Universal's Epic Universe to debut SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with iconic Nintendo games

May 02, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

Universal Epic Universe – SUPER NINTENDO WORLD concept art
Posted: Thursday May 2, 2024 8:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando has today revealed official details about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe, which will feature attractions, dining, shopping, and interactive experiences inspired by the Super Mario franchise and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong Country.

Developed in partnership between Universal Creative and Nintendo, the land combines iconic Nintendo characters with Universal's theme park experiences to deliver a multi-sensory environment where guests can experience the fun and adventure of Nintendo games in a whole new way.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will debut at Universal Orlando Resort in 2025 as one of five worlds at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park, which will open in Orlando.

ENTER THE ICONIC GREEN PIPE

It all begins when guests enter the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which will transport them through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they've experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach's Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, Blocks and more.  Inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they'll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country – where they'll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and other members of the Kong family.

SUPER MARIO LAND

The colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom come to life in Super Mario Land, where guests can experience:

Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a ride-through experience. 

Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser's Castle – where they'll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser's deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.

Yoshi's Adventure: The Yoshi's Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.



Toadstool Cafe: At Toadstool Cafe, 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.

Yoshi's Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats: Guests can also pick up treats, snacks and beverages at these walk-up dining locations.

1-UP Factory and Mario Motors: Guests can shop for souvenirs, apparel, toys and more inspired by their favorite Super Mario characters and adventures within these retail locations.

Meet and Greets: Guests can meet, greet and interact with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad throughout various areas in Super Mario Land.

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY


At the edge of Super Mario Land, guests will discover an entrance that leads them to Donkey Kong Country, where they'll explore the lush, tropical landscape from the video game series, complete with tall trees, waterfalls, landmarks such as The Golden Temple and more. Here, guests can enjoy:

Mine-Cart Madness: 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 maneuvers 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.

POWER-UP BANDS

Guests can level up their fun in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD by purchasing a Power-Up Band, a wearable for their wrist that allows them to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching Blocks and playing interactive activities, collect digital stamps on attractions, earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr., and discover other hidden surprises. Guests can also access Leaderboard screens in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to see where they rank amongst fellow guests.

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Rich Brownn3 hours ago

Each land has a separate entrance and exit. The exits are the open areas to the side of the portals with the rectangular "guard shack"

J45468 hours ago

This park looks great but Im kinda iffy about each world having 1 entrance/exit. Im not a fan of dead ends and I really like how at DL the lands have multiple entrances and exits and loop around

WDWFREAK539 hours ago

To me, the more "quaint" feel of Universal vs. the expansive WDW is nicer for a "theme park-centric" vacation. When staying on property at WDW...if you're visiting all 4 parks and solely using Disney transportation, it's not convenient. If I'm at the Poly and want to go to Animal Kingdom, it's not exactly a short trip. From waiting for a bus to arrive, to the actual drive time, there is a reason Disney tells you to leave an hour of travel time to get to your ADR. Skyliner does help immensely for those resorts/parks that can utilize it. Universal seems like it's all right there no matter which resort you stay in (maybe less so with Endless Summer). I will definitely admit that when you enter the gates of WDW, it does feel like you're in a different place and you're not just at a resort filled with theme parks and hotels. While I'm at it...driving to Magic Kingdom could be the worst of them all. It could take an hour to get through the gates after you park!

JoeCamel9 hours ago

Which is not the point that was being discussed? It was nice 15 minute shady garden walk vs a "hike" and others started with the comparisons of shade to hot and open then others started with the transport options. Subject was walking vs hiking

OG Runner9 hours ago

They were mentioning a walk to the Magic Kingdom was hot with no shade and the response was there is the monorail or a boat. Just that.

JoeCamel9 hours ago

Nor does Universal but we were talking about walking

Centauri Space Station10 hours ago

That GF doesn’t just make you walk?

JoeCamel21 hours ago

Bus and boat options at Universal, what was the point?

Centauri Space Station23 hours ago

There’s a monorail and boat option there

MisterPenguin3 days ago

I said I take the path. I walk it. I know it. I'm not decrying it as too long or too burdensome for me. I don't know what you think you're arguing against, but it's not me or anything I said. Good day.

Andrew253 days ago

For those with children and mobility issues, Universal provides fantastic and quick bus service that gets you to the bus hub in ~8 minutes. The walk from the Grand Flo to MK is shorter yet a more miserable walk in the sun with no shade.

MisterPenguin3 days ago

🙄

JoeCamel3 days ago

If you are going to a theme park and can't walk 15 minutes outside........

Andrew253 days ago

Calling the garden walks at UOR a hike is hilarious. You do more walking in 30 minutes at the park than the garden walk. It's also heavily landscaped and mostly shaded. There are times you forget you are only a mere few feet away from the street. In terms of walkability at the Epic/south campus, I'd imagine a walking bridge is a phase 2 project whenever they finalize what to do long-term at the resort. Universal understand how crucial it is to have a "compact" resort that is easily walkable.