Nintendo opens Singapore office: Are the eShop and a permanent Store on the horizon?

Nintendo has officially set up shop in Singapore with the formation of Nintendo Singapore Pte Ltd, a new entity backed by S$8 million in capital and led by Takahiro Miura, who also heads Nintendo Korea. According to the company’s announcement on their website, the move is aimed at strengthening its Southeast Asia presence, with plans to eventually establish a similar office in Thailand.

While the release was light on details, the timing and choice of location are telling. A Singapore-based Nintendo office could pave the way for long-requested services like an official eShop for the region, potentially rolling out first here and then localised to neighbouring markets such as Thailand. It could also mean more Nintendo-organised events in Singapore – we have seen how pop-ups like the Mario Kart World launch at Jewel Changi have already shown how strong the demand can be.

And if Nintendo is serious about deepening its foothold, the idea of a permanent Nintendo Store here doesn’t feel far-fetched. With Singapore positioned as a hub for Southeast Asia, having a physical retail and experiential space – Jewel Changi being the obvious candidate given its past and current Nintendo tie-ins – could give the company a centrepiece for fans across the region.

Source: Nintendo