Super Nintendo World will open in February 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood

Dec 14, 2022 in "Universal Studios Hollywood"

Gallery / 3 Photos
Super Nintendo World opening February 17 2023

Posted: Wednesday December 14, 2022 11:26am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Studios Hollywood has today announced that its long-awaited Super Nintendo World will officially open on February 17, 2023.

Headlined by the Mario Kart ride, Super Nintendo World takes you into the world of Super Mario. You can battle Team Bowser on the groundbreaking augmented reality Mario Kart racing ride, play interactive games throughout the land, and track your score with a Power-Up Band. Dine at Toadstool Cafe, meet Mario and friends, and purchase exclusive merchandise at the 1-UP Factory store.

Super Nintendo World opening February 17 2023

The opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood follows the opening of the first Nintendo land in Universal Studios Japan in early 2021.

As the countdown to the grand opening begins, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

This all-new, technologically-advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart video game series, will seamlessly fuse cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound and movement, guests will be seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. This unique feature is a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.

Super Nintendo World opening February 17 2023

The premise of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is simple but equally inspiring and challenging, appealing to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

Mount Beanpole

This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”

Bowser’s Castle

Adorned with a breathtaking sculpture of a large and powerful Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land, home to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, they will learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.

Power-Up Band

These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level-up the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining keys after winning challenges throughout the land. Power-Up Bands will also invite guests to enjoy extra-special interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. They will come in six design options with character themes and will be available for purchase both within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk.

Interactive Gameplay

Within the land, guests will become fully engulfed in an engaging world of real-life gameplay, including punching Blocks to collect digital coins and a variety of interactives. They will discover a new dimension of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the interactive binoculars employing augmented reality technology positioned within the land. Guests can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant and Thwomp interactive activities to ultimately allow access to the culminating boss battle with Bowser Jr. These energetic, familiar and fun interactive games will further enhance the entire kinetic experience within the land and immerse guests into the unique world of Super Mario.

Toadstool Cafe

The land’s signature restaurant Toadstool Cafe will serve a gourmet menu perfected by Chef Toad where he will greet guests upon entry. Menu items prepared fresh daily include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake.

1-UP Factory

What better way to commemorate a visit to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD than to visit the 1-UP Factory retail shop to purchase collectable memorabilia. The 1-UP Factory will offer an extensive selection of merchandise from Mario and Luigi themed apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser.

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Disneyland/DCA18 hours ago

Got my ticket. I'm surprised they didn't get the film division's marketing dept to pony up some cash for a small Jurassic rebirth setup.

Phroobar1 day ago

Anyone going to FanFest at Universal Studios in April and May? It sounds like a blast. There are two mazes (Star Trek and D&D) and a scare zone (One Piece), get to walk around Hill Valley (Marty go back to the future, go to the enchantment under the sea dance), meet & greet Yoshi and Fantastic Beasts and see Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed 4D movie. Too bad they didn't add more walk around Transformers and dinos. https://www.micechat.com/395787-universal-hollywood-fan-fest-nights-revealed-a-sneak-peek/

AlexMBush1 day ago

https://www.insideuniversal.net/2025/01/a-sneak-preview-of-universal-fan-fest-nights-at-universal-studios-hollywood/ Tickets are now on sale for Universal Fan Fest Nights, with all of the experiences now detailed and in some cases; given special titles and logos. In-World Experiences (The Core Attractions for Universal Fan Fest Nights) Dungeon's & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep- Located in SS15, Join the Harpers as they plan to foil a plot by the beholder Xanathar. The Experience will contain seven rooms; with Xanathar The Beholder being curated by the legendary Jim Henson Creature Workshop Star Trek: Red Alert - Located within the Universal Boulevard Entertainment Venue, the experience will be a pulse-based walkthrough attraction where guests join in on an adventure aboard the USS-Enterprise NCC-1701-D to prevent a galactic threat while being attacked from those unknown. The experience will include various special effects and highly detailed sets; including the bridge from Star Trek: Picard S3 that guests will be able to walk around. Back To The Future: Destination Hill Valley - Board the Fan Trams on a trip through time; and be dropped off in the heart of the Universal Backlot as you get to walk around Hill Valley, otherwise known as Courthouse Square. Reenactments of iconic sequences from Back To The Future: Part 1 will be occuring during the night, including a grand finale reenactment of the climax of the original film. Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of The Cursed - Originally debuted at Universal Studios Japan, this Cinema experience located at DreamWorks Theater will immerse guests to the world of the anime; as we follow Yuji Itodori and his friends on a large scale battle. This experience debuted at Universal Cool in Japan, and is a full on overlay of DreamWorks Theater Magical Creatures & Hogwarts Always in Hogsmeade - Originally debuted in Japan, Magical creatures will be roaming about in the village of Hogsmeade; with the originally debuted show from Universal Orlando Resort, Hogwarts Always; making it's debut. One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering - Located in New York Street, Luffy and the Straw Hat crew will be arriving to Universal Studios Hollywood in a exciting bout of photo opportunities and meet & greets of Luffy, Nami, and the rest of the gang. Yoshi in Super Nintendo World - Making his first debut for Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes and celebrates the arrival of Yoshi! Yoshi will be out and about for meet and greet opportunities alongside a egg hunt; and alongside that--drones will be flying above Super Nintendo World at night.

