Super Nintendo World[a] is a themed area at Universal Studios Japan, and under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore, and the upcoming Universal's Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort. A result of a partnership between Nintendo and Universal Parks and Resorts, the area is based on Nintendo video game franchises, primarily the Mario franchise and its various sub-series.
File:Super Nintendo World logo.png | |
![]() Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan | |
Status | Under construction |
---|---|
Theme | Nintendo video game franchises |
Attractions | |
Total | 2 (Universal Studios Japan) |
Universal Studios Japan | |
Coordinates | 34°39′53″N 135°25′59″E / 34.66472°N 135.43306°E |
Status | Operating |
Opened | February 4, 2021 March 18, 2021 (grand opening) | (annual pass holders only)
Universal Studios Hollywood | |
Opened | TBA |
Universal Studios Singapore | |
Opened | 2025[1][2] |
Universal's Epic Universe | |
Opened | TBA |
A creative partnership between Nintendo and Universal was first announced in May 2015, with construction of a dedicated Nintendo-themed area confirmed for Universal Studios Japan and both American locations the following year. Construction began on the Universal Studios Japan area in June 2017. Following several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic the land had its grand opening at Universal Studios Japan on March 18, 2021. Super Nintendo World is currently under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood and will also be built as a section of Universal's Epic Universe. Mario creator and Nintendo creative fellow Shigeru Miyamoto was heavily involved in the design and construction of the land and its attractions.[3]
History
Following several years of declining gaming revenue and console market share, Nintendo sought avenues to leverage and develop its intellectual properties, entering into a theme park partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts.[4][5] The partnership, announced in May 2015[4] and detailed the next year, would use Mario[6] and other Nintendo franchises as themes in the dedicated areas of Universal theme parks.[7][8] The ¥40 billion ($351 million U.S.) collaboration built for Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is similar in scale to Universal's investment in the Harry Potter franchise.[7] The first concept image of the land was unveiled on December 12, 2016.[9]
Construction on the land at Universal Studios Japan began in June 2017 with a groundbreaking ceremony.[10][11] On January 13, 2020, Nintendo released a video on YouTube for the upcoming land, using the song "We Are Born to Play" by Galantis ft. Charli XCX.[12] The land's opening was initially planned for completion before the 2020 Summer Olympics, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 15, 2020, Universal Studios Japan released a new promo image featuring several details of the land.[13] On December 18, 2020, a Nintendo Direct about the land went live on Nintendo's official YouTube channel, featuring Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto hosting a tour around a small fraction of the land. On December 26, 2020, the land soft opened to limited previews for Universal Studios Japan annual passholders.[14]
On November 30, 2020, Universal officially announced that the land would open at Universal Studios Japan on February 4, 2021; however, in January the opening was once again delayed indefinitely after the Japanese government reimposed a state of emergency in response to a third wave of COVID-19 infections in the city. However, guests with a Universal Studios Japan annual pass are allowed to visit the area as of February 4, 2021.[15] [7] It eventually opened to the public on March 18, 2021.[16][17]
Design
Universal Studios Japan
At Universal Studios Japan, Super Nintendo World is wedged in at the northern end of the park, west of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and south of the Ivano Studios Center and the 1924 Hubs that are just outside of the property. Guests enter the park through a warp pipe from an entrance plaza. The entrance plaza can be accessed from a walkway that branches right next to the WaterWorld sign. The entrance plaza has lamp posts, a power star in the pavement, and Super Nintendo World signage next to the pipe. The pipe leads into Princess Peach's Castle. When guests exit the castle, they enter the 2 level courtyard on the 2nd floor, immersed in the Mushroom Kingdom with Bowser's Castle across the area. Several red, yellow and blue Pikmin can be found across the park on ledges, with some carrying objects like coins and a berry.[18]
On September 28, 2021, a Donkey Kong land expansion was announced to open in 2024, featuring a roller coaster, interactive experiences, and themed merchandise and food.[19][20][21]
Future locations
In November 2016, Universal confirmed that Super Nintendo World areas would be built at not just Universal Studios Japan but also at both American Universal locations in Hollywood and Florida.[6] Construction has begun on the land at Universal Studios Hollywood with an unannounced timeline.[22] On January 24, 2020, Universal confirmed that a Super Nintendo World themed area would be included in the upcoming Universal's Epic Universe park at Universal Orlando Resort.[23] The park was originally scheduled to open in 2023, however the planned opening has been delayed to early 2025 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[24][8][25]
There are also plans to bring Super Nintendo World to Universal Studios Singapore, which is expected to be complete by 2025.[1][2]
Attractions (Universal Studios Japan)
Attractions
- Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge – An interactive dark ride attraction featuring augmented reality technology based on the Mario Kart franchise.[26]
- Yoshi's Adventure – An omnimover ride themed after the Yoshi character and series.
