Universal first announced plans to bring Nintendo’s video games to life back in 2016, and now has a Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, and at Universal Studios Hollywood, and soon at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. Plus, the immersive land is being developed for Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).
At Super Nintendo World, guests join iconic characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. The land features exhilarating entertainment and innovative technology. It’s home to groundbreaking rides, interactive areas, and themed shopping and dining.
Here, we explore everything we know about the expansions so far.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan
Universal’s Nintendo expansion opened in Japan in March 2021. Rides include Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. Retail and dining offerings include Kinopio’s Cafe and Yoshi’s Snack Island.
The Mario Kart ride uses augmented reality (AR), projection mapping and screen projection. It also features a physical set that recreates the video game‘s iconic environments. Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly ride, with visitors searching for Captain Toad in a treasure hunt. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole.
Yoshi’s Adventure and Mario Kart rides
“It’s the best, and we’ve tested them all, and they’re killers,” said Tom Williams, former CEO and chairman of Universal Destinations & Experiences, in 2019. He added: “It’s a great lineup – it takes it to the whole next level. It’s gonna redefine what a park experience is like. It really is special.”
Guests can jump and punch Question Blocks to collect virtual coins. They can also buy a Power Up Band to compete with other visitors at the park. Goombas, Super Mushrooms, a Koopa Troopa, and even a Thwomp can be found at Super Nintendo World.
The world’s first Donkey Kong Country area in a Super Nintendo World opened in December 2024 at Universal Studios Japan. With the addition of the new zone, which is inspired by Nintendo’s 1981 arcade game, Super Nintendo World has grown by 70 percent.
Donkey Kong Country was launched by Nintendo representative director and game developer Shigeru Miyamoto, and president and CEO of Universal Studios Japan J.L. Bonnier.
Donkey Kong Country in Japan
Highlights in Donkey Kong Country include interactive experiences, themed F&B, and the Mine Cart Madness coaster, which boasts an unprecedented ride system and a unique coaster design.
Daniel Greer, Universal Creative show producer, previously said: “In Donkey Kong Country, visitors can immerse themselves in the lush tropical landscapes seen in the popular video game series and explore real-life locations deep in the jungle, including the Golden Temple.
“The new ride attraction, Mine Cart Madness, is a new and innovative coaster design that is not bound by conventional ideas and will offer an unpredictable experience that will make you seemingly jump over gaps.”
At an opening ceremony, Miyamoto said: “There are many elements throughout the land where you can find gameplay and design from the world of Donkey Kong; such as a mine cart-themed coaster that is thrilling but enjoyable to children and an activity where you can meet Rambi the rhinoceros. I believe it is a land that can be enjoyed by the whole family.”
Bonnier said: “It has been eight years since we began working with Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo’s talented team.
“Launching Super Nintendo World from Japan has elevated Universal Studios Japan to new heights, and it’s thanks to the strong and invaluable partnership.”
Interactive gameplay with Power Up Bands
Super Nintendo World is an innovative land with state-of-the-art technology that merges the real world and video games. Visitors enjoy interactive experiences using wearable wristbands, called Power Up Bands. These can be connected to smartphones on the Universal Studios Japan app.
The wristbands are available to buy at Super Nintendo World. They are inspired by several characters and allow visitors to collect digital coins and compete with other guests.
Visitors can physically hit the land’s Question Blocks to collect coins and feel like they are competing for a high score in a video game. In addition, guests can collect digital keys and unlock gameplay opportunities in ‘Key Challenges’. These include ‘Boss Battles’ against enemy characters.
“You’ll be able to go up and keep score and play with the various games. That also translates to a score-keeping capability if you choose to do so within the rides. It actually interfaces back with your game console,” said Williams.
Punch Question Blocks to collect coins
“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters. You’re not just playing the game; you’re living the game, you’re living the adventure,” said Thierry Coup, former senior VP and CCO, Universal Creative.
“We have developed some state-of-the-art technology to create the perfect fusion of the physical world with the world of video game. The Power Up Band will connect guests with dozens of iconic Nintendo items throughout the land in a truly seamless and innovative way. And the app will keep track of their adventures and any coins, stamps or other iconic elements they earn along the way.”
“There will be opportunities to advance through achievements, keep score, compete against each other and celebrate together when you win. I think the seamless integration of the gameplay is one of the most innovative experiences we have ever created at Universal Studios,” Coup said.
Universal’s Super Nintendo World in Singapore
Super Nintendo World is also heading to Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, but there’s no word on when it will open. Genting Singapore’s $5 billion expansion of RWS started in the second quarter of 2022 with an initial investment of $300 million. The first phase involved expanding Universal Studios Singapore to include the new Minion Land.
An immersive space inspired by Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions franchises, Minion Land debuted in February 2025.
“The opening of Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore is a proud moment for Resorts World Sentosa, showcasing our continued evolution as a top destination with global appeal,” said Tan Hee Teck, CEO of Resorts World Sentosa.
Super Nintendo World at Universal in Hollywood
The first Super Nintendo World in the US opened to visitors in February 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood. The innovative and immersive new land in California was developed by Nintendo and Universal Creative. It is described by Universal as a “visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity”.
