A Brief History of the Pokemon Center New York

For a brief moment in time, the United States had their own Pokemon Center. Opening in 2001, closed in 2005, the pokemon center NYC left a lasting legacy, and shaped the future for all Pokemon Centers outside of Japan.
This video would not have been possible without the Pokemon Center New York Historical website.
pokemoncenternewyork.com/
Retro Alli's video on Pokemon Center NYC.
• Pokemon Center New Yor...
Hard4Game's video on the Gotta Catch Em All machine.
• LOST Pokémon Center NY...

[@nosunline]

omg the suicune cut killed me

[@BryanDough211]

I laughed so hard. That was so unexpected 😂😂👌🏼

[@tolovel]

Hiya! I’m Julie, one of the Pokémon Center NY Historical Website authors~ Just wanted to thank you for making this really great video. I was randomly watching KZbin and this video was suggested to me, which was an awesome surprise to say the least :3

[@b4Sed1593]

That’s 🧢

[@MrFuzziiWuzzii]

@@b4Sed1593 y

[@RetroAli]

hey friendo

[@mrbillydakid]

Thank you so much! Such an incredible video! I grew up on the west coast and didn’t get to experience the Pokémon center. This was very informative and bright back a lot of childhood memories! Thank you again!!

[@edals123]

I'm from Scotland, and when I was a kid I was desperate to go there. I finally made it to New York in my 20s, but by that point the Pokemon Center NY was long gone and replaced with Nintendo World. I would have given anything to see it in its prime.

[@akiraasmr3002]

True atleast there is still Japan you can visit

[@samuelhuff3427]

@@akiraasmr3002 and there’s one in Seattle.

[@samuelhuff3427]

Nvm. Though I think they are plans to put one in Seattle

[@vanessaoftheundead2613]

I have been to the Tokyo and Osaka stores. It was an amazing experience

[@zEJAYz]

having exhibition multiplayer matches with random people in Pokemon Colosseum in front of a big crowds was one of the coolest things about this store

[@jacksonstein8866]

I remember that super fondly

[@elliotmueller386]

I’ll think about that suicune for weeks

[@ordanarymods4990]

I teared up, this was so wholesome

[@VerticalMan09]

Wtf

[@mibyte99]

Lol same

[@kissa_gwendolyn]

Me too!

[@GawBil]

I work in Rockefeller Center and have the privilege of visiting the Nintendo store which was once the Pokémon Center. I miss the Pokémon Center so much and hope that a NY Pokémon Center can once again come to NY.

[@dgeist4609]

Thanks for a touching video. Too bad you weren't around when the store closed. We gave the staff all the merch they could carry. Suicunes and all.

[@atelierr_]

oh, to have a gigantic suicune plush... this was a wonderful watch, I wish these themed stores stuck around a bit longer

[@radiantfalinks1981]

god i feel you on the suicune plush thing. My Heart Will Go On for this lorge baby

[@LatinGiudo817]

4:56 is where the tears started flowing for me. So many memories from that machine alone. Everything from my shiny Charizard to my Squirtle with a unique move of Zap Cannon. Used to sit by that with a group of other kids and trade and battle till the store was about to close for the night.

[@locorco1]

I like that they're doing pop up shops and I think that's a good direction for the brand to go in. People still love and are excited by Pokemon but keeping any kind of storefront permanently open is a difficult task that's just grown more and more unviable as the years have gone on. Plus now that it's so easy to get Pokemon merch online there's even less point to it. As a sidebar though I have to say I love how much Pokemon merch has evolved over the years? Maybe it's a byproduct of them acknowledging how their demographic has aged but it's so cool that there's now, like, trendy designer apparel that has Pokemon on it. It's not just a t-shirt with a bunch of random Pokemon on it anymore like it was when I was a kid, there's formal attire I could wear to the office.

[@keestar8740]

This video got my like purely for the suicune plush moment with the flute XD

[@canned6496]

I still can’t believe your videos only have a couple hundred views you deserve way more!!

[@SPMask]

Even you didn't mention before the Pokemon Center closed down, they held a Super Smash Bros Melee tournament and the winners received a rare pokemon Jersey.

