Merlin Entertainments has announced a collaboration between its Sea Life aquariums in the UK and Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulation video game where players can create their own paradise on a deserted island. Since launching in March 2020, the game has sold more than 46 million copies across the world.
At Sea Life venues, a live, interactive experience will allow guests to discover marine life alongside some of the game’s characters, Merlin said in a press release.
“We are thrilled to be offering this one-of-a-kind experience across a number of our Sea Life locations,” said Catherine Pritchard, general manager at Sea Life London.
Trend for gaming brands in LBE spaces
“Our guests will be taken on a journey alongside characters from Animal Crossing, all whilst surrounded by the thousands of amazing creatures that we have in our attractions, from green sea turtles to zebra sharks in this enriching, fun and unique adventure with family or friends.”
The touring attraction is debuting at Sea Life Manchester on 8 February, before travelling to Sea Life sites in Birmingham, Brighton, London, and Chessington World of Adventures.
Guests will be led by a tour guide as they explore the ‘Sea Life Islands’, meet characters like Tom Nook, Aurora, Isabelle and Octavian, and discover diverse sea creatures.
Highlights also include a fossil dig to reveal the ancestors of today’s marine life, and explorers will search for Gulliver, who has washed up on the beaches.
At the end of the experience, guests will be able to shop for Animal Crossing: New Horizons merchandise at the aquarium store.
The new Animal Crossing attraction comes amid a global expansion of gaming brands in LBE spaces, from Super Nintendo World at Universal parks to Merlin’s recent partnership with Minecraft creator Mojang Studios.
From 15 to 16 January 2025, visitor attraction professionals are gathering online to hear from leaders in the sector and explore the winners of the blooloop Innovation Awards 2024, presented with Area15.
One entry is the Animal Crossing partnership at the Coex Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea.
Images courtesy of Merlin
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