Nintendo’s first ever theme park opened in Japan on March 18th. Located in Osaka, the new attraction was designed with bright red and yellow block-like constructions. The Super Mario World seems all too real, and it is part of the existing Universal Studios Japan amusement park. According to Universal, the park’s cost was more than 60 billion yen (EUR 4.6 million).
We’ve perfectly recreated the world of the game. You’ll see what it is like to be Mario
Ayumu Yamamoto, Universal Studios Japan marketing communication manager
The first Super Mario Bros game came out in 1985 for Nintendo’s NES console. The platform game, in which Mario runs and jumps past obstacles to collect coins and save Princess Peach from the evil Koopa turtles, was based on the Mario Bros arcade game released earlier. Since then, Mario has appeared in myriad formats including games featuring racing, football and golf.
Super Nintendo World was expected to become a big big attraction during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which had to be postponed because of the pandemic. The park’s launch was postponed a couple of times as authorities in Japan tried to control the number of contagion cases.
“It took almost a year longer than we had expected to open this place, and we are really glad,” said Ayumu Yamamoto.
One aspect of the park that may please several visitors is that music from the popular Mario games plays throughout the park. Smartphone-linked wristband allows visitors to collect virtual coins by punching blocks, just like the well-known Italian plumber.
One of the park’s main attractions is the Mario Kart ride. According to Straits Times Asia, visitors will use augmented reality goggles to heighten the experience. The ride follows a track around the castle of Mario’s sworn enemy Bowser, a large evil turtle, but each seat has a steering wheel. Most importantly, players will be able to shoot items at opponents.
It makes a big impression, seeing the park in real life. I’m very excited for all of you to experience the park on your own
Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Super Mario Bros
There is also ride based on Yoshi, the small green dinosaur, Mario-themed restaurants, a Peach’s castle and characters from the Mushroom Kingdom.
Universal Studios has similar plans for its amusement parks in Orlando and Hollywood.
