Super Nintendo World Themed Attractions Heading Universal Studios Japan By 2020

Nintendo fans rejoice, work is in progress on a "Super Nintendo World" section of an amusement park that will bring Mario and Luigi to life. The themed section will open in 2020 at Universal Studios Japan and will have state of the art rides, interactive areas, shops, and restaurants featuring the iconic game characters. Some 50 billion yen (nearly $432 million in U.S. currency) is being poured into the upgrade.

Universal Studios Japan will be the first of multiple locations to have themed section based on Nintendo's IP. Nintendo announced last year that it planned to build themed areas at Universal Studio parks in Japan, Orlando, and Hollywood.

Super Nintendo World is being developed in Universal Studio Japan's current parking lot and part of an area that's been designated for future expansion. It's expected to created around 1.1 million jobs in Japan within a decade of opening while bringing in 11.7 trillion yen (Around $101.3 million).


While light on specifics at this early state, Universal Studios Japan says the themed area will have something for everyone, regardless of age or gaming experience level. The idea is for guests to feel as if they are playing inside of Nintendo games by immersing all five senses.

"The creative visionaries behind Nintendo’s legendary worlds and characters are working together with the creative teams behind Universal’s blockbuster theme park attractions. Their goal: to bring the characters, action and adventure of Nintendo video games to life within Universal theme parks. And to do so in new and innovative ways that capture what makes them so special. All of the adventure, fun and whimsy you experience through a screen will now be all around you – in breathtakingly authentic ways," Universal Studios Japan said.

Characters and themes from the Super Mario series will feature prominently in the themed area, as will a variety of other popular Nintendo characters.