Super Nintendo World opens February 4 with AR Mario Kart roller coaster

Universal Studios Japan has announced an opening date for its long-awaited Nintendo-themed space. The Super Nintendo Land Zone will open at the Osaka Theme Park on February 4, 2021.

It’s actually a little earlier than expected – last month Nintendo announced the project would open in the spring. A themed cafe and merchandise store have already opened in the larger Universal Studios Japan park.

USJ and Nintendo have also provided details on what is sure to be one of the park’s flagship attractions: Mario kartroller coaster themed. It’s housed inside a reconstructed Bowser’s castle and uses AR and projection mapping technology, with riders wearing AR helmets shaped like Mario’s cap:

Bloomberg got a glimpse of Super Nintendo World, including the Mario kart ride, and noted that the park should be further expanded with a Donkey kong-themed area:

The cars have steering wheels and several vehicles can run alongside each other, but it seems the ride itself takes place on rails. You’re not guaranteed to win the race – there is an element of throwing power-ups from item boxes, and the experience will be different every time you ride, according to USJ.

The park says it is working with health administration officials to ensure a safe environment for visitors and staff, and is currently operating at 50% capacity. COVID-19 cases have recently increased in Osaka, with a record 490 positive tests reached in one day last week. Japan has largely avoided strict lockdown measures to date, however, relying on contact tracing and near universal mask wear to mitigate the pandemic.

The opening of Super Nintendo World will be closely watched as a model for the theme park industry, hit hard by COVID-19. Last week, the Walt Disney Company announced plans to lay off 32,000 employees, mostly in its parks division.