us and from out of town, you can take a sort of Gamer's Pilgrimage there. The two staff members working there were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.
As this is a working customer service center not a tourist/fanatic stop and shop, the "center" is nothing more than a simple room with two small seating areas--featuring large statues of Mario and Pikachu. There are a few games to play and a small display case of random Nintendo memorabilia through the ages. Aside from being a Customer Service Center and a waiting room for patrons , this place also functions as a shop (though I'm sure you could buy better Nintendo paraphernalia at the New York store) there is a small selection of Nintendo merchandise for sale. It's definitely not a "you have to see this or you'll regret it" place, but if you're a fan it's cool to check out--even if just to add to your "gamer street cred."
(I wrote a blog about our visit that has a good amount of pictures, which you can see here: http://pinkbirdcreatio... )
I have been here many times, as I live just a few blocks away. So I am rating the HQ as a whole. Everyone has said something about the visitor centre, so I will talk about the office centres. They are very cool, and welcoming with tons of Nintendo Power mags laying around, and a ton of DS's to play. The coolest thing I have seen while there was a group of 8 employee's gathered in a room playing mario kart DS. When I asked one of them if they are really allowed to do that at work, they said there boss grabs them everyday and makes them play until he comes in first. Sounds like a good bit to me. I think the best thing to do while there is take a tour of DigiPen, the school they have located on the campus. A good activity for the lust lacking visitor centre.
Nintendo is hidden in the woods of Redmond. Right near Microsoft. I can imagine what the xbox versus wii lunch conversations at the local Subway are like.
We came here as a joke to get a picture of the sign and check out the store. The store sadly, is a big disappointment. While you will be rewarded with cool plushes, mugs and some tshirts, the pickings are slim. You won't find anything that will win you fan boy points with anyone. There aren't any cool games or add ons to buy.
Though when Wii did first come out, I was able to get one due to some special magical jazz here. Which does make me warm and fuzzy for Nintendo again.
At least the kid appreciated the stuffed Mario doll.
The customer service reps here are always fabulous to deal with, and when I used to visit frequently while waiting for the boy to finish up classes at DigiPen, I often found myself in the midst of nerdy conversations about just pretty much anything. Everyone here is awesome, in my experience.
When the Wii first came out, I came and picked up the necessary cords and cables and extra controllers in person, which, given the difficulty of getting anything Wiilated (ha ha) at that time, I was really impressed with what the service store had in stock. However, beyond "Property of Nintendo Athletic Department" water bottles and some Link and Mario shaped lollipops, there's not much going to show off your Nintendo Pride so you're better off taking a trip to Hot Topic if you need a Yoshi belt buckle rather than a set of component cables.
I have always known Nintendo as a great video game powerhouse. From the big gray and ugly Game Boy (which I still own) and the NES to the Wii and Nintendo DSi. It's been interesting watching Nintendo grow and change and the American side of it all happens in Washington. From Super Mario to Pokemon, Nintendo has left its mark on the entertainment and pop world. I will always be a Sega fan, but Nintendo will also be great to me for its many fun games and consoles that it has released in the past two decades.
The boyfriend and I are obsessed with the Wii I bought him for Christmas.
We're well on our way to having "wii bodies" (out of shape everywhere with the exception of a really toned right arm and shoulder).
Super fun, I can't wait to get the Wii fit!
I'm reviewing the visitor's center, not the company. I would give Nintendo 7/5.
Nintendo is my favorite company and all, but I'm extremely disappointed with their visitor's center. Supposedly, it was better a couple of years ago, but the 200 square foot room with some merchandise sort of fails. Frankly, a Webkinz store at a mall has more Nintendo stuff than this place. They have a couple of cool statues that take up 25% of the room and some other overpriced stuff like shirts, plushies and coffee mugs. I guess I expected a little more than just a repair center with a small gift shop. The people seem very seclusive about questions too. Maybe because of the thunderstorms in the middle of July? (I almost got struck by lightning walking up to the place. :P) Being a mindless Nintendo puppet, I did buy a couple of shirts and a board game.
I don't know. I've been an avid Nintendo fan for a while. They seem to be saying, "up yours!" to hardcore gamers like myself who enjoy the first-party series. They removed the forums, which was an excellent outlet of discussion and advertising and then they centralize their gaming focus on casual games (that's more corporate decision-making in Japan, though). Still, the NOA representatives mention in e3 to continue playing Mario Galaxy and Brawl to their hardcore base. I can understand if they have a game that's in progress, but they won't want to announce it and have it be released in 2012, like Twilight Princess did back in 2006.
Back on track with the campus, I never see the Pikachu VW bug anymore.
Bottom line... If you're a Nintendo fan and want to see Nintendo products, go to the Nintendo World Store in New York. There really isn't anything to see here.
