Updated:
As construction on Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World nears completion, the company has decided to delay the opening of the theme park indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Super Nintendo World was originally slated to open on July 1. The new park would have increased visitor numbers to Universal Studios Japan, which is already attempting to keep the number of guests at a minimum by only allowing park visitors who are annual pass holders or from the six prefectures of Kansai. No official opening date has been given. The original story follows.
Pop culture theme parks are all the rage right now. Universal Studios Orlando has popular attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Springfield (home of The Simpsons) while Disney recently opened Galaxy’s Edge, its Star Wars theme park.
Now, new details have been released about the newest entry into this increasingly crowded space: Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World. After breaking ground back in 2017, Universal Studios Japan and Nintendo have recently released more information about what to expect from the project.
See Also: Disney announces opening dates for Star Wars-themed parks
In the same way Galaxy’s Edge was designed to make guests feel as if they were staring in their own Star Wars adventure, Super Nintendo World wants to make people feel like they have been teleported inside their favorite Nintendo games, with Universal Studios Japan describing the park as “a life-size, living video game.”
Guests will be able to explore Mushroom Kingdom, Peach’s Castle, and Bowser’s Fortress and also play a real life version of Mario Kart. Custom designed wrist bands, dubbed Power Up Bands, will link to a smart phone app and connect guests to iconic Nintendo items throughout the land, like coins, keeping track of what they earn and competing against other guests.
Super Nintendo World is slated for completion this summer ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Related Stories
Events Facilities | May 6, 2019
Navy Pier to open ‘country’s largest rooftop lounge’
The lounge will be open to guests 21 or older.
Libraries | Feb 10, 2019
New library branch in San Diego opens with its community’s learning and working traits in mind
It features larger gathering spaces and more technology than its predecessor.
Events Facilities | Nov 27, 2018
The largest eSports stadium in North America opens in Arlington, Texas
The project was a design-led design-build collaboration between Populous and Shawmut Design and Construction.
Events Facilities | Mar 29, 2018
A former nightclub becomes the Las Vegas Strip’s first dedicated Esports arena
YWS Design & Architecture designed the space.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 25, 2018
Virginia Beach: A surf town with a wave problem no more
A world-class surf park will highlight Virginia Beach’s new live-work-play development.
Events Facilities | Jan 18, 2018
Gamers paradise: The rise of eSports arenas
More than 380 million fans take in professional video gaming events each year, but most do so without leaving home. Dedicated eSports arenas could change all that.
Ceilings | Jan 18, 2018
One transformable ceiling, three fan experiences
How Populous’ high-tech ceiling concept would increase the flexibility of any eSports arena.
Augmented Reality | Jan 18, 2018
With a new type of stadium comes a new type of premium seat
Populous is exploring biometric seating technology that utilizes a combination of displays and AR/VR technologies to place fans in the action.
Cultural Facilities | Nov 2, 2017
Perkins Eastman wins competition to redesign San Francisco’s Harvey Milk Plaza
The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza unanimously selected the Perkins Eastman entry as the winner.
Events Facilities | Oct 23, 2017
The Indianapolis Zoo’s Bicentennial Pavilion and Promenade is modeled after a lush rainforest
The 40,000-sf space can support a wide variety of group activities.
