Nintendo, the iconic Japanese gaming company, is preparing to unveil a museum dedicated to its rich history next week. This new attraction will offer fans of beloved franchises like “Super Mario,” “The Legend of Zelda,” as well as classic gaming devices such as the Game Boy and Switch, a unique opportunity to explore the journey of one of the most influential game developers in the world.

The museum, located in Uji, near Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto, showcases the company’s remarkable evolution from its early days. Founded in 1889, Nintendo initially made its mark as a producer of “hanafuda” playing cards. Over the years, it has transformed into a global gaming powerhouse, responsible for some of the most iconic games and consoles in history.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of “Super Mario” and an executive fellow at Nintendo, shared that the museum’s goal is to enhance public awareness of the company’s legacy. He emphasized that as long as the company maintains its core values of family, enjoyment, and simplicity in product development, Nintendo’s future growth is assured. Miyamoto expressed, “As long as our employees are grounded in creating products that uphold the principles of family, enjoyment, and simplicity, the future of Nintendo will continue to thrive.”

The museum is situated on the grounds of a former playing card manufacturing plant, which also doubled as a product repair center. It officially opens to visitors on October 2, and tickets for the first two months have already sold out online, demonstrating the immense excitement surrounding the launch.

Beyond the classic and well-known systems like the Game Boy and Wii, visitors will have the chance to discover some of Nintendo’s more obscure creations, such as the “Copilas” printer and the “Mamaberica” baby carriage. The museum also features a range of interactive exhibits, allowing guests to play video games together, adding a hands-on element to the experience.

In recent years, Nintendo has sought to diversify beyond its core video game market, establishing retail stores and expanding its beloved characters into movies and theme parks. Although the company’s momentum in exploring these ventures has somewhat slowed, its focus on expanding the Nintendo brand continues.

As sales of the Nintendo Switch console have started to decelerate, investor interest has shifted toward the possibility of a successor. Nintendo is expected to release more details about its next-generation device within the current fiscal year, which ends in March. Despite this slowdown, the Switch remains a phenomenal success, with a staggering 140 million units sold, solidifying its place in gaming history.