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

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Thursday May 2, 2024 8:30am ET · "Universal Orlando Resort"
Universal's Epic Universe to debut SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with iconic Nintendo games

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.

Conversation

13,313 comments
Discuss on the Forums
I was expecting Super Nintendo or Wizarding World to be my favorite land at Epic Universe before construction started, but I'm absolutely loving the Dark Universe aesthetics. The description of its E-ticket as Forbidden Journey but all physical sets actually has me more hyped than the Rise of the Resistance-equivalent Ministry attraction. If/when Dark Universe gets the rumored Pirates of the Caribbean-style boat ride based on Creature from the Black Lagoon, it will easily be my favorite land in Orlando.
Video of Universal Orlando introducing Super Nintendo World, along with an animated fly-through.
Oh yeah?!!

Wait till Disney opens a rehash of a 30year old ride from Anaheim in Dak in 6 years…

TAKE THAT!!!!
Mine Cart Madness has 3 visible queues, so while the park may not open with Express, it’s being designed for it (and presumably single riders in this case).

I wonder which rides require lockers.

Surprisingly low height requirements here. They seem to be finally targeting families with younger kids. Nothing over 48” (and a coaster at 40” and another at 36”; presumably the Dark Universe coaster will have a low requirement, too).
Mario Kart ride confirmed screens
↩ replying to ToTBellHop
This park appears to be incredibly well designed…

Can’t wait to see tons of shade thrown at it round here while wdw unveils…nothing…
↩ replying to Sirwalterraleigh
I am not sure there will be as much shade as there once night have been. Disney has made too many unforced errors that have angered the faithful from movies and Disney plus, lack of new capacity, escalating prices, terrible decisions in new and remodeled hotels, and slow construction when they do build. Let’s see if they get the magic back.
Universal finally admits what we all should know by now: screens are a detriment—-they adulterate attractions.

“There are zero screens” Referring to Donkey Kong.
↩ replying to ToTBellHop
Yup, with 4-passenger vehicles, I'd imagine single rider will work fine unlike Velocicoaster or Hagrid.

There will always be a path to criticize Universal over something. Universal ain't cheap either, and in my opinion, does deserve some flack over some recent budget cuts/operational changes in the last year.

They've admitted that for years now, just taking time to actually open stuff up.
↩ replying to Jambo Dad
…that is a great point

The”superiority complex” has diminished a lot..especially since the shutdown

100% self inflicted too
Criticism of Universal is certainly valid. Especially given their recent price hikes, food quality and the privacy policy on their facial rec system (but maybe that's the privacy attorney in me). I also think praise on this project also seems due. As always, we'll have to see the final product. But, there is a lot to be excited about, IMHO.
↩ replying to Epcot82Guy
Have to admit, I've been impressed with UOR this Week! They delivered, as promised Monday and Today!!! How UOR avoided HHN News with Halfway To Halloween IDK but Very Impressive!!!

This is NUTS!!! Is this a Screen or are we really going to see Guests in mid Air with nothing underneath??!??!
↩ replying to jrhwdw
You’ll be able to see the actual track if you look in spots. Universal isn’t the best at hiding such things. Disney USED to be excellent in this area but has slipped.
↩ replying to Epcot82Guy
Big difference when you raise prices with heavy investments/additions going in as opposed to “cause we always do….”
↩ replying to ToTBellHop
Thanks! Maybe it's blended in.......