Epic Universe details Super Nintendo World
Universal Epic Universe will give those who visit tastes of a few themed lands and following on from the detailed breakdown of Celestial Park and How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World is the next one to get its full breakdown. First up, check out the below animated fly-through of the land.
Much like the existing land in Osaka, Japan and even the truncated land in Hollywood, America, guests will enter the land by walking into a themed Warp Pipe. The theming on this locations pipe won’t be a straight single green pipe, like see in the others, but will instead feature a decorative cap, which features iconic Nintendo characters like Mario and Donkey Kong, along with the words ‘Here We Go!’ written above it. Above the entryway is the lands icon, something each of the lands has, this time it is a series of colourful pipes, with familiar Mario elements shooting out from within.
When you enter the pipe you will be taken up to the 1st floor, by a set of escalators in order to allow you to walk out of Peach’s castle, like how it happens in the existing lands. The photos below was taken by me when I was at Super Nintendo World in December 2023, which explains the Christmas overlay.
Throughout the land there will be many things to do, more on those in a bit, but the big draw will be the Mario Kart ride, Bowser’s Challenge. This is an interactive dark ride, where you strap on a pair of AR goggles, and through it you will see Mario, Peach, Bowser and the rest of the racers as you race around the track. I did a circuit in Japan last year and loved it.
One ride that I couldn’t do in Japan was Yoshi’s Adventure, as it is primarily aimed at children and I am much bigger than a child. This is a slow moving ride, where riders get into a Yoshi shaped ride vehicle and take a leisurely cruise around, including getting some elevated looks of the land below.
As far as foods go, there are a few choices. The main dining location is Toadstool Café, here guests can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and so much more. Guests will also get glimpses of several Toads cooking up culinary creations through various virtual windows as they dine inside the restaurant. In addition for quicker eats and drinks there is Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.
For those seeking a little item for your Nintendo themed collection, I thankfully only bought a half dozen items, there are the 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors stores. One is everything and the other is more Mario Kart, I am sure you can guess which is which by the name.
As mentioned above there are many things to do around the land, if you get yourself a Power-up Band, you can play a host of games, the final game is a showdown against Bowser Jr, in shadow form. In addition to games, there are character meet and greets, with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad set to make appearances.
When Super Nintendo World first opened in Japan, it was just the above and in 2024, the Donkey Kong Country land will expand it. When Epic Universe opens in 2025, it will feature the Donkey Kong Country land from the outset. Much like the original land, it will feature themed elements from Donkey Kong Country like tall trees, waterfalls, landmarks such as The Golden Temple and more.
The only ride in the land is Mine-Cart Madness, a roller coaster attraction. Here guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster. Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping manoeuvres that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.
As far as dining and shopping, we know there will be a kiosk named after Funky and will be based out of his plane and a tropical drink themed stand is expected to show up as well. There will be new Donkey Kong related merchandise and Power-up bands, but all the details for those are being kept secret for now.
Finally, if you want to hear direct from the makers of the theme park, check out the video below, though just ignore all the ‘we had to create this’ stuff, the land went into construction way back in 2016 and has been open for a few years in Japan, so it is not so much create as copy.
