Super Nintendo World getting Mario Kart rides, massive PR event, more

Nintendo and Universal Studios have been hard at work for at least a year (likely longer) on what will be the world’s greatest Super Mario and friends-themed amusement parks. In fact, the life-size Mushroom Kingdom attractions are set to appear in Universal Studio Parks in Osaka, Japan, as well as stateside at the Florida and California locations. While we already know where the first of the Mario areas will appear, it looks as though Nintendo is preparing from some kind of large-scale PR event over in Japan right now.

Late last year, Nintendo and Universal confirmed the very first Mario-themed area will open at the Osaka, Japan location. Judging by early renderings, it looks as though the entire area will be transformed into a life-size Super Mario 3D World level with all sorts of different attractions. Recent trademark filings indicate Mario Kart will play major role in some of the activities available to patrons. More specifically, organization, management or arrangement of kart racing” and “racing events”.

Beyond that, it also sounds like there is a possibility of live gaming events or even competitions being held there. Visitors will be able to rent some kind of storage medium in order to play games, according to the recent trademark filings. While this may just being something to do in those ridiculously long lines (you think they are bad now? Wait until Yoshi and the boys get up in there), it could also be part of some kind of AR-style game that takes place in the park itself.

Now, while the Osaka location has been confirmed as the first, it won’t open until sometime in 2020 ahead of the 2020 Olympics Tokyo. Yes, you heard me right. That’s about 3 years away, so chances are we won’t even be playing the Switch anymore, Nintendo will have completely destroyed the gaming world (again) with another Zelda masterpiece and we will all still be waiting for that proper Metroid game we will all never be getting (please Nintendo, announce this at E3 this year). Nonetheless, the gaming giant’s iconic characters have already stood the test of time, so what’s another 3 years?

Today some images popped up on Twitter of what could only be explained as the world largest cardboard and plastic Mario stage setup. Nintendo appears to be working on the set for what looks like a massive Super Nintendo Land PR event, while there are no direct details on what this might be for, chances are it has something to do with Super Nintendo World. Feast your eyes on these:

Speaking of Nintendo, if you haven’t played Breath of the Wild yet, stop reading this and go do that immediately. Ultra Street Fighter II recently released for Switch, and you can expect Splatoon 2 to drop on July 21st just after we get our hands on Nintendo’s new cartoon fighter ARMS. Stay locked to Toys for all things Nintendo.

FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links


Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!

Load more...
Show More Comments