Parents (or soon-to-be parents like me) will be very aware that Christmas is looming, ominous jingle bells and all. If you’re determined to make your presents one-of-a-kind, and you have kids who are obsessed with Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing or other gaming-related franchises, it’s worth considering a visit to Europe’s first Nintendo pop-up store in London’s Westfield shopping centre, Shepherd’s Bush.
Typically, you’d have to go to Japan or the US to find a Nintendo store, with five in total located in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, New York and San Francisco. And I can tell you that fans will love them. My husband and I actually lost whole afternoons of our honeymoon in Asia in the first two stores… and at the time we were only checking out the wares for ourselves.
Several months and one pregnancy later and I’m back again – but this time I’m browsing with a baby in mind.
While the London pop-up isn’t quite as big as the ones I visited in Japan, there’s still a good range of stuff to mull over. My hour in there passed in a flash.
All the Nintendo stores stock exclusive merch – some items can be purchased online, but not everything. So, if you’re looking to make your fellow parent friends envious (I can’t blame you), or want to use your children as an excuse to buy geeky merch (I positively encourage you) and are looking for inspiration, here’s what I ended up buying.
What I bought at a mum-to-be at the London Nintendo pop-up store
I bought a total of five items. While some of these items cost more than non-brand equivalents, you’re paying for quirky designs – and I’m happy with the quality of everything I purchased.
I’m currently seven months pregnant with my first baby, who will be indoctrinated into the cult of Nintendo whether they like it or not. As it’ll be a while before my child can use some of the toys, clothes and games that were in store, I got a little creative with my shopping bag – some items are for Baby Toad (our baby’s nickname, inspired by the screeching Nintendo character), and some are for us as parents, with practicality in mind. Or at least, that’s how I’m justifying it.
Animal Crossing Townscape Face Towel – £12.99
I’m fully prepared to go through a heap of muslin clothes and flannels with a teeny tiny human who possets and poops until the cows come home. So, why not add a particularly adorable one to the collection? Plus, as far as I can tell, this can’t be bought online, so if you’re visiting in person, it’s a must.
This towel is decked out in the aesthetically pleasing pastels characteristic of New Horizons, and features some familiar faces such as Isabelle, Blathers and Celeste, plus iconic buildings from your island such as Resident Services and the Museum. It’s also a decent size compared with a bog-standard flannel.
It’s soft, lightweight, and can easily roll down to be stored away. There’s also a larger blue beach towel available, if you want a little something to dry off your tyke during their first swimming lessons (I’m now slightly regretting not getting that as well).
Animal Crossing is a title that’s high on my list as I introduce my child to the world of gaming, so I see this as getting a head start.
Super Mario Block Storage Box – £17.99
Is your house overflowing with toys? Mine is, and Baby Toad hasn’t even made their debut yet. Well, storage cubes are a marvellous thing. They can fit neatly onto shelves from the likes of IKEA and B&Q, or be tucked away in a corner or against a wall. But who says they have to be boring?
The London Nintendo pop-up store has three to choose from: a blue POW box, a classic Mario Question Mark block in yellow, or (the most subtle, and the one I opted for) a brown, brick-style block. It hints wonderfully at nerdy things. Those who know will know, and those who don’t will just think you love DIY or something.
It measures approximately 31 × 31 × 31cm, and folds down flat. It also has a lid, so grabby little hands can’t easily dive in and root around – well, very young children won’t be able to, at least.
Best of all, they’re suitable for a wide age range, all the way up to teenagers who need a place for their study materials or, well, anything really.
If you can’t make it to London, you can buy this one from the Nintendo online store.
Sleeping Kirby toy – £16.99
I’ve already got a decent collection of toys for Baby Toad, but this sleepy Kirby was one I couldn’t resist. It may technically only be suitable for ages 3+, but until then it can be a cosy nursery decoration to give the room restful, bedtime vibes.
It’s squishy compared to some of the other plushies that were available for purchase, which is what made me go for it. Many of the others will be more suitable for older children who aren’t inclined to bite and chew every synthetic accessory or appendage they see.
