Super Nintendo World Theme Park – When Will It Open?
Super Nintendo World was such a hit in Japan, that the park is now coming to the United States. It is set to open in Hollywood, California in 2023.
If you happen to be a theme park connoisseur, then you are likely to know that there are specific lands or areas open in theme parks that target certain subjects. There is a land dedicated to Harry Potter, Avengers Campus, and Springfield (The Simpsons), just to name a few. These areas are designed for showcasing some beloved film franchises or television shows. Well, now gamers that have been mega fans of Mario and Nintendo will finally get their chance to experience Super Nintendo World in 2023.
Universal Studios in Hollywood, California (Universal City, to be exact) is the location for the brand new, fully immersive theme park based on the beloved Super Mario Bros franchise. Now, it isn’t the first theme park based on Super Mario. That honor goes to Universal Japan, which opened its Super Nintendo World in early 2021, but it is the first here in the United States.
SEE UNIVERSAL JAPAN’S SUPER NINTENDO THEME PARK
You can take a fun walkthrough of Universal Japan’s theme park below:
The above walkthrough video is special in nature due to the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto walking fans through the Super Nintendo World and showing off some of the spectacular things that fans will be treated to. Miyamoto is the creative director at Nintendo who invented game franchises like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Donkey Kong.
While the above video is the version of the park that exists in Japan, expect the United States version to look very similar, as is the custom for most international theme parks of the same kind.
One of the most interesting aspects of the theme park is the wristband that is offered to everyone as an additional piece of immersion. The bracelet can unlock certain events throughout the park, including the sound of blocks giving you coins when you jump up and hit them. The whole event is cataloged, and you are given a point score at the end of your adventure, much like a score if you had been playing Super Mario Bros.
While the theme park is broadly described as Super Nintendo World, most of the theme covers characters from the Super Mario Bros franchise. Mario, Toad, Bowser, Princess Peach, and more are heavily influenced by the park’s aesthetic. Super Mario fans are sure to be thrilled.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD WILL HAVE MARIO KART AND YOSHI’S ADVENTURE
While there is a heavy influence from the Super Mario Bros franchise within the whole park, it is not the only game that is said to influence the park. One of the biggest rides that will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. You can see the ride-through video of this attraction from Super Nintendo World Japan below:
The ride seems to blend the best parts of Mario Kart in with a roller coaster and augmented reality. Fans will zip around a kart while running into obstacles throughout their time on the ride like Pirahna Plant and the dreaded Thwomp. While it may not be the kind of go-kart experience that most fans will want, it does look to be completely based on the Mario Kart franchise, as riders will race on the many Mario Kart racecourses alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.
Another big ride that is promised is based on the fan-favorite Super Nintendo game, Yoshi’s Adventure. While the other attractions will be more fast-paced, this ride is for leisure fans. The Yoshi’s Adventure ride at Super Nintendo World is meant to showcase the whole park while taking riders through a tour of sorts. You will be able to see the entire park while riding in a different colored Yoshi. You can see the ride-through video below:
There are additional shopping and eating experiences that will be unique to the park, such as being able to purchase plush toys of blocks, Bullet Bill, and stars that will be available for purchase in the 1-Up Factory. There are tons of items that are all based on favorite Mario characters from across the franchise. This is the best place to get some Super Nintendo World swag. You can see an extensive breakdown video of the shop below:
For those who can’t wait for Super Nintendo World to open to get their swag, Universal Studios Hollywood already has a few places fans can get some. Inside the park (Universal Studios), guests can purchase Super Nintendo World items at one of two places. You can’t miss the first one, as it is quite noticeable right when you enter the park.
The third place fans can get their Super Nintendo World fix is at the Universal City Walk, which is located right outside Universal Studios. The City Walk offers numerous stores, restaurants, and fun places for everyone and has added a Super Nintendo World shop for those in need. This new store, as is with the other two, is not hard to spot along the City Walk.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD WILL OPEN IN 2023
While Universal Studios Hollywood has offered a 2023 date for the park to open, they have not announced an actual concrete date. What they have said, so far, about a possible opening, is that it will be coming in early 2023. What that means is anyone’s guess, but spring break sounds like an optimal time.
Another good guess is that Super Nintendo World will be ready to rock and roll fans near the April 7, 2023 date, as that is the premiere of The Super Mario Brothers Movie that features the voices of Chris Pratt as Super Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. Keep your eyes peeled for more news on the opening date for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and check out the trailer for the film below.