Sure there was the Atari, the Intellivision, and other gaming consoles before it, but the Nintendo Entertainment System came to the US in 1985 and things were never the same. Everyone who was anyone had an NES. Super Mario Brothers, Excitebike, Ninja Gaiden, Bionic Commando ... all classics. Heck, I still have one sitting in a box in my closer.
The Super NES came out in 1991 and set the standard again.
The N64 came out in 1995 and signaled the beginning of the mainstream 3D gaming world with ... what else ... Mario 64.
Gamecube came out in 2001 and was probably the least successful of Nintendo's systems. With gaming going hardcore with PS2 and Xbox, the cutesy Gamecube didn't have a strong gaming following and lost out.
And yet, Nintendo came back. Defying all skeptics, they came out with Wii and once again re-defined gaming. Instead of sticking with hardcore gaming, they made it fun and open to the whole family. Let me tell you, any system that my MOM can pick up and actually enjoy (Wii Fit) deserved high praise.
Nintendo has brought us so many memorable characters, from Mario to Donkey Kong to Link.
One day I'll visit HQ and update this rating, but from what I've seen it isn't much to write home about.
The Nintendo USA Mothership.
Hidden away down the street from Douche HQ with no obvious sign on the street is Nintendo. They have a video museum of their major creations as well. If you do their tour, or have broken in ninjastyle, your child (or inner child) can check them out. Just don't expect your kid to be impressed by the VirtualBoy, the NES, or R.O.B.
Apparently the Douchebox people have some kind of rivalry with Nintendo. Perhaps it's because Nintendo makes money.
To the tune of Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel:
I have a little console
I got it just today
and when I'm good and ready
I just might let you play
Oh my sweet little sunshine
you think this is your Wii
But mommy has been waiting
its really more for me
I'd have a lovely body
with waistline nice and trim
If I weren't so tired
I could play until I'm slim
Oh my sweet little sunshine
you think this is your Wii
But mommy has been waiting
its really more for me
My family's always playful
they love to dance and spin
a happy game of baseball
come play now let's begin!
Good times. Family bonding.
Happy Hanukkah son. Hope you like "your" Wii. Now go to bed...so dad and I can play some more.
Oh, Nintendo, how do I love thee?
Let me count the ways:
1 - The Wii - how dare you create something to eat up so much of my precious time? I love you.
2 - The Mario series - thank you for refining my motor skills and showing me that eating flowers will allow me to shoot fireballs.
3 - Zelda - even if fishing with the Wii-mote is a giant pain in the ass.
4 - Smash Bros - the N64 version ate most of my freshman year up. My whole dorm spent the year playing with you. Thank you for bringing us together.
5 - NES - the greatest system ever made.
6 - Virtual Console - so you overcharge for classic games - I'll still buy them, my sweet.
7 - Kung Fu for the NES - proof positive that all you need to be a martial arts master is a silly jab of a punch and a kick that looks like you're kicking a soccer ball. And you just need to walk sideways!
Nintendo is GREAT!
But the Nintendo visitor center is... uhh.. lame.
I visited Nintendo America HQ expecting something great at their visitor center, but was so disappointed when I found myself in a smallish room of about 200sq ft -- that's roughly the size of 2 offices. How can you fit the greatness of Nintendo in 2 offices??!! Shame on you, Nintendo!
I found out that back in the day, they started out making playing cards and Mah Jong sets. How about that!
I'm holding back one star cause Nintendo Wii is still in short supply! I'll give the fifth star when I got my own Wii.
I've been a long time Nintendo fan. First game that got me hook was the original Zelda. And they never seize to amaze gamers world wide with great titles. And the Wii was another success that puts them back on top of the console war.
I've been looking for my Wii for a long time but have yet to be able to get my pawls on one, so for now I can only play with my friend's Wii. Nintendo, how dare you to let me down like this!
Nintendo gets 5 stars, because o their awesomeness.
The visitor center in Redmond gets about 3.5 or 4. There should be free stuff and tours or something. It's really just a little shop with a statue of pikachu and a statue of mario... some classic Nintendo merchandise in a glass case and a history of Nintendo on the wall. Nice enough staff, and worth a visit for the true fan, but not the coolest experience in the world.
Listen up, if you haven't actually gone and visited, stop freaking reviewing Nintendo, the company. It's extremely frustrating for those that actually want to give a review for the public facing portion of Nintendo, the customer service center...
I went and visited a week ago. I actually knew what to expect due to a little review of the whole experience (link: http://www.4colorrebel...) (I'm also writing one up). When you approach the building, you can't even tell it's one of the greatest companies of all times. Actually, there was a nice bit of shrubbery covering up the name when I went.
The whole public area is fairly small (as you'll see in the picture), and it's basically a place to buy a few Nintendo related doodads. I got a nice beanie hat, and that was it. Seriously, don't expect much from it.
No tour. You can't visit the inside at all.
Yup, nintendo is awesome!
A lot of people have said the visitor center kinda sucks and well, it does... the secret is if you know someone (or do a summer class at DigiPen) you can get a tour of the actual Nintendo buildings where the cool museum and store is!
