First Super Mario theme park outside Japan to open in the US

The launch is weeks before the character stars in his own new Hollywood movie

The entrance of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. All photos: AFP

Nintendo's first theme park outside of its native Japan will open in California next month

Mario merchandise is displayed in a store

The opening comes weeks before Mario gets the big-screen treatment in a major new Hollywood film

Super Nintendo World will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park which is traditionally home to rides based on film and TV franchises from Waterworld to Harry Potter

A Goomba and a piranha plant patrol the walls

A guest takes a photo with Mario during a preview of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2023. - Nintendo's first theme park outside of its native Japan will open in California next month, just weeks before Mario gets the big-screen treatment in a major new Hollywood film. "Super Nintendo World" will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood -- an amusement park which is traditionally home to rides based on film and TV franchises from "Waterworld" to Harry Potter. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)

The piranha plant is seen through the walls of Bowser’s castle

A guest wears a Nintendo headband

Mario and Luigi wave to the guests

Guests ride Super Mario Kart

Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative

Toad toys on display in a store

Princess Peach will also be at the venue

The park is allowing guests in before it officially opens

Mario merchandise on offer

Guests ride Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge

Virtual games at the park

Game merchandise on offer

Princess Peach’s castle

Mini sets are seen inside the access area for the Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge ride

Bowser at the entrance of the Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge ride

Nintendo's first theme park outside of its native Japan will open in California next month, only weeks before Mario gets the big-screen treatment in a major new Hollywood film.

Super Nintendo World will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park that is traditionally home to rides based on film and TV franchises from Waterworld to Harry Potter.

But with the video game industry now eclipsing movies in size, and theme parks using increasingly interactive technology to immerse guests, bosses of the two companies have joined forces to capitalise on the platform-hopping plumber's global popularity.

The new Nintendo attraction will largely mirror the design of its recently opened, slightly larger sister park in Osaka, including a Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge ride that uses augmented reality goggles.

Visitors race along a real-life track surrounded by actual set pieces, but can aim and shoot virtual shells at computerised villains they see displayed on their head-mounted, individual visors.

'Ultimate playground'

There are also a number of mini games in which visitors with interactive wristbands can accrue coins and stamps, to qualify for a "final showdown" with the evil Bowser Jr.

"It's kind of the ultimate playground," said Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative.

"We are known for our film franchises, which are terrific, and they're very immersive. Games are a different thing.

"How we even engage with entertainment is evolving in and of itself... entertainment is not static."

Nintendo fans have already begun flocking to the Los Angeles amusement park, where word quickly spread last week that the new attraction was admitting visitors for a "soft opening" to iron out any final technical glitches.

"Being here, it's like my childhood in real life," said Carlos Moctezuma, who wore a Mario outfit to the park.

"I've known Mario since I was in second grade. That was one of my first games on the Game Boy," said his partner Lexsi Houseman, dressed as Luigi.

"It's a dream come true," she added.

Star-studded cast

The official launch of Super Nintendo World is set for February 17, when visitors surrounded by mechanical Yoshis, Piranha Plants and Goombas from the beloved gaming franchise will be greeted by actors dressed as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach.

A third Nintendo theme park will follow in Orlando.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures — the Hollywood film studio that shares its parent company with the theme park — will release The Super Mario Bros Movie in April.

The film features US actor Chris Pratt as the voice of Italian plumber Mario — a casting choice that has sparked controversy and criticism on social media, but only drawn more attention to the nostalgia-laden movie.

Other big names lending their voices include Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong.

It will be Hollywood's second attempt to bring Nintendo's most famous characters to the big screen, after a widely panned 1993 live-action movie.

The first Super Mario Bros game came out in 1985 for Nintendo's NES console.

The platform game, in which Mario runs and jumps past obstacles to collect coins and saves Princess Peach from the evil Koopa turtles, was based on the Mario Bros arcade game released earlier