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Lets-a-go, Mario! Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios is building theme parks based on Nintendo video games across the world. Orlando is set to get its Super Nintendo World in 2023.
 
In this July 30, 2019, file photo, a Super Mario figure is displayed at a showroom in Tokyo. After months of being tight-lipped, Comcast executives on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, said the fourth park at Universal Orlando would be based on characters from Nintendo.
In this July 30, 2019, file photo, a Super Mario figure is displayed at a showroom in Tokyo. After months of being tight-lipped, Comcast executives on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, said the fourth park at Universal Orlando would be based on characters from Nintendo. [ KOJI SASAHARA | AP ]
Published Jan. 24, 2020

Get ready to explore Bowser’s Castle, join a Mario Kart race and maybe even rescue a princess. Universal Studios Japan announced details about four new Super Nintendo World theme parks, including the Florida location.

The first park will open in Universal Studios Japan in 2020 ⁠— just before the Summer Olympics in Tokyo ⁠— and then additional Nintendo parks will open in the Hollywood, Orlando and Singapore Universal parks in the following years.

It’s an announcement fans have been waiting for ever since Universal and Nintendo struck a partnership back in 2016.

“Super Nintendo World will be an expansive, highly themed and immersive land featuring Nintendo’s legendary worlds, characters and adventures,” a press release announced earlier this month. “Guests will feel as if they are playing inside their favorite Nintendo video games — in real life.”

The Orlando park will welcome Super Nintendo World in 2023. Comcast Corp., which owns Universal Orlando Resort, confirmed the news during a conference call Thursday, the Orlando Business Journal reported.

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan will feature typical theme park attractions — including a restaurant, shops and rides — based on classic Nintendo video game locations. The release stated it will also make use of technology that “blends the physical world with the world of the video game.”

Guests will be able to wear a “Power Up Band,” themed to various Nintendo characters, to immerse themselves in the video game universe. Each band links up to the theme park’s app. Users will be able to see their body movements reflected in characters on their smartphones.

They’ll also be able to collect digital coins and battle enemies just like Mario has done in the more than 200 video games he has appeared in since 1981.

“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters,” said Thierry Coup, the Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Universal Creative in the release. “You’re not just playing the game; you’re living the game, you’re living the adventure.”