Nintendo unveils Donkey Kong Country theme park world

Nintendo and Universal Studios Japan have debuted the first look at the Super Nintendo World theme park’s upcoming Donkey Kong expansion.

Set to open in Spring 2024, the Donkey Kong Country area of the Japanese Nintendo theme park world will increase its size by 1.7 times, Universal told Japanese press at an event this week.

Like Nintendo World’s original Super Mario-themed area which opened in 2021, the Donkey Kong-themed world will utilise wearable ‘Power Up Bands’ combined with an app to create a video game-like experience.

The key attraction in Donkey Kong Country will be a roller coaster based on the games’ mine cart rides. The coaster will be elevated over the track, creating the illusion of jumping across gaps.

A CGI trailer showcasing the Donkey Kong World appears to show a new store themed on Funky Kong, and a bongos mini-game. Like the Mario area, it will also feature interactive elements and themed merchandise and food.

Universal also revealed some of the Donkey Kong merchandise that is due to go on sale, including DK and Diddy Kong Power Up bands.

Nintendo first announced plans for a Donkey Kong expansion for Super Nintendo World shortly after the park’s opening in 2021.

The Universal creative team and the Nintendo creative team — including Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario — will bring the new Donkey Kong-themed area to life.

“I am very happy to be able to make the world of Donkey Kong a reality following the world of Mario,” Miyamoto said in a statement at the time.

“I am looking forward to creating a thrilling Donkey Kong experience with the amazing team at Universal. It will take some time until it is completed, but it will be a unique area for not only people who are familiar with Donkey Kong games, but for all guests.”

As reported in our Super Nintendo World review, the park’s mobile app also occasionally refers to the Mario area as Super Mario Land, separating it from Nintendo World itself.