Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong expansion officially announced
Following rumours and leaks this past couple of years, Nintendo have officially announced a Donkey Kong expansion for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. It is set to open in 2024 (barring any unforeseen delays).
This expansion will add a Donkey Kong area to the existing theme park, and will increase its size by about 70%. It will feature the following:
- a roller coaster
- more interactive experiences
- themed merchandise and food
Unsurprisingly, this new area will be set in a lush jungle.
Here’s what Shigeru Miyamoto had to say about this Donkey Kong expansion:
I am very happy to be able to make the world of Donkey Kong a reality following the world of Mario. I am looking forward to creating a thrilling Donkey Kong experience with the amazing team at Universal. It will take some time until it is completed, but it will be a unique area for not only people who are familiar with Donkey Kong games, but for all guests.
And here’s a message from J.L. Bonnier (president and CEO of Universal Studios Japan):
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD creates a whole new level of theme park entertainment and has quickly become an exciting, must-do experience for our guests. We are thrilled to continue working with Nintendo as we fulfill our vision to bring their characters and stories to life. Our new Donkey Kong themed area will bring even more excitement and fun to the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD experience.
Here’s a key visual:
And here’s the press release in full:
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD EXPANSION WORLD’S FIRST* DONKEY KONG THEMED AREA SET TO OPEN IN 2024
Since its opening, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Japan has gained worldwide attention from fans and guests who continue to level up with excitement while experiencing the land’s rides, interactive themed entertainment and game play featuring iconic Nintendo characters.
To further immerse guests into Nintendo’s well-known series of games, Universal Studios Japan will expand the land to include a new area themed after Donkey Kong.The area will feature a roller coaster, interactive experiences and themed merchandise and food. Guests will be able to take a walk on the wild side through the lush jungles where Donkey Kong and his friends live. The new area is set to open in 2024.
Nintendo’s Donkey Kong franchise started with an arcade game in 1981 and quickly captured the hearts of fans around the world. Since then, the Donkey Kong game series has continually delivered more games on Nintendo video game systems, such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii, and Nintendo Switch. The series has sold over 65 million units (as of March 2021) worldwide to generations of fans.
The Universal creative team and the Nintendo creative team — including Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario — will bring the new Donkey Kong themed area to life. The area will be a gamechanger that combines the innovative technology and globally popular approach to theme park entertainment of Universal with the creativity of Nintendo. With the addition of the Donkey Kong area, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Japan will increase in size by approximately 70%.
*Based on Universal Studios Japan’s in-house research of facilities based on the world of Nintendo brand characters.
Source: Nintendo PR
