Nintendo finally opens long-awaited Super Mario theme park

‘Once the pandemic subsides, I hope everyone around the world will come and visit us,’ says the creator

Mario, centre, and other characters participate in the opening ceremony of “Super Nintendo World,” the new attraction based on Nintendo Co.’s “Super Mario Bros” (AP)

Mario, which has dominated the world of video games for over two decades, now has a theme park of its own.

On Thursday, Universal Studios Japan, (USJ) threw open the gates of the long-awaited Mario-themed amusement park called the Super Nintendo World.

The visitors enter the real version of the game franchise through a giant warp pipe and are met with piranha plants, punchable coin blocks and flog-topped Beanpole with the popular theme music playing throughout the park, reported the Japan Times.

It is a major leap for the game maker Nintendo Co, whose popular character joined the likes of Harry Potter, six years after the Japanese gaming giant announced its partnership with the park operator.

USJ reportedly invested 60 billion yen ($549 mn) to bring to life the virtual world inhabited by the moustachioed protagonist of the video game franchise. Super Nintendo World was initially scheduled to open last summer but was delayed due to the pandemic.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Mario video game series, was also present during the grand opening at Osaka.

Sharing his excitement with the media, he said: “The day we’ve been looking forward to has finally arrived! It’s been six years since we started development, and it’s gone so fast. The world’s first real Super Mario world. We’re happy to be able to release it in time for the 35th anniversary.”

Read more:

• India to ban ownership of cryptocurrencies 
• Popular Myanmar activist’s gruesome death by torture in military detention revealed
• John Magufuli: Tanzania president dies aged 61

He added: “There are activities here for people of all ages to experience, using all of their senses… Once the pandemic subsides, I hope everyone around the world will come and visit us. We are waiting for you!”

Super Nintendo World will follow a strict health and safety guideline in view of the pandemic and will cap the number of people allowed in the park.