Universal Studios’ New Super Nintendo World Will Have Millennials Everywhere Rejoicing

Super Nintendo WorldSo, for all us moms who grew up in the 80s and 90s, raise your hands if you’re with me. You spent your childhood playing every single iteration of Mario Bros. as they were released. You anxiously awaited each new game, from Super Mario Bros. 3 to Mario Kart, played it on multiple game consoles, even watched the movie over and over and over again. If that applies to you, then come sit on over here by me, because you are my people! And you will undoubtedly be as excited as I am to hear that Universal Studios is officially opening a Super Nintendo World!!

The park is set to open in Orlando in 2023 — Universal is debuting the lands in Japan and Hollywood first — so we have a few years to get ready. But it will evidently be one of the lands at Epic Universe, a new area Universal is currently building in Orlando. While it’s not clear what it will be like here, in Japan, the focus is mainly on Super Mario Bros. and is made to be fully immersive. Evidently, guests enter the Mushroom Kingdom through a green warp pipe, so nothing will be visible from outside of the land, and guests will feel like they are in Mario’s world. If it’s anything like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, sign me up!

As far as rides and attractions go, one of the most exciting — to me — is the real-life Mario Kart that is rumored to be coming! While we don’t know the details yet of how the ride will go, Universal says they’ll be using “cutting-edge technology” to make it an attraction “unlike any the world has ever seen.” Only time will tell if we can actually throw turtle shells at other racers along the way.

Then there’s the land itself. It will be like walking into your old-school Nintendo Entertainment System, with three vertical levels (how in the world will they pull that off?! who knows??), piranha plants, Bowser’s fortress and Princess Peach’s castle, and character meet-and-greets. But best of all, Universal said the entire land will be dedicated to “interactive gameplay,” using Universal’s “Power Up Bands” (which are basically an exact rip-off of the Disney Magic Band, but whatever, who cares). Apparently, you’re even able to collect coins throughout the land, even with floating question blocks, and you’re competing with everyone else in the Nintendo Land to get the most coins, the highest scores, etc., making it even more exciting. There will also be “key challenges,” where you collect virtual keys. When you get enough keys, you can join up with other guests to take on boss challenges with various enemies from Nintendo.

Now, anyone who knows me is well aware that I am a Disney girl, through and through. So there is a big part of me that’s almost feeling a little guilty like I’m cheating on Disney World! But my gosh — how amazing does this sound?! I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was geeking out like crazy over this.

Will you be first in line to check out Nintendo Land at Universal?

Cassy Fiano-Chesser
Cassy Fiano-Chesser is a Jacksonville native and mom to six kids. Her husband is a Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient. She works from home as a blogger and a freelance writer, and they currently live in the Argyle area of Jacksonville. Benjamin is their oldest, born in 2011, and he loves being a big brother. Wyatt was born in 2012, and he has Down syndrome. Ivy came next, in 2013, followed by Clara, born in 2015, who is a diva-with-a-capital-D. Rounding out the brood is Felicity, born in 2017, and Lilly, born in 2007. They love discovering things to do on the First Coast and going on family adventures, as well as cheering on the Jumbo Shrimp and the Icemen.

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