- Power Up Band Key Challenges - A treasure-hunt style interactive attraction which tasks players with retrieving keys to defeat Bowser Jr. requiring a separately sold Power Up Band and the official Universal Studios Japan app.
Dining & shopping
- 1UP Factory - A shop selling various Nintendo merchandise
- Mario Motors - A shop themed after the Mario Kart series selling various Nintendo merchandise
- Kinopio's Cafe - A quick service restaurant themed after the Toad character, featuring Mario-inspired food and drinks.
- Pit Stop Popcorn - A stand featuring Mario-inspired popcorn flavors.
- Yoshi's Snack Island - A stand featuring food and drink inspired by the Yoshi character
Notes
References
- ^ a b Mohan, Matthew (April 3, 2019). "Singapore's two integrated resorts set to grow with S$9 billion investment plan". CNA. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Yeo, Julia (December 19, 2020). "Super Mario creator confirms plans for Super Nintendo World to open in S'pore". Mothership. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
The opening of Super Nintendo World Singapore is expected to take place between 2020 to 2025 at the time of announcement.
- ^ Parkin, Simon (20 December 2020). "Shigeru Miyamoto Wants to Create a Kinder World". The New Yorker.
- ^ a b Villas-Boas, Antonio (May 7, 2015). "Nintendo's huge new deal with Universal shows just how far it'll go to turn the ship around". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ Pallotta, Frank (May 7, 2015). "Nintendo and Universal power up for theme park attractions". CNN. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (November 29, 2016). "Universal Confirms Nintendo Attractions Are Coming to Both Orlando & Hollywood Parks". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ashcraft, Brian (March 5, 2016). "First Details on Nintendo's Universal Studios Collaboration". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ a b McWhertor, Michael (December 12, 2016). "Nintendo's first Universal Studios park attraction is called Super Nintendo World". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 12, 2016). "Universal Studios Japan Reveals 1st Concept Image for 'Super Nintendo World' Attraction". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Frank, Allegra (June 8, 2017). "Super Nintendo World's groundbreaking ceremony is weird and wonderful". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Matt (June 8, 2017). "The Trailer for Universal's Super Nintendo World Continues to Raise Serious Questions About Mario". USgamer. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ "SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ JAPAN: Galantis ft. Charli XCX - WE ARE BORN TO PLAY (Music Video)". Retrieved January 15, 2020., which has since been deleted a year later by Nintendo.
- ^ Finch, Bryan (October 15, 2020). "Pikmin spotted in new official Super Nintendo World art". Retrieved October 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Carpenter, Nicole (30 November 2020). "Super Nintendo World theme park opens Feb. 4 — see the new Mario Kart ride". Polygon.
- ^ "Surging virus cases in Japan tank Nintendo theme park opening". The Japan Times. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ Steen, Emma. "Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Japan today". Time Out Tokyo. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
- ^ "Super Nintendo World opens in Japan after Covid delays". BBC News. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- ^ "Searching for Hidden Pikmin in Super Nintendo World - Universal Studios Japan". youtube.com. February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Glenn, Brian. "Donkey Kong land expansion coming to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan". Inside Universal. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
- ^ "News & Topics:UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN SITE".
- ^ "News Release : Sep. 28, 2021 "SUPER NINTENDO WORLD EXPANSION WORld's FIRST* DONKEY KONG THEMED AREA SET TO OPEN IN 2024"".
- ^ Blake, Vikki (September 16, 2019). "First Super Nintendo World theme park will open in spring 2020". MCV/Develop. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ "Super Nintendo World Confirmed for New Universal Theme Park".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Russon, Gabrielle (3 March 2021). "Universal Orlando: Epic Universe starts construction again, promising 'thousands' of jobs". Orlando Sentinel.
- ^ Mochizuki, Takashi (30 November 2020). "Universal Studios to Open $580 Million Nintendo Park in February". Bloomberg.com.