Image: Conpetti.comWhat a time to be a Nintendo fan. Late last night, Universal Studios Japan dropped a brand-new trailer for the upcoming land that’s due to open later this year at the Osaka theme park. Don’t worry though, this is a sign of things to come from the rest of Universal’s parks worldwide with planned Nintendo areas coming to Singapore, Hollywood, and Orlando!
First things first, look at the trailer featuring Charli XCX:
While all the footage is obviously based on the video games, there’s a lot that can be gained from the trailer, particularly when you combine it with the press event that Universal and Nintendo hosted yesterday in Japan.
Mario-themed bands
Universal look to be using the success that they’ve seen using Wands at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and are set to bring in Mario-themed interactive wristbands. The bands are officially called Power U’ Bands.
These will come in a variety of different characters. Ones we’ve seen so far include Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy and Yoshi and we’re almost certain there will be more as time progresses. You can see these bands below:
スーパー・ニンテンドー・ワールド ??? スマホアプリとリストバンドを組み合わせゲーム感覚で遊ぶ新たなアトラクションを導入することを明らかにした。#SuperNintendoWorld @Nintendo https://t.co/AG6yYWqV6E pic.twitter.com/ulg1sPYpVP
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) January 14, 2020
But what exactly are these Power up bands going to do?
Making you feel part of the game
From the sounds of it, they will work a bit like Disney World’s MagicBands with an RFID, but they will be used very differently. Super Nintendo World is set to put the guest into their very own video game and the bands will sync with a smartphone app and track digital activities while you explore Super Nintendo World. You’ll be able to collect digital coins, compete with other guests and interact with elements in the park such as the classic Mario coin boxes.
Check out a demo of this below:
Super Nintendo World is opening in Osaka this summer ahead of the Olympics, followed by Universal Parks in Hollywood, Orlando and Singapore #SuperNintendoWorld #任天堂 pic.twitter.com/0OwDwrLkBz
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) January 14, 2020
The app will also include a Mario style map to help you to find all the attractions in the land and you will be able to unlock achievements.
The Nintendo attractions
There’s still very little information on the two confirmed attractions coming to Super Nintendo World in Japan but we do know that there’s going to be a Mario Kart themed attraction and one focussed on Yoshi.
You can read a bit more about these attractions in a previous article here on ITM and get even more information from the presentation last night below:
#SUPERNINTENDOWORLD will be an incredibly immersive theme park experience where you can feel like you are inside the game. Check out #USJ details here: pic.twitter.com/3BGAJs5nI0
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) January 14, 2020
With Super Nintendo World already confirmed for Orlando, Disney is seriously going to have to pull something out of the hat by 2023 when Epic Universe opens in order to pull people away from the draw of Nintendo in Orlando.