Nintendo Partners With Walmart and GameTruck for Summer of Fun

Written by Brandon Hofer on June 20, 2018

News: Nintendo is going to be touring the United States this summer visiting Walmart locations to give away prizes and show some games.

Nintendo has revealed that select Walmart stores this summer are going to be in for a fun surprise. Nintendo is teaming up with GameTruck and Walmart to create a “Summer of Fun” in parking lots at 100 Walmart locations across the United States. It will begin on June 23 and run through August 19th and will offer demos for Nintendo Switch games such as Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Tennis Aces, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. You will also be able to take part in family photo sessions and meet costumed characters like Mario (at select locations). The game demos and Nintendo activities are open to everyone and it is free.

“We love bringing families together through our systems, games and lovable characters,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Delivering hands-on demos and unique Nintendo experiences directly to families at Walmart showcases the social fun and portability of Nintendo Switch.”

For a great photo-worthy moment, attendees will have the chance to take a memorable family picture together and select a custom backdrop inspired by the various kingdoms in the Super Mario Odyssey game. At select locations, families might even be able to meet and snap a picture with Mario himself.

While enjoying the Nintendo fun, attendees will have the opportunity to enroll in the My Nintendo Summer of Fun sweepstakes for a chance to win round-trip tickets for a family of four to visit any location that Southwest Airlines flies to. By winning this sweepstakes, families inspired by the colorful and exotic kingdoms in the Super Mario Odyssey game will be able to fly to a similar real-life location, like New York (Metro Kingdom), Denver (Snow Kingdom) or the Caribbean (Seaside Kingdom).

In addition to the grand prize winner, 100 runner-up winners will each receive a Nintendo Switch prize pack, which includes a Nintendo Switch system, Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Tennis Aces games. Anyone that can’t make the Summer of Fun event can enter the sweepstakes online by visiting https://events.nintendo.com/#sweepstakes.

Some of the Walmart locations that will be participating in this event include:

Bedford Park - Saturday, June 23, 11am-5pm
7050 S Cicero Ave
Bedford Park, IL 60638

Lacey - Saturday, June 23, 11am-5pm
1401 Galaxy Dr NE
Lacey, WA 98516

Beaver Creek - Sunday, July 1, 11am-5pm
3360 Pentagon Blvd
Beaver Creek, OH 45431

Santa Ana - Saturday, July 7, 11am-5pm

3600 W Mcfadden Ave
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Reading - Sunday, August 5, 11am-5pm

5900 Perkiomen Ave
Reading, PA 19606

Union City - Saturday, August 11, 11am-5pm

30600 Dyer St
Union City, CA 94587

These are just a few of the locations that will be participating. For the full list, click here. Will you be participating in Nintendo’s Summer of Fun?