Super Nintendo World to Open in 2020 at Universal Studios Japan

By Edwin Kee
Super Nintendo World theme park site will be part of Universal Studios Japan in time for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
 Universal Studios Japan

Theme parks are big business these days. After all, they are able to draw in the crowds if done right, and Disneyland as well as Disney World resorts have proven that for decades. Universal Studios does not want to miss out on the theme park revenue stream either, with their fair share of movie-inspired theme parks located around the world. Well, it looks like a major video game franchise will be getting his very own space at a Universal Studios theme park in Japan by the time 2020 rolls around, and it would be none other than the rotund plumber whom we have all come to know and love as Mario.

Known as Super Nintendo World, this will be a $432 million theme park that is all ready to set Universal Studios Japan alight in the year 2020. Super Nintendo World does not seem to be the last, but it ought to be the one that kicks it all off for Nintendo in the theme park business, so it makes sense to send out their biggest “gun”, so to speak, in the form of Mario. Super Nintendo World will be the site at Universal Studios Japan that will boast of attractions as well as rides that will feature not only Mario, but also other favorite and famous characters from Nintendo.

Surely the Tokyo Summer Olympics that will happen in 2020 has something to do with Super Nintendo World’s opening, as it will be up and operational by then. The entire cost is a whopping 50 billion yen plus -- which would mean it ought to break the $432 million mark. Does this mean we will be able to sit through roller coaster rides that will see Goombas about to stomp on us, or Koopa shells headed in our direction only for us to avoid them at the very last minute -- or to even see Mario come and save the day by stomping on said Koopa not once, but twice? Only time will be able to tell, but you can be sure that excitement is already building up at the moment, and there will be more than just stadium-inspired excitement when the summer of 2020 arrives.

Not only that, we do know that earlier in November, Nintendo did make an announcement that Nintendo-themed areas will be created throughout different Universal Studio locations in Orlando and Hollywood, as the Japan site has already been confirmed in terms of its opening date, cost, location as well as features.

Universal Studios Japan reiterated that Super Nintendo World “will be comprised of expansive and multi-level environments filled with unprecedented, state-of-the-art rides, interactive areas, shops and restaurants, all featuring Nintendo's most popular characters and games."

What are the benefits that Super Nintendo World will bring economically? It is projected that 11.7 trillion yen will be injected into the economy, with 1.1 million jobs created in the process just for the Nintendo-themed segment. The basis for such bold figures? Research by Katsuhiro Miyamoto, who is a professor at Kansai University, was cited by Universal Studios Japan.

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