The first Super Nintendo World in the US will open in early 2023. The date announcement came as Universal Studios Hollywood and Nintendo released new photos and a video trailer of their anticipated interactive, augmented-reality ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
The goal of the ride is simple: “As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through courses underwater and in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win," a statement from Universal Studios Hollywood reads.
It was announced on March 10, also known as Mario Day, that the theme park would be opening in the US. It comes after the successful launch of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan last year.
What to expect at Super Nintendo World US
In March 2021, after months of delays owing to the pandemic, Nintendo’s first theme park opened in Osaka, Japan. It features a Mario Kart ride in Bowser’s Castle, a ride based on the green dinosaur Yoshi, a Princess Peach castle and Mario-theme restaurants.
"We perfectly recreated the world of the game," said Ayumu Yamamoto, Universal Studios Japan's marketing communication manager at the time. "You'll find life-sized piranha plants and Bowser, and you'll see what it is like to be Mario. It took almost a year longer than we had expected to open this place, and we are really glad."
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A general view shows the entrance gate of Super Nintendo World, a new attraction area featuring the popular video game character Mario. Reuters -
Fans of Universal Studio Japan pose at the entrance of the Super Nintendo World, during a media preview of the theme park in Osaka. AFP -
The park opened to the public on March 18, 2021. AFP -
A staff member (front) rousing fans for posed photographs with Super Mario Bros characters Mario, right, and Luigi, left. AFP -
Signage at a souvenir shop in Super Nintendo World. AFP -
Souvenirs are seen for sale at a shop in Super Nintendo World. AFP -
A general view of Super Nintendo World. AFP -
A staff member cleans the facilities as a preventative measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus during a media preview of the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. AFP -
A fan interacts with items at Piranha Plant Nap Mishap. AFP -
Staff members clean the facilities as a preventative measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus. AFP -
The opening of the Osaka theme park was delayed because of the pandemic. AFP -
Yoshi's Adventure attraction inside Super Nintendo World. Reuters -
Peach’s Castle at Super Nintendo World. Reuters -
A souvenir shop in Super Nintendo World. AFP -
Mario and Luigi characters greet visitors in front of Yoshi's Adventure attraction. Reuters -
Various design of Nintendo Power Up Band. Reuters -
Yoshi's Adventure. Reuters -
Stuffed Mario toys are displayed at 1Up Factory souvenir shop. Reuters -
Fans of Universal Studios Japan wear themed augmented reality goggles for the Mario Kart ride. AFP -
Fans have long waited for the theme park to open. AFP -
The theme part is based at the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, western Japan. Reuters -
A fan of Universal Studios Japan wears themed augmented reality goggles on the Mario Kart ride. AFP -
Music from the popular Mario games plays throughout the park. AFP
Augmented-reality goggles attached to a plastic red visor are used in the Mario Kart ride, one of the park's main draws that promises to bring the racing game to life.
The ride follows a track around the foreboding castle of Mario's enemy Bowser, an evil turtle, but each seat has a steering wheel and players can collect and shoot items at opponents.
Music from the popular Mario games plays throughout the park and a smartphone-linked wristband allows visitors to collect virtual coins by punching blocks, just like the Italian plumber.
