In May of 2015, Nintendo made a groundbreaking announcement: a partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to bring the magic of their beloved games and characters into the real world through theme parks. This strategic move was a significant step towards broadening Nintendo's footprint in the entertainment industry. Fast forward to today, and this vision has materialized as Super Nintendo World, a lively and immersive theme park experience now available in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon to expand to Singapore. These parks are filled with thrilling rides, interactive attractions, themed gift shops, and dining experiences that celebrate Nintendo's iconic characters.
As we approach the launch of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, along with the exciting addition of the Donkey Kong Country expansion—the first of its kind in America—I had the privilege of speaking with the legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Known for creating iconic characters like Super Mario and Donkey Kong, Miyamoto shared insights on the development of these theme parks, his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo game developers, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.
