Earlier today, Universal Studios teased news on the long-awaited Super Nintendo World section in Universal Studios Japan, which is set to open this Summer. They have now revealed a new music video sung by Galantis ft. Charli XCX, as well as info on wristbands that will work alongside a smartphone app for Super Nintendo World. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
You can check out the music video, which ends with a look at the wristbands, above. It also shows off a bit of the confirmed attractions, including four-seater kart from Mario Kart, and a person riding Yoshi.
The wristbands were teased last September by Universal Parks & Resorts chairman and CEO Tom Williams, and are called Power-Up Bands. They’ll be wristwatch-shaped, and themed after Mario, Toad, and other characters.
More interestingly, if you buy the Power-Up Bands in the Super Nintendo World area, you’ll be able to connect it to the Universal Studios Japan app, and collect coins and Stars by hitting the question-mark blocks around the area.
Furthermore, by reaching various requirements, you’ll be able to collect Mario character stamps within the app. Obtaining these stamps will also grant you coins. There is a competitive ranking system where you’ll compete with other visitors in real-time to see who gets the most coins, bringing a bit of that videogame-y flair into the real world.
Apart from this, there are ‘Key Challenges’ that consist of the area’s main attractions. The story goes that Bowser Jr. has locked up stolen Golden Mushrooms with three keys, and by completing Key Challenges, you’ll collect them. Visitors can work together to collect keys, and then face off against ‘Boss Battles’.
The aim of Super Nintendo World is to create a place where both kids and adults can physically participate in playing games. It’s a “new age theme park experience” that will bring new value to visiting theme parks, or so they say.
At the Q&A session at the end, Universal Studios answered a few key questions, revealing some new facts. Firstly, there will both be facilities above and underground. Secondly, the smartphone app will indeed work with the theme park attractions. The wristbands will be sold in six variations at first. Finally, more info on whether the smartphone app and wristbands will work with the Nintendo Switch will be announced in the future.
Super Nintendo World will open first in Universal Studios Japan in Summer 2020 in Osaka. The area is aimed to open around the time of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. (The 2020 Summer Olympics will start on July 24, 2020.)
Update: Here’s a look at what getting coins will be like. [Thanks, @KobayashiYutaro on Twitter!]
パーク内に配置されるハテナブロックを叩いている様子#Nintendo #USJ #WeAreMario #SUPERNINTENDOWORLD pic.twitter.com/5oy04GXpjV
— 小林優多郎（ゆうこば）@BI Tech (@KobayashiYutaro) January 14, 2020