After passing through the iconic green pipe, guests experience the groundbreaking Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride, as well as the Toadstool Cafe and 1-UP Factory shop. Also on offer are Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle and Mount Beanpole. This a towering landmark that serves as the queue for the Mario Kart ride.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a state-of-the-art ride based on the Mario Kart video game series. It uses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR), projection mapping technology and set pieces. Wearing AR goggles, guests navigate underwater courses and courses in the clouds as part of Team Mario. They must compete for the Golden Cup and collect coins to defeat Team Bowser.
The Mario Kart attraction is one of the most complex rides ever created in the theme park industry. It is similar to Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan. Universal Studios Hollywood describes it as a “multi-sensory cornucopia of color, sound and movement that invites guests to navigate familiar environs through the creative use and integration of head-mounted augmented reality goggles”.
Gamified experiences
As for interactivity, the Power-Up Band is a wearable wristband. This syncs with the free Universal Studios Hollywood app to enhance and gamify the visitor experience. Many of Super Nintendo World’s attractions and experiences are interactive. Visitors can physically hit the land’s Question Blocks to collect coins, and collect keys and unlock gameplay opportunities in ‘Key Challenges’.
When riding Bowser’s Challenge, visitors can tap their Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel to track digital coins collected and see their ranking. Checkpoints located around Super Nintendo World let Power-Up Band users track their status. Additionally, meet and greets with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are enhanced for visitors with a Power-Up Band.
Toadstool + Power Up cafes
The new land’s Toadstool Cafe features a red-capped mushroom exterior, as well as a mushroom-themed interior with iconic green pipes. The signature restaurant is led by Chef Toad. It serves starters such as ‘Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots’, ‘Super Mushroom Soup’, ‘Piranha Plant Caprese’, and ‘Super Star Chicken Salad’.
Main courses include Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, as well as ‘Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs’. Desserts include ‘? Block Tiramisu’, ‘Beanpole Cake’, and ‘Princess Peach Cupcake’, while beverages include ‘Super Star Lemon Squash’.
Another Nintendo addition at Universal Studios Hollywood is the Power Up Cafe. Unlike the Toadstool Cafe, this eatery is not located inside the land. Instead, it’s on New York Street on the park’s upper lot. The Power Up Cafe serves exclusive menu items themed to Power-ups in the Super Mario video games. For example, the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower.
“We wanted the guests to be able to come in through the park and power up their day,” Julia Thrash, vice president of culinary and executive chef at Universal Studios Hollywood, told Eater LA. “The inspiration is truly the Power-ups. We have four of them that are represented throughout the [decor and] menu: Super Star, Super Mushroom, 1-Up Mushroom, and Fire Flower.”
Universal Orlando’s Super Nintendo World
Universal Epic Universe, the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando, is opening on 22 May 2025. Epic Universe is billed as the most ambitious theme park ever created by Universal Destinations and Experiences, and a game changer for theme park entertainment.
Epic Universe will house five themed lands with more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences, and retail and F&B outlets. The new lands are: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe is a gamified and interactive land with attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure.
It also includes Donkey Kong Country, a tropical-themed area inspired by the Donkey Kong video games offering Mine-Cart Madness. This unique family-friendly coaster uses an unprecedented ride system and innovative technology.
“Epic Universe is a whole new kind of theme park,” Epic Universe executive creative director Steve Tatham said in a recent video. “We’re creating these five immersive worlds, each one of them an amazing, compelling, storytelling experience.”
Universal Creative’s chief creative officer Brian Robinson adds, “We’ve pushed every boundary possible [with Epic Universe].”
Nintendo IP
In November 2021, Nintendo also revealed plans to use its intellectual property (IP) “in areas that are new to Nintendo”. Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, said:
“We see the Nintendo character IP that has grown over the history of our video game business, nurtured by consumers, as an increasing strength for our company.”
“We are proceeding to utilize our IP in areas that are new to Nintendo,” Furukawa added. “By bringing Nintendo IP to new areas, we can continually generate touchpoints with consumers who have stopped playing Nintendo games as well as with those who first encounter Nintendo IP in a context outside of games.
“Ultimately, our goal is for contact with Nintendo IP to awaken new interest in the Nintendo game experience, or to inspire a return to that experience and our integrated hardware-software proposition. By expanding Nintendo IP, we want to dramatically broaden our consumer base and maintain good long-term relationships with the consumers we attract.”
First-ever Nintendo Museum
Furukawa’s comments were followed by the October 2024 opening of Nintendo’s first-ever museum. Located in a repurposed factory building in Kyoto, the new museum showcases Nintendo’s history through interactive exhibits.
In one area, guests can play Super Mario and Donkey Kong video games on a giant console. In another, guests can create their own Hanafuda playing cards.
“I had never created a museum so it was quite a different experience for me,” Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario Bros. and other iconic Nintendo titles, told IGN.
Thank you so much for playing my game!
Universal’s partnership with Nintendo is similar to its agreement with Warner Bros for the ongoing use of the Harry Potter IP. The collaboration is also proving popular with both parties. Universal will work closely with Nintendo and expects a huge financial impact from adding the video game IP.
“Nintendo, based on our research, is the biggest potential driver in attendance you can have in terms of intellectual properties,” said Comcast execs in a conference call in 2019. “It’s up there with Harry Potter. In some of our parks, Harry Potter drives incremental attendance of two million people.”
Images: Nintendo/Universal
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