Nintendowner

I had first intended on only staying one night, but in the morning I was remembered two important companies that worked just outside of Seattle, Microsoft, and Nintendo! I know I am a big dork, but what can I say, I grew up reading Nintendo Power magazine, and playing none other then Nintendo games. So in a very nerdy fashion, how cool would it be to go and visit NOA HQ? Very cool!

I headed out to Redmond Washington around 1PM and found my way there quite easily, its only about a 20 minute drive from Seattle. As I looked for the proper Nintendo address, I couldn’t help but notice all the Microsoft offices. Its like Microsoft has there own little city inside Redmond where all the buildings look the same.

I had found the almighty Nintendo of America HQ, although it wasn’t quite what I expected. It was rather unobtrusive inconspicuous grey building. Not something flashy like you would expect from a giant game company. It was very ordinary, with only a little Nintendo insignia on the front sign. I drove around the building, like I was casing the joint all the wile searching for the main entrance. I found a parking spot in the front, and just sat there for a bit and pulled out my laptop to see if there were any open WiFi sources nearby and to my surprise NOA has an open network (Hackers should go have some fun with that). I wanted to see if Nintendo offered tours of their fine facility before I walked in, but a quick Google search would provide no answers.

Sitting outside Nintendo of America and I must say for some odd reason I was full of in trepidation to see what goes on inside the big N. The house that Mario built and I cower at its door steps. I pulled myself together and walked inside to see if there were any giant Mario statues adorning the place. I was surprised to find two lonely receptionist sitting at a tiny desk, in a very tiny front lobby. Off to the side there were two coffee tables stocked with the most recent Nintendo Power magazines. I approached receptionist very cautiously, but they didn’t seem to notice me standing there. I looked about the front desk and all I could find Nintendo related was a stack of business cards. Finally one of the receptionists looked up at me, and asked if she could help me. I replied “ah yeah, do you offer any tours of the facility to the public?” To which I received a very strong, “NO!” she then looked back down at the desk an answered a phone call “Hello thank you for calling Nintendo of America, how may I direct your call?”

I just stood there peering around the corner to only to see nothing but a bunch of tiny cubicles. The receptionist then looked back up at me, and I asked if they had any sort of trinkets they gave out to people that stopped into visit, like a pen or something? “No we don’t have anything like that, if you want go over to the Customer Service building where they sell some T-shirts and strategy guides.” I then asked if I could have one of the business cards on the front desk and she told me “NO.” So I grabbed one anyways and walked out.

What a disappointment. No “tours of Nintendo of America’s headquarters” I can understand that, there just a game company like another, but still show some respect for your faithful customers. I think I read somewhere that Valve gives tours of their company? I don’t know I just figured that a company geared toward kids would be a bit friendlier. I’m sure I’m not the first to stop by and be disappointed with a visit, but then again it is still a company first. I still think the receptionist was a little rude, warranting me to send an email to Nintendo’s customer service department to which I got this response:


Message(#6851-000462-1962\4621962)

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear that you're experience here wasn't very good and I apologize if the receptionist was rude to you. I'll be forwarding your feedback to the appropriate department for review.

Thanks for writing.

Sincerely,

Nintendo of America Inc.
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