Nintendo Museum in Kyoto: Masahiro Sakurai Praises Sneak Preview Ahead of October 2024 Opening

Nintendo is set to deepen its celebration of gaming history with the highly anticipated Nintendo Museum, opening its doors in Kyoto, Japan on October 2, 2024.

Serving as a hub for fans of the storied company, the museum will showcase the evolution of classic Nintendo franchises, development milestones, and memorabilia reflecting decades of iconic game design.

Amid a resurgence in Nintendo Switch popularity and a steady stream of new content revealed through Nintendo Direct presentations, the museum is poised to become a cornerstone attraction for visitors worldwide. Ahead of the grand opening, Masahiro Sakurai—best known as the creator and director of the Super Smash Bros.

series—was invited for an exclusive preview tour.

Sakurai, whose influence has shaped some of Nintendo’s most successful properties, shared his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.

Reflecting on the experience, he remarked that seeing the historical achievements on display was both fascinating and personally meaningful, given his direct involvement in many of Nintendo’s greatest hits.

"Exploring the Nintendo Museum gave me a unique chance to revisit the games I've contributed to, from both a creator’s and a player’s perspective.

It’s clear that every visitor will have their own special connection to the stories here, but I found myself wanting to linger and take in every detail," Sakurai said as he toured exhibits including a photo opportunity with the singing Toads installation. Masahiro Sakurai’s latest and most acclaimed project, Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate, launched for the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

The crossover fighter quickly became one of the platform’s top-selling titles, exceeding 32 million units sold worldwide and receiving two extensive waves of downloadable content that bolstered its already expansive roster.

Sakurai’s enduring presence in the industry extends beyond game design; until recently, he has also produced insightful video content for game development enthusiasts via his own YouTube channel.

In late 2023, he announced the conclusion of his YouTube series but reaffirmed his commitment to continuing his work in game creation. The Nintendo Museum marks a new chapter in the company’s ongoing legacy, offering fans an immersive look at development history, behind-the-scenes artifacts, and beloved characters from franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Super Smash Bros.

As October approaches, industry observers and Nintendo fans alike eagerly await the official unveiling of this one-of-a-kind attraction.

Those seeking more information about the Nintendo Museum and its role in preserving gaming heritage can anticipate further announcements and detailed coverage on official Nintendo platforms and major industry news outlets.

Super Smash Bros Nintendo Masahiro Sakurai Smash Bros Nintendo Museum Kyoto Sakurai