The museum's launch is part of a larger strategy by Nintendo to expand its cultural footprint. Following the wild success of last year's animated Super Mario movie, and the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, the company is clearly aiming to bring its beloved franchises to life in unique ways.

The Nintendo Museum opens in Kyoto, Japan, today. Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto never expected the company to make the museum, since it has an ethos of letting its games speak for themselves.