Much Anticipated Mario theme park 'Super Nintendo World' opens in Japan

Much Anticipated Mario theme park ‘Super Nintendo World’ opens in Japan

The world’s first Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka on 18th March 2021 after a long wait, delighting both adults and kids.

In the beautiful park, visitors can take picture with the iconic characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad, who speak in their video game-sounding voices.

In addition to conventional rides, the entire Super Nintendo World is an immersive game created with cutting-edge technology in which guests can compete against other gamers in the park. Like Mario and Luigi, visitors can jump up and punch “question blocks” and collect virtual coins. Further, they can purchase Power-up Bands, a wristband that can be synced with a smartphone app, where they can store these virtual coins and keys when they defeat enemies.

There is also a much-anticipated game called Koopa’s Challenge, which is a real-life Mario Kart race through Bowser’s Castle. Riders here have to wear augmented-reality goggles and headsets to see the projections of other characters and the track as well as to collect coins and to throw items.

The park officials confirmed that the pandemic protocols are very much in place: temperature checks at the entrance, mandatory mask-wearing, hand sanitizers at all locations, and social distancing are rigorously being followed. Also, the number of visitors per day is restricted to 10,000, which is half the number of visitors on a regular day.

Ayumu Yamamoto, USJ’s marketing communication manager, said that the park perfectly recreated the world of the game. “You’ll find life-sized piranha plants and Bowser, and you’ll see what it is like to be Mario.”

“It took almost a year longer than we had expected to open this place, and we are really glad,” he told reporters at a preview.

At the opening ceremony, Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto said that he hoped the whole world can visit the park when the pandemic is over.

And fans were clearly thrilled at the opening. “I’ve been playing Mario since I was a boy. I didn’t expect that I could enter the world of Mario, so I’m very excited,” said Hiroki Kono, a 19-year-old university student in Osaka.

Super Nintendo World cost an astounding half a billion dollars to construct and has been in the making for six years. It was due to open last summer ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games. However, the coronavirus pandemic delayed its opening.

After this park, Super Nintendo World attractions will soon be opening in Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore Universal Studios.

We can’t wait for the world to get normal so that we can visit this amazing park! How about you?