How Universal Studios Plans to Put You In Super Mario World

Every gamer knows that Super Mario World is one hell of a video game experience. But what if it could also be one hell of a real life experience?

Universal Studios of Orlando is looking to make that happen. In addition to their other properties (which range from Marvel and Men in Black to Harry Potter), Universal is now looking to add a Super Nintendo World for fans to enjoy.

But what is this world all about, and why should gamers even care? We’ve got the full scoop below.

A Splashy Advertisement

Wondering why we’re only now getting a Super Mario theme park? A lot of this has to do with Nintendo slowly opening up their beloved franchise characters more than just a Nintendo audience.

For example, the success of Pokemon Go helped spawn other smartphone apps such as Super Mario Run. And Nintendo will also be working with Universal’s Illumination Entertainment (the geniuses behind Despicable Me) to craft a new Super Mario Bros. movie. New apps and new movies, along with the runaway success of the Switch, all seem to be part of a plan to recruit new fans.

Now, half a decade after the first Super Nintendo World plans, Nintendo is making some splashy reveals. This includes a major Grand Central Station event where fans could check out costumes, learn about the park, and even jump up and grab coins.

Fans could even win prizes for merchandise that will be sold in the Super Nintendo World in Japan (which, barring delays, is opening up this summer).

An “Epic” Universe

While fans (including us) have already nicknamed the new Nintendo area of Universal Super Mario World, this is actually only a quarter of the plans for this theme park. In fact, all of the Nintendo stuff will be just one quarter of what Universal is calling their Epic Universe.

We don’t know much about Epic Universe yet, including what the other areas will be themed. But we do know that, much like Diagon Alley (one of the Harry Potter sections of the park), these areas will be relatively isolated from the rest of Universal.

The goal of such isolation is immersion. Visitors to Diagon Alley cannot even see outside to the other theme park franchises. And visitors to Super Nintendo World will be similarly immersed in the world of their favorite franchise.