Nintendo has announced it will be hosting Nintendo Live 2023 in the United States for the first time in September.
The company said in a press release Tuesday that this year's Nintendo Live event will be held in Seattle, where fans of all ages can try out demos of current and upcoming Nintendo Switch games, compete in tournaments, take photos with their favorite Nintendo characters, watch live stage performances, and more.
"Fans of all ages can currently experience the unique games, characters and worlds of Nintendo on Nintendo Switch, but we want to expand that scope with a new experience," Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said in a statement. "With Nintendo Live 2023, we’re giving attendees a chance to celebrate together with family, friends and the broader Nintendo community in the spirit of fun and creating long-lasting memories."
Announcing #NintendoLive 2023, an in-person event for fans of all ages that will take place in Seattle this September! Experience Nintendo Switch gameplay, live stage performances, tournaments, photo ops, and more.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 11, 2023
Stay tuned for more details: https://t.co/0uePw3LHqS pic.twitter.com/3nqalGUTa0
Nintendo Live made its debut in Japan in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Nintendo to postpone the event for a few more years due to its in-person structure. The company brought back the event at the Tokyo Big Site in Odaiba last October, featuring live concerts held by K.K. Slider from Animal Crossing and Deep Cut from Splatoon 3.
Nintendo Live 2023 is making its way across the Pacific Ocean comes in the midst of Nintendo's recent successes with the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and its theatrical debut of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was made in collaboration with Illumination. The movie, which stars Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario and Jack Black as Bowser, just had its big opening weekend ever for an animated film, grossing an estimated $368 million worldwide (surpassing Frozen 2) and $195 million at the U.S. box office.
Nintendo was previously intent on going to E3 2023, but ultimately pulled out over release schedule concerns before the event was canceled entirely. It seems like this is where its marketing budget ultimately went.
More information about Nintendo Live 2023 will be available soon.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.