If you grew up playing Nintendo games, visiting the Nintendo Museum feels like stepping back into your childhood. Experiencing how its games evolved, and reconnecting with the joy that made so many of us fall in love with gaming in the first place.
From early consoles to iconic characters and hands-on experiences, the Nintendo Museum is a place where nostalgia and innovation meet.
Exploring Nintendo’s Game Console History
As you move through the exhibits, you can see how Nintendo’s hardware evolved over time! From early systems to the consoles many of us grew up with. Watching Mario’s graphics progress from simple pixel designs to modern visuals were genuinely impressive. It’s hard to believe how far gaming has come, especially when you remember what those early games felt like at the time.
What makes this especially interesting is that the museum doesn’t just focus on the most famous titles. Instead, it shows the full breadth of Nintendo’s creativity, including lesser-known games and experimental designs that shaped the company’s future.
Seeing everything laid out in order makes you appreciate how carefully Nintendo refined it’s ideas over the years. The prototype console ideas were also fascinating to see. Some early designs were very different from the final products, making you wonder how Nintendo consoles might have turned out in another world. It’s a reminder that iconic consoles didn’t appear overnight. They were result of decades of experimentation, success, and failure. It shows how game design philosophy evolved alongside hardware improvements. Even with limited graphics, early games had strong gameplay ideas. Something Nintendo continues to value today.
For me personally, Pokémon was a huge part of my childhood. Seeing GBA Pokémon games lined up in the museum instantly brought back memories of long gaming sessions, trading Pokémon with friends, and trying to complete Pokédex. It made me want to go home and start playing Pokémon again.
Hands-On Fun: Big Famicom Controller Experience
One of the most memorable experiences for me was using a giant Famicom controller. It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly fun and surprisingly challenging. I played Mario game, which was incredibly fun and felt surprisingly challenging with the oversized buttons.
The hands-on area isn’t limited to just the giant Famicom controller. They also have other unique controller experiences, including a large Wii controller and a normal-sized Nintendo 64 controller, where you can play classic games from different eras. I personally played Donkey Kong on the Nintendo 64, which felt fresh and new to me since I didn’t play Donkey Kong much when I was younger.
Beyond these, there are many other well-known titles available, such as Mario Kart, Pokémon Snap, and many other games! Giving visitors plenty of options depending on which generation they grew up with.
To manage playtime, the museum uses a coin system. You start with 10 coins, and each game requires a small number of coins to play. The large controller experiences typically cost 2 coins, while the normal-sized Nintendo 64 games cost 1 coin. If there weren’t any limits, I could easily spend the entire day here replaying classic games.
Nintendo-Themed Baseball Game Experience
Another experience that surprised me was the baseball game area, which features several Nintendo-themed rooms, including a Mario-themed room. At first glance it looks simple and fun. But it was actually much harder than I expected. Timing the swing and hitting the ball properly took more skill than I thought, and I definitely struggled more than I imagined. Still, that challenge made it even more enjoyable. It’s one of those games that makes you want to come back and try again, and next time I visit, I’ll definitely need to practice hitting those balls a bit more.
Hatena Burger: A Fun Cafe Experience
After exploring the exhibits, the museum cafe is a great place to take a break. Hatena Burger offers a unique experience that feels like a game. Instead of ordering normally, you build your burger using an app while waiting in line. Don’t worry if there’s a queue, because that actually gives you plenty of time to customize your burger exactly how you want it.
You can check the menu in advance if you like: https://museum.nintendo.com/en/cafe/index.html
The cafe area also connects to the workshop space, and one small but charming detail is the Animal Crossing balloons floating near the ceiling. It’s a subtle touch, but fans will definitely notice it.
The Nintendo Museum also offers workshops, which add another layer to the visit. These can be reserved on the day, depending on availability. If you enjoy hands-on creative activities, it’s worth checking once you arrive.
Do You Need a Reservation for Nintendo Museum?
YES!
One of the most important things to understand before visiting is Nintendo Museum booking. Tickets must be reserved well in advance. We were lucky enough to secure tickets for a Saturday morning, but not everyone is that fortunate. Demand is very high, and tickets sell out quickly. As of January 2026, ticket reservations are open for April 2026 visits.
Here’s the official booking calendar: https://museum-tickets.nintendo.com/en/calendar
There’s also a chance to grab tickets if someone cancels. But you’ll need to be quick. Many people have the same idea, so availability can disappear fast.
My advice:
- Check the calendar frequently
- Be flexible with dates and times
- Don’t wait until last minute
Is the Nintendo Museum Worth It?
Absolutely!
The Nintendo Museum isn’t just for hardcore fans. It’s for anyone who has ever picked up a controller and felt that spark of joy. Whether it’s seeing the Nintendo timeline, playing with a giant Famicom controller, revisiting GBA Pokémon games, or enjoying a custom burger at Hatena Burger, the experience feels thoughtful and well-designed. If Nintendo played any role in your childhood, this museum will bring those memories back! Just make sure you book early. You don’t want nostalgia to sell out before you get there.