Update, March 11, 2021: As with everything over the past year, the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan was delayed. But the wait is finally over! The theme park will open starting next week on March 18.
The Osaka-based park is the first to feature Nintendo characters and their settings. It'll have a Mario Kart-themed ride and treasure hunt adventure with Yoshi. Using a "Power Up Band" connected to an app on your phone, you can play virtual games that allow you to collect virtual coins, keys, and other tokens throughout the park. As far as food goes, there's a restaurant called Kinopio's Cafe that has menu items including a Mario Burger, Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl, and Hatena Block Tiramisu.
The park's grand opening kicks off a milestone year for Universal Studios Japan, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this spring. The number of tickets being sold is limited to promote social distancing during this time. Head here to learn more about ticket options and here to dive deeper into all that the theme park will offer.
Original, January 14, 2020: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge are all well and good, but Universal Japan just announced there are plans for a Super Nintendo World. Super Nintendo World!!!
In a video featuring musicians Galantis and Charli XCX, Universal Studios announced that a Super Nintendo World is in the works for Universal Japan. The video is mainly produced with CGI so there are no actual photos of what the theme park will look like.
In the promotional video, people of all ages are seen playing in a Nintendo game with characters like Mario and Toad appearing throughout. It's likely that the actual theme park will be like stepping into your gaming screen, at least from the looks of the announcement.
The only real clue we're really given from the video is that wristbands will be used in the park as "Power Up Bands." These wristbands, according to Thrillist, will sync through an app on your smartphone and will be able to track your stats as if you were playing a video game. These wristbands will also allow you to challenge other park goers in friendly competition, it seems.
Universal Japan launched a website in conjunction with the music video, and the homepage describes some of the attractions already set for Super Nintendo World. Among the attractions are a Mario Kart game and the chance to tour around the world of Mario on Yoshi's back.
There is not yet a menu or restaurant list, but considering the over-the-top attractions already put into place I don't doubt that the food options will be equally as extra. Super Nintendo World is in the works to be open by this summer, so our lingering questions about it will be answered soon enough. I guess it's time to get my cosplay ready!
