Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge

Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge[lower-alpha 1] (to be known outside of Japan as Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge) is an augmented reality dark ride that serves as the anchor attraction of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan and an upcoming attraction in both Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore & Universal's Epic Universe's version of Super Nintendo World.

Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge
Universal Studios Japan
AreaSuper Nintendo World
Coordinates34.6679417°N 135.4305455°E / 34.6679417; 135.4305455
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateFebruary 2, 2021 (2021-02-02)
Opening dateMarch 18, 2021 (2021-03-18)
Universal Studios Hollywood
AreaSuper Nintendo World
StatusUnder construction
Opening date2023
Universal Studios Singapore
AreaSuper Nintendo World
StatusUnder construction
Universal's Epic Universe
AreaSuper Nintendo World
StatusUnder construction
Opening dateSummer 2025[1]
General statistics
Attraction typeAugmented Reality Dark Ride
ManufacturerMTS Systems Corporation
DesignerUniversal Creative
ThemeMario Kart 8
Vehicle typeBus-Bar Vehicle
Riders per vehicle4
Rows2
Riders per row2
Participants per group4
Duration5 Minutes
Height restriction106.68 cm (3 ft 6 in)
Single rider line available

Description

The ride is the anchor attraction in Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World. The ride's environment is modeled after Bowser's Castle. In the ride, four-person "karts" (modeled after those of the Mario Kart series) follow a rail around a course. Guests wear augmented reality headsets to simulate the exchange of hazards between karts, such as throwing shells to disable other racers.[2] Guests have their own steering wheels and have some control over their virtual karts to collect and use items (hazards). While the ride begins in a Bowser-themed area, there are multiple themed settings: lava, underwater, and Rainbow Road.[3]

Development

Five years after its announcement, the park opened 18 March 2021, with Koopa's Challenge as one of its main rides.[4][5] Universal Studios Japan was temporarily closed on 25 April 2021 amid rising concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic;[6] the park reopened in June of the same year, maintaining enhanced health and safety protocols.[7][8]

Notes
  1. Japanese: マリオカート 〜クッパの挑戦状〜, Hepburn: Mario Kāto: Kuppa no Chōsenjō

References
  1. "Comcast Says Epic Universe to Open in 2025, Theme Park Business in Orlando Better than Before Pandemic". Orlando ParkStop. January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  2. Orland, Kyle (November 30, 2020). "AR Mario Kart anchors Universal's Super Nintendo World in February". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. Carpenter, Nicole (November 30, 2020). "Super Nintendo World theme park opens Feb. 4 — see the new Mario Kart ride". Polygon. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  4. Steen, Emma. "Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Japan today". Time Out Tokyo. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  5. "Super Nintendo World opens in Japan after Covid delays". BBC News. March 18, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  6. "Super Nintendo World Forced To Close Just One Month After Opening". Nintendo Life. April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  7. "Super Nintendo World In Japan Has Officially Reopened". Nintendo Life. June 8, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  8. "Super Nintendo World Reopens Following COVID-19 Closure In April". ScreenRant. June 8, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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