Nintendo just held one of its Direct presentations, but instead of using it to announce the Switch 2, it showcased a new area in its theme park.
In the 11-minute video, Nintendo legend and creator of the Mario and Zelda series Shigeru Miyamoto takes us around the new Donkey Kong Country area of Super Nintendo World. This is not a standalone Nintendo theme park, but a section of Universal Studios Japan.
It’s set to open on December 11, more than three years after its original announcement in September 2021.
The new area features a bongo-based rhythm activity, inspired by the 2003 Gamecube title Donkey Konga, and a mine cart rollercoaster.
Miyamoto cuts off the tour before revealing exactly how intense this Mine Cart Madness ride is. However, given his comments, it doesn’t sound too harrowing.
“I hope you’ll get to experience jumping between rails and the speed of this ride,” says Miyamoto. “I’d even recommend it for people who aren’t particularly fond of rollercoasters.”
The ride is designed to make it appear like you are jumping between rails, as seen in Donkey Kong Country games - though the carts are (of course) firmly rooted to rails the whole time.
The park area also features food stands, which sell milkshakes and hot dogs, and a shop.
Tickets that provide access to Super Nintendo World with express ride passes cost up to £100.
Super Nintendo World in Japan opened in 2021 and was joined by a smaller equivalent in Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023.
The third Super Nintendo World is set to open at Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe theme park on May 22, 2025. It will have a Nintendo area from day one and replicate the Mario Kart and Donkey Kong rides found in the Super Nintendo World in Japan.
This park tour is the third in a string of recent major Nintendo announcements that are not the Switch 2 console, following announcements on the Alarmo alarm clock and Nintendo Music app.
Nintendo says it will announce news on the Nintendo Switch successor within this financial year, meaning by the end of March 2025.
