Are you a fan of Mario Kart? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that you can now take the game off the screen and into real life at Super Nintendo World – a themed area located within Universal Studios Hollywood in California. This entertainment complex is bursting with color and fun, where you can find characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser. There’s also a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and challenges in which you can spend hours of enjoyment.
The main attraction of Super Nintendo World is the Mario Kart: Bowser Challenge, where you can test your skills behind the wheel. Upon crossing the castle gates of Bowser, you’ll find rooms dedicated to the iconic characters of Super Mario, where you can take pictures while waiting in line. We recommend patience when queueing, as it is one of the busiest attractions in the park.
The game operates with virtual reality, meaning that in the last part of the line, you’ll receive a red hat like Mario’s, which you’ll use to put on the viewer. Each vehicle has four seats, each with its own steering wheel and visor. If you bought the Super Nintendo World Power-Up Band, you must place it on the steering wheel before starting to accumulate points. Staff dressed in the Mario team uniform will help you get into the carts and give you instructions on how to play.
The carts will take you through a circuit full of light and color, with projections that will make you feel as if you were inside the Mario Kart video game. The track has waterfalls, a life-size Piranha Plant, and the classic item boxes. With the virtual reality viewer, you will see your competitors on the track and can aim at them to throw shells and remove them from your path while accumulating points. Once you’ve completed the race, you’ll be able to see the score your team obtained and compare it with that of other competitors.
When you leave Mario Kart: Bowser Challenge, take out your wallet, as you’ll arrive at 1-UP Factory – the souvenir shop of Super Nintendo World. Here, you’ll almost certainly leave with a Super Mario item.
To visit the land of Nintendo, you’ll need to go to Universal Studios Hollywood, located in the city of Los Angeles, California. Tickets for the theme park cost between 109 (2,071 MXN) and 149 dollars (2,831 MXN) per person, depending on whether you’re visiting during low or high season. These tickets include access to Super Nintendo World and other attractions, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Simpsons’ land and Jurassic World. If you want to enjoy the Super Mario attractions with less people, an extra 20 dollars (380 MXN) gives you access to the park one hour before it opens to the general public.
