The Super Nintendo World is preparing to open its doors in Japan on February 4.
From the lava-filled depths of Bowser's Castle to the shores of Koopa Troopa Beach, Nintendo's Super Mario franchise has delighted generations since 1985 . Before the coronavirus pandemic, super nintendo world , a new giveaway from the beloved video game company, was scheduled to open in July at Universal Studios Japan . The company has now confirmed a new release date for February 4, 2021.
Despite being in the process for several years, Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts kept the concept of Super Nintendo World a secret until late 2016. , leading to a lot of speculation about what a Nintendo-inspired park would actually entail. Now it's showing up more information about its attractions and other features.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
Super Nintendo World will not be a separate park, but rather "an expansive, highly themed and immersive land featuring Nintendo's legendary worlds, characters and adventures" inside Universal Studios Japan, according to a press release from Universal Studios Japan. The largest theme park, located on a peninsula in Osaka Bay, is less than 20 minutes by train from downtown Osaka. Construction photos posted on social media by park goers show that Super Nintendo World is being built alongside Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Based on the promotional material, it is clear that Super Nintendo World is designed to appeal to a wide range of Nintendo gamers , from those of the old school who grew up playing classic titles on the Nintendo Entertainment System to fans of the millennial generation and generation Z who fell in love with games like Mario Kart. Concepts showcased at industry events revealed that the terrain will be a multi-level area filled with familiar characters and locations from the Super Mario universe , like goombas, piranha plants, Peach's castle and more. (It's unclear if other popular Nintendo titles, like Donkey Kong or Pokémon, will feature prominently in Super Nintendo Land.)
Can you imagine starring in a Mario Kart race? They have made it possible!
RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS
Most of the Super Nintendo World attractions have been kept secret. But one of the elements of the space enthusiastically promoted by park executives is Power Up Band, a portable device which, when combined with the park app, will allow visitors to interact with various features in Super Nintendo World.
The device, which Universal plans to sell in a variety of designs inspired by beloved characters from the Super Mario franchise, will turn a visit to Super Nintendo World into a real-life video game , making track visitor activity throughout the park.
Using the Power Up Band will allow attendees collect digital coins, earn points and compete against other visitors in a series of mini-challenges that Universal executive Thierry Coup called the "perfect fusion of the physical world with the world of video games".
At a recent promotional event for the park, executives demonstrated how visitors can earn coins with Power Up Band when jumping to "smash" oversized versions of the iconic blocks of question marks from the Super Mario games, and doing so will activate those famous coin sound effects that Nintendo fans know and love.
In Super Nintendo World Japan, we move from reality to the world of Super Mario Bros.
There's another Super Nintendo World feature that has future visitors especially excited: the mario kart ride . A new advance has revealed that it will be called Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, with a four-passenger vehicle and a large Bowser statue . An augmented reality headset will provide a visual experience that makes you feel like you are competing in a race.
There are some details still unclear, but considering Nintendo and Universal's commitment to literally translate the attractions popular Super Mario franchise game in real world features, the possibility of being able to throw red shells and banana peels at opponents while running on Rainbow Road It doesn't seem too far-fetched to us.
The concept that has leaked from Super Nintendo Land suggests that the race will be set inside a replica of Bowser's castle and could include augmented reality goggles to enhance the travel experience. There was also a tour Yoshi-themed for kids, which is formatted like a scavenger hunt where the participants find eggs. Dining facilities and gift shops will complete the attraction.
We are ready to face Bowser!
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO ENTER?
Admission to Super Nintendo World is included in the cost of Universal Studio Japan tickets , called Studio Passes, which are sold as one- or two-day passes, ranging from €60 for adults and €40 for children from 4 to 11 years, approximately. However, guests who wish to also take advantage of the interactive features of Super Nintendo World must include the cost of a Power Up Band (sold at the park) into your vacation budget.
Universal has not disclosed how much the devices will cost. While it seems possible that visitors could explore this real-life Mushroom Kingdom without purchasing a Power Up Band, the relationship between physical and virtual activities spread throughout the park suggests that the device is a key component to fully enjoying all that Super Nintendo World has to offer.
Universal Studios Japan also sells a ticket add-on called the Express Pass, which allows park visitors to skip the lines in specific areas or attractions. The Express Pass system can be very attractive to first-time Universal visitors, but prices vary based on group size . Like the cost of the Power Up Band, the prices of these passes have not been published.
Can't you go to Japan? Don't worry. Universal plans to open additional Super Nintendo World attractions in its theme parks Los Angeles, Orlando and Singapore for years to come, giving fans the chance to hone their skills in coin collecting and princess rescue techniques.
Report originally published in Condé Nast Traveler USA.