[@Kameno-o]

Honestly this was so cool to watch, especially since I go to Nintendo NY as a NYC resident. This video deserves more keep it up!! (also quietly flexes the suicune plush I got from the pokemon center website)

[@Mito383]

I’ve watched this review a good 29 times. I love how much work you put into it. Thank you for my favorite KZbin video of all time.

[@Yoshinator54]

That piano rendition of the Japanese Pokémon theme song gave me goosebumps.

[@BeanSproot]

The quality of these videos just keeps improving. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Jdelia20]

I remember going to the Pokémon Center before it closed. One of the best memories I had when I was a kid!

[@MachFiveFalcon]

I remember reading about this place in Nintendo Power as a kid and begged my mom to take me to NYC just to go lol. Never got to, but thank you so much for letting me experience it anyway!

[@niccodirenzi4126]

Blessed to say I went to the Pokemon Center NYC. It was insane. There was a row of just TOMY action figures In pokedex order. I bought Lugia and Ho-Oh. It was wild to experience. It had so much life.

[@Origamigryphon]

I don't know why, but when you showcased the Pokemon Magic Clock, I teared up. I had no idea such a beautiful thing existed, and the fact that it played pokemon tunes on the hour? I would KILL to own that.

[@Pika999]

Same...that thing’s just so cool! It would annoy the crap out of my family though...

[@carlosmabarca3707]

This was such an awesome video! Wasn’t able to go often to the store, as I was still in high school in NJ, but during Christmas season one year, I went with friends with our Silver and Gold copies to get Celebi, I think? It was an awesome time.

[@SuperFlashDriver]

Your pretty lucky. I was only 3 years old turning 4 when Pokemon came out, my older sister was into Pokemon when she hit 7 years old. All of us loved Pokemon and Spyro, but we didn't go until November 2001 during the NJEA convention or Thanksgiving Weekend. Can't remember what week it was, all I knew is that it was pretty chilly that November day.

[@paulbeyer77]

This needs way more views! It was awesome and nostalgic... I was like NOOOOO when they closed... Need to visit Japan now.

[@ElectroBlastLuigi]

6:00 I actually still own one of these exclusive GameBoy Advance systems as it was passed down to me. I can only imagine how rare they are nowadays and how much fun it was going to the Pokemon Center when it was around. I was too young to go and never knew it existed until after it closed down.

[@johannessguten2527]

You sound like your in your early 20s like me (I was born in 99)

[@jayanderson1323]

I just checked the other day to see if you uploaded recently and I'm so happy to see a new video. You deserve so many more views and subs and I really hope your channel blows up.

[@bestbuds6534]

Great vid. I hate pokemon

[@FRANZTENDO64Philippines]

My theory why PKMN Center NYC is lasts four years is 1) Everyone grown up and got tired of the franchise ( but not all bcoz Ruby and Sapphire was released in 2002) 2) un-update of some stuff 3)lack of some stuff that PKMN Center Japan that NYC hasn't 4) Economy is kinda weak in NYC because also in above 5) the 9/11 impact (impact in Popular Culture and/in Video Games and anything in America and in worldwide)

[@NatureBoy818channel]

They should open two stores in Universal studios Hollywood and Orlando in Nintendo theme park area.

[@rayvolution4971]

I feel Nintendo will eventually revive the store in one of the Super Nintendo World/Land theme parks, It'll be back in that case

[@thedrewster0408]

Also, I’ve heard of rumors that the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida might be closing permanently soon due to a contract with the Simpsons franchise expiring soon as Disney now owns the IP and it’s going to be replaced by a Pokémon ride. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Ride will still operate at Universal’s Islands of Adventure because of a clause that Disney and Universal agreed upon back in 2008 that had Universal retain the theme park rights to Marvel characters that were already placed at Universal Orlando. However, the ride at Universal Studios Japan has since closed down because of the Spider-Man IP contract at Universal Studios Japan was expiring after the 20 year lease. Which the Spider-Man ride in Japan might be replaced with a Pokémon themed ride as well.

