Super Nintendo World
Bringing the Mushroom Kingdom into the real world always seemed like a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’, and after a few delays and false starts, that ‘when’ is now pretty much upon us. Super Nintendo World opens its doors at Universal Studios Japan while this issue is on newsstands, and it promises to be gaming’s equivalent of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, to which millions are likely to make a pilgrimage – once travel restrictions are lifted.
Nintendo has already offered an early look, via a Nintendo Direct hosted by Shigeru Miyamoto, grinning as he introduced himself as “Mario’s dad”. From a warp pipe entrance into Peach’s castle lobby to a recreation of Super Mario 3D World’s Mount Beanpole, complete with animatronic Thwomps, Goomba towers and Yoshis, everything seems precision-tooled to evoke a combination of childlike wonder and nostalgia.
Exploring the park has been gamified, with a series of activities that involve interactive elements. Triggered by a wearable band that connects to a smartphone app, you’ll punch a ?-block to earn a coin, or complete a minigame by activating a POW block at the right time to knock over a patrolling Koopa Troopa. Your progress will be tracked by a smartphone app, leading to a boss battle of some description, while the bands retain their NFC functionality beyond the park’s boundaries, doubling as Amiibo for the six Mushroom Kingdom favourites they represent.
With a restaurant serving Mariothemed dishes, and a Mario Kart AR ride, it’s a reminder of the longevity of the company mascot. A Super Mario movie on the way in 2022, meanwhile, demonstrates how far Nintendo is looking to take its brands beyond games. Though we’ve been reminded lately how tightly it keeps those brands on a leash: the cease-and-desist for an unofficial Smash Bros tournament is one of several incidents that seem to fly in the face of Satoru Iwata’s insistence that “it would not be appropriate if we treated people who did something based on affection for Nintendo as criminals”.
Indeed, with Nintendo’s mobile output leaning into more suspect monetisation practices, it’s a reminder that there’s a ruthless streak behind that friendly exterior. The Direct was also a reminder that, as he prepares the ground for his retirement, there’s no current Nintendo figurehead as personable and charismatic as Miyamoto. Yet, in a rare interview with the New Yorker, he noted that the company is working hard to “ensure the spirit of Nintendo is passed down successfully”. Super Nintendo World proves the magic is still there.