Nintendo fans are in for a treat as the Super Nintendo World in Japan finally opened last March 18, 2021.
We’re all looking for an escape from the world right now, and video games have come right back in swing for the pandemic. After many delays, Super Nintendo World is now a reality. It’s the first for Universal Studios and is sure to be a new legendary theme park.
It will make you feel like you’re living inside a video game. It has lots of immersive design and advanced technology to make you feel that childhood gaming nostalgia you love. Get ready to dive into the world of your most iconic Nintendo favorites!
Super Nintendo World is just north of Universal Studios Japan, west of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you’re currently in Japan, you’re one of the lucky ones as the country is still closed to foreign tourists. There’s still hope for us as other Universal Studios are gearing up for their own Super Nintendo World. Watch out for this park next in Hollywood, Singapore, and Orlando.
The theme park is mainly based on Super Mario, Mario Kart, and Yoshi’s Island. It opened on March 18, and we’re hearing good things from guests who’ve been there. It started construction in 2017 and was set to open last summer of 2020. They had to push back the 2020 opening because of the pandemic. Instead, they had a virtual tour of the area on December 18 last year. They also had a soft opening for annual passholders on the 26th of the same month.
Another date was set on February 4, but it was delayed again because of the third wave of COVID-19. It finally opened for the public on March 18.
Nintendo fans don’t have to worry, as initial guests have said that the magic of Nintendo is ever-present in the park. With bold colors and movements, they really make you feel like you’re in the world of video games and Nintendo.
It’s a genuinely immersive experience, especially with the addition of the Power Up Bands. Connect it to the specially designed Super Nintendo World app and unlock a whole new world. Join mini-games, collect digital coins, or even compete with other guests of the theme park. You can choose from Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Toad, Peach, and Daisy. You’ll be part of their team in your adventures inside.
Having the Power Up Bands allow you to hit question blocks scattered all around the area. You can obtain character stamps through different goals and challenges. And coins you collected can be tallied and ranked with other guest players. It’s like you’re inside a real-life video game, playing with other people!
Some iconic Nintendo fixtures you’ll see are Peach’s Castle, Bowser’s Castle, a Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge ride, and Yoshi’s Adventure. You’ll be greeted by the Nintendo characters from Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad.
One of the highlights is Koopa’s Challenge. It runs through Bowser’s Castle and gives you augmented-reality headsets to complete the whole experience. A childhood fantasy is now a reality in this real-life Mario Kart race!
An entrance ticket for a day costs 8,000 yen ($73). A Super Nintendo World Power Up Band costs 3,200 yen ($29). These can be a good value for money since you can use your ticket for both Super Nintendo World and Universal Studios Japan.
It’s sad to say that right now, Japan is closed to foreigners. But if you’ve got the chance to visit the park, here are some of the new COVID-19 rules they have in place.
Once you’re in Osaka, register with their tracking system through the QR codes they send out. Their Osaka COVID-19 tracing system ensures you’re accounted for.
Inside the park, they have enhanced sanitation measures to make sure you’re safe. You’ll be required to wear a mask at all times. Temperatures are checked at the entrance gate, and there’ll be hand sanitizers available at select locations. Always maintain social distancing and follow the distancing markers and signs they’ve placed. They’re also limiting the capacity and only accepting 10,000 people per day.
One of the new things you’ll experience because of the pandemic is the limited interaction with people. You can interact with your favorite characters, but you can’t touch them, so no hugging or high-fives for us yet. Japanese theme parks also have a new policy to “scream in your hearts” during thrilling roller coaster rides. It sparked memes when announced last year, but this is all to lessen the risk to riders.
Like many others, I can’t wait to visit the park in Japan! What’s the thing you’re most excited to see?