Don't tell anyone I said so though :)
"Quit playing your Nintendo and go do your homework!", said my mom.
"But mom, I'm playing Sega (Genesis)!"
Yeah, Nintendo was synonymous with video gaming. I'll never forget the days I played until well past midnight, occasionally peeking over to my parents' bedroom to make sure I didn't get caught. I'll never forget the times I had to literally spit into my NES/Famicom cartridge when it stopped working. I'll never forget the time when I called myself a Final Fantasy fangirl for the first time.
It's the era of next-gen gaming now, but I'll never forget my Famicom and Super Famicom and Game Cube (skipped the N64). Now it's all about the DS and Wii. Love the DS, my constant companion.
Minus 1 star for the nationwide shortage of Wii. Yes, I'm just bitter because I don't have a Wii yet.
==
Mini update: I got a Wii. Yahoo! ;)
All I can say is I somehow KICK ASS at Wii boxing. Tennis, not so good at though. In boxing I had a KO and also a decision going to me. I LOVE it! Talk about fun! I need one. And thanks to Matt R and Ian K for letting me kick your ass. Wee for Wii! :)
Selling your Wiis has already made me $500. Thanks!
~G
*Updated* 4/9.08
-Make that $600
Nintendo. rules. all.
Besides all the obvious awesomeness that is Nintendo, their customer service is second to none. My parents' Wii started acting weird and not reading games correctly. They contacted customer service, who immediately sent them out a paid shipping label. Three days after sending their Wii in, it was back in their hands with a note explaining which parts had been replaced, and a letter of apology that their Wii had any issues to begin with. How kickass is that?
I've just recently become reacquainted with Nintendo by purchasing a Nintendo DS. This is a really rad hand held game system which is perfect for travel. My last cross country flight went quicker than ever thanks to Mario Kart and Tetris. It also makes for an excellent way to pass the time for when you are dropping the kids off at the pool.
http://www.nintendo.co...
The Nintendo Campus! :)
If you are visiting you will want to go to the Customer Service entrance. They receive guests during visitor hours but they are only allowed in the tiny shop / museum. You can drop off your console for repair, shop their small selection of company merchandise, and take a picture with the Mario or Pikachu statue. If you are lucky you might see the Pikachu Volkswagen Beetle parked outside. Beyond that and the hardscaped Nintendo sign on the corner of 150th and 51st, there really isn't much to see.
If you want to go "inside" you'll need somebody from the company to get you in via the security desk. Even though it's a serious work place, it does have quite a bit of charm. Throughout the corridors you'll see fan letters and art. In random alcoves you'll find consoles setup for people to play. There is a museum inside called The World of Nintendo that has samplings of Nintendo's legacy. The Fun N' Games shop sells games, corporate merchandise, and toys. Cafe Mario sells cafeteria-style food and even has a Starbucks inside. These guys create magic!
When I was 5, i got my first console: SNES!! Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Mario Paint, Street Fighter, Ren & Stimpy...these got me and my friends through those nights when my parents would host those karaoke parties.
Later I got gameboy pocket, gameboy color, DS, and now I have the Wii.
Nintendo's in a league of it's own. Their unique approach to the controllers and the quirky, charming games (I can't wait for Cooking Mama!) stands apart from the other consoles.
The Wii is awesomeness. I just hope that Nintendo can hurry up with letting you use the DS with the Wii.
im nice off this
*edit
from rc pro am and mario 3 on the nes to supermario world on the snes to mario 64 on the nintendo 64 to the new mario brothers on nintendo ds to mario galaxy on the Wii.. these guys definitely know what theyre doing.
ordered a turkey burger and tater tots from mario cafe.. amazing. i love turkey and potatoes
Let's see. I started out with the 8-bit System as a kid and still find myself with a Wii. One thing I found was that Nintendo is always innovative. Remember that robot thing or Power Glove item for the original 8-bit system. Or how about that bazooka looking controller for some Super NES games. And now with the interactive way the controllers work with Wii games. Another thing that's cool with Nintendo was that personalized letters I would get whenever I would write them some good old snail mail. Yeah I used to write them letters when I was a kid. Laugh if you want but at least it wasn't canned responses you get with e-mail nowadays.
"Sorry Mario but your Princess is in another castle."
haha one of my favorite quotes....
For more than 25 years, Nintendo has created the most memorable video games with the most recognizable characters.
This My Favorite Game Company Ever!! =D Innovation and Originality kept me a Nintendo Fan. I almost forgot that Nintendo of America was located in Washington State.
Hand-held Gaming with Nintendo DS is just plain Awesome...Soon to be, Nintendo will reshape the home entertainment and video game landscape with the launch of its heralded Wii(tm) home video game console. -- Nov. 19 2006... http://wii.nintendo.com/
Now only if I can Land a Job with Nintendo =D
