There are a number of fun and memorable games that people love, for example, Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Sonic and Call of Duty. The list could go on and on, but one game that everyone knows and loves is Super Mario Bros. With Universal Studios talent of precise detail in rides and attractions, they exceeded the expectations of Nintendo lovers, making a Super Nintendo World that perfectly represents the game world with all kinds of references and sounds around. The littlest details from Goombas and Piranha Plants, to real life Mario Kart and Lucky Blocks that people could punch to gain coins.
The system that Universal Studios has set for Super Nintendo World starts off by a small bracelet called The Power-Up Band, which players could purchase in the store located inside. It’s character themed, so anyone could pick a character based on their choosing.
Adrian Verduzco, junior, says, “They were like 40 bucks and they’re needed for interactions and for a ride. Other than that they’re just an accessory.”
Paired with this bracelet, players need to download the Universal Studios app. With this app, people could connect the bracelet and continue their journey to collect coins around the area. With these coins players can tap the band on a controller of Nintendo Switch, and use the coins they collected in Mario Kart 8.
The band is not the only impressive feature of the area, but there is also an addition of a real life Mario Kart race that people can interactively enjoy. It takes place in Bowser’s Castle, and is set as a challenge of competition between Bowser and his minions, and the attendee. Each kart allows 4 people in one. Going on this ride, players are given VR glasses, and through them are the enemies that they are tasked to defeat, along with other players of the ride. The way to win is to get as many coins as possible, and winning gives each player coins of their total score to their Power-Up Bands.
Verduzco says, “There was like 1 ride, the rest were just interacting with the area to collect stars for the secret ride where you fight Bowser Jr. My favorite one was the Mario Kart one.”
Although Bowser’s challenge may be the only major attraction that people could ride, there are also other mini-games that they are able to play around the land as well. One of them, named ‘Piranha Plant Nap Mishap’, challenges players to run around a fenced area, turning off loud alarms to prevent the Piranha Plant from waking up angrily. Beating this challenge rewards a key, which there are 3 hidden in all minigames together.
The food is also an amazing part of the experience, Toadstools Cafe, is decorated from inside out, with a Mushroom Kingdom look. Its menu is decked out with several items that are all based on little game references or characters. Nicholi Estala, junior, had the opportunity to try some foods in the land,
“It was super fun getting to see all the Super Mario themed toys, foods, and games. The food was pretty good and really cool with all the different shapes and related foods from the game. But I’d say one of my favorite parts was getting to enjoy all the Mario snacks and foods.”
With full course meals to desserts and drinks. Although it’s a little bit on the pricey side, surely, Mario lovers would just enjoy the overall aesthetic of the food, and how well it represents the iconic game itself.
