[Watch] Nintendo World Championships is Back for 2017

Nintendo started the ultimate Nintendo fan competition in 1990 with the Nintendo World Championships. It answered the question we were all asking: Who's the best Nintendo player? Well, we get to ask that question again in 2017.

Starting on August 19, fans of all ages around America and Canada can enter qualifying events hosted at select Best Buy stores to compete in both recent and retro titles. There will be eight locations for the qualifying events. Players will be divided into two groups based on age, then compete within each group in a game of Mario Kart 7 on 3DS. The younger age group will play on the Luigi's Mansion course, while the older group, 13 and older, will play on a more difficult level. Those with the best times will qualify to move up to the Nintendo World Championships.

However, it wouldn't be Nintendo without making the competition a full-fledged event. Nintendo loves their exclusive experiences, and as such, there will be a demo version of Super Mario Odyssey for the Switch available to try at each event around the country. There will also be a demo of Metroid: Samus Returns available. We just learned of the latest Metroid launching with an exclusive 3DS model today also.

During the actual championships, players will battle across various games, both retro and current, where they will be eliminated or advance to the top.

“The format of the Nintendo World Championships means that anyone has a chance to become the winner,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Audiences are hungry to watch competitive video games in action, and many of our most classic games, both old and new, are well-suited to competition by players of all ages.”

The qualifying rounds only take place in eight locations around the country, so travel may be required. But if you're nearby or can justify the trip, here's a list of locations:

• 610 Exterior St.
  Bronx, NY 10451
  • Aug. 19-20   
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 181 Curtner Ave.
  San Jose, CA 95125
  • Aug. 19-20  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 3675 Pacific Coast Highway
  Torrance, CA 90505
  • Aug. 26-27  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 2301 Howard St.
  Evanston, IL, 60202
  • Aug. 26-27  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 9378 N. Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX 75231
  • Sept. 2-3  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 1000 W. 78th St.
  Richfield, MN, 55423
  • Sept. 2-3  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 4001 W. 20th Ave.
  Hialeah, FL 33012
  •    Sept. 9-10  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 17364 Southcenter Parkway
  Tukwila, WA 98188
  • Sept. 9-10  
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

More information, including specific rules and regulations, can be found on the Nintendo World Champion website.