Donkey Kong roller coaster details revealed for Japan

Universal and Nintendo have announced the name and details for the Donkey Kong land and “track-jumping” roller coaster, opening in 2024 at Universal Studios Japan and 2025 at the new Universal Epic Universe in Orlando.

The highly anticipated Donkey Kong roller coaster will be titled Mine Cart Madness. The attraction will open late 2024 at Universal Studios Japan.

As guests ride Mine Cart Madness, their vehicle will seem to jump over broken track pieces, a sensation that will be familiar to players of the long-running Donkey Kong video games.

Donkey Kong Country in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan

Mine Cart Madness will be part of Donkey Kong Country, an expansion of Japan’s Super Nintendo World (which initially opened in 2021 with “Mario Kart” and Yoshi attractions).

These details were revealed at a press event on Dec. 5, 2023 (pictured below). Universal Studios Japan had previously confirmed the Donkey Kong project in 2021.

The Story Behind Mine Cart Madness

As with most attractions at Universal theme parks, Mine Cart Madness will engage guests within a multilayered story.

Donkey Kong roller coaster - Universal Studios Japan

The description of Mine Cart Madness on Universal Studios Japan’s website reads:

The fun starts when you get blasted out of a barrel cannon at the Golden Temple! Hop into a mine cart and go for a thrilling ride through the jungle! You’ll even leap across a collapsed track! This series of unpredictable thrills will make you scream with excitement! Join Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in this race through the jungle on a wild adventure to protect the Golden Banana from the Tiki Tak Tribe!

Donkey Kong Country virtual tour - Universal Studios Japan

Construction Progress at Epic Universe

Mine Cart Madness — or, at least, a Donkey Kong roller coaster very similar to it — will also open as part of Universal Epic Universe, the new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort debuting by summer 2025.

In 2020, Universal confirmed Super Nintendo World for Epic Universe’s lineup. The company has yet to announce any specific attractions for Florida’s version. However, the Donkey Kong roller coaster is clearly under construction in Orlando (as are the “Mario Kart” and Yoshi attractions), as seen in aerial photographs by bioreconstruct.

Donkey Kong roller coaster construction at Epic Universe — _{Donkey Kong roller coaster under construction at Universal Epic Universe, seen here in November 2023.
^{Photos by bioreconstruct}}

Donkey Kong roller coaster track jump — *_{Riders will “jump the track” at various points along the Donkey Kong roller coaster. Under-construction photos of the Orlando version reveal the mechanics behind}*_{the “jump,” se}*_{en here in November 2023.}*^{_{Photos by bioreconstruct}}

Super Nintendo World construction at Epic Universe — *_{This area of Orlando’s Super Nintendo World is expected to house “Mario Kart” and Yoshi attractions, seen here under construction in November 2023.}*
^{_{Photos by bioreconstruct}}

*This 2021 concept rendering shows how Donkey Kong Country will be situated next to the existing Super Nintendo World in Japan. A similar layout is expected for Orlando.*

A version of Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. There are no announced plans to build Donkey Kong Country in California, nor is there visible construction indicating such plans.

Donkey Kong Country, An Expansion of Super Nintendo World

Along with the news, Universal released a virtual fly-through of the area. The video shows what guests can expect upon traveling from the existing Super Nintendo World into the Donkey Kong Country expansion.

During the press event, Universal Studios Japan Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Brian Robinson, provided some narration (via TDR Explorer).

“Deep in the jungle,” Robinson said, “we hear the intoxicating beat of the drums as we enter a lush, tropical clearing.”

Shortly after stepping into this plaza, guests can visit Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy, as indicated by signage in the video. In the Donkey Kong video games, Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy is a shop Funky Kong operates out of an airplane. It appears that the Mine Cart Madness ride entrance signage is on the other side of this clearing.

Funky's Fly 'n' Buy - Universal Studios Japan

“Gleaming in the distance, Robinson continued, “the Golden Temple awaits, our first indication of the wish fulfillment our land will deliver. As our tropical exploration begins, we soon discover an immersive world of friends, of interactivity, and of games.”

Exploring Donkey Kong Country with Power Bands

Part of the “wish fulfillment” Robinson attributed to Super Nintendo World comes from guests being able to not just step inside a video game, but to actually play within it. With a Power-Up Band, a wearable available for purchase, guests can interact with various elements throughout Super Nintendo World.

Super Nintendo World - Universal Studios Japan

Within Donkey Kong Country, TDR Explorer reported, “guests will be able to participate in interactive mini-games and collect the letters K, O, N, and G – just like in the game!”

New Power-Up Bands will be designed to match Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. However, Power-Up Bands of any design will be functional within Donkey Kong Country.

Donkey Kong Country Merchandise at Super Nintendo World

In addition to the new Power-Up Bands, a slate of merchandise will debut in honor of Donkey Kong Country. Items include a Donkey Kong headband, snacks, and chocolate treats. These products and more will be available in-park only at Universal Studios Japan (inside the 1-UP Factory) beginning Dec. 6, 2023.