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Nintendo has offered an early look at the Donkey Kong expansion to Super Nintendo World in Japan’s Universal Studios.
Following an announcement in May 2024, Nintendo has confirmed the opening date of the Universal Studios Japan expansion of Super Nintendo World, as well as offering a first real look at the Donkey Kong-themed zone in a Nintendo Direct on November 11, as reported by Verge. The park section is set to open on December 11.
What will Super Nintendo World’s expansion include?
The expanded section of the theme park is all about the animated gorilla and his lore, with a mine cart rollercoaster and a three-player version of the Donkey Konga rhythm game that visitors can play in real life.
Guests will enter the new zone by going through a tunnel made of faux rocks, opening up into a jungle-themed area. Some of the scenery includes a tree house, a golden temple that releases steam, and plenty of banana-flavored desserts – just like DK himself would like.
The park’s NFC bracelet unlocks an engaging game that you can take part in while walking through the park, finding and collecting giant letters hidden throughout the area. You can also collect Donkey Kong-themed wristbands and find an animatronic Cranky Kong, one of DK’s many relatives.
The expansion is part of Nintendo’s wider plans to become more than a gaming or even entertainment company. With its experiments with feature films, like 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it’s been focusing on expanding its theme park offering since it first announced the expansion in 2021.
All of the attractions in Osaka and LA will also be part of the all-new Super Nintendo World set to open in Orlando in 2025. Other in-person experiences include the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, which recently opened its doors for the first time. That’s not to say that Nintendo has forgotten the importance of its gaming arm, with the world waiting for news on the upcoming Switch console.
Featured image: Nintendo