[@Lochnessmonstor727]

I -REALLY- wanted one of those lapras plushies (next to the suicide you want) and I distinctly remember it only being $150 for it. As a child, my Parents never got it for me, and by the time I started making my own money, there was no way to get it anymore. Still devastated, RIP lapras 😭

[@violetsparkles5453]

The WHAT she wants??

[@TheBackRoom_Collectibles]

I’ve been to nintendo world many times, and I love it. However, I wish I got to go to the Pokémon center NY. I remember when I found out about pokemoncenter ny, I was so excited. When I made it there, it was already nintendo world. It’s crazy, because with pokemania big since 2016, imagine how much more traction a Pokémon center ny would be, more so than nintendo world. It definitely would done great.

[@pikaluv43]

i just love pokemon i have been getting them for over 25 yrs. im in my 60 s now but still love them ty

[@swagkirby3449]

I've actually been to PCNY a couple times! I remember going there only to be heartbroken to see it had been closed; I thought they were going to turn it into some normal clothes store

[@UndedHorizon]

i grew up with jut my brother and my mom, money was tight at that time when pokemon was really booming. i tried for so long to get a gameboy and play the games, but i was grateful enough to watch the anime and collect the cards.. about a few years later my mom married and i was gifted a gameboy sp with firered and ruby version on my 10th birthday... ill never forget that happiness

[@reportedstolen3603]

I can still remember being a kid, walking down those steps and seeing wall to wall Nintendo 64, cards, gameboys, toys... i felt like I was truly in heaven.

[@sandrapiazza9429]

NYC is one of my favorite places, and whenever i go there to do fun things, i always go to Nintendo NYC. So it’s really interesting to see what it originally was. Thanks for the great video!

[@two_another]

This store looked so cool I’m sad I was too young to experience it… I visited Nintendo World a few times before the remodel and I now go there often as I live nearby but it isn’t the same. Still a great store and worth going to but the Pokémon dedicated one is hard to beat. It was ultimately a smart move to make it more generally Nintendo in the long run and they still have a lot of Pokémon stuff but I wish I could experience the older version. It’s wild how the store’s gone through 3 remodels in just a bit over 20 years.

[@jackreiter7291]

Just came across this the other day. These edits are really well made and you have just earned yourself a subscriber.

[@aetherland1883]

just earned you sound arrogant and entitled

[@stolenqueen_]

Damn. Nowadays when I see a video of Pokémon Center in Japan it’s always full and lively I really hope they open one here in America 😞

[@vanessaoftheundead2613]

It’s very lively. I went to the Tokyo and Osaka centres

[@SendFoodz]

of course pokemon the 4th movie didn't break 1m in box office. it was made poorly, didn't advertise on tv or anywhere, not even as a commercial on the ongoing Pokemon tv series. if you saw that movie in theaters I'd love to hear how you even found out about it..

[@cevinzeke5110]

When I was a kid I got to go. It was awesome. Got Ubreon and Espeon plushies. Still have them.

[@rickyvaldez7370]

Pokemon center was an awesome store love everything about it the cool statue and other things was so cool and it may be gone but not forgotten and the Nintendo store is such an cool store too with Pokemon items as well so its legacy will never be forgotten

[@Loveisfun123]

What they should do is Pokémon center pop-ups throughout America. Every major city, all 50+ states. Being a New York exclusive store didn’t benefit them at the time. America isn’t as congested and dense as Japan when it comes to population. It would be more smart to have pop-up stores for 3-6 months in each major city. If they advertise that, people will flock to them because it’s a limited time event. But that being said, I know there are a lot of fans WILLING to travel to each state. Therefore, they could easily do 20-25 pop-up, simultaneously or after 3-6 months in each state. Why they haven’t done this or do this is beyond Me. Because people in America flock to pop-up museums especially if it’s interactive. The ice cream museum is one example. They are the number one biggest franchise of all time, so money isn’t an issue. Nowadays, you have to give Americans a reason to go. I wouldn’t travel all the way to NYC for JUST the Pokémon center. The NYC Pokémon center was treated like crap. They never updated and/or maintained it during its time.

[@charliecheese7527]

Yet another grand video from one of my honest to goodness favourite channels!!!! Keep it up!!!!

