It's not every day travelers come across a Nintendo-branded lounge. However, between now and the end of March, Nintendo has a few pop-up lounges at select major airports across the United States. The lounges will allow travelers to experience the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite systems hands-on.
What it's all about
The lounges, branded as Nintendo Switch™ On The Go, are temporary pop-up airport lounges. This marketing move by Nintendo will provide travelers with the opportunity to experience the company's products while hopefully making a lengthy layover feel a little shorter - just don't miss your flight!
According to Nintendo's press release, lounges will offer "comfortable seating, charging ports and Nintendo Switch game demos playable in both Handheld mode and TV mode." The aim of these lounges is to "demonstrate the convenience and joy that the Nintendo Switch family of systems can add to everyone’s on-the-go adventures".
Games that will be available to try out include the following:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Super Mario Party
- Tetris 99
“With a vast library of exciting entertainment to launch into, we hope travelers discover that Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite make great companions for their trips...Spending time with Nintendo games at our On The Go lounges will give people the opportunity to begin or end their journeys with a smile.” -Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Lounge locations
These pop-up lounges and "gateway experiences" are scheduled to appear at the following airports:
|
Airport |
Location |
Date |
|
Dulles International Airport Washington, D.C. |
Concourse B near west entrance/exit, next to Gate B62 |
Feb. 17 – March 29 |
|
Seattle – Tacoma International Airport Seattle, WA |
Concourse C, next to Gate C10 |
Feb. 17 – March 29th |
|
O’Hare International Airport Chicago, IL |
Terminal 1, Concourse B, between Gates B12 and B14 |
Feb. 17 – March 29th |
|
Dallas Love Field Airport Dallas, TX |
West Terminal, near Gates 14 and 16 |
Feb. 13 – March 29th |
All lounges are located airside, beyond TSA passenger screening and are open to all travelers with access to the listed terminals.
Conclusion
All visitors who stop by can pick-up a free Nintendo Switch-branded luggage handle wrap as well as a discount voucher towards the purchase of a console.
Sadly this isn't a traditional airport lounge that includes self-serve food and beverages. Nor is this a lounge that would seem to offer an escape from the chaos and noise of the airport terminal. For this, you'd have to enter the United Club lounge at Dulles, or the Delta Sky Club lounge at Sea-Tac. However, it looks like a great way to pass the time and maybe interact with some fellow travelers along your journey.
Do you think it's an effective way to market Nintendo's consoles? Do you plan on checking out one of these lounges? Let us know your plans in the comments or share your experience if you have already made a visit!