Nintendo Art Gallery to open in Kyoto this September
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is set to unveil a new exhibition area later this year.
The new area has been revealed as an “Art Gallery” and will be a dedicated space on the second floor of the exhibition building.
It will provide visitors with a look into the artistic development behind some of Nintendo’s most popular games and characters.
The Nintendo Museum officially opened its doors to the public on October 2nd, 2024, at the site of a former Nintendo factory in Uji City, Kyoto.
It provides a comprehensive history of Nintendo’s evolution, from its origins as a Hanafuda (Japanese playing cards) manufacturer in 1889, to its status as a global leader in electronic entertainment with products like the Nintendo Switch.
The museum features a wide array of historical products, interactive exhibits where visitors can play classic games or engage with unique contraptions like the Ultra Hand, and even workshops for creating traditional Hanafuda cards.
Access to the museum is managed through a lottery-based ticketing system, given its popularity.
The upcoming “Art Gallery” promises to be a treasure trove for fans interested in the creative process behind Nintendo’s vast universe of intellectual properties.
It will feature a collection of game art, including original character image illustrations and concept drawings created while developing the settings of many popular games.
The existence of the new gallery was initially revealed by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto in an interview conducted prior to the museum’s grand opening.
Despite this initial confirmation that the museum would include an Art Gallery, it was not present when it opened, leaving fans wondering if, or when, it would eventually become part of the museum.
In the interview, Miyamoto mentioned that the museum would go beyond just displaying pixel art of Mario or early design sketches.
He specifically noted that illustrations from contemporary hits like “Splatoon” and the critically acclaimed “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” would also be part of the display, offering insights into the artistic styles and world-building that define Nintendo’s titles across different eras.
“Splatoon,” a vibrant third-person shooter series, is celebrated for its unique ink-based gameplay and distinctive, fashion-forward squid-kid characters.
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”, the sequel to “Breath of the Wild”, further expanded the Hyrule universe and introduced breathtaking environments and new character designs.
The inclusion of artwork from such recent titles indicates that the “Art Gallery” will present the full breadth of Nintendo’s artistic endeavors, from the traditional hand-drawn concept art of their early games to digital renderings from modern games.
The introduction of the “Art Gallery,” which is scheduled to open on September 3rd 2025, is expected to further enhance the museum’s appeal to Nintendo fans.
Source: Official X Account
© Nintendo
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