Nintendo Video game store in San Francisco (Union Square), California

On May 15, 2025, Nintendo opened its second US store in San Francisco’s Union Square. The store is located at 331 Powell Street (at the corner of Powell and Geary) and offers an engaging experience for gaming lovers. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie inaugurated the store at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Opening Ceremony and Initial Reactions

There was a lot of excitement among gamers about the opening of this store. Entry to the store from May 15 to 18 and during the Memorial Day weekend required a ‘Warp Pipe Pass’, which was a timed reservation system. Due to the huge demand for these passes, they were quickly booked, which clearly shows how excited Nintendo fans were about this new store.

Apart from this, Nintendo also held a ‘My Nintendo x Nintendo San Francisco Sweepstakes’, in which the winner got a chance to take a trip of four days and three nights. The visit also included a personal tour during the store’s launch event. The sweepstakes ran from March 13 to April 8, 2025 and required 10 Platinum Points to enter.

Store Features and Experience

The store is spread over two floors in about 9,000 square feet and is similar to the Nintendo Store in New York. The store’s interior is minimalistic and attractive, featuring merchandise as well as interactive elements.

Exclusive Merchandise

• Exclusive Products: The store offers Nintendo-themed products such as graphic T-shirts (20), dishware sets (25), plushies (under $6) and other souvenirs that are only available here.
• Game Systems and Accessories: Game consoles, games and other accessories can also be purchased from here. Also, users can customize their Switch and Joy-Con bundles.
• Pokemon merchandise: Unlike Nintendo stores in Japan, which are often located near Pokemon Centers, this store also offers Pokemon merchandise directly, including products from franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing.

Interactive experiences

• 14-foot giant screen: The store features a giant screen where visitors can enjoy a gaming experience.
• My Nintendo rewards: Users can earn platinum coins by scanning their ‘My Nintendo’ QR code and also collect stickers during the store’s opening week.
• Statues and displays: The store also displays replicas of some of Nintendo’s famous statues, providing great photo ops for fans.

Location and accessibility

The store is located in San Francisco’s Union Square, a historic and busy commercial hub. Public transport is the best option to reach here. Visitors can get on BART or MUNI at the Powell Street Station or use the cable car lines (Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason). Public transportation is recommended due to parking issues.

Although Union Square has been in the news for some time due to store closures (such as Nordstrom), new store openings such as Shoe Palace, B. Patisserie, and now Nintendo have brought new life to the area. San Francisco Mayor London Breed called it “great news for Union Square and gaming fans.”

Public and media response

Fans are excited about the store, with some traveling from as far away as Oregon to purchase exclusive merchandise such as Pokémon plushies. Many users on social media have praised its immersive experience and affordable prices.

However, some have raised concerns about San Francisco’s crime and vandalism problems. Some users suggested that cities like London or Paris would have been safer for this store, but others believe that the “safer” parts of Union Square and California’s recent anti-crime policy will help make this store a success.

European fans have also expressed their wish that Nintendo opens its stores in cities like London, Paris or Amsterdam, so that they do not have to travel to the US or Japan for such an experience.

Strategic importance

This store is part of Nintendo’s global expansion plan. It is the company’s fifth store worldwide, including New York and three stores in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto). In addition, this store is also tied to the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 (June 5, 2025), although it is not yet clear whether Switch 2 units are available at this store.

Tips for travel

• Check reservations: Warp Pipe passes may still be required after the opening week, so check for updates on Nintendo’s official website.
• Use public transportation: Take BART, MUNI or the cable car to avoid parking hassles.
• Get a My Nintendo Account: Earn rewards by scanning QR codes and get exclusive stickers.
• Be prepared for crowds: The store was quite crowded during opening week, so expect wait times.

The Nintendo San Francisco store is a new must-see attraction for gaming enthusiasts. If you’re in San Francisco or planning a trip, put this store on your list! For more information, visit Nintendo’s official website (nintendo.com) or follow their social media handle @NintendoStoreUS.