If you live in New York then you are in for a treat. Today will see Nintendo's first retail store open its doors.

You may remember not to long ago, Cube-Europe brought you the news that Nintendo were intending to open a retail store that would take over the space used by Nintendo's Pokemon Centre in Manhattan's Rockefeller Centre. Plans have gone ahead and to celebrate today's opening, Nintendo will host an exclusive "block party" in Rockefeller Plaza outside of the Nintendo World store.

Open to all, the event will feature interactive game kiosks, giveaways and gaming competitions, and even the chance to play against a celebrity. Nintendo prizes will be given out throughout the day. "Today's opening of Nintendo World is a milestone in our history," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We know fans from near and far will want to come to New York City to experience a retail destination like none other in the world."

Features of the new store include:

• Exclusive Nintendo DS�, Game Boy� Advance SP, Nintendo GameCube and Pokémon merchandise not found at any other store in the world
• Over 50 interactive stations featuring the hottest Nintendo games
• An extensive multi-player gaming wall featuring Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS systems
• A surround sound gaming lounge where consumers can play and feel like they are part of the game � complete with rumble seats!
• The new home of Pokémon Centre featuring the best that Pokémon has to offer � exclusive merchandise, state-of-the art demo stations and an Ultra-Pokedex
• An extensive Nintendo DS sampling station
• A complete GameBoy Advance SP "bar" where consumers can grab a barstool and play a variety of games

The official site for the new store has a map complete with directions if you are ever lucky enough to pay a visit. The store will open its doors at 9AM today and close at 9PM.