Nintendo Shares Detailed Look Inside Super Nintendo World Before Feb 2021 Launch
Images via Nintendo
Mario Kart currently reigns as the Nintendo Switch’s most popular game, and come spring 2021, players will finally get to experience it in real life at Super Nintendo World.
Nintendo, which previously announced that the immersive theme park at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka will be a “life-size, living video game,” has finally determined that the attraction will open on 4 February 2021. Alongside this confirmation, it has unveiled footage and photographs of the incredible ‘Koopa’s Challenge’ ride, closely modeled after the Mario Kart franchise.
Nintendo’s answer to the castles in Disney parks is Bowser’s Castle, where the Mario Kart attraction will be. The video game giant describes that the Mario antagonist appears as a formidable stone statue by a grand staircase to send chills down riders’ spines.
Image via Nintendo
Image via Nintendo
Bloomberg reporter Kurumi Mori, who had an in-person tour of the attraction, detailed that the ride will be “on rails,” though visitors will have some control as they compete to win the race. Winning isn’t guaranteed, and players boost their chances of coming in first by collecting items and throwing shells at other kart riders.
The attraction is powered with AR, projection mapping, special effects like steam, and screen projection images to recreate Mario Kart in the real world. A fun touch is the use of AR headsets resembling Super Mario’s hat for more video game vibes.
Riders stop by a cool trophy room, an underwater scene, a lava level, spooky zone, and ‘Rainbow Road’.
USJ also offered images of the ‘Mario Cafe & Store’, which opened on 16 October. The retail store comes decked out with Super Mario-inspired walls, toadstool tables, and sells themed merchandise and meals.
Mori reported that due to the COVID-19 situation, USJ will enforce social distancing measures and sanitize the headsets regularly.
Image via Nintendo
Image via Nintendo
Image via Nintendo
Image via Nintendo
Image via Nintendo
Image via USJ / PR Times
Image via USJ / PR Times
Image via USJ / PR Times
Image via USJ / PR Times
Image via USJ / PR Times
The Mario Kart attraction is called Koopa’s Challenge and is located inside Bowser’s castle. The castle was really cool with themed walls, doors, banners, ceilings, lights and a giant statue of Bowser. Visitors see all this and a trophy room while lining up for the ride.
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) November 30, 2020
We saw two side-by-side rail tracks, suggesting your kart could be racing a competitor. Universal said each ride will be a unique experience and visitors aren’t guaranteed to win.
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) November 30, 2020
Riders set off from Bowser's castle and race through different scenes including a lava level, underwater, a spooky area, Rainbow Road and more. The course uses AR, projection mapping and other tech for immersion.
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) November 30, 2020
[via Kotaku and PR Times, images via various sources]
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