You Just Had to Be There (2026)

You Just Had to Be There is a 2026 documentary directed and edited by Mateo Simunovic. Running approximately 30 minutes, the film looks back at the community surrounding Nintendo’s New York store in the weeks leading up to the launch of the Nintendo Switch in 2017.

Blending contemporary documentary filmmaking with archival footage, the film captures the excitement, friendships and distinctive culture that developed around the store during a memorable moment for Nintendo fans. Rather than focusing solely on the console itself, it highlights the people and community who made the launch an experience worth remembering.

• The film was directed and edited by Mateo Simunovic.
• Its subject is the community around Nintendo’s New York store before the Nintendo Switch launch in 2017.
• The documentary features appearances from Isaiah “Triforce” Johnson, Gabe Torres, Elea Tsentzelis, Junior Levia, Michael Vavara and Tuan X.
• It also incorporates archive appearances by Alex Pekala and the late internet personality Etika.
• The film has a reported runtime of approximately 30 minutes and was scheduled for release on April 25, 2026.