Super Nintendo World won’t open at Universal Studios Japan until next spring. But recent snapshots show how construction is coming along. It looks like this area of the theme park will be impressive and noticeable.
Twitter user L.C.A. Studios has been documenting progress. It’s possible to see the Super Mario flagpole from different parts of the park, including Waterworld.
https://twitter.com/embed/status/1165211908355416064
It’s kind of distracting for that stage show! Peach’s Castle seems like it could also be visible from the stands. The new Mario-themed park will be located behind the Jaws attraction and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in what used to be a parking area.
https://twitter.com/embed/status/1167793938335318016
See how it looms over Jaws?
任天堂エリアをハリー・ポッター エリア側から見たら様子です！
結構見えますね……
View of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ from the Harry Potter area.#USJ #マリオ pic.twitter.com/zyx3hPzfZF
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) October 13, 2019
It also looks like Super Nintendo World might be visible from Hogwarts, which might ruin the ambiance.
There appears to be an olive green barrier, but I’m not sure that it will be enough to separate the two worlds visually.
I also wonder how the Super Nintendo World will be blocked from Waterworld. Will a big wall be built behind the stunt show?
It’s cool that the Mario Land is a proper, full-on theme area. But as amusement parks go, it highlights one of Universal Japan’s great weaknesses.
Many years ago, I hung out with Boing Boing’s Cory Doctorow at Walt Disney World. He made an excellent point about Disney theme parks: In each area, you cannot see other parts of the park. This increases the feeling of immersion for parkgoers.
I had never thought about this—which is probably the point. But after he said that, I noticed how Universal Studios Japan struggles with immersion. Throughout USJ, different areas are often clearly visible as are buildings outside the park.
USJの任天堂エリア、ハテナブロックとマリオの旗が設置されました。2020年春にジョーズ裏にオープン！
マリオカートに乗れる‼︎
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ is under construction behind JAWS Ride and will open in the spring of 2020！#USJ #マリオカート pic.twitter.com/vfuMiOa8p3
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) September 28, 2019
気になるのがこの雲、左右に動くみたいですが、レールが丸見えなのがちょっと……。後から埋めてくれるよね…???
動く範囲小さくなるけど、雲のプロップスに隠れるようにしてほしい。#USJ #マリオ pic.twitter.com/kTSDw2Yth1
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) September 29, 2019
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been the most immersive area at USJ until now, at least. That is, unless the park doesn’t somehow create a visible barrier between Hogwarts and Mario’s flagpole.
All that being said, so far, they are really nailing the look of Super Mario.
様々な角度から見る任天堂エリアのメインタワーは、ホグワーツ城に次ぐ、USJのランドマークになりそう…！
The scenery of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ viewed from various places.
2019.11.02#USJ #マリオ pic.twitter.com/3KVcYmUAMx
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) November 5, 2019
USJの任天堂エリア、本日の様子！
位置的に①はクッパ城、②はピーチ城な気がする。
View of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ from the New York area. Considering the location of the building, ① is likely to be a Bowser castle and ② is likely to be a Princess Peach castle. #USJ #マリオ pic.twitter.com/iiWiq50OAT
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) October 27, 2019
来年2020年にはウォーターワールド横に新たな道が作られ、そこから任天堂エリアに入場できる！
もうすぐ‼︎
The wall next to Water World will soon be removed and in 2020 the road to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ will be opened…!#USJ #マリオ pic.twitter.com/PDpCQ2ha9D
— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) October 27, 2019
I’m excited to see how the area looks when it is finally finished. For more updates, be sure to follow LCASTUDIOS_USJ on Twitter.
This article was originally published on October 4. It has since been updated.
