Universal Studios Japan has released a map of the area for its next Super Nintendo World area, with the theme of the characters from the Mario games and their spinoff universe. Starting today, the park invited selected Universal Club members and annual season ticket holders to experience the first area before its opening on February 4, 2021.
Super Nintendo World is the most complex area from USJ to date. I had already seen images of Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure (and IGN Japan previously released a video showing the inside of Bowser Castle); now USJ has shared some details about the menu at Kinopio Cafe (Kinopio is the Japanese name for Toad), which includes a Bacon & Cheese Mario Burger, Piranha Plant Caprese and Question Block Tiramisu. Items to be sold at the 1Up Factory store include Mario-themed hoodies, mustache glasses and gloves, as well as the cute Tokotoko Mario toy presented by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto during his park video tour launched last weekend. See below pictures of some dishes and food.
* Images provided by Universal Studios Japan, © Nintendo
In addition to the facilities and large-scale attractions, there will be activities where guests can collect virtual coins and play against enemy characters using a Power Up band (3,200 yen fee or about $ 31/23 GBP) that can be related smartphone app. These will include activities and challenges whose Japanese names translate as “Purpose! Koopa Troopa POW Block Punch ”and“ Stop! The alarm panic of the Piranha plant “.
There will also be a Meet & Greet photo spot, where visitors can meet Mario and Luigi, take photos with them and even engage them in conversation.
Japanese superstar YouTuber Hikakin has been named a partner of USJ and has posted on his channel a sponsored video of his experience at Super Nintendo World, which shows a little more detail.
Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka, Japan. Super Mario World was originally supposed to open last summer, but has been postponed until the current opening date of February 4, 2021, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan does not currently allow foreign tourists to enter until further notice, so Nintendo fans outside of Japan will have to wait before they can visit – although a Super Nintendo World area will eventually be added to Universal Studios theme parks in Hollywood, Florida and Singapore.
For more on USJ’s collaboration with Nintendo, check out our report from the Mario Cafe & Store in the park’s main area, which is already open, selling specially designed exclusive snacks and themed goods for Mario and friends; and a look around Bowser’s castle and a brief look at Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge.
Daniel Robson is editor-in-chief at IGN Japan. Follow him on Twitter for all the needs of the tokotoko theme park in Japan.