How to Compete in Nintendo's First World Championships in 25 Years

Nintendo's competitive gaming World Championships event, which has been dormant for 25 years, will return this year at E3. Anyone can take part in the qualifying rounds, and now we know the eight Best Buy stores across the United States that will host these preliminary tournaments.

Qualifying events will be held May 30 at the Best Buy stores listed below from 10 AM to 7 PM local time. Registration begins at 9 AM local time, while each tournament will be capped at 750 contestants.

Gamers will play Nintendo 3DS title Ultimate NES Remix. Using its Championship mode, players will participate in a series of score-based challenges for Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, and Dr. Mario.

Competitors won't need to bring their 3DS or copy of Ultimate NES Remix, however, as Best Buy will have games and systems on-hand at each local tournament.

The person with the top score from each of the eight regional qualifiers will advance to the Nintendo World Championships in Los Angeles. There, they will go head-to-head in a multi-round competition featuring "a variety of Nintendo games," though these were not named outright.

Joining the eight regional winners at the final event will be an additional eight players chosen by Nintendo. The company says it will reveal these players in the near future.

The Nintendo World Championships 2015 is just one part of Nintendo's E3 2015 plans. The company will host its digital event on June 16, while it's also teamed up with Best Buy to let shoppers play Mario Maker for Wii U ahead of release.

Participating Best Buy Stores:

• San Francisco, CA -- 1717 Harrison St.
• Torrance, CA -- 3675 Pacific Coast Highway
• Miami, FL -- 10760 SW 17th St.
• Schaumburg, IL -- 900 E. Golf Road
• Maple Grove, MN -- 12905 Elm Creek Blvd. N
• Long Island City, NY -- 5001 Northern Blvd
• Dallas, TX -- 9378 N. Central Expressway
• Tacoma, WA -- 2214 S. 48th St.