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“There's nothing better than being inside the
land,” said Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative.
“You'll see kids, five years old, grown men, 50 years old, just
screaming because they're coming to a place where they've only
known it on their game and now, they get to actually go here.”
The theme park in Los Angeles features “Mario Kart Bowser’s
Challenge,” which allows players to battle Team Bowser in the
racing game, Mario Kart.
Visitors can also eat at Toadstool Café and get Nintendo swag at
“1-UP Factory store.”
Guests can level-up by wearing an interactive “Power-Up Band,” a
colorful slap bracelet that stores digital, coins and keys that
unlock access to challenges, like a battle against game
antagonist Bowser Jr.
The theme park world is meant to ignite interest from both new
and seasoned fans of the Mario games through an immersive
experience. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor in
Universal Studios Japan, also owned by the Comcast Corp unit.
Super Nintendo World will also be added to Universal Studios
Florida in 2025.
Corfino told Reuters that attendees of all ages can explore and
adventure anywhere in the park while learning something new
every time they go on the Mario Kart ride.
“All of us here have worked very hard over the last six years to
bring this to life,” Corfino said.
The opening of the park will be followed by the “Super Mario
Bros” movie, which arrives in theaters on April 7 and stars
“Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt, who voices Mario.
(Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Rollo Ross; Editing by Mary
Milliken and David Gregorio)
(Photo: Fireworks are seen during the grand opening of Super
Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City,
Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mario
Anzuoni)
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