However, if you’re not the biggest fan of the pink blob, this Nintendo store has a whole range of toys – including some rare items such as Marshsal from Animal Crossing, a Korok that doubles up as a small bag and plenty more.
Selfridges also has this toy available online if you can’t make it to Shepherd’s Bush.
Tom Nook’s Aloha Shirt from Animal Crossing: New Horizons – £26.99
I know what you’re thinking: “You said your purchases were practical!” – but believe me, there is method to my madness.
As I’ve gradually grown to the size of a house throughout pregnancy, I’ve become less and less inclined to wear anything with a waistband – especially at night when I go to sleep. My poor tummy just can’t handle it, especially when Baby Toad decides to have a dance party just as I’m drifting off to sleep.
Nighties are recommended for the latter stages of pregnancy for this reason, and are also advisable for the immediate postpartum period – especially if you have a C-section. I hadn’t yet bought one, so I decided to get this shirt with the classic ACNH leaf print in an XXL. It can double up as a comfy one-piece to rot in around the house.
It’s soft and breathable, it has buttons all the way down which is a must for breastfeeding. In this very oversized fit, it should skirt my bump (which other previously big t-shirts just can’t anymore) to cover my thighs. Sure, I look like I’m a huge fan of arguably the biggest capitalist villain in the whole of Nintendo, but I’m pretty happy with my creativity on this buy.
Better yet, it’s also available on Nintendo’s website.
Foldable Nintendo Tote Bag – £3.99
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend over £80 as I did at the Nintendo London pop-up store, you don’t need to.
Located right by the checkouts, this little foldable tote is a cheap and cheerful purchase and I guarantee that you (or your child) will make use of it. I can’t tell you how many times one of these packable bags has saved my bacon when I’ve done a spontaneous food shop while out and about.
It’s finished in that bold Nintendo red, and includes the London logo – so it’s technically a rare, limited-edition item that you may even be able to sell on in the future for a small fortune (no promises).
With all my purchases, I got a ridiculously large cardboard bag that I didn’t need, as everything could fit in my suitcase – but where’s the fun in that? Nintendo also threw in a free 2025 magazine, which I will be flicking through this evening.
Other great gifts for kids at the London Nintendo pop-up store
All my buys were related to pregnancy and early babyhood. If you’re looking for gifts for older kids, rest assured there’s plenty to sift through.
On the clothes front, there are loads of kids’ options, with t-shirts, jackets, caps, shirts, bags and keyrings. One that stood out (probably because it’s hilariously hideous) is this Diddy Kong fleece. It’ll certainly keep you warm, and you won’t lose your child easily if they’re wearing this monstrosity.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes/Foundry
Potential stocking fillers include luggage tags, pencil cases that are perfect for school, coin purses and a range of playing cards – I was very nearly tempted by a Zelda set (see below), but it didn’t quite fit my strict mum criteria (this is how I justify dropping over eighty smackers).
As mentioned, plushies are in abundance, as are cushions and blankets for home furnishings. The giant, beanbag-style mushroom cushion will almost certainly be a bestseller, and I was also a fan of the Donkey Kong barrel which you can stick your arm through. The Mario mugs and plates were also great – the latter are plastic, so ideal for clumsy younger children.
Finally, for the gamers there are physical game cards, Switch 2 accessories and many Amiibos for collectors out there.
How can I visit London’s Nintendo pop-up store?
The store is open from tomorrow, 22 October 2025 until 16 November 2025 in Shepherd’s Bush Westfield. But there’s a catch.
To visit during the first week, you’ll need a ticket, and these are unfortunately now sold out. If you haven’t already snagged one, you can queue for entry from 27 October 2025.
For reference, the Nintendo pop-up shop is directly opposite the Lego Store on the ground floor, and the nearest tube station is Shepherd’s Bush Market. Toilets and vending machines are located right nearby, if you’re making a long trek for this as I did.
