Nintendo enthusiasts on the West Coast have reason to celebrate as the gaming giant opens its second official store in the United States today, May 15. Located in the bustling Union Square at 331 Powell Street in San Francisco, this new addition follows the footsteps of the renowned New York store, which underwent a significant transformation from the Nintendo World Store to Nintendo NY in 2016 after a period of renovations and rebranding.
IGN had the opportunity to visit the new San Francisco store and explore what Nintendo has in store for its fans. Additionally, we had an exclusive interview with Nintendo of America's President, Doug Bowser, to discuss the strategic decision behind opening their first West Coast store at this juncture.
During our conversation with Doug Bowser, the topic inevitably shifted to the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch on June 5. We delved into crucial details about the Switch 2's availability in the U.S. at launch and beyond, the controversial Game-Key Cards, and other pertinent issues surrounding this exciting new release.