Nintendo World Championships Return This October

Business Wire

The Nintendo World Championships are back and they are coming later this year. The actual Championships will be held on October 7 in New York but the qualifying rounds will take place later this month at participating Best Buy stores.

The groups will be split up based on age for this event. The first age group will be 12 and under while the second one will be 13 and older. The age group players are put into also determines what Mario Kart 7 course, character and kart will be chosen. Here’s a more accurate description from the press release:

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!

If you happen to attend one of these events as a spectator, you’ll also be able to try out demos of Super Mario Odyssey and Metroid: Samus Returns. Attendees will also be able to check into the event by using their My Nintendo QR code and receive 100 Platinum Points for My Nintendo. Players can then use those points to receive discounts on games, wallpapers and more on My Nintendo’s website.

If you’re interested in where the qualifying Best Buy stores are, we’ve included the list below. All times listed are local times for the area.