Super Nintendo World looks amazing: this is the first glimpse

In a world where collaborations between big brands are getting more and more popular each day, Nintendo is at the forefront. The game company has had many collaborations in its time, such as Levi’s and LEGO, but the biggest and most impressive collaboration is still in the works: a theme park area within Universal Studios called Super Nintendo World.

If you have ever been to a Universal Studios theme park you’ll know: there are a lot of big names in one. In Universal Studios you can find a Hulk rollercoaster next to the Harry Potter train, and you can find Jurassic Park memorabilia next to Dr Seuss’ land. The newest edition to this colorful bunch is Super Nintendo World. An area that is supposed to come to three Universal Studios parks on the planet. First up: Osaka, Japan.

Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan is supposed to open on February 4th. At the moment there are two attractions confirmed: Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure. The best thing is probably the atmosphere though. You will have to reach the rides by a huge warp pipe that will take you to Princess Peach’s Castle. When you walk out, you will spot the Mushroom Kingdom and Bowser’s Castle. In the area you might find Power Up Band Key Challenges, which require a Power Up Band and an app to experience. The band offers you ways of interacting with things in the theme park and to collect coins, just like Mario.

In Bowser’s Castle is where it all happens. Though you do not race yourself, you can step in the Mario Kart rollercoaster and enjoy speed and augmented reality (which you receive special glasses for). This way your ride should feel more like you are in Mario Kart: you can even grab power-ups and put them to use. The rollercoasters consists of two rails that has two trains race each other. Everybody has a steering wheel, though it is not sure yet what you can actually use them for (you are on rails after all). 

Did you get a glimpse of the Mario Cafe yet? It is located in the Hollywood-area of Universal Studios Japan and everything within the cafe simply screams: Mario! (not in the desperate way Peach does of course). It offers Luigi pancakes, a super mushroom drink and all kinds of things with moustaches on them. The doors of the cafe are already open. There is also some merchandise for sale, which has already shown up on Ebay for exorbitant prices. The items are wanted, as the chances are slim you will be able to travel to Japan yourself to get something at the moment. The pandemic is still very much alive: it was actually the reason the opening of Super Nintendo World was pushed back.

Thankfully the people in Japan are able to experience it. Now the cafe and in just two months the theme park area itself.  The plan is to also bring Super Nintendo World to Universal Studios Hollywood in California, United States plus Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, United States. There are ambitions to take Nintendo’s property and land it in Universal Studios Singapore too.