Epic Universe's Super Nintendo World Exhibits Insane Levels of Excitement
Hittin' up the newest addition to Universal's theme park empire: Epic Universe in Orlando! And let me tell you, they ain't messin' around with this one. It's not just the Super Nintendo World that's opened, but they've dropped a whole new Donkey Kong Country area – and it's packed with innovations that'll make you wanna shout, "It's a me, Mario!"
We got a sneak peek at the media week preview, and let me tell ya, it's nothing like that California park. Epic Universe's Donkey Kong Country is more like a whole separate land, tucked away down below, accessible through a warp pipe (yeah, you heard me right). It's a tropical paradise with a vibe that's all its own, bringin' the Mushroom Kingdom's neighbor to life in a way that'll make you feel like you've stepped right into a game.
Universal's Creative Director Steve Tatham gave us the inside scoop, sayin', "The idea of Epic Universe is we wanted to create a next-gen theme park, a 21st-century theme park." That means they're using some cutting-edge tech, but it ain't all show and no go. The story's front and center, and you can expect a emotional experience, thanks to the tech that's backstage.
One of the standout attractions is the brand-new Mine Cart Madness ride. You'll join forces with Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as you ride through scenes straight outta the iconic game, dodge obstacles and collect goodies, just like in the ol' days. And it's not just screen-based gaming – they're mixin' it up with physical, tactile elements that keep it feelin' old-school.
But it ain't all about the rides. Remember that Power Up Band collectin' and collaborative play from the first Super Nintendo World? It's back – in a big way. You can wear the band and tap into touchpoints all over the world to collect points, make your way through obstacles, and even unlock secret boss battles. And if you ain't much of a gamer, there's plenty of minigames for everyone, like touchin' bongos or spelling KONG with your taps.
They've worked closely with Nintendo legends, too, even gettin' the creative guru Miyamoto himself involved. He made sure every detail was on point, so when you step into this world, you'll feel like it's the real deal. With all the Donkey Kong Country charm, you can't help but feel nostalgic.
But what's a Nintendo land without some big name characters? Epic Universe won't be donein', says Tatham. There's always more ideascomin', new stories to tell. We might see Link, Fox McCloud, or even a Pikachu or two in the future. Whatever happens, expect an epic adventure that'll have you screamin', "It's-a me, all over again!"
Epic Universe officially opens this Friday, and io9 was there to soak it all up. If you wanna keep up with the latest news on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who, keep your eyes right here.
- Gizmodo and Io9 are excellent places to follow the latest developments on Epic Universe, as it opens its doors this Friday, bringing cutting-edge technology, a unique lifestyle experience, and entertainment inspired by iconic games like Donkey Kong Country.
- During the media week preview, Universal's Creative Director Steve Tatham confirmed that Epic Universe is a 21st-century theme park, employing innovative technology to deliver an emotional and immersive experience beyond the rides, such as the collaborative play features enabled by the Power Up Band.
- In the future, fans of the Nintendo universe can look forward to potential appearances of characters like Link, Fox McCloud, and even Pikachu, as Epic Universe continues to expand and tell new stories, making each visit a nostalgic trip back to the Mushroom Kingdom.
