Bandai Confirms September Opening Date and Exclusive Gunpla for New Gundam Base Minneapolis

Bandai has officially revealed that The Gundam Base Minneapolis will open its doors on September 30, bringing the dedicated Gunpla store to Minnesota’s Mall of America later this month.

The new location will become only the second permanent Gundam Base in the US, following the opening of The Gundam Base Chicago at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in December 2025.

Plans for additional US locations in Minneapolis and Seattle were first announced earlier this summer, with both stores originally given a broader Fall 2026 opening window as Bandai continues expanding The Gundam Base across North America.

The Gundam Base is Bandai’s dedicated retail destination for Gunpla, combining a large selection of model kits with exclusive releases, limited-edition products, building accessories and displays celebrating the wider Gundam franchise.

Minneapolis will continue that format with a range covering both newcomers and experienced builders, while also giving fans in the Midwest another permanent way to buy products normally restricted to Gundam Base locations.

Bandai has already revealed three exclusive Gunpla that will be available as part of the store’s grand opening lineup.

MG 1/100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED RX-78-2 GUNDAM Ver.3.0 [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

MG 1100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED RX 78 2 Ver. 3.0 [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

RG 1/144 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED WING GUNDAM ZERO EW [CLEAR COLOR]

RG 1144 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED WING GUNDAM ZERO EW [CLEAR COLOR]

HaroPla THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED HARO [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

HaroPla THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED HARO [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

The RX-78-2 gives the original Gundam a blue-and-white color scheme associated with The Gundam Base, while Wing Gundam Zero EW receives a transparent Clear Color treatment that exposes more of the internal construction beneath its armor.

Haro rounds out the opening selection with its own Gundam Base colors, giving visitors a much smaller option alongside the MG and RG kits.

Anyone spending $100 or more at The Gundam Base Minneapolis during the grand opening period will also receive a clear Gundam Base-branded fanny pack as a free gift while supplies last.

The Gundam Base won’t be the only new Bandai Namco destination opening at Mall of America on September 30, as the second US Bandai Namco Cross Store will begin welcoming customers on exactly the same day.

The first US Cross Store opened at Japan Village in Brooklyn, with the new Minneapolis location expanding the concept through 15 different official Bandai Namco shops and brands gathered together in one space.

These include dedicated areas for Tamashii Nations, Banpresto, Gashapon, Tamagotchi, Bandai Hobby, Bandai Card Games, Ichibansho figures, Bandai Toys, and several other parts of Bandai Namco’s entertainment and merchandise business.

ikebukuro bandai namco cross store largest gashapon word record 3

Opening celebrations for the Cross Store will include gifts from participating brands, while customers making any purchase will also receive a free Bandai Namco Cross Store tote bag while supplies last.

The two stores are part of Bandai Namco’s wider push to establish more permanent retail locations across the US, with The Gundam Base Seattle also scheduled to open at Westfield Southcenter during Fall 2026.

The Gundam Base Minneapolis and Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis will both officially open on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Mall of America, 102 E. Broadway in Bloomington, Minnesota.