Which Nintendo Rides Should We Expect in North America?
Universal Studios Hollywood just committed to a timeline for its wildly anticipated version of Super Nintendo World.
In Orlando, Universal’s Epic Universe will run a bit late, but it’s still arriving in 2025.
Photo: Universal
That’s two new versions of the most immersive themed land ever built, and we’ll get both within the next four years.
So, you’re wondering one significant question. Which Nintendo rides should we expect at the North American parks? Here’s what we know…
Super Nintendo World in Hollywood
We obviously know more about this park’s intentions. After all, it’s likely only nine months or so away from opening.
Photo: geekvsfan.com
The Universal Studios Japan version of Super Nintendo World opened in February of 2021. Park officials there waited due to the pandemic.
However, these strategists also liked the idea of opening the themed land during a slow time on the park calendar.
Everyone knew that crowds would flock to Super Nintendo World. Universal Studios Japan could prioritize it by picking a time that the rest of the park wasn’t crowded.
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
You should expect the same strategy at Universal Studios Hollywood, presuming no setbacks or a sudden surge in COVID-19 numbers.
Park officials have confirmed two attractions coming to Universal Studios Hollywood next year. They are…
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal’s social media channels have already hyped the first ride, the E-ticket attraction at Super Nintendo World.
Here’s a first look at Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge:
Some of that may look familiar to you, at least if you’ve kept up with Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.
That park hosts this attraction:
The ride’s name is Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge. So, we can draw some conclusions here, but other parts of the discussion remain up in the air.
The Universal Studios Hollywood version of the ride should mimic many elements of the original Mario Kart theme park attraction.
Photo: Universal
How much will the experience vary? I presume the answer is “some but not a lot.” After all, Universal has already invented and deployed the ride tech.
There’s little incentive to diverge wildly from the already-successful structure. But it’s a video game…
So, Universal can easily add a new level, so to speak. What I expect is that Bowser’s Challenge varies enough that it stands on its own.
Photo: Universal
Still, the basic mechanics won’t change from park to park. I’ll explain how that works in the Epic Universe section.
The underlying theme here is simple, though. Super Nintendo Land at Universal Studios Hollywood will launch with a real-world version of Mario Kart!
We’re all going to ride that as much as humanly possible because it’s a dream come true for gamers.
Bad News about Yoshi’s Adventure…
What else will we find at Universal Studios Hollywood? Unfortunately, I have disappointing news on this front.
The Mario Kart ride appears to be the only one at this park. Universal Studios Hollywood faces space limitations that prevent it from doing more.
Photo: Theme Park Insider
For this reason, the California park won’t receive the Yoshi’s Adventure attraction.
That’s a loss but only a small one. It’s a modest attraction designed chiefly for children and as a way of showing off the themed land.
Epic Universe
Plans remain fluid for the upcoming Epic Universe.
Photo: Miami New Times
I mean, Universal executives were spending an excessive amount of time negotiating with Brightline until recently.
Much of what we’re about to discuss technically remains in flux and could for another year or so. However, UniversalParksBlog will alert you whenever construction begins on any of these projects.
Photo: NBCUniversal
Yoshi’s Adventure
Despite all the chaos, we know that this park will likely get Yoshi’s Adventure. Here’s what the ride looks like in Japan:
As you can see, Yoshi’s ride carts move at about one mile per hour. At least, it feels that way.
As mentioned, the purpose of this attraction is to provide guests with a unique perspective of Super Nintendo Land.
Photo: Mynintendonews.com
Your kids will love the ride in an E.T. Adventure kind of way. But, really, that’s how you’ll enjoy it as well. It’ll remind you of playing Nintendo games in your youth.
Mario Kart: Somebody’s Challenge
Okay, that’s not the real name, but you get the point. Universal Studios will anchor all its Super Nintendo Worlds with variations of this ride design.
Photo: USH
Why are they doing so? Let’s start with the fact that the Mario Kart video game franchise has sold approximately 166.5 million copies worldwide.
Also, we should consider that theme park operators prefer the new strategy for monetizing rides.
For example, Disney California Adventure sells special gear to assist scores on WEBSLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.
Photo: USH
Universal Studios Japan has done the same thing with Power-Up Bands. These wearables enable guests to interact with immersive elements.
More importantly, people get more out of each Mario Kart ride experience by using their Power-Up Bands.
Universal designs the tracks in the real world, as it’s a dark ride. However, guests on the ride always wear an augmented reality headset.
Photo: USH
Since part of the ride experience involves V.R., each theme park can offer a unique version. Think of them like video game levels.
When you visit Universal Studios Hollywood or Japan or Epic Universe, you’ll recognize the look and feel of each Mario Kart ride. They’ll vary in meaningful ways, though.
Donkey Kong Mine Cart Ride
Photo:Orlandoparkstop.com
Again, we don’t know the exact names of these attractions now, and we may not for some time.
However, Universal Studios Japan has already announced an expansion to its version of Super Nintendo World.
The new part of the themed land will highlight Donkey Kong and his extended family.
USJ情報局 Photo: Twitter/L.C.A.STUDIOS@LCASTUDIOS_USJ
Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 fans from back in the day cannot help but smile at this news.
We were once young enough to act like Diddy Kong. Now, we’re closer in spirit to Cranky Kong.
Anyway, the proposed ride here should mirror the upcoming one at Universal Studios Japan. In other words, it’ll play out like a Donkey Kong Country level.
Photo: Nintendo.co/jp
You’ll hop on a mine cart and then hope that you die less than 30 times. Those bananas on the lower level always prove too tempting to resist, don’t they?
Remarkably, this ride will mimic that concept. In addition, Universal has designed new ride tech that will allow mine cart riders to “jump” across the tracks.
Photo:gameinformer.com
Don’t worry. Your ride cart won’t actually leave the ground, but the visual appearance will make you believe that you have.
Suppose Universal delivers on what it has promised. In that case, the Donkey Kong Mine Cart Ride appears likely to set new standards in theme park immersion.
You’ll genuinely believe you’re living out a Donkey Kong Country adventure. Git gud, y’all!
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Feature Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
