The first theme park based on the Nintendo
The first theme park based on the Nintendo franchise was "Super Nintendo World" which was opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2020. The park features attractions and experiences based on popular Nintendo franchises such as Mario Kart and Super Mario. It also includes interactive elements, allowing guests to collect virtual coins and power-ups using a special wristband.
Nintendo's first theme park outside of Japan will open in California next month, just weeks before Mario stars in a huge new Hollywood film.
Super Nintendo World will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park known for its rides based on film and television franchises ranging from Waterworld to Harry Potter.
However, with the video game business now dwarfing the movie industry in scale and theme parks using more interactive technology to engage guests, executives from the two firms have joined hands to profit on the platform-hopping plumber's global fame.
The "Ultimate Playground"
There are also a variety of mini-games where visitors wearing interactive wristbands may earn cash and stamps in order to compete in a "final confrontation" with the wicked Bowser Jr.
"It's the ultimate playground," said Universal Creative vice president Jon Corfino.
"We're recognized for our film series, which are fantastic and highly immersive. Games are something else entirely.
"Even how we connect with entertainment is developing... entertainment is not static."
Nintendo aficionados have already started going to the Los Angeles amusement park, where news spread swiftly last week that the new attraction was admitting customers for a "soft launch" to iron out any final technological kinks.
An All-Star Cast.
The formal opening of Super Nintendo World is scheduled on February 17, when guests will be greeted by actors costumed as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach while surrounded by mechanical Yoshis, Piranha Plants, and Goombas from the renowned game brand.
In Orlando, a third Nintendo theme park will open.
Meanwhile, The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be released in April by Universal Pictures, the Hollywood film studio that shares its parent corporation with the theme park.
The film stars US actor Chris Pratt as the voice of Italian plumber Mario, a casting move that has created debate and criticism on social media, but has only increased interest in the nostalgic picture.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong round out the stellar voice ensemble.
It will be Hollywood's second effort to bring Nintendo's most renowned characters to the big screen, following a critically rejected live-action film in 1993.
The original Super Mario Bros game was released for Nintendo's NES platform in 1985.
The platform game, in which Mario runs and hops over obstacles to gather money and defend Princess Peach from the evil Koopa turtles, was based on the older "Mario Bros" arcade game.
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