The Japanese gaming giants have opened the gates within Covid-19 restrictions
Super Nintendo World was first announced back in January last year and construction began quickly. Its grand opening was initially slated for sometime in the summer, but due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the date continued to be pushed back.
After being moved to November 2020, another wave of coronavirus saw infections rise in the city of Osaka (where the theme park is located) and across the nation in the general. As a result, it was further postponed until February 4th 2021.
Despite not achieving that date either, the Nintendo-themed park was, at last, opened to tourists on the 18th of March. The park is operating on a reduced capacity for the moment, as well as maintaining social distancing and other Covid restrictions throughout the venue.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of rides, shows and displays, as well as various other interactive elements. Notable Nintendo properties include Zelda, Pokémon, Donkey Kong and, of course, Mario.
Visiting the park is intended to mirror a gaming experience; visitors buy wristbands (costing around £21) to collect keys, redeem coins and play mini-games around the land. Under normal circumstances, they can even team up with other people using the park’s integrated app. Think co-op but on an even bigger scale.
The entire park is believed to have cost approximately $550 million to construct, though Covid delays will have no doubt added to that figure. Tickets can cost anywhere from around £35 to £123.40, depending on age and what level of access visitors want to purchase.
Super Nintendo World is set within the larger complex of Universal Studios Japan, which has been open since 2001. The choice to open a theme park marks a significant shift for Nintendo, as it looks to branch out from being solely a games company and move into the wider world of entertainment.
The appetite for the attraction was insatiable from minute one. Not only does Nintendo have a fanatic global following – with over 750 million consoles and sold worldwide – but they plan to open at least three more Super Nintendo Worlds. Under the same Universal Studios umbrella, parks are set to be opened in LA, Orlando and Singapore.
Whether you want to visit a real-life Mushroom Kingdom, or participate in a life-sized Mario Kart race, Super Nintendo World brings all the things people love about their games to life.
