- Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- The new land features a Mario Kart-inspired ride and a restaurant called the Toadstool Cafe.
- Guests can also purchase power-up bands to play mini-games based on content from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros.
A general view of the “SUPER NINTENDO WORLD” entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 16, 2023 in Universal City, California.
Rodin Eckenroth | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Enter the iconic green warp tube and meander into Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest theme parkland: Super Nintendo World.
This expansion of Universal’s California park, which has lasted nearly a decade, is part of a broader partnership with video game company Nintendo that includes movies and merchandise. The area, a carved out section beyond Universal’s Jurassic World and Transformers areas, opened to the general public on Friday.
Super Nintendo World features an augmented reality Mario Kart ride, a Toad-inspired restaurant, and a well-stocked merchandise store with shirts, hats, plush, and themed popcorn containers. There are also meet-and-greets with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach.
Secluded from other parts of the park, the land is small but packed with eye candy and the constant ringing of park visitors banging on bricks decorated with question marks. A portion of Universal’s lower studio lot was demolished to make way for the new world, and new soundstages were constructed or relocated to other areas of the expansive backlot.
“We were actually able to make the size work for us,” said Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative. “If you look around, I think we’ve managed to create this very immersive, closed yet intimate environment that really makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the game. Because you don’t really see anything else around you and you’re totally contained.”
Mario poses at the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Welcome Party at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 16, 2023 in Universal City, California.
Rodin Eckenroth | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
It’s unclear how much Universal has invested in the project, which opens less than two months before the company’s film studio releases the animated “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” but seems confident it will take off .
“The parking business … it’s never been better for us,” NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said in January. “We had a record year last year.”
Shell pointed out that while domestic growth is slow, the company has “found a foothold” in Japan, where it opened a Super Nintendo World in March 2021. Last December, Shell told investors during a UBS conference that Nintendo Land in Japan is driving a lot of visitors to the international park and that those results are encouraging considering the company made big bets on multiple Nintendo Lands , including the one at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The company plans to bring similar properties to its highly anticipated Epic Universe in Florida and Universal Studios Singapore in 2025.
Here’s a look at Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Super Nintendo Land:
As the guests exit the warp tube, they find themselves in Princess Peach’s castle. The area is primarily a photo opportunity, but also forms the backdrop to the enclosed and immersive land.
On the other hand, for about $40, parkgoers can purchase power-up ribbons that allow them to play mini-games in the land and unlock digital coins and badges in the Universal Studios Hollywood app.
Princess Peach’s Castle in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
The ribbons come in six styles based on the main characters from Super Mario Bros. – Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Princess Daisy. The band character you choose aligns with the “team” you belong to during your time in the country, and your total digital coin collection counts toward your personal and team scores.
The bands are an extension of the land and are not required for guests to enjoy the park’s rides or restaurants.
Essentially, the plot is that Bowser Jr. has stolen golden keys from the Mushroom Kingdom and guests must collect three in order to access a final boss fight involving little Koopa. Guests can participate in physical mini-games to earn these keys including: Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap, and Thwomp Panel Panic.
Collecting three keys allows guests to enter Bowser Jr.’s hideout and participate in a special mini-game.
The main attraction in Super Nintendo World is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
Park visitors must pass through Bowser’s Castle to access the ride. The queue meanders through various corridors, displaying a collection of trophies, memorabilia, and Bowser’s plans to defeat Team Mario in the upcoming race.
Universal Studios Hollywood employees await guests outside of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Super Nintendo World.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
The ride itself is multifaceted. Basically, it’s a race between Team Mario and Team Bowser. Overlaid on a traditional racing roller coaster is an augmented reality shooter game.
Racers are encouraged to turn the steering wheel to navigate the racetrack and are encouraged to shoot grenades at competing racers and obstacles. Pay attention to the pre-show, which will indicate the racers to target and those to watch on the circuit.
Statue of Bowser in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
Corfino explained that the team decided to use AR technology because it was more of a social experience. Wearing clear plastic visors while driving, guests could see their friends and family as well as the immersive animation of the Nintendo racers.
He called AR “transparent technology,” something that would disappear and allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
The pre-show animation shows guests wearing a special Mario visor to be used during the ride. There is a toggle on the back for tightening or loosening the device.
Mario Kart visors from Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
For the most part, the experience is seamless. Racers turn their heads to see other racers, question mark boxes filled with grenades, and upcoming obstacles.
However, glasses wearers may find it difficult to see while driving. The visor fits snugly against the forehead. There isn’t much room for goggles between the visor and the plastic shield that attaches to the vehicle.
View of the onboarding for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
Additionally, Universal has been criticized for size restrictions on several of its domestic theme park rides. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge also saw a backlash for policies that said the law might be inappropriate for drivers with a waist greater than 40 inches.
Merchandise available at the 1-UP Factory in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
Riders leave the gift shop filled with Nintendo character merchandise.
Super Nintendo World’s signature restaurant is called the Toadstool Cafe, and its entrance is shaped like a giant red-capped mushroom.
Chef Toad oversees the kitchen, which prepares a selection of themed salads and burgers, along with spaghetti and meatballs and a short ribeye.
The Toadstool Cafe is located in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sarah Whitten | CNBC
Guests order their food, receive their drinks and are taken to their seats by the food team.
Video screens are located throughout the room, acting as windows into the mushroom kingdom. During your visit, you might see colorful Mushroom People parade past the frames or fight enemy invaders in the skies.
Toadstool Cafe during a media preview of Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California, United States on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Bloomberg | Getty Images
The restaurant’s signature drink is called Super Star Lemon Squash. It features honey lemon soda and tropical boba with mango stars on top.
For dessert, guests can choose from a question block-shaped tiramisu, a Mr. Beanpole cake, which is a twist on an Italian cake, or a princess peach cupcake.
A Princess Peach Cupcake at the Toadstool Cafe during a media preview of Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California, United States on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Bloomberg | Getty Images
Super Nintendo World is open to the general public and does not require an extended virtual queue to be entered.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.