Universal announced plans to bring Nintendo’s video games to life back in 2016. The new land launched at Universal Studios Japan in 2021, and the first Nintendo attraction in the US has now made its debut at Universal Studios Hollywood. Super Nintendo World will also be part of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort. Plus, it is being developed for Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).
Super Nintendo World immerses visitors in the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. The land features exhilarating entertainment and innovative technology inspired by Nintendo’s characters and video games. It is home to groundbreaking rides, interactive areas, and themed shopping and dining.
Here, we dig out everything we know about the expansions so far.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan
Universal’s Nintendo expansion opened in Japan in March 2021. Rides include Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. Retail and dining offerings include Kinopio’s Cafe and Yoshi’s Snack Island.
The Mario Kart ride uses augmented reality (AR), projection mapping and screen projection. It also features a physical set that recreates the video game‘s iconic environments. Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly ride, with visitors searching for Captain Toad in a treasure hunt. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole.
Yoshi’s Adventure
“It’s the best, and we’ve tested them all, and they’re killers.” He added: “It’s a great lineup – it takes it to the whole next level. It’s gonna redefine what a park experience is like. It really is special.”
Guests can jump and punch Question Blocks to collect virtual coins. They can also buy a Power Up Band to compete with other visitors at USJ. Goombas, Super Mushrooms, a Koopa Troopa, and even a Thwomp can be found at Super Nintendo World.
Universal Studios Japan’s Nintendo Land is also opening the world’s first Donkey Kong-themed area in spring 2024. The expansion of Super Nintendo World is called Donkey Kong Country. It will increase the size of the land by around 70 percent. The attraction will feature the Mine Cart Madness coaster, interactive experiences, and themed retail and F&B.
Universal Studios Japan’s president and CEO, JL Bonnier, said Donkey Kong Country “will deliver an amazing, one-of-a-kind Donkey Kong experience to fans across the globe”.
“Through the collaboration between Universal Destinations & Experiences, Nintendo and Universal Studios Japan, we are preparing a theme park experience that will once again awe the world,” he added.
Donkey Kong is coming to Japan
Visitors will feel like they are playing inside the arcade game, released by Nintendo in 1981. Since then, the Donkey Kong game franchise has sold more than 65 million units worldwide and has been played on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii, and Nintendo Switch.
Brian Robinson, executive VP and chief creative officer of Universal Creative, said:
“In Super Nintendo WOrld you can jump like Mario, punch blocks, collect digital coins and battle on Rainbow Road.
“In Donkey Kong Country, we’ve greatly expanded interactivity and gameplay. And just as we brought a first-of-its-kind augmented reality attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge to Super Nintendo World, we are bringing that same level of innovation to Donkey Kong Country with a first-of-its-kind thrilling family coaster.
“A new vision of coaster design that isn’t visually or viscerally bound to a traditional coaster track. This innovative design allows us to present the mine cart ride experiences of the Donkey Kong games, like jumping broken tracks. It is a coaster innovation that could only be born out of Donkey Kong Country. I cannot wait for fans to experience it!”
The Donkey Kong expansion will be delivered by the Universal Creative team and Nintendo game developer Shigeru Miyamoto. “I am very happy to be able to make the world of Donkey Kong a reality, following the world of Mario,” Miyamoto said in 2021. “I am looking forward to creating a thrilling Donkey Kong experience with the amazing team at Universal.”
Interactive gameplay with Power Up Bands
Super Nintendo World is an innovative land with state-of-the-art technology that merges the real world and video games. Visitors enjoy interactive experiences using wearable wristbands, called Power Up Bands. These can be connected to smartphones on the Universal Studios Japan app.
The wristbands are available to buy at Super Nintendo World. They are inspired by several characters and allow visitors to collect digital coins and compete with other guests.
Visitors can physically hit the land’s Question Blocks to collect coins. They will feel like they are competing for a high score in a video game. In addition, guests can collect digital keys and unlock gameplay opportunities in ‘Key Challenges’. These include ‘Boss Battles’ against enemy characters.
“You’ll be able to go up and keep score and play with the various games. That also translates to a score-keeping capability if you choose to do so within the rides. It actually interfaces back with your game console,” said Williams.
Punch Question Blocks to collect coins
“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters. You’re not just playing the game; you’re living the game, you’re living the adventure,” said Thierry Coup, former senior VP and CCO, Universal Creative.
“We have developed some state-of-the-art technology to create the perfect fusion of the physical world with the world of video game. The Power Up Band will connect guests with dozens of iconic Nintendo items throughout the land in a truly seamless and innovative way. And the app will keep track of their adventures and any coins, stamps or other iconic elements they earn along the way.”
“There will be opportunities to advance through achievements, keep score, compete against each other and celebrate together when you win. I think the seamless integration of the gameplay is one of the most innovative experiences we have ever created at Universal Studios,” Coup added.
Universal’s Super Nintendo World in Singapore
Super Nintendo World is also heading to Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, but there’s no word on when it will open. Genting Singapore’s $5 billion expansion of RWS started in the second quarter of 2022 with an initial investment of $300 million. The first phase involves expanding Universal Studios Singapore to include the new Minion Land.
