Nintendo has finally lifted the lid on Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.
“Mario’s Dad” Shigeru Miyamoto took to the hosting in a special Nintendo Direct (below) this week showing off the new area in the park.
Ever since the area was announced, fans have been clamoring to find out more about the slice of the Mushroom Kingdom coming to our real world. We’ve seen designs and small glimpses here and there of the park, but until now, we’ve mostly had our imagination.
That changed this week as Miyamoto took to showing off many of the features of the area in a guided tour. It looks like a small slice of heaven for Nintendo fans who will be able to explore and interact with many of the easter eggs designed into the area.
It features a pipe that leaves park goers in the lobby of Peach’s castle. In a nice touch, music from Super Mario 64 plays here too.
The zone also features an interactive element. If you get your hand on one of the Power-Up Bands, you can link it to your phone. You can then run around trying to find secrets in the area such as hitting blocks planted around. This gives you a coin in-app. It looks like there is a staggering 170 secrets and activities to participate in, so there is a lot to keep you busy.
There are also interactive activities that see portions of the world change as you interact. The example shown involved a game with a Koopa shell and some POW blocks. It’s all fairly cleaver.
These Power-Up Bands also work like Amiibos and have functionality on Nintendo systems. Though, what they do exactly isn’t elaborated on.
There is a lot more to see in the video, from an underground portion of the world that plays with perspective, as well as a final confrontation with a large Bob-omb. It’s all very delightful, and Miyamoto looks to be having a blast with it all.
Super Mario World is opening its doors at Universal Studios Japan on February 4, 2021. It will come to other parks around the world in the future.
Even if you don’t plan to go anytime in the near future (which would be hard for many of us, given the global pandemic), this is still a charming way to spend 15 minutes.
