UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA 10 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is a themed area at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood. Further areas are under construction at the upcoming Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort and at Universal Studios Singapore that are scheduled to open in 2025. A result of a partnership between Nintendo and Universal Destinations & Experiences, the area is based on Nintendo video game franchises, primarily the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises
The Universal Studios Hollywood location opened on February 17, 2023. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was heavily involved in the design of the area and attractions
History
Following several years of declining gaming revenue and console market share, Nintendo sought avenues to leverage and develop its intellectual properties, entering into a theme park partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences
The partnership, announced in May 2015 and detailed the next year, would use Mario and other Nintendo franchises as themes in the dedicated areas of Universal theme parks
The ¥40 billion ($351 million U.S.) collaboration built for Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is similar in scale to Universal's investment in the Harry Potter franchise
To celebrate Super Nintendo World's second anniversary in Japan, a limited-edition gold colored Power-Up Band was made available to purchase on March 18, 2023
The gold band was also released in Universal Studios Hollywood's area for its first anniversary on February 17, 2024
DESIGN
At Universal Studios Japan, Super Nintendo World is wedged in at the northern end of the park, west of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and south of the Nintendo headquarters that are just outside of the property.
Guests enter the area through a Warp Pipe from an entrance plaza
The entrance plaza can be accessed from a walkway that branches right next to the WaterWorld sign
The entrance plaza has lamp posts, a power star in the pavement, and Super Nintendo World signage next to the pipe
The pipe leads into Princess Peach's Castle. When guests exit the castle, they enter the courtyard on the 2nd floor, immersed in the Mushroom Kingdom with Bowser's Castle across the area
Several Pikmin can be found across the land on ledges, with some carrying objects like coins and a berry
The area includes tower viewer binoculars based on Super Mario 3D Land that utilize AR technology, and include a cameo of Rosalina and her Comet Observatory
Guests can use the separately sold Power-Up Bands and the official Universal Studios smartphone application to keep track of their character stamps, Key Challenges, coins collected, and their high-score on Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge
Team, individual, and daily scores for the area are viewable within the app as well
The Power-Up Bands also function as Amiibo for their respective characters within Amiibo-compatible Nintendo Switch video games
Several costume character meet-and-greets are located throughout the area. Princess Peach is stationed inside a gazebo-like structure next to her castle, while Mario and Luigi are near the entrance to the Yoshi's Adventure attraction. Toad has no set meet-and-greet spot, with guests being able to visit him in different parts of the lower-level
Since 2022, the area is annually decorated in festive winter-themed decorations as part of the theme park's "No Limit! Christmas Event!"
On September 28, 2021, an expansion themed after the Donkey Kong series was announced to open in 2024, featuring a roller coaster, interactive experiences, and themed merchandise and food
The land was officially revealed on December 5, 2023 with the name of "Donkey Kong Country", as well as new details on the roller coaster "Mine-Cart Madness"
On May 2, 2024, it was confirmed that the ride would simulate the sensation of "Jumping The Track" without the use of screens
Donkey Kong Country opened on December 11, 2024
On November 11, 2024 it was revealed that the Mushroom Kingdom section is named Super Mario Land
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
Universal Studios Hollywood's smaller Super Nintendo World area is located in the park's Lower Lot, wedged between the Jurassic World area and Transformers: The Ride - 3D
Due to the Lower Lot having severely limited available space, Universal demolished and relocated soundstages to make room for the land's construction
The area's soft-opening in January 2023 revealed what this condensed iteration of the land had to exclude. This location lacks the interactive "Bob-Omb Kaboom Room", "Note Block Rock", and "Slot Machine" sections of the Power-Up Band Key Challenges attraction, and the Yoshi's Adventure attraction
Despite the absence of the Yoshi attraction, the extended-queue for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge features Yoshi's Adventure-themed corridors
The area also lacked meet-and-greets with Toad until July 15, 2023