Thursday, March 28, 2024

Donkey Kong expansion to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at USJ for 2024

Since its opening, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Japan has gained worldwide attention from fans and guests who continue to level up with excitement while experiencing the land’s rides, interactive themed entertainment and game play featuring iconic Nintendo characters.

To further immerse guests into Nintendo’s well-known series of games, Universal Studios Japan will expand the land to include a new area themed after Donkey Kong. The new area will bring to life the world of one of Nintendo’s most beloved games and feature a roller coaster, interactive experiences, themed merchandise and
food — and all the fun and excitement of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. The new area is set to open in 2024.

Nintendo’s Donkey Kong franchise started with an arcade game in 1981 and quickly captured the hearts of fans around the world. Since then, the Donkey Kong game series has continually delivered more games on Nintendo video game systems, such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii and Nintendo Switch. The series has sold over 65 million units (as of March 2021) worldwide to generations of fans.

Area of Donkey Kong expansion next to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

The Universal creative team and the Nintendo creative team — including Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario — will bring the new Donkey Kong themed area to life. The area will combine innovative technology and the globally popular approach to theme park entertainment of Universal with the creativity of Nintendo. With the addition of the Donkey Kong area, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Japan will increase in size by approximately 70 percent. With its planned opening of 2024, the hope is that this expansion to Super Nintendo WORLD will garner attention to Osaka and Kansai just in time for the 2025 Osaka and Kansai Expo.

“SUPER NINTENDO WORLD creates a whole new level of theme park entertainment and has quickly become an exciting, must-do experience for our guests,” said J.L. Bonnier, President and CEO of Universal Studios Japan. “We are thrilled to continue working with Nintendo as we fulfill our vision to bring their characters and stories to life. Our new Donkey Kong themed area will bring even more excitement and fun to the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD experience.”

Mario creator and Representative Director, Fellow of Nintendo Shigeru Miyamoto said, “I am very happy to be able to make the world of Donkey Kong a reality following the world of Mario. I am looking forward to creating a thrilling Donkey Kong experience with the amazing team at Universal. It will take some time until it is completed, but it will be a unique area for not only people who are familiar with Donkey Kong games, but for all guests.”

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