Six years after its announcement, the Super Nintendo World has finally – after considerable coronavirus-related delays – opened its doors (although apparently unofficially) at Universal Studios Osaka. As a result, the park’s video is starting to appear online – including a first full look at his Mario Kart ride, which has remained a mystery until now.
We already knew that Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge from the Super Nintendo World would be hidden inside the park’s imposing Bower’s Castle for some time, but virtually nothing was seen from the experience that is beyond the powerful stone jaws of the facade. Thanks to the Universal Parks News Today fan site, however, those who cannot visit the park in person can now enjoy an immensely complete tour of Mario Kart’s tour and its row of wonderful details.
In fact, most of the 20-minute video is spent exploring the winding line that leads to the Mario Kart ride itself, but it’s a fascinating journey at the same time, filled with Easter eggs and iconic landscapes from the start. It is around the six-minute mark that things increase considerably, however, when the line meanders to Bower’s wonderfully accomplished library, where Mario’s archenemy is honing his racing skills.
Mario Kart: The Koopa Challenge COMPLETE TOUR WITH AIR AND ROW TOURISM
There are strategy sheets attached to the walls, elaborate models of famous tracks, haunted paintings and even shelves full of books with comic names like “Rivalries between brothers and how to explore them”. And from there, we are driven by a Bob-omb factory to witness a Mario Kart broadcast on TV explaining the rules of the tour and more.
Eventually, around 3:30 pm, it’s time to embark on the ride itself, and it’s an impressive technology job, if nothing else, combining high-definition projections, physical sets, karts equipped with movement, AR-enabled goggles capable of designing perfectly Mario and his friends on the scene as they get in and out of sight – and it’s all tied up with ammunition and scoring throwing mechanics, making the trip a complete game.
Trailer for the Super Nintendo World UPNT.
Granted, its reasonably pedestrian speed and claustrophobic ensembles are practically the opposite of the expansive adrenaline thrills I was imagining when the trip was announced, but there’s no denying that it was done in remarkable style – and the Rainbow Road sequence is absolute stunning. And if you’re curious about the rest of the Super Nintendo World, Universal Parks News Today has a wealth of additional material showcasing its other attractions.
Of course, those who are unable to go to Osaka need not feel very dejected. Additional Super Nintendo Worlds, each with different tour selections and layouts, are currently in development and will open in Orlando, Hollywood and Singapore – although there is no firm word on when these other parks will be complete.