The 1st Anniversary of the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden, London has arrived, and to celebrate Bandai Namco Amusement Europe will be hosting a PAC-MAN themed Pop-up Select Shop and launching the official Tamagotchi Shop on 30th August 2024. In addition, a wide variety of activities will also be taking place including special promotions at each of the different stores within the Bandai Namco Cross Store.
As a reminder the Bandai Namco Cross Store brings Japanese anime, manga, and games into a single store with six different shops (and a small arcade) selling related products and merchandise. The Cross Store originally opened on 18th August 2024 in Camden, London and houses Banpresto Official Shop, Gashapon Bandai Official Shop, Ichibankuji, MegaHouse Official Store, Sun-Star Stationery Shop and ONE PIECE Card Game Shop. For fans of Japanese culture it’s a store worth visiting, especially if you are visiting London, and now as part of its 1st Anniversary Celebration new activities will be taking place.
PAC-MAN Select Pop-Up:
he most iconic video game character recognised by many across the world, PAC-MAN heads to the UK and to Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden in a PAC-MAN Select Pop-Up offering a variety of merchandise, the World’s Largest PAC-MAN machine, the PAC-MAN Pixel Bash machine, all set within true PAC-MAN pixel style decoration.
PAC-MAN is an arcade video game originally released in 1980 by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (previously Namco). Once it was officially introduced in the US in October 1980, it gained popularity far higher than in Japan which was called “PAC-MAN fever”. It spawned a wide merchandising program with more than 400 items and a TV series with high ratings (56% of share) in the US, which resulted in receiving the “Most Successful Coin-Operated game machine” award from the Guinness World Records in June 2005. With new console and mobile games launching every year, its popularity has crossed the globe for more than 40 years.
PAC-MAN Select Pop-Up Product Examples:
3” PAC-MAN Battle Royale Chompionship Bag Clip Plush (RRP £3.99)
7” PAC-MAN Battle Royale Chompionship Plush (RRP £9.99)
TAMAGOTCHI OFFICIAL SHOP “Tamagotchi Shop”
Featured at Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden, Tamagotchi Official Shop is the first of its kind to arrive in the UK bringing the series of products from Tamagotchi, Tamagotchi Connection, Tamagotchi Uni, and Tamagotchi nano to everyone, from fans who feel nostalgia from collecting in the past, to a new generation of Tamagotchi fans.
Tamagotchi originally released on 23rd November 1996 and became a huge fad amongst youth. The Tamagotchi Brand made a return in 2004 with Tamagotchi Connection which had a built-in infrared communication feature, with a series of models following since resulting in over 91 million units being sold.
In July 2023, the first built-in Wi-Fi model “Tamagotchi Uni” was released worldwide, where users can meet Tamagotchi characters from around the world via Tamagotchi’s own metaverse called “Tamaverse”
TAMAGOTCHI OFFICIAL SHOP “Tamagotchi Shop” Product Examples:
Tamagotchi Connection, all 4 types (RRP £29.99)
In addition to the PAC-MAN Pop-Up Select and TAMAGOTCHI OFFICIAL SHOP arriving at the Bandai Namco Cross Store the following promotional activities will also be taking place at the relevant stores within.
GASHAPON BANDAI OFFICIAL SHOP: For those who like to turn the handle to collect Gashapon®, BANDAI’s miniature capsule collectibles and vending machine, the first 100 customers who spend over £10 at the store will be able to receive a limited edition pouch.
ONE PIECE CARD GAME Official Shop: ONE PIECE CARD GAME Official Shop in Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden is the flagship shop and with the 1st Anniversary of Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden a limited promotional card will be given to customers who spend £100 or more.
BANPRESTO OFFICIAL SHOP:: Banpresto, one of the world’s foremost character merchandise brands, offers a range of plush and figurines for fans to add to their anime collection. Customers can pick up a Banpresto Lucky Bag in store for £39.99.
MegaHouse Official Store: MegaHouse Official Store within Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden offers premium figures from some of the most iconic anime and comic franchises in the form of charming miniatures to beautifully crafted large-scale figures. Customers can celebrate the 1st Anniversary adding to their collection of figures with a Lucky bag for £49.99.
Sun-Star STATIONERY SHOP: Sun-Star STATIONERY SHOP offers premium “practical” and “kawaii” (cute and adorable) stationery from Japan which provides a little convenience and cuteness in your everyday life. Customers can spruce up their stationery with a Lucky Bag available at £14.99 and £24.99.
Bandai Namco Entertainment: Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden 1st Anniversary gives customers spending over £35 in store on Bandai Namco Entertainment products the opportunity to enter a raffle to win Bandai Namco Entertainment prizes. Eligible customers will pick a random ball up from a box – different coloured balls different prize levels.
Ichibankuji Official Shop: For those over the age of 16 who purchase a ticket at Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden’s Ichibankuji Official Shop, where customers can randomly win rare toys, figurines, and collectibles, will be given an Ichibankuji sticker.
For fans of Anime, Manga, and Games then Bandai Namco Cross Store is definitely something worth checking out. Further details, including its exact location, can be found on the official website.
