In just under two months, Universal will open a brand-new land at Universal Studios Hollywood — Super Nintendo World. The new area will bring Guests straight into the world of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, and more! A similar area opened at Universal Studios Japan last year and has been an absolute hit with Guests.
Now, with the Hollywood opening fast approaching, we are getting a new inside look at the super new land, complete with Bowser’s Castle, Toadstool Café, and more!
Variety was able to visit Universal Studios Hollywood and was given more information on the land, as well as the first look at some of the amazing details.
When parkgoers arrive at Super Nintendo World, located next to the “Transformers” ride, they’ll enter through a giant green warp pipe that leads inside Peach’s Castle. Just outside the castle doors is a 360-degree, fully immersive Mushroom Kingdom, complete with POW blocks, Pokeys and power-ups. There’s nods to the different biomes present in a typical “Mario” game, as well as the franchise’s colorful array of villains, from Thwomps to Goombas. There’s small details for avid Nintendo gamers, too, like “Super Mario Sunshine” music playing in a seating area beneath giant mushrooms, or a distinct Yoshi animation style in the queue for “Bowser’s Challenge.”
The big attraction at Super Nintendo World will be Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. The new, interactive attraction will bring Guests inside Bowser’s Castle and give them a chance to win back the Golden Mushroom that was stolen from Princess Peach by Bowser Junior.
The world has four interactive games that lead up to a boss fight against Bowser Jr. In one game, the player must hit a POW block, causing a spinning Koopa shell to fly up a warp pipe at the right time. In another, they must disable a bunch of alarms before they go off, waking a snoozing Piranha Plant.
In the boss battle, the player’s silhouette will be projected on an LED screen as they try to dodge Bob-ombs and throw fireballs. If you win, you’ll reclaim a golden mushroom that Bowser Jr. stole from Princess Peach.
What makes Super Nintendo World even more interactive is that Guests can purchase a Power-Up Band that will allow them to earn points. Points can be earned by riding Bowser’s Challenge, as well as tapping the band against hidden markers throughout the land. The Power-Up Band can be linked to the Universal Studios Hollywood app, which will keep track of the points. The points that Guests earn while in Super Nintendo World can then be transferred onto their Nintendo gaming consoles via Amiibo.
Super Nintendo World will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 17, 2023. Reservations will not be required to enter the land. However, they will be enacted if the area reaches capacity — which will most likely happen. Universal Hollywood Annual Passholders will have a chance to see the land early with preview days.
Super Nintendo World is also being built at the Universal Orlando Resort, where it will be a part of Universal Orlando’s third theme park, Epic Universe. Epic Universe is scheduled to open sometime in 2025.