Super Nintendo World has opened its doors
Bruce Springsteen would perhaps use the words of his "Long Time Comin '", - from the album Devils & Dust - very appropriate to celebrate, in the end, the unfolding of the opening ceremony of the Nintendo structure: "It's been a long time comin' , my dear / It's been a long time comin 'but now it's here ".The path was undoubtedly long and difficult, but in the end the videogame giant from Kyoto kept the promise made a few weeks ago with the announcement of the opening date of the Super Nintendo World. The amusement park dedicated to the world of Super Mario and located inside the Universal Studios in Osaka has finally opened its doors to the Japanese public. Obviously, the international health crisis slows down the final path, with the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit Japan hard too.
Between continuous lockdowns and containment measures, the need to contain the spread of the virus has also delayed the opening of the Super Nintendo World, originally scheduled for the summer of last year, just in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. A goal achieved in any case, given that even the very important sporting event has obviously been postponed and is currently scheduled for summer 2021. The opening of the Nintendo park was celebrated with an inauguration ceremony attended by Shigeru Miyamoto and JL Bonnier, CEO and President of Universal Studios Japan. All this took place in compliance with strict health safety regulations: directly at the bottom of this news you will find some images.
A different destiny, at least according to rumors, should instead mark the opening of Super Nintendo World in Florida, with the Orlando - Florida park that may have to wait until 2025.
Super Nintendo World In Japan Officially Opens, Miyamoto Hopes The Whole World Comes To Visit After Pandemic
Super Nintendo World has officially opened at the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka, Japan, and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was on-hand for the opening ceremony to share some words.
Miyamoto said he's happy to see the park finally opening its doors after six years of development and delays related to the global pandemic. The veteran game designer is hopeful that 'everyone around the world' will come to Osaka to visit the park after the pandemic.
'The day we've been looking forward to has finally arrived! It's been six years since we started development, and it's gone so fast,' Miyamoto said, via VGC. 'The world's first real Super Mario world. We're happy to be able to release it in time for the 35th anniversary.'
Miyamoto added: 'There are activities here for people of all ages to experience, using all of their senses… Once the pandemic subsides, I hope everyone around the world will come and visit us. We are waiting for you!'
The Super Nintendo World park is open with health and safety protocols in place that include a limit on the number of visitors allowed (10,000 for the entire park) a mask requirement.
Part of what makes the Super Nintendo World park so unique is how it uses 'Power-Up Bands' that people wear to allow them to interact more with the land while visiting--from punching coin blocks and finding Easter eggs to tracking your score on the Mario Kart ride and fighting Bowser Jr. in a boss battle. The band also acts as an Amiibo for use with your Nintendo Switch.
The Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood, as well as Singapore, are also going to feature the Super Nintendo World attractions, but not until later. Recently, the local mayor in Orlando said the Super Nintendo World park should open in early 2025.
While you may not be able to visit Super Nintendo World in person for some time, you can virtually visit the park through Nintendo's interactive website.
In addition to this theme park, Nintendo is working with Universal's parent company--Comcast--on an animated Mario movie from the makers of Minions.
In other theme park news, Disneyland will re-open on April 30.