[@bestbuds6534]

Please make a video on the M and M store. Btw Awesome video essay, quite interesting!

[@DankDaHerbalist]

You did a great job this was entertaining all the way thru and the nostalgic vibes are amazing.

[@poisonx9113]

This video randomly popped up on my watch list and I must say... nice job! I look forwards to any other Pokemon related videos you created in the future!

[@JosephShemelewski]

I always wanted to go to pokemon center but couldn't get my parents to take me on the 2hour drive to NYC that clock looks awesome

[@Trillz27]

Great documentary. Deserves much more attention. Great work :)

[@theshark2005]

😭😭😭😭I miss those days ! I would be so excited for Pokémon Ruby red and I remember playing all night

[@verbalassault87]

You hit me with the ballad at the end and I knew I had to like the video

[@vb6276]

Hi snellby the first video of yours that i saw was the Garfield cell phone video essay and when i saw it i thought it was made by a site like vox or something similar now realizing that these amazing video essay's are made independently by you (i dont know if you have any colleagues or not) i am definitely subscribed i love video essay's and i hope you make more (if you want to i dont want to give you unnecessary pressure) keep up the good and well researched work

[@SuperFlashDriver]

Fun story, my siblings and I went to New York two months and a week or so after the September 11 attacks occurred, and my older sister bought backpacks, merch, and plushies, my older brothers and I explored the floors. If I remember correctly, the game boy and gamecube selection was on the second floor, while the appeal and such were on the first floor, there was also American Doll right next to Pokemon back in the early 2000s on the second floor next to the Pikachu plushies, wonder why that was there, it was weird. It's funny how twenty years ago my parents took us children to see this place, I think my older sister knew about this place back in April 2001, around the time we saw the 3rd Pokemon movie in Lowes Theaters in New Jersey. back then we lived in ridgefield, near the skyline where New York City was located, and at that time, you could see the twin towers all the way to the empire state building, before the tallest residential condo was built near the New York Central Park. Memories, although I didn't see the towers hit since my second older brother and I remained in the trailor while everyone in the school building left.

[@ZeekJestr]

Fantastic, truly fantastic. So much great info as always.

[@froggyhowl2496]

Another great video! I always appreciate the work that you put into your videos, and im looking forward to the next one!

[@tyrannoyoshi]

9:30 Literally everything Snellby said is 100% false. Why would Pokémon ever die down? It’s SO popular!

[@iRunNewYork]

Awesome video! Brings back a ton of memories.

[@RetroAli]

Very glad this showed up in my recommended, great job!

[@SnellbyKay]

Your “gotta catch EM’ all” machine deep dive was really incredible. Thank you so much for watching!

[@emilianoortiz8795]

I hope at least they place a pop up store in my country but idk, they seem to forget about us even tho we are right next to the US.

[@lance8163]

Just came across your channel. Your videos are really well put together. Looking forward to more of your content (:

[@EveryGameEver]

Omg... when that recorder plays with the fucking Suicune. I absolutely lost it

[@darthgollumojg]

Really enjoyed this video. The Suicune ending was incredible.

[@E111DOG]

Awesome video (and great ending) - I was lucky enough to visit the store when I was young. By the time I was able to return, it was already converted to the Nintendo World Store. I don't remember much of my first (and only) visit to the Pokémon Center NYC, but I do remember being so excited to visit a real life pokémon center and for that, I'm glad.

[@uxnosidda]

That ending caught me by surprise lol

[@Hesserhouse]

Great video, well made, this channel is gonna blow up!

[@SecretScubaSteve]

Great video thx for making it and sharing it!

[@iana3892]

You make really great infotainment videos! Please make more! 😊

[@juehimself]

Thanks for great content, nice BGM !

[@TheEnderwolf]

This video helped me find out I held onto a very rare game boy from the Pokemon Center New York. It wasn't mine though I borrowed it from my cousins for like a month to play Gold and Leaf Green on it. It's incredible to me that I got to play on a piece of history, even though it may have been from Toys R Us as I don't know if they ever went to New York hahaha. Thank you for making this video and loved the ending bit with the Suicune. I feel the same way with the Raikou God I want it so badly.

