In May of 2015, Nintendo took a groundbreaking step by announcing a partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to bring the magical worlds of their beloved games and characters to life through theme parks. This ambitious move was designed to broaden Nintendo's presence into new realms of entertainment. Now, a decade later, this vision has materialized into the enchanting Super Nintendo World. Located in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon to expand to Singapore, these parks are a colorful celebration of Nintendo's universe, featuring thrilling rides, interactive attractions, themed gift shops, and dining experiences that immerse visitors in the charm of Nintendo's iconic characters.
As we approach the opening of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, which will introduce the first-ever Donkey Kong Country expansion in America, I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto. The legendary game designer behind Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and numerous other iconic characters shared insights on the journey of bringing these parks to life. Our conversation delved into his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo game developers and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.