Bandai Namco Cross Store and The Gundam Base Opening at Mall of America With Exclusive Collectibles

Bandai Namco is giving collectors in the Midwest a major new destination this fall. Bandai Namco Amusement America and Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles announced that a new Bandai Namco Cross Store and THE GUNDAM BASE will both open September 30 at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. Each will be only the second U.S. location for its respective retail concept.

The dual opening will bring GUNPLA, figures, trading card products, capsule toys, Tamagotchi merchandise, plush and other Bandai Namco collectibles together at one of the country’s largest shopping destinations. The Bandai Namco Cross Store alone will house 15 official shops and brands, including the Bandai Card Games Official Store, Bandai Hobby Shop, Banpresto Official Shop, Gashapon Bandai Official Shop, Ichibansho Figure, Tamagotchi Shop and Tamashii Nations. Also represented will be Bandai Candy Official Shop Collection, Bandai Namco Anime Station, Bandai Toys, Lifestyle Bandai, Mega Kawaii Shop, Namco, Nuicolle Shop and Sun-Star Stationery Shop.

The format is designed to put a wide range of Bandai Namco’s collectible categories under one roof rather than separating them among specialty retailers. For figure collectors, that means access to brands including Tamashii Nations, Banpresto and Ichibansho. Gashapon collectors will have a dedicated Bandai capsule toy shop, while trading card fans will have the Bandai Card Games Official Store. The Tamagotchi Shop adds another collectible category with merchandise built around Bandai’s long-running virtual pet brand.

Bandai Namco says the Minneapolis Cross Store will carry character goods, toys, games, stationery, plush and collectibles from across its portfolio. The company has already demonstrated the concept at its first U.S. Bandai Namco Cross Store, which opened at Japan Village in Brooklyn, New York, in February 2025. That location has expanded to include brands and experiences ranging from Banpresto to Bandai card games.

Collectors visiting the Mall of America location during its opening period will also be able to pick up promotional items. Bandai Namco says participating brands will offer multiple gifts with purchase, while any purchase at the Cross Store will qualify for a free branded Bandai Namco Cross Store tote bag while supplies last.

THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis will become the second permanent Gundam Base location in the United States, following THE GUNDAM BASE Chicago, which opened in December 2025. The company had previously announced that Minneapolis and Seattle would be among the next cities receiving Gundam Base locations.

THE GUNDAM BASE specializes in GUNPLA and will carry model kits, tools, accessories and other Gundam merchandise, including products that are exclusive to or limited through Gundam Base locations. Bandai Namco has already revealed three exclusives planned for the Minneapolis grand opening.

The lineup includes the MG 1/100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED RX-78-2 Ver. 3.0 [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR], RG 1/144 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED WING GUNDAM ZERO EW [CLEAR COLOR] and HaroPla THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED HARO [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]. Those releases give collectors an immediate reason to visit the new location rather than treating it as simply another place to buy standard GUNPLA kits.

Customers who spend at least $100 at THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis during the promotion will also receive a clear THE GUNDAM BASE-branded fanny pack while supplies last.

The store will include displays and exhibits devoted to Gundam and GUNPLA as well, giving it more of an experience-based format than a traditional hobby shop. That model has already been used at the Chicago location, where Bandai Namco has hosted Gundam model kit workshops, Gundam Card Game demo sessions and store tournaments.

Bandai Namco describes the Cross Store concept as a place where fans can “see,” “touch” and “experience” characters and products from across the company’s brands. Mall of America gives the company a large audience for that approach. The Bloomington shopping and entertainment complex draws more than 32 million visitors annually and includes up to 500 retailers and restaurants.

Both Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis and THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis will open Wednesday, September 30, at Mall of America, 102 E. Broadway in Bloomington. Regular hours are scheduled for 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 7 PM Sunday. Bandai Namco says additional details about opening-day activities, exclusive merchandise and promotions will be announced ahead of the grand opening.