Nintendo’s Japanese theme park will reportedly no longer open this summer

Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World theme park will no longer open this summer as planned.

That’s according to sources cited by Bloomberg, who claim that the decision has been made due to uncertainty around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Nintendo-themed world could still open this year, it said.

Super Nintendo World was due to open ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games this summer, before the event was postponed due to the pandemic.

In an earnings call this month, the CEO of Universal Studios parent company Comcast confirmed that Nintendo World Japan would likely open “a few months past our original expectation” due to construction delays.

Universal Studios Japan recently reopened to the public, but is currently only admitting local season pass holders.

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.

Guests will also be able to collect various keys around the park to unlock battles against virtual boss characters, which are fought in cooperation with others.

A report describing Nintendo World’s Mario Kart theme park ride claimed it would also feature AR goggles and cars that can ‘drift’ around corners.