We’re so excited for what looks like the new standard for immersive story telling in the themed entertainment industry! Universal Studios Japan, located in Osaka, is opening their highly anticipated new Super Nintendo World on February 4th of 2021! Let’s take a look at what we can expect to see in this new land!
All images provided by Universal Parks and Resort Corporate Communications.
Grand Opening
Universal Studios Japan will hold its grand opening of the world’s first Super Nintendo World on February 4, 2021 – bringing to life a highly themed and immersive land featuring Nintendo’s legendary worlds, characters and adventures where guests will be able to play inside their favorite Nintendo games. The grand opening of Super Nintendo World will kick off the park’s year-long 20th Anniversary Celebration.
Interactive Themed Land
Super Nintendo World will feature Mario Kart- and Yoshi-themed rides and attractions, as well as restaurants, shops and other experiences that can only be found at Universal Studios Japan. The colorful and interactive area offers a new theme park experience that lets guests immerse themselves in the world by wearing a Power-Up Band, an innovative technology to help bring gameplay to life and allow guests to keep score. Guests with a Power-Up Band can also punch ? Blocks, collect virtual coins and more to bring the experience of playing Super Mario games to the real world.
Power-Up Band Key Challenge
Retrieve the Golden Mushroom that Bowser Jr. has stolen!
Work your way through the games located throughout the area to collect three keys! Waiting for you is a dramatic boss battle with Bowser Jr. Jump, punch and use your entire body and all your instincts to win.
*Purchase of a Power-Up Band required for this experience.
Download the Universal Studios Japan app to your smartphone and link it with the Power-Up Band available for purchase in the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD area for an all-new way of experiencing the theme park! Collect virtual coins and check your ranking, collect stamps and use the Power-Up Band to experience the world of the games in real life!
- Sales Schedule and Locations: Please see official website
- Price: all colors ¥3,200 (tax incl.)
- Available for purchase at USJ Official Online Ticket Store
*Available for purchase when purchasing any type of Universal Express Pass.
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
Universal Studios Japan released exclusive new footage of the world’s first Mario Kart theme park ride, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge as well as new images of the land, rides and the interior of Bowser’s Castle.
Today, images of one of the icons of the new area, Bowser’s Castle were made public for the first time. The inside of the castle has a mysterious atmosphere with stone walls, spiked fences and heavy iron doors along with a massive stone statue of Bowser at the center of a grand staircase. The powerful scale of the statue makes one feel as if Bowser will suddenly start to move.
“At the heart of the castle lies the world’s first ever Mario Kart theme park ride based on the Mario Kart series of games, which have sold over 150 Million units. Universal Creative has partnered with Nintendo to bring a real-life racing adventure to Universal Studios Japan with Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge! Guests will put on their headset which takes them through the Mario Kart universe to experience never-ending excitement and thrills,” stated Thomas Geraghty, Sr. Director, Innovation & Global Executive Producer for Mario Kart.
The world of Mario Kart and its courses all come to life at the park using state-of- the-art technology! Guests will throw shells and take out opponents to race ahead with Mario and Princess Peach! The all-new, life-sized Mario Kart experience has countless thrills and excitement in the world’s first Mario Kart ride experience. This new headliner attraction takes approximately 5 minutes and sits 4 people per ride vehicle. 
The world’s first interactive Mario Kart theme park ride at Super Nintendo World will immerse guests into the worlds of Nintendo. Guests will race through the iconic courses of Mario Kart with their favorite Nintendo characters and be transported into the Nintendo worlds where they’re not just playing the game, they’re actually being immersed in the game. They will steer into the Mushroom Kingdom and throw shells as they race to the finish line with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach! Win or lose, every race is a brand-new, life-sized Mario Kart experience.
Universal Studios Japan has partnered with the Universal Creative team and Nintendo’s creative team, including Nintendo Representative Director, Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto to create the world’s first interactive Mario Kart theme park ride. This attraction is brought to life through a powerful story and characters, advanced technology in augmented reality, projection mapping, and screen projection combined with a physical set that recreates iconic environments in fantastic detail, only at Universal Studios Japan.
Yoshi’s Adventure
The second ride at the highly-anticipated Super Nintendo Land is Yoshi’s Adventure. Guests will climb atop Yoshi’s back and follow Captain Toad on a treasure hunting adventure! Captain Toad has forgotten his treasure map. Guests need to find the 3 colored eggs that lead the way to the Golden Egg that Captain Toad was seeking. Guests will encounter a spectacular view of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole while having fun on this ride that’s perfect for the whole family. This ride, too, takes about 5 minutes and sits 2 guests per Yoshi vehicle.
COVID-19 Related Information
Universal Studios Japan is now operating at restricted capacity and fully implementing strict measures to prevent the spread of infection with the health and safety of its guests and park crew the highest priority. Guests at the park are ensured ample personal space and wait times for popular attractions are comparatively short. (*Wait times for each attraction can be checked in real time using the Universal Studios Japan Official App.) We also request that whenever possible, those planning on visiting the park make use of the online ticket store to ensure a smooth entry at the park entrance. Universal Studios Japan will always strive to provide guests the world’s best entertainment through evolving measures and innovation and special experiences that give guests the energy and vitality for tomorrow.
The health and safety of our guests and team members have been and will continuously be our top priority at Universal Studios Japan and we are taking thorough sanitization enhancement measures in accordance with the “Novel Coronavirus Spread Prevention Guideline for Theme Parks and Amusement Parks” announced by the central Government and taking advice from health care authorities and medical experts. We will keep providing the guests a thrilling theme park experience where our guests can safely enjoy our entertainment offerings. Please note that exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.
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