Nintendo has always communicated through its products, without explaining itself much – Shigeru Miyamoto gives insights into new museum 

The Nintendo Museum is set to open on October 2 in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture- offering a wide range of displays and activities related to Nintendo products released over the Japanese company’s 134-year history. In an interview by Denfaminicogamer on September 25, Shigeru Miyamoto discussed the philosophy behind the museum and how his signature unintentionally became one of the exhibits. 

“When I first thought about creating this museum, my biggest concern was if Yamauchi were here, he would tell me not to do it.” Miyamoto explains, referring to the late Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was also Miyamoto’s mentor. Expanding upon this, Miyamoto adds that Yamauchi put emphasis on being humble. 

“Nevertheless, there were two reasons why I decided to create the museum,” Miyamoto explains. The first is to preserve Nintendo’s ever-expanding catalogue of games and products for future generations. However, Miyamoto stresses that it is also important to show these products. “I think we are living in a time where if we don’t display these products somewhere, people will forget. Aside from the Nintendo Switch console, everything else in the museum is now over 20 years old.”  

Miyamoto’s second reason for creating the museum was to provide an easy introduction to the company for the 100 to 200 fresh-faced employees that join Nintendo each year. “I used to give a 2-hour seminar for new employees, which then became 2 and a half hours, and before I knew it, the seminar ended up being almost 3 hours long.” Miyamoto explains. “After almost 20 years, I would like to stop doing these seminars.”   

Unusually for a museum, the Nintendo Museum is completely focused on Nintendo’s products, with no mention of the people behind them. “Nintendo has always communicated with its customers through products, without really explaining itself much.” Miyamoto opines, and this is evident in the museum’s displays. “I didn’t want it to be like an art exhibition where loads of people end up standing around the entrance reading a boring historical timeline. (…) I decided to communicate everything through the products, without mentioning any individuals.” 

Despite this, Miyamoto’s signature accidentally ended up becoming a display piece, something the Mario creator seems to feel awkward about. It can be seen on the foundation stone to the left of the entrance to the museum. “It’s the only individual’s name in the museum, so I feel very bad about that.” Miyamoto states, before revealing that signing his name on the foundation stone was “a signal for everyone to sign their name, but after I had written mine, no-one else did.” It was later decided to make it so that visitors would be able to see the signature on their way in.  

Nintendo Museum opens on October 2, 2024 in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, and requires visitors to reserve ahead of time. More information can be found in English on the official website.