Mushroom Kingdom, here we come—oh, ahem, sorry, we’re quoting the wrong Super Mario adaptation set for next year. And unlike that animated movie, this theme park iteration will sound considerably more it’s-a-me and far less Chris Pratty.
Universal Studios Hollywood announced that Super Nintendo World will debut on Friday, February 17, 2023. The Mario-themed land will bring vibrant Mushroom Kingdom theming to the park’s lower lot with a new restaurant, retail shop and ride, dubbed “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”
The first iteration of Super Nintendo World opened in Japan in 2021, and based on the rendering in this latest video, the Hollywood version looks mostly similar to its Osaka originator. The L.A. edition lacks a Yoshi-themed ride, and the layout appears to be set largely on a single level instead of Japan’s multi-tiered approach. But otherwise all of the landmarks are there: You’ll walk in through a warp pit that spits you out in Peach’s Castle and stare down colorful cliffs dotted with coins, Thwomps and Piranha Plants. Bowser’s Castle, which houses the Mario Kart ride, sits toward the back, and you’ll enter via Mount Beanpole, the goal pole-topped peak.
Universal has been teasing the land since 2016, but with this latest announcement we finally know exactly what to expect inside. Toadstool Cafe sees an adorably animated Chef Toad welcoming diners for an Italian-ish menu: Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, ? Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake. Meanwhile, the 1-UP Factory will sell all sorts of character-inspired hats and plush (there’s currently a Super Nintendo World shop open at CityWalk if you want a bit of a preview).
You’ll also find character meet-and-greets with Mario, Luigi and Peach, plus interactive games scattered throughout the area: You can punch ? Blocks to collect (digital) coins and earn (also digital) keys from four activities in order to challenge Bowser Jr. in a boss battle—all aided by wearable Power-Up Bands, themed wristbands you can buy that sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s app. (A page on Universal’s site teases Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Daisy and Yoshi designs, available within the land as well as elsewhere in the park and at CityWalk.)
As for the land’s signature ride, Universal shared extensive info about “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” earlier this year. The video game-inspired attraction will combine colorful Mario environments with digital screens and a bit of augmented reality magic. Each four-person, stadium-seat-style kart will come equipped with augmented reality goggles: It’s through those that you’ll see the shell-filled mayhem portion of the ride play out. As you careen and spin through the constructed scenes, you’ll grip a steering wheel and buttons that won’t control the physical vehicle but will allow you to steer and fire shells from your AR racer. You and the three other passengers in your kart—you’ll all be repping Team Mario—will be working together to gather enough coins to defeat Team Bowser.
If you’re just (chain) chomping at the bit to go, Universal Studios Hollywood does already have tickets on sale well into 2023: Opening weekend will cost you $144 while prices dip down to $114 on a limited number of days the following month. It’s also worth mentioning that at opening, the theme park’s skip-the-line Universal Express pass excludes Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. It does, however, include “reservation-free entry into Super Nintendo World when reservations are required to enter the land,” suggesting that some sort of virtual queue system may be in place on busy days.