Super Nintendo World in Los AngelesPhoto: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
It’s a classic theological question: Could Bowser (the Koopa King) create a theme park ride so restrictive that even he couldn’t ride it?
Said question is front and center for plenty of Nintendo fans this week, with new reports that the upcoming Mario Kart ride, Bowser’s Challenge—set to be the main draw (and only actual ride) at Universal Studio’s new Super Nintendo World—will only accommodate riders with a 40-inch waistline or smaller. This is per our colleagues over at Kotaku, who report on a number of people raising issues online this week about Universal’s decision to impose the size limits.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Opens Early 2023
An import from the Japanese version of Super Mario Land, Bowser’s Challenge is what’s known as “dark ride,” i.e., one of those space-efficient, thrill-deficient arrangements where you’re strapped into a car and then swerved on a track in front of a bunch of 3D screens and actual live elements. (In this case, lifted from Nintendo’s beloved Mario Kart franchise.) As such, it’s not entirely clear why such tight size restrictions are being imposed; certainly, it seems like some alternative solution could be used. (Disney, for instance, tends to use benches and lap-bars for this sort of thing, which accommodates a much wider variety of body types.)
The 40-inch waistline requirement is fairly standard at Universal Studios, where it’s also applied to dark rides like Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey and Revenge Of The Mummy: The Ride. From personal experience, this 6′, 4″, 290-pound writer will note that there is some wiggle room on those requirements when you’re actually at the park—but also that the process of forcing yourself into those seats (or using the tester seat provided, as with Mario Kart) can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. More to the point, it all feels profoundly unnecessary: There’s no reason for Universal not to update its sizing on rides to allow a more diverse group of riders to enjoy the Super Nintendo Land fun, especially as the opening of the new area has drawn renewed interest and attention to the park.
Prepare to level up at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 with the opening of Super Nintendo World on February 17. The video game-inspired land finally makes its United States debut after the opening of the first Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan back in 2021, and in advance of the release ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The West Coast version will include immersive, state of the art experiences like the Mario Kart:Bowser’s Challenge attraction and interactive gameplay throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, with a wearable Power-Up Band that will bring to life iconic game moments in the real world.
Watch the official first look at the land in this preview released by Universal!
We’re excited to race to the finish-line and grab a bite to eat at the Toadstool Cafe, filled with themed dining options that are hopefully just as cute as the Japan offerings, though we have questions about the mushroom on mushroom crime that is the Super Mushroom soup. Then, of course, there’s shopping at the 1-UP Factory retail store filled with plushes, wearable casual cosplay, and retro Nintendo merch.
Here are the official descriptions for what to expect when Super Nintendo World opens:
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: This all-new, technologically advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, will seamlessly fuse cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound, and movement, guests will be seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. This unique feature is a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.
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The premise of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is simple but equally inspiring and challenging, appealing to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.
Mount Beanpole: This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”
Bowser’s Castle: Adorned with a breathtaking sculpture of a large and powerful Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land, home to Super Nintendo World’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, they will learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.
Power-Up Band: These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level-up the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins, and obtaining keys after winning challenges throughout the land. Power-Up Bands will also invite guests to enjoy extra-special interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. They will come in six design options with character themes and will be available for purchase both within the land and at Super Nintendo World retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk.
Interactive Gameplay: Within the land, guests will become fully engulfed in an engaging world of real-life gameplay, including punching blocks to collect digital coins and a variety of interactives. They will discover a new dimension of Super Nintendo World via the interactive binoculars employing augmented reality technology positioned within the land. Guests can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant, and Thwomp interactive activities to ultimately allow access to the culminating boss battle with Bowser Jr. These energetic, familiar, and fun interactive games will further enhance the entire kinetic experience within the land and immerse guests into the unique world of Super Mario.
Toadstool Cafe: The land’s signature restaurant Toadstool Cafe will serve a gourmet menu perfected by Chef Toad where he will greet guests upon entry. Menu items prepared fresh daily include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, Question Block Tiramisu, and Princess Peach Cupcake.
Illustration: Universal Studios Hollywood
Super Nintendo World opens February 17 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water.
Yesterday, Nintendo of America’s president Doug Bowser sent out an internal message to employees acknowledging the “media coverage involving claims made about worker conduct.” He wrote that “We have and will always investigate any allegations we become aware of, and we are actively investigating these most recent claims.”
This message, which Kotaku has viewed and which was shared with usby a source Kotaku has confirmed currently works for Nintendo, was posted to the company’s internal SharePoint account. (Kotaku has also corroborated the message’s authenticity with two other current Nintendo employees.) In the message, Bowser reassured current employees that Nintendo was taking the allegations seriously.
“We have strict policies designed to protect our employees and associates from inappropriate conduct and expect full compliance with these policies by all who work for or with us.” Doug wrote. “We have and will always investigate any allegations we become aware of, and we are actively investigating these most recent claims.”
Bowser’s message was posted on the same day that Kotakupublished an investigative report about female contractors who had experienced sexual harassment while working as game testers at Nintendo of America’s Redmond, Washington headquarters. Our sources accused two managers who work or had worked at Nintendo of workplace misconduct, and the report described an internal workplace culture that was like a “frat house.”
Last November, Bowser condemned the sexual harassment allegations at Activision Blizzard as “distressing and disturbing,” saying that “[sexual harassment and toxicity] run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values and policies.” Several days later, Nintendo updated its corporate governance document with a commitment to increase the number of female managers at the company.
“Please remember that our HR teams are here to support you,” wrote Bowser. “If you experience, have experienced, witness, or have witnessed anything concerning such behavior that is contrary to our Standards of Conduct, employee handbook, or Company Values, please immediately contact your HR Business Partner.” Kotaku reached out to Nintendo for a comment, but did not receive one by the time of publication.
Image: Heritage Auctions / Kotaku / Mark Wilson (Getty Images)
Super Mario 64 is a good game. But would you pay $1.5 million dollars for a copy of it? Probably not. But somebody just did.
Today, a highly rated and completely sealed copy of the Nintendo 64 classic Super Mario 64sold at auction for a jaw-dropping $1,560,000. This beats the previous record for a single video game auction, which was held by an ultra-rare copy of The Legend Zelda and was set just a few days ago. That rare game sold for an impressive sale price of $870,000 on July 9.
Auctioned off through popular auction house Heritage Auctions, this copy of Super Mario 64 was given a 9.8 rating on the Wata Scale. As a result of this high rating, Heritage Auctions says it just one of fewer than five known sealed copies in such incredible condition. The auction started on July 9 and ended today, on July 11. Even before the auction had started, this copy of Mario 64 was making headlines with its $100k starting price.
Read More:Now A Blastoise Pokémon Card Has Sold For $360,000
After selling for 1.5 million today, this new record for a single video game auction beats out the just set record of $870k. Before that, the record was held by an NES copy of Super Mario Bros that sold for $660k in April of this year. The new record of $1.5 million is more than double that old record set in April and is nearly double the more recent $870k record.
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All this money being spent on old video games makes me feel a bit sick. I can only imagine what even a fraction of all this cash could do to help so many people around the world. But folks like to hide their assets and wealth in strange ways, I get it. (I mean, I don’t get it. I’m not rich.)
It’s not just video games that are fetching enormous prices at online auction houses. Pokémon cards are becoming more and more expensive, with rare cards going for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like rare video games, these prices are also skyrocketing month after month. At this rate, it’s very likely that in the next few months I’ll be writing up a blog about a video game or Pokémon card selling for $5 million dollars.
I’ve never regretted trading away all my old video games and Pokémon cards more.