Nintendo has always had a troubled relationship with the idea of game preservation. The company's insular approach to video games and trigger-happy instincts for litigation where its IP is concerned are a source of frustration for many fans, but few can deny the storied history of the gaming giant. Nintendo itself looks set to honor that history itself over the next couple of years, though perhaps not in the way many might think.
According to a recent announcement, Nintendo plans to open a museum in its native Japan to showcase and share its "product development history and philosophy with the public." The site for this planned museum is to be one of the company's old factories in Uji, just outside of Kyoto, in response to the city government's plans to redevelop the nearby Ogura Station area. The Uji Ogura Plant (formerly just the Uji Plant) was originally built in 1969, back when Nintendo was shilling playing cards instead of Switches. It later became a customer service repair center before ceasing operations in 2016.
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The proposed building, tentatively named "Nintendo Gallery," is on track to finish construction by the end of the company's 2023 fiscal year in March 2024. The company promises "historical products" for visitors, along with "exhibits and experiences." It's not clear at the moment exactly what these exhibits will entail, but considering Nintendo's current position as one of the giants of the video game industry it's unlikely that the scope of the museum will be restricted to its origins as a 19th-century playing card manufacturer.
Hopefully, the Nintendo Gallery will fare better than Nintendo's other recent foray into a celebration of its work. After a hugely anticipated and repeatedly delayed opening, Super Nintendo World had to close again temporarily back in April due to spikes in Covid-19 cases. With several regions of Japan still in a state of emergency, the park is likely to stay closed for a little while yet, after being open for barely a month.
The construction of this museum will also hopefully give Nintendo an opportunity to consider its legacy with regard to game preservation. As digital distribution becomes more commonplace and other companies start to offer titles on multiple platforms and in more easily accessible ways, Nintendo retains a tight hold on its IP.
Nintendo has a lot to be proud of in its 131-year history, as the planned Nintendo Gallery is sure to show. It's created some of the most iconic games of all time and has always strived to innovate, for better or for worse. As one of the oldest companies in the game, hopefully this retrospective look at its past will help it come to terms with its responsibilities for the future.
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Source: Nintendo