After a few delays, Super Nintendo World has opened at Universal Studios Japan.


What You Need To Know

  •  Super Nintendo World now open at Universal Studios Japan

  • Land features Nintendo themed attractions and interactive experiences

  • Universal plans to open similar lands at its U.S. theme parks

The new land brings to life the virtual world of popular Nintendo characters like Mario and Luigi.

Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Universal Studios Japan president J.L. Bonnier and a few characters were part of a special grand opening ceremony outside the land’s warp pipe entrance.

“Super Nintendo World brings the world of Mario games to life,” Miyamoto said in a statement. “The moment you enter the park, you will be amazed at how real everything feels.”

Visitors will find themselves in the middle of Mushroom Kingdom complete with replicas of Bower’s Castle, Peach’s Castle, piranha plants and spinning gold coins. Throughout the land there are also question-mark blocks that visitors will have to jump and punch to collect virtual coins. Using a Power-Up Band, which is available to purchase in the land, visitors will be able to track their score and compete with other park visitors.

The land also features multiple attractions, including Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge. Using a mix of physical sets, projection mapping and augmented reality, the ride lets visitors race through iconic courses alongside characters like Mario and Princess Peach. Riders will even be able to “throw” virtual shells.

Inside the land, visitors can also ride a Yoshi-themed attraction, eat a meal at Toad’s restaurant as well as buy themed souvenirs and merchandise.

“We look forward to sharing Super Nintendo World with our fans in Japan and bringing the experience to life at other Universal theme park destinations in the future,” Universal Parks & Resorts chairman and CEO Tom Williams said in a statement.

Universal plans to open versions of the land at its U.S. parks. Although an opening date hasn’t been announced, construction is underway at Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

And a Super Nintendo World is slated to come to Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando. Construction was temporarily paused last spring because of the pandemic, but earlier this month Universal Orlando announced that work had resumed.

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