The first Super Mario-themed park is set to open at Universal Studios Japan this summer, before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to The Verge.
What is it? Essentially it’s an opportunity to be in a video game like Mario Kart.
“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters. You’re not just playing the game; you’re living the game, you’re living the adventure,” the senior vice president of Universal Creative, Thierry Coup, told Yahoo! News.
Universal Orlando announced last August it will be adding another park to its experience called Universal’s Epic Universe. At the time of the announcement, details were few, except that the park was set to open in 2023. Now we know Epic Universe will include a Super Nintendo World.
He said the park will bring other iconic areas from the Super Mario World games to life, like Peach’s Castle, the Mushroom Kingdom, and Bower’s Castle.
Polygon confirms the park will have a ride themed after Mario Kart in the Super Nintendo World Japan location.
According to the Orlando Informer, a Super Nintendo World could also be opening at Universal Studios Hollywood as early as next year.
Theme Park Insider reports Super Nintendo World will utilize “power up” wristbands, as well as a smartphone app so visitors can track their high scores and even sync up their park experience with their personal Nintendo video games.