Sydneys Nintendo Connection to shut down

Nintendos Sydney experience comes to a close as Myer gives up on games

Nintendo opened the Nintendo Connection at Myer Sydney City in 2009 to expand its retail presence with a fancy dedicated section for Nintendo games. Not only was it a great place to learn about and try the latest games, the area played host to several events over the years (mostly exclusive). Such events included a pretty much once-in-a-lifetime appearance from Charles Martinet (the voice of Mario), numerous Pokémon Battle Competitions, and other competitions for games like Mario Kart Wii and Donkey Kong Country Returns.

The most memorable of all the events for me, hands down, was the last round of battles during the National Coin Challenge. It was at the Nintendo Connection that we witnessed (and I in fact participated in) the final, and appropriately the most jaw-dropping, individual battle of the entire series. The results of that match could not have been any closer.

But now, the area will be de-Nintendoed and dissolved with the surrounding  entertainment/technology areas it seems. The reason for the closure is not known, but two factors may have contributed to its demise. First, who buys games at Myer? Nobody, which is why Myer has also started to get rid of games sections in all its stores. And second, the area’s position within Myer itself, six floors above street level, meant it had little exposure and made it an impractical location for midnight launches. We wonder what will happen now—will Nintendo move the Nintendo Connection to a more appropriate location in Sydney? We’ll see (or not).