This post is trending as it tackles a long-standing, persistent rumor within Korean gaming communities and beyond about Nintendo's alleged past ventures into love hotels, finally offering a researched debunking.
The 'Nintendo Gallery' (λκ°€) mentioned is a popular online community on DC Inside, a major Korean internet forum, where gaming discussions and memes often originate. Love hotels (λ¬λΈνΈν ) are short-stay hotels common in East Asia, often associated with romantic rendezvous.
For years, a wild rumor has circulated among Korean gamers and even been echoed by major media outlets like *JoongAng Ilbo*: that Nintendo, the beloved gaming giant, once dabbled in the love hotel business. This persistent urban legend has been a common topic on online communities like the Nintendo Gallery (or 'Nin-gal'), with many, including the original Korean author of this post, believing it to be true.
However, it seems this long-held belief might be completely false! The author recently stumbled upon the work of a Japanese blogger named Orochi, who meticulously archives the history of the Famicom era. Orochi's deep dive into historical records, including old accounting ledgers, revealed fascinating details about Nintendo's past ventures β like 'Nintendo instant rice' and 'Nintendo taxi' β but absolutely no trace of a 'Nintendo love hotel.' Local Kyoto residents also reportedly deny the claim.
Further supporting this debunking is a French researcher who has also investigated Nintendo's history. It appears the confusion might stem from former Nintendo president Yamauchi's *personal* business ventures, which did include a hotel, though whether it was a love hotel remains unconfirmed. The rumor's origin might even trace back to a US book called 'Game Over,' which allegedly included unverified personal details about Yamauchi and his supposed patronage of such establishments. So, next time you hear about Nintendo's alleged love hotel past, you can confidently say it's likely just a gaming urban legend!