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Universal Studios Japan plans to open its $ 580k (RM2.36bil) Nintendo attraction on February 4, finally debuting a long-overdue effort to introduce Mario and other beloved characters to real-world theme park visitors.
Super Nintendo World, built on the existing Universal Studios Japan site, is envisioned as a life-size replica of the most popular Nintendo Co games with attractions, shops, and ride activities. One of the first attractions will be a Mario Kart Ride into a recreation of Bowser’s Castle. Borrowing an idea from the Super Mario franchise, visitors can collect virtual coins using a dedicated wristband while exploring the area and interacting with the park’s features via a Switch console.
The showcase is one of the largest projects ever conceived by the Osaka-based amusement park operator, which invested more than 60,000 yen (RM2.35bil). It was originally scheduled for a summer opening, but was postponed during the pandemic. Its start could still be delayed, as Japan faces a new outbreak and Osaka, where the park is located, becomes one of the most affected cities in the country.
The stakes are high in Super Nintendo World as the theme park industry struggles with falling revenues and Japan debates whether to promote domestic tourism. Walt Disney Co is cutting jobs while Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal, the Osaka park owner, suspends plans to open another Nintendo area within its Orlando location. Universal Studios Japan is also operating at half full capacity to help slow the spread of the virus.
The project, which was licensed for characters by Nintendo, is part of the Kyoto-based game company’s efforts to expand its franchises beyond console gamers. Movies, product stores and smartphone apps are designed as a hook to entice new users to buy dedicated gaming machines and software. – Bloomberg
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