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When Super Nintendo World first opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2021, attendees immediately noticed the big door teasing a Donkey-Kong-themed expansion to the park. Nintendo and Universal have finally addressed the gorilla in the room, as they have announced Donkey Kong Country will be joining Super Nintendo World in Japan in spring of next year.
The announcement came during a Universal Kick-Off event held in Japan, which aired a brief CGI teaser trailer for the upcoming Donkey Kong park. The main attraction appears to be a mine-cart-themed roller coaster, but the teaser also shows DK’s house and a building with Funky Kong’s name on a sign in front of it.
(Video credit: DTimes)
This marks the first expansion to Super Nintendo World in Japan since the theme park opened in early 2021. The park includes a Mario Kart ride through Bowser’s Castle, a slow-paced ride through the park called Yoshi’s Adventure, and meet-and-greets with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and more.
The announcement comes at the end of a successful year for both Nintendo and Universal, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie set multiple box office records for a family-friendly film. Japan is only one of a growing portfolio of Nintendo-branded theme parks as well, as a Super Nintendo World has also opened in California, and plans are to open additional parks in Florida and Singapore in 2025.
