In the days leading up to the opening ofSuper Nintendo Worldat Universal Studios Hollywood, the park held a live streamed press event to commemorate the upcoming grand opening. The event featured multiple speakers from Universal, character actors, and a special guest to welcome those in attendance to this newestNintendoexperience.
Super Nintendo World was first announced in 2015 as a new themed area coming to Universal theme parks. Nintendo fans first got to see Super Nintendo World in action when it opened in Universal Studios Japan in 2021, with other iterations announced to be coming to Universal parks in Singapore, Orlando, and Hollywood. The flurry ofpreview registrations for Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywood caused a network outagewhen they opened in January, but the new park area remained on track to open this weekend.
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Universal Studios Hollywood had previously allowed members of the press to get apreview of Super Nintendo World prior to its opening, meaning fans could get an idea of what to expect upon entering the Mushroom Kingdom. With the park’s opening right around the corner, Universal commemorated the occasion with a press event on February 15. The event featured multiple speakers including Universal Parks & Resorts Pacific Rim President and CEO Tom Merhmann, Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman and CEO Mark Woodbury, and a special appearance fromMariocreator Shigeru Miyamoto, who has been directly involved with the development of Super Nintendo World since its inception. The event was live streamed on the Universal Studios Hollywood YouTube channel.
Also present at the event were character actors for Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, though thecontroversial fully voiced version of Toad seen at Super Nintendo Worldwas not seen in the livestream. The event took place under dimmed lights with the entire park area coming alive at the end in fanfare, complete with a pyrotechnic display and colorful projections. Those in attendance were then free to explore the park’s many offerings, including the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction, Toadstool Cafe restaurant, and 1UP Factory gift shop. This grand opening will also be the first time that the United States will have its own real-life Nintendo experience
TheMariofranchise is perhaps the most widely recognized of all time in gaming. Universal is in an exceptionally good position to take advantage of the Nintendo brand, especially with the impending release ofThe Super Mario Bros. Moviebeing made by the Universal-owned animation studio Illumination. With theopening date of Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywoodright around the corner, Nintendo’s collaboration with Universal is sure to be appreciated for fans everywhere.
Super Nintendo Worldopens on Jun 11, 2025, at Universal Studios Hollywood.
