Exclusive: Interview with Nintendo's Doug Bowser in San Francisco

Nintendo enthusiasts have a new destination to celebrate their passion as the company opens its doors to its second official store in the United States today, May 15. Located in the heart of San Francisco at 331 Powell Street in Union Square, the Nintendo San Francisco store marks the gaming giant's expansion to the West Coast, following the footsteps of the renowned New York location. Originally dubbed the Nintendo World Store, the New York branch underwent renovations and a rebranding to become Nintendo NY before its grand reopening in 2016.

IGN had the opportunity to visit the new San Francisco store to explore what Nintendo has in store for its fans. In addition to the store tour, IGN sat down with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser to delve into the reasons behind choosing this moment to open the first Nintendo store on the West Coast.

During the interview, the conversation naturally turned to the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch on June 5. IGN quizzed Bowser on a range of topics concerning the Switch 2, including its availability in the U.S. at launch and beyond, as well as the controversial Game-Key Cards and other pertinent details.