[@rattyeely]

I always wanted to go to the pokemon center NY, I had no idea that it closed or that it was open for such a brief time

[@HtDProduction]

Wish i watched this video a week ago, I just went to New York for the first time in my life last weekend & visited the Nintendo store, but little did I know it used to be the Pokemon Center!

[@megkane3148]

I grew up visiting this store, and i never knew it was originally a pokemon store! i just always assumed it was nintendo from the beginning!

[@thekingscardboard]

Great video!! Kudos to your hard work.

I love this video and I love Pokémon! This video is greatness!

[@MDrams22]

Amazing video. The Suicune part at the end was hilarious

[@FiveToedSloth]

Loved this vid! You earned a subscriber for sure

[@MarcusConesa]

Amazing video! That suicune part in the end was just perfect hahaha😆 Looking forward to future videos😋

[@cherryshrimpshop3062]

Great doc!

[@isaacsutton1162]

This was a great video! Thanks for making it! As for suggestions, if you want to stick with the defunct store subject matter, I'd love to see a video on Sharper Image or FAO Schwartz! But if you're looking for something new that might be fun to research, maybe look into Soaping. It was a kind of extreme (?) sport in the late 90s and early 00s that's now pretty defunct (I think). It's also the reason Sonic the Hedgehog has giant shoes and grinds on rails in later games! (This is really the only thing I know about it, lol)

[@TrashBaker]

Fantastic video, keep up the wonderful work. :)

[@timothychow177]

I remembered the Warner Brothers store in Queens Center sold Pokemon cards pack for only about $3.29. The place used to be Warner Brothers is now a clothing store. I remembered one time after school I went there and opened a shiny team rocket dark Raichu. Another time I got a Victrebell.

[@mannylee4097]

Keep working hard and pushing out high quality videos and you will grow.. I can see the hard work that you have put into this video... you have a bright future... but there are other people who do the same thing so do something that makes you stand out :)

[@Coulingable]

Probably worth a slight correction, I know real estate is pricy in Manhattan, but I don't think Toys R Us' flagship store was 110 square feet (which would be a single 10ft x 11ft room~~a fairly common size for bedrooms in the U.S.) Regardless, great video!

[@otto7556]

I remember hearing that the Nintendo NYC store used to be the Pokémon center.

[@truckrobo147]

That was nice my cousin loves this stuff so I might show this to her when I get the chance.

[@nickharperpkmn]

I would have absolutely loved to have visited this place. I didn't find my way to NYC until 2006, when it was Nintendo World (which was still cool). Not gonna lie... that Suicune plush is pretty awesome!

[@neon4502]

This is a wonderful video! Very informative! ❤️ I wish I had visited the PC in NY, it looked so cool! Now I'm hoping someday I'll visit the ones in Japan... 😩

[@noldi123]

I remember going there when I was much younger like 7 or 8 years old and remember seeing a Holo Steelix on display which I thought was amazing and rare

[@swagkirby3449]

13:29 was my image! Thanks for using it!

[@Maniac536]

How does this not have more views

[@discombobulatedshaggy9041]

Great vid. I love pokemon!

[@neurophilosophers994]

I did not make it through this video without crying

[@raymondmesa8258]

How sad I teared up I would have loved to have gone to this store

[@wisedigitaldesigns1193]

Loved this video, and that ending made me laugh so hard!

[@josefnocera4414]

Another excellent video 😎 I’m a huge Pokémon fan as well though I regrettably never got a chance to go to the New York City Pokémon center 😔 I really like how you tied in the Warner Bros. store another favorite from my childhood that I did get a chance to frequent before it’s untimely closure 😭 those Lapras stuffed animals look boss hopefully one day you get your Suicune plush 🤞🏻 You’ve made a subscriber out of me I look forward to more of your videos ❤️

[@Llamascum]

Nice video. Thanks!!!

[@KiddReige]

I feel like they should reopen one in SoCal. Japan town LA/Santa Monica would be FIRE

[@Pughhead]

Lmao I love the sad dramatic music in the background

[@thewatcher5403]

I got tears in my eyes..... For your pain🖤🖤

[@luchobaby636]

The nostalgia is real