Super Nintendo World looks to capture the fun of video games in the form of a theme park, and one of its rides was designed using an actual game engine. Universal Studio’s Nintendo-themed attraction recently opened its doors for the first time in Japan, following countless delays thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

First announced way back in 2016, Super Nintendo World promises fans a fully interactive theme park experience, filled with characters and attractions based on their favorite Super Mario games. According to pre-opening promotional photos and virtual tours, park-goers will be able to explore Bowser’s castle, chat with Princess Peach, and even grab a bite to eat at Toad’s Café. Given how the park plans to immerse fans in the worlds of Nintendo’s most beloved video games, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the technology behind those games also played a major role in its actual design and construction.

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As reported by MyNintendoNews.com, Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge roller coaster was designed and built using a game engine, which is fitting given that the ride itself utilizes VR technology to feature changing environments. Universal Creative global executive producer Tom Geraghty revealed this during a recent press conference, where he explained that the Koopa’s Challenge design team used the engine in question to “look around at a place and get sightlines and figure out where to move elements” while planning the ride’s layout. He also noted that this allowed executives in America to operate the ride and give feedback to the development crew in Japan.

As mentioned before, Super Nintendo World finally had its grand opening at Universal Studios Japan earlier this month, after years of construction and several delays. While the current exhibit is mainly centered around Mario-based rides and characters, recent data leaks suggest that the park will eventually branch out into other Nintendo properties like Donkey Kong and Pikmin in the future. Right now, though, Super Mario World’s creators are probably just happy that their project is finally up and running after so long.

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Gaming engines have been used to create stunning visuals in movies and TV shows in the past, and Universal’s use of the technology to design Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is especially fitting considering Super Nintendo World’s promise to bring the fun of video games to life in theme park form. While US fans will have to wait a while longer before Universal’s exhibit is brought to Orlando, Florida, Japan’s Super Nintendo World is now open for fans in the region to check out the Koopa’s Challenge roller coaster for themselves.

Source: MyNintendoNews.com

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J. Brodie Shirey
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J. Brodie Shirey is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe, but aren’t we all? He currently lives in York, Pennsylvania. He is a big comic book, video game, and science fiction fan, and likes writing articles for ScreenRant or scripts for some of his crazy TV show ideas.

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