Super Nintendo World Japan — Attraction in Osaka

Super Nintendo World (SNW) at Universal Studios Japan: A Gamer's Dream Come True

Super Nintendo World (SNW) at Universal Studios Japan is an immersive, exhilarating land that brings the colorful and action-packed world of Nintendo’s iconic characters to life in ways fans of all ages will absolutely adore. Located within the park, SNW has become one of the most anticipated and talked-about attractions in recent years, and it certainly lives up to the hype.

Atmosphere and Design: From the moment you enter SNW, you’re transported into the Mushroom Kingdom. The vibrant, whimsical design is a visual feast. The walls are lined with oversized blocks, pipes, and familiar landscapes that look like they’ve been lifted straight out of the Super Mario games. It's not just visually stunning—there’s an infectious energy that makes you feel like you've stepped into a Mario-level adventure.

Attractions and Experiences: Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge: This is arguably the star attraction. With state-of-the-art AR technology, you join Mario and his friends in a high-speed race through Bowser's castle. It’s an exhilarating mix of physical motion and interactive elements that make you feel like you're actually in the game. The ride offers great thrills and impressive visuals that bring Nintendo's world to life in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Power-Up Band: One of the unique features of Super Nintendo World is the Power-Up Band, a wearable device that lets you interact with various elements in the park. By tapping the band on special blocks and markers scattered throughout the land, you can collect coins, solve puzzles, and even compete in mini-games, adding an extra layer of fun and engagement for visitors, especially families.

Yoshi's Adventure: A more relaxed but equally charming ride, this one takes you on a scenic tour of the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with delightful views and encounters with beloved characters like Yoshi. It’s perfect for younger visitors or anyone looking for a more leisurely experience.

Food and Merchandise: Toad’s Cafe: The park’s food offerings are just as charming and immersive as the attractions. Toad's Cafe serves up delicious, Mario-inspired dishes in a fun, quirky environment. From the "Mushroom Pizza" to the "Super Mushroom" drink, the menu is packed with playful nods to the franchise. It’s a bit pricey but adds to the overall experience.

Merchandise: The shops offer a wide range of Nintendo-themed souvenirs, from plush toys to apparel, all designed to immerse you further in the world of Mario, Luigi, and friends. If you're a collector or Nintendo fan, this is the perfect place to grab unique memorabilia.

Interactivity and Gameplay: SNW isn’t just a passive experience; it’s an interactive playground. With the Power-Up Band, you can participate in challenges throughout the land. The interactive elements—like jumping to hit question blocks or collecting coins—turn the entire area into a giant, real-life video game. The more you explore, the more rewards you unlock, which adds a sense of adventure to the visit. It’s a perfect blend of gaming and theme park fun.

Crowds and Wait Times: As with most popular attractions, Super Nintendo World can get quite crowded, especially during peak times. However, the experience is designed to accommodate large crowds efficiently, and the interactive nature of the land helps to keep guests entertained even while waiting. Still, it’s a good idea to arrive early or consider using a timed entry or express pass to maximize your enjoyment.

Conclusion: Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan is a must-visit for fans of Nintendo and anyone looking for a fresh, fun, and immersive theme park experience. With its meticulously you’re racing through Bowser's castle, collecting coins in the Mushroom Kingdom, or just enjoying the whimsical atmosphere, Super Nintendo World offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that’s as fun as it is...

I am a English traveler who came to Super Nintendo World in March. Overall, the experience was incredible! There was a lot of confusing information online about how to access this area of Universal Studios Japan, so I've broken down the steps I took below, as well as a detailed review.

How I accessed Super Nintendo World

1. Before leaving for Japan, I brought an entrance ticket to Universal Studios Japan using the website Klook. This gave me entrance to the park only. I printed this off to have it with me on the day.

2. Before leaving for Japan, I downloaded the Universal Studios App (USJ app) on my phone.

3. On the day, I arrived at the park by 7.30am to get in the queue, which was already pretty long. It was a Saturday and the weather was good, so this was understandable.

4. On the day, as soon as I got through the gates of the park, I clicked on the 'timed entry ticket' button in the USJ app, then clicked on Super Nintendo World and chose my timed slot. It's important you do this as soon as you can, as you can secure your slot into Super Nintendo World. My slot was for 8.40am (and I got through the main park entry gates at around 8am).

5. I headed to Super Nintendo World for my entry time. There was a queue, so if you want to, you could arrive 5 mins before.

