Super Nintendo World will officially open at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, in 2025 with Super Mario Land and a brand-new Donkey Kong Country land that features a Mine-Cart Madness ride.
While Super Mario Land has already been a part of Super Nintendo World in California and Japan, this will be the first time in the U.S. that fans will be able to experience all the fun in Donkey Kong Country.
Just announced! Experience many of your favorite video game characters like never before as you explore the interactive fun of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, opening 2025 at Universal Epic Universe. #EpicUniverse
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) May 2, 2024
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Donkey Kong Country Arrives in the U.S. For the First Time at Universal Epic Universe
At the edge of Super Mario Land, guests will be able to travel to Donkey Kong Country and experience the lush, tropical landscape that boasts tall trees, waterfalls, a Golden Temple, and so much more. We may not know all the joy this new land holds yet, but it was revealed one of the centerpieces will be Mine-Cart Madness.
If you've played Donkey Kong Country, then you know the iconic and sometimes madenning Mine-Cart levels. In 2025, you'll be able to experience them for yourself in this "first-of-its-kind family coaster" that features no screens and instead will focus on practical fun as guests help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana.
The team at Universal is aiming to recreate many of the experiences found in those mine-cart levels, including "getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more."
Guests will also be able to enjoy a "selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings" at Donkey Kong Country. In a CG flythrough of the land, we get a glimpse of a store called "Funky's Fly 'N' Buy,' a building with the KONG letters that players try to collect in Donkey Kong levels, a place called 'Bubbly Barrel," crates with images of the animals players can ride in the games like Rambi the Rhinoceros, bongo drums, and much more.
Donkey Kong Country and Super Nintendo Land will still be using the Power-Up Bands that are found at the other Super Nintendo Worlds, and they will once again let guests collect coins, play with interactive experiences, collect digital stamps on attractions, earn keys to unlock an "exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.," compete with others on a leaderboard, and more.
Will the legendary DK Rap appear at Donkey Kong Country in any capacity? We can only dream.
Super Mario Land Will Be Just as Great as the Other Parks
While Donkey Kong Country may be the new, shiny land in Super Nintendo World, Super Mario Land will still be there to bring so much of the fun that guests have experienced at other Universal Parks.
This includes Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, which is a augmented reality ride that puts guests into the driver's seat of one of the most beloved gaming franchises of all time. They will be able to go through Bowser's Castle, collect coins, toss shells, dodge obstacles, see all their favorite characters, and more.
There will also be a Yoshi's Adventure ride that will make its U.S. debut at Universal Epic Universe and aims to be an adorable family-friendly ride for guests all ages. The ride will offer great views of Super Nintendo World and will task players with finding glowing eggs.
When guests get hungry or thirsty, they'll be able to take a trip to the Toadstool Cafe to enjoy dishes inspired by Super Mario, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs, and more. They'll also be able to enjoy a cooking show as they watch Toads cook up their meals.
For a quicker bite, Yoshi's Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats will offer walk-up options and will join such stores as the 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors where guests will be able to purchase a ton of themed goods.
Super Nintendo World Is But One Land in Universal Epic Universe
Super Nintendo World may sound worthy of its own theme park, but it is only but one land in the larger Universal Epic Universe. Joining Mario and Donkey Kong will be lands based on the worlds of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, the monster-filled Dark Universe, and a central location called Celestial Park that will connect them all.
Universal Epic Universe is being called Universal's "most ambitious theme park yet" and will include over 50 attraction, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences. Guests will enter Universal Epic Universe through Celestial Park and it will feature "rolling gardens, chasing waterways, and strolling pathways" alongside "architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements."
Furthermore, it will act as the gateway to the other worlds as there will be "portals" guests will travel through to get to the other locations.
For more, check out our review of Super Nintendo World in Japan, the first details of Donkey Kong Country Theme Park at Super Nintendo World in Japan, and our look at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