Phroobar8 days ago

Disney budget-priced? I don't think those words go together. How hard can it be to have a scheduled stunt show in the lobby?

Rich T8 days ago

While writing my thoughts on Stella Nova, I was so tempted to say something in that direction…😄 I’ll just say this: I believe an equivalent to Stella Nova (a budget-priced, non-larp-focused, pleasantly themed sci-fi hotel) at WDW —with the classic Star Wars characters— Could have been a roaring success for Disney. But nooooooooooo…. 😄

Rich T8 days ago

I went as an unsponsored fan who had never gone to an opening day theme park hotel event (made my reservation the moment they became available last year). I paid about $150 for the room. I’m glad I went: The opening was super fun: The hotel entrance features a huge revolving door, which prevented unsuspecting early birds from seeing that on the other side, dozens of hotel staff and costumed astronauts were waiting to cheer and applaud everyone entering during the hotel’s first 15 minutes. It was overwhelming in the best way (and the free space punch was delicious! 😄) I’d never visited the EU area before, so it was also a great chance to get my bearings on how the resort is laid out. And it was great to give the shuttle a try; I’d compare the ride from the hotel to Citywalk drop off to a well-timed WDW bus park hop. (Edit) Man, I just reread that and I really do sound like a prescripted PR plant or something. Sorry about that. I try to sound natural, but old work habits are hard to break. I promise everything I post here is unsponsored and from the heart (and often clumsy and ineffectively phrased 😃).

CaptinEO8 days ago

Is this a sponsored review/stay? Or did you go out of curiosity?

Phroobar8 days ago

While over at Disney, the Galactic Starcruiser hotel is a industrial warehouse box with no windows and interior that looks nothing like Star Wars.

Rich T8 days ago

Coaster studios just posted a great, concise, down to earth tour of the hotel, including some beautiful footage of the Epic Universe views (fantastic close up shots of Stardust Racers testing at night!) The video nicely captures the hotel’s atmosphere, and offers some good tips.

Rich T8 days ago

Comparing my stay to these experiences: I was on the 8th floor. My room had no technical issues, and I never heard a door slam. Definitely no shower sand! 😄 I had neighbors on either side and never heard them at all through the walls… Until morning. I could faintly hear a TV in one of my neighbors’ rooms. Beds were, indeed super comfortable, and I did not find the sheets scratchy. Slept like a log. Keeping in mind this was opening night, I was amazed at how smoothly everything was running. Oh… and these were MY pancakes: They tasted FANTASTIC. 😃 (Edit) While I’m at it, this was my pizza: Which was excellent. (Edit) Just to be clear, I did not eat the pancakes and pizza simultaneously. 😃

Centauri Space Station8 days ago

Glad you enjoyed, some people had big issues there

Rich T8 days ago

Californian-In-Florida Reviews the Stella Nova Hotel at Epic Universe: I just got home from an overnight stay at the Stella Nova, the first piece of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe expansion to open to the public. I had a blast. A quick note about the unique exterior: It is dazzling in person—more vibrant and shimmery than most photos can really convey. And I was not expecting its night look: The building sort of fades into the night sky, featuring constellation lights with the glowing ufo entry as the focal point. Very surreal and fun. Inside, the entire hotel has a fun optimistic sci-fi space theme—lots of white with blue accents in a world of sweeping curved walls and rounded corners. Looking part Star Trek, part Jetsons, and part Men In Black, the overall effect is clean, fun and welcoming. The place was packed with Vloggers, so there is no shortage of thorough video tours on YouTube. I’d recommend checking one or two out, as still photos of the lobby areas don’t capture the impact of walking through the wonderful asymmetrical areas; it all ties together for a very pleasing, comfortable take on futurism. The guest rooms, with their fun lighting, galaxy headboard murals and rounded portal windows, strike a perfect balance: They’re themed enough to be fun and unusual, but never at the expense of comfort and practicality. The pool is basic, but very large. The shop carries a fun selection of Epic Universe souvenirs, with many items I’ve not seen at Citywalk’s preview center. The Cafe is fantastic, with a wide-ranging menu. I had lunch, dinner and breakfast there, and it was all delicious. The staff was wonderful. The hotel’s bus service to Citywalk/Studios/IoA is very quick, and will get even more efficient when the huge elevated roundabout opens. I plan to return to Stella Nova in the future. It exceeded all my expectations, the pricing is very reasonable, and I enjoyed every minute of my stay.

Disney Analyst21 days ago

Good news for their pocketbooks … bad news for TM’s. I hope air quality isn’t horrible tomorrow, and leniency is given to anyone who cannot work due to impacts from the fire / displacement.

Nirya22 days ago

The Sunset fire (which includes Runyon) is generally contained at this point and most of the evacuation orders for it have been recently lifted. There are some smaller fires in the area that seem to be cropping up but they’re getting put out quickly (my guess: it’s easier to see these fires starting at night and they can target them much better with water drops). The biggest fires right now are the Palisades one, which seems hard to fight just due to a lack of fire roads and access points for firefighters thanks to the ocean, and Eaton, which got into Altadena and Pasadena and is just running rampant. I think the hope is they can start getting Eaton under control tonight, while for the Palisades they’re setting up a perimeter to eventually kill the fire.