6. I then purchased my wrist band to allow me to interact with areas in the park. Be aware that you have to queue for the interactive elements in the park, so it's up to you if you are happy to wait around to use your wrist band.

I won't give too much away about the actual park but my TOP TIP is go in the solo rider queue for the Mario Kart ride, even if you are a couple, as you get to skip the longer queue and you may get to sit together anyway. I was a solo rider and ended up sitting next to another solo rider who was next to me in the queue in the ride.

Also, another TOP TIP is to get into the Kinopio's Cafe queue at about 10am-10.30am if you want to go for lunch. The queue took about an hour, if not a little longer. When you get to the front desk, you order all your dishes at once. I had the Mushroom Pizza Calzone, the Terriyaki Chicken Star Rice and the Platform Cake. The Platform Cake was my favourite. The atmosphere is amazing!

There are plenty of Nintendo gift shops throughout the park but if you want any merch that's not core Mario world (like Zelda/Splatoon etc) go to the Nintendo Store in Osaka, as the stores here don't stock any non-Mario family products.

To commemorate my trip, I also had a photo opp with Mario and Luigi. This was so much fun and I brought the pictures to take home with me. You can also have your photos with Peach and Toad.

Overall, I spent about 5 hours in Super Nintendo World and, as an avid Nintendo fan, it was an incredible experience.

Aside from Super Nintendo World, Nintendo fans should be sure to watch the No Limit Parade, which takes part at around 2pm in the central road of Universal Studios for a Nintend-tastic surprise!

Other handy tips: I actually got a taxi from Osaka to the park, as it was my first day in Japan. It was a bit pricey (I think around £20) but they drop you off near the gate There are lockers for any big luggage outside of the park but they cost 1500Yen. It was useful for me, as I was traveling to Kyoto after visiting the park They also sell Nintendo Merch and snacks outside of Super Nintendo World in the main giftshops near the main entrance of...

My family's passion for Super Mario, rooted in their childhood experiences with the games, fuels their eagerness to visit Universal Studios Osaka, primarily to immerse themselves in the singular Super Mario World. To guarantee an efficient entry into the Mario World, I proactively purchased tickets, including timed entry to Mario World, via Klook a month prior. Nevertheless, the ticket-buying process was a high-pressure experience, given the instantaneous sell-out of tickets, which demanded swift decision-making. I succeeded in securing a 3 pm timed entry, as earlier time slots sold out mere minutes after becoming available. Upon arriving at 8am, we were caught off guard by the substantial lineups already formed at the gate, prompting me to wonder about the arrival times of these individuals.

As we entered the theme park, we promptly proceeded to Harry Porter World, where we were fortunate to encounter a brief 15-minute wait for the "Harry Porter and the Forbidden Journey" ride. This approach may be beneficial in avoiding lengthy queues. Regrettably, the two most thrilling rides in Jurassic Park were closed for maintenance, resulting in our inability to experience these rides. Our disappointment was heightened by the significant expense incurred traveling from Canada. Furthermore, it was unclear why maintenance could not be performed after park closure. The resulting influx of visitors to other attractions led to substantial wait times. At 3 pm, we entered Mario World, where we eagerly anticipated a fun-filled adventure. Although we spent an hour waiting in line for Mario Kart and Yoshi Adventure Ride respectively, the experiences were ultimately enjoyable. Notably, the Mario Kart ride was exceptional, featuring an interactive queue with hidden secrets that effectively distracted from the wait time.

This raises the question: is paying a premium for timed entry tickets advisable? We declined to purchase the bracelet, finding it too expensive for the limited number of games in the Mario world. Nevertheless, we had a pleasant roast beef lunch at the restaurant in Harry Potter World. We also sampled the butter beer, which was excessively sweet, and the hot dog, which was delicious. Overall, our experience at Universal Studio Osaka was satisfactory. However, the lengthy lineups at each ride were unbearable, significantly detracting from our overall visit experience. Notably, our experiences at other Universal Studios worldwide had never involved such prolonged wait times. I suppose that the size of the Universal studio Osaka is relatively smaller as compared with other studios.

Tips: 1. Always head to your preferred attraction first or acquire timed entry tickets via the app as soon as you enter the park. Be sure to download the app to obtain timed entry tickets for rides prior to your arrival. Make your way quickly to Mario World before the crowds gather. Usually, staff do not check if you are among the initial visitors to Mario World. Familiarize yourself with the park map before your visit and plan your itinerary accordingly to conserve time and reduce stress. Do your shopping...