Japan’s Super Nintendo World is set press start next year

Immersive technology offers guests Power-Up

The world of Mario will soon come to life.

Universal Studios Japan has announced that its Super Nintendo World will open to the public Feb. 4.

Super Nintendo World will feature the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge roller coaster, a re-creation of Bower’s Castle (or Koopa’s Castle in Japan), Yoshi-themed rides as well as restaurants, shops and other experiences, according to a news release.

The park has been six years in the making and looks to one-up other parks with immersive technology.

Guests will be allowed to wear a Power-Up Band that links to your smartphone.

The bands bring gameplay to life, allowing users to keep score, punch blocks and collect virtual coins.

The Mario Kart roller coaster also is immersive.

Riders will wear a special Mario-styled headset with a built-in augmented reality screen.

Yoshi’s Adventure will take riders on an adventure with Yoshi on a search for Captain Toad.

Super Nintendo World was set to open ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last summer, but the opening was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

With the pandemic in mind, executive producer Thomas Geraghty said in an interview with IGN that all equipment will be sanitized after every use, and social distancing measures will be in place.

Universal Studios Japan is in Osaka. Japan’s borders are closed to foreign tourists as a result of the pandemic.

Japan is reportedly looking to fully reopen to tourists in the spring.