Nintendo World theme park app reveals new attractions and Donkey Kong hints

Universal Studios Japan’s updated mobile app has revealed a host of new details on the upcoming Super Nintendo World attraction, including a number of Donkey Kong-related assets.

The assets, which include various collectables from the Donkey Kong Country series, as well as the titular apes themselves, come following a report that Universal has already started construction of a new Donkey Kong area.

Last year images showing a 2016 concept model for Super Nintendo World first suggested the park was planning to add a Donkey Kong area. The images showed a new world themed on the more modern Retro Studios Donkey Kong Country games, including a mine cart rollercoaster ride.

Following a special Nintendo Direct last week, Universal Japan updated its mobile app to include the Super Nintendo World attraction, which is due to open on February 4, 2021.

As detailed in a GameXplain video, the app update offers insight into how the theme park world’s interactive elements will work, as well as an entire narrative involving Bowser Jr. stealing a special golden mushroom.

Nintendo World Japan is set to put an emphasis on the interactivity of its experiences, with each visitor using a wearable wristband in conjunction with a mobile phone app to gamify the park.

Visitors will be able to collect virtual coins and stamps by exploring Nintendo World, and compete with others in real-time for the number collected.

The Universal app reveals that visitors to Super Nintendo World will be able to view leaderboard rankings for the most points earned by park attendees, which can be broken down by day, all-time or for individual rides such as Mario Kart.

As demonstrated in last week’s Nintendo Direct, various keys are hidden around the Super Nintendo World attraction, which players must solve puzzles to obtain, such as by punching a POW block in time with a moving shell, in order to have it hit the key.

Once all the keys are obtained, there appears to be a boss battle attraction called “Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown” for visitors to try out.

Finally, it appears that visitors will be able to meet up with several Mario characters including the plumber himself, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach.

It was recently confirmed that Super Nintendo World will officially open on February 4, 2021.

The Osaka-based attraction was originally due to open this summer but was delayed due to disruption caused by the coronavirus. Japan’s borders are currently closed to tourists but they’re expected to reopen in spring 2021.

Super Nintendo World is also scheduled to come to Universal’s Orlando, Hollywood and Singapore parks, although a timeline for openings outside of Japan hasn’t been announced.

At a press event in November, Universal announced new details about the long-awaited attraction, including information on its Super Mario Kart AR ride, which will see visitors wearing special headsets.

Further reading

Nintendo’s theme park opening confirmed for February, Donkey Kong area ‘in construction’

Universal Japan details AR Mario Kart ride