“We are excited to break ground on Universal Studios Singapore’s newest themed zone, Minion Land,” said Resorts World Sentosa’s CEO Tan Hee Teck in May 2022. “Resorts World Sentosa aims to bring fresh and compelling experiences to our guests through timely rejuvenation of our lineup of attractions, as we continue to welcome more international travellers with the opening of borders.”
Super Nintendo World at Universal in Hollywood
The first Super Nintendo World in the US opened to visitors in February 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood. The innovative and immersive new land in California was developed by Nintendo and Universal Creative. It is described by Universal as a “visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity”.
After passing through the iconic green pipe, guests experience the groundbreaking Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride, as well as the Toadstool Cafe and 1-UP Factory shop. Also on offer are Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle and Mount Beanpole. This a towering landmark that serves as the queue for the Mario Kart ride.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a state-of-the-art ride based on the Mario Kart video game series. It uses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR), projection mapping technology and set pieces. Wearing AR goggles, guests navigate underwater courses and courses in the clouds as part of Team Mario. They must compete for the Golden Cup and collect coins to defeat Team Bowser.
The Mario Kart attraction is one of the most complex rides ever created in the theme park industry. It is similar to Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan. Universal Studios Hollywood describes it as a “multi-sensory cornucopia of color, sound and movement that invites guests to navigate familiar environs through the creative use and integration of head-mounted augmented reality goggles”.
Gamified experiences
As for interactivity, the Power-Up Band is a wearable wristband. This syncs with the free Universal Studios Hollywood app to enhance and gamify the visitor experience. Many of Super Nintendo World’s attractions and experiences are interactive. Visitors can physically hit the land’s Question Blocks to collect coins, and collect keys and unlock gameplay opportunities in ‘Key Challenges’.
When riding Bowser’s Challenge, visitors can tap their Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel to track digital coins collected and see their ranking. Checkpoints located around Super Nintendo World let Power-Up Band users track their status. Additionally, meet and greets with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are enhanced for visitors with a Power-Up Band.
Toadstool + Power Up cafes
The new land’s Toadstool Cafe features a red-capped mushroom exterior as well as a mushroom-themed interior with iconic green pipes. The signature restaurant is led by Chef Toad. It serves starters such as ‘Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots’, ‘Super Mushroom Soup’, ‘Piranha Plant Caprese’, and ‘Super Star Chicken Salad’.
Main courses include Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, as well as ‘Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs’. Desserts include ‘? Block Tiramisu’, ‘Beanpole Cake’, and ‘Princess Peach Cupcake’, while beverages include ‘Super Star Lemon Squash’.
New for 2024 at Super Nintendo World is the Power Up Cafe. Unlike the Toadstool Cafe, this eatery is not located inside the land. Instead, it’s on New York Street on the park’s upper lot. The Power Up Cafe serves exclusive menu items themed to Power-ups in the Super Mario video games. For example, the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower.
“We wanted the guests to be able to come in through the park and power up their day,” Julia Thrash, vice president of culinary and executive chef at Universal Studios Hollywood, told Eater LA. “The inspiration is truly the Power-ups. We have four of them that are represented throughout the [decor and] menu: Super Star, Super Mushroom, 1-Up Mushroom, and Fire Flower.”
Universal Orlando’s Super Nintendo World
Universal Epic Universe, the fourth gate at Universal Orlando, was first announced in 2019. Universal’s biggest theme park in the US will join Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay in the Sunshine State. It’s on track for a 2025 opening.
Epic Universe will house five themed lands with more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences, and retail and F&B outlets. The new lands are: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
To date, Universal Destinations & Experiences has confirmed the following regarding Super Nintendo World at Epic. Guests will enter via the iconic green pipe and then discover a gamified and interactive land themed to characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.
Nintendo IP
In November 2021, Nintendo also revealed plans to use its intellectual property (IP) “in areas that are new to Nintendo”. Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, said:
“We see the Nintendo character IP that has grown over the history of our video game business, nurtured by consumers, as an increasing strength for our company.”
“We are proceeding to utilize our IP in areas that are new to Nintendo,” Furukawa added. “By bringing Nintendo IP to new areas, we can continually generate touchpoints with consumers who have stopped playing Nintendo games as well as with those who first encounter Nintendo IP in a context outside of games.
“Ultimately, our goal is for contact with Nintendo IP to awaken new interest in the Nintendo game experience, or to inspire a return to that experience and our integrated hardware-software proposition. By expanding Nintendo IP, we want to dramatically broaden our consumer base and maintain good long-term relationships with the consumers we attract.”
Thank you so much for playing my game!
Universal’s partnership with Nintendo is similar to its agreement with Warner Bros for the ongoing use of the Harry Potter IP. The collaboration is also proving popular with both parties. Universal will work closely with Nintendo and expects a huge financial impact from adding the video game IP.
“Nintendo, based on our research, is the biggest potential driver in attendance you can have in terms of intellectual properties,” said Comcast execs in a conference call in 2019. “It’s up there with Harry Potter. In some of our parks, Harry Potter drives incremental attendance of two million people.”
Images: Nintendo/Universal
