The Nintendo World Championships Are Making A Comeback Yet Again

A couple of years ago, Nintendo got fans stirring in nostalgia during the Electronic Entertainment Expo, when it briefly brought back the Nintendo World Championships, a refresher of its classic game tournaments where players could compete in a number of the company’s titles for big prizes. Good news – they’re coming back yet again!

Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo World Championships 2017 will take place this year, though its set-up is a little different than what took place at E3 back in 2015. This time around, during August and September, eight different Best Buy stores will host “heats” for time trials in Mario Kart 7 across two different age categories. The winner for each age bracket during the qualifier (there should be eight in each age group) will qualify to compete in a grand final at Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York, set to take place on October 7th.

Anyone can participate in the tournaments, provided they fit in the age bracket. Full details from the company are below, and it appears those that attend and don’t play will still have something to do, as demos for both Super Mario Odyssey and Metroid: Samus Returns will be on hand:

“Starting on Aug. 19, select Best Buy stores around the country will host qualifying events in eight locations around the country. Players will be divided into two groups based on their age, and both groups will play Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. The first age group, 12 and Younger, will play as Mario on the Nintendo DS “Luigi’s Mansion” course using Standard Kart, Standard Wheels and Super Glider. The second age group, 13 and Older, will play as Bowser on the Game Boy Advance “Bowser Castle 1” course using Standard Kart, Standard Wheels and Super Glider. The player with the best Time Trial entry in each age group at the end of the two-day event at each location will qualify for the Nintendo World Championships 2017!

Additionally, anyone who visits these events at Best Buy will be able to try demo versions of the Super Mario Odyssey game, launching Oct. 27 for the Nintendo Switch system and the Metroid: Samus Returns game for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, arriving on Sept. 15. Plus, visitors who are My Nintendo members will be able to check in using their My Nintendo QR Code at any of the qualifier event locations to receive 100 Platinum Points. My Nintendo members who are one of the first 200 to check in daily at each location will receive a My Nintendo pin as an added bonus.

During the Nintendo World Championships event in New York, players will battle their way through a variety of games where they will be eliminated or will advance their way through the tournament based on their performance.”

As for the locations where the qualifiers will take place, they’re listed below, along with proper times.

Good luck to all of those taking part, and, hey, enjoy those demos! Check out the trailer above for the full announcement!