Universal Parks & Resorts CEO shares new details on Super Nintendo World

During Comcast’s 2019 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference on Sept. 11, Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts Tom Williams shared some new information about Super Nintendo World, coming to all Universal Parks around the world (except for Beijing) over the next few years.

Perhaps the most exciting reveal was that the first version of the land will open in spring 2020 at Universal Studios Japan, ideally, in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The first phase in Tokyo will feature two rides: Super Mario Kart and a reportedly short omnimover-type ride called Yoshi’s Adventures.

Williams also revealed a new, yet unannounced interactive element for the land. This element will involve magnetic bracelets featuring the iconic red Mario icon that guests will use to interact with the land’s environment – which will be built on three levels!

With this wristband, guests will be able to track their scores gained through interactions in the land as well as on the rides – and interestingly, Williams also said that this scorekeeping will interface “back with your game console so you can build on it and come back again.” Does this mean we could see some sort of eShop game or app on the Nintendo Switch related to Super Nintendo World?

It will be quite some time before we see any of this become a reality for the domestic Universal parks. Williams would not give any kind of opening timeline for Nintendo’s presence at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, citing that he didn’t want to “defer attendance.” Though he did say that creating a new land or park, from conception to opening, is a process that takes about 5-6 years.

You can listen to the audio replay of the interview with Williams here.