The world has suffered economically due to COVID-19, but Japan in particular had two major events that have now been delayed due to the pandemic. The first was the Summer Olympics, which were delayed until the summer of 2021, and the second is the opening of the Universal Studios Japan theme park, Super Nintendo World. The theme park, which is largely based on the Mario franchise, is almost complete, but the Osaka-based attraction will be postponed indefinitely due to COVID.
IGN reports that the park would open in July, but now Universal Studios probably wants time to find a safer way to open in the midst of a pandemic. The delay probably has nothing to do with construction efforts, as the park is nearing completion. But because this is the world’s first Nintendo theme park, interest is expected to be high, meaning that Universal has to figure out the logistics of how to combine this increased interest with public health and safety. Due to these obstacles, Universal Studios Japan is not sure when Super Nintendo World will open.
Personally, while I would love to visit Super Nintendo World (an impossible dream considering the cost and distance), I don’t think any theme park should be open during a pandemic. The risk of a super-spreading event (in which one asymptomatic person ends up infecting numerous people in the same place) is too high. I understand that we all feel locked up and want to do fun things again, but COVID is not a joke. Even if it survives, it could end up having long-term health effects that we haven’t yet begun to understand. There is no entertainment destination worth that risk. I hope that Universal Studios Japan will keep Super Nintendo World closed until the coast is clear.
