Top 10 Rides Universal Orlando Needs to Build in Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World is an excellent land, and the version at Epic Universe is the best yet. With Donkey Kong Country, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Mario Kart attractions, the immersive area already features several game series and characters–and more is likely on the horizon at Universal Orlando, Japan, and Hollywood. (Updated April 23, 2025.)
Despite this, it frankly feels like the video game maker’s back catalog is being underutilized. That’s in part after seeing The Super Mario Bros. Movie smash through $1 billion at the box office, causing even Disney CEO Bob Iger to congratulate Universal on the tremendous success.
It also comes as Nintendo Switch 2 is about to be released around the time of the official opening of Epic Universe in Summer 2025. Preorder interest is through the roof, and the Switch 2 looks to be formidable follow-up console. Fortunately for Universal, the two biggest Nintendo Switch 2 launch window titles–Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza–are already represented in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. So there’s already that synergy going for them.
Understandably, Universal wants to diversify its additions in an effort to make Epic Universe and all of its other parks as broadly appealing as possible. Universal might have trepidations about leaning too heavily into Nintendo, but that’s truly its best stable of intellectual property that rivals (or surpasses) the vast library of characters at Disney. Video games are far more mainstream than many believe–and are one of the “final frontiers” for massive media crossovers.
In short, Universal should be bullish and bet big on