In May of 2015, Nintendo boldly announced a groundbreaking partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts, aiming to bring the beloved worlds of Nintendo games and characters to life through innovative theme parks. This strategic move marked a significant expansion of Nintendo’s influence into new realms of entertainment. A decade on, this vision has materialized into the enchanting Super Nintendo World, a dynamic theme park filled with thrilling rides, engaging interactive elements, themed gift shops, and character-inspired dining experiences. Currently, fans can immerse themselves in this magical world in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon, Singapore.
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 sitting down with the legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. The mastermind behind iconic characters like Super Mario and Donkey Kong shared insights on the journey of bringing these parks to life, collaborating with the next generation of Nintendo game developers, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.