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Executives pose next to a Mario mascot at the unveiling of Super Nintendo World.
- Nintendo is building a theme park at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan which it claims will be a "life-sized, living video game."
- "Super Nintendo World" will give visitors wrist bands and a smartphone app which will allow them to compete against other visitors and collect gold coins - although it's not entirely clear how.
- After the Osaka park is opened Universal plans to open three more "Super Nintendo Worlds" in California, Florida, and Singapore.
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Nintendo is building a cross between a video-game and a theme park at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Universal Studios Japan and Nintendo teased its new "Super Nintendo World" theme park, due to open ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Chief creative officer of Universal Creative Thierry Coup described the attraction as a "life-size, living video game."
Visitors to the park will get an electronic wristband called a "power-up band," which will apparently allow them to collect coins and compete with other visitors in tandem with an app on their phone. It's possible augmented reality will form part of the experience.
Bloomberg reporter Kurumi Mori was at the briefing and shared a picture of the wrist bands.
Bloomberg reports that the attraction has been developed with the help of legendary Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, and it will feature familiar locations from the Mario universe like the Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle, and Bowser's Fortress.
Universal has previously confirmed there will be a Mario Kart ride in the park, and according to Bloomberg visitors will also be given a mission to retrieve a golden mushroom from Bowser Jr.
Once Osaka's Super Nintendo World has opened further parks are planned in Hollywood, Orlando Florida, and Singapore, although no opening dates have been tied to these projects.
Super Nintendo World will use tech + smartphone app⚡ Wearable wrist bands called the "Power Up Band" will make you feel like you're part of the game world 🎮 You can collect digital coins and compete with others #SuperNintendoWorld #MarioKart pic.twitter.com/ltloaNqCCE
- Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) January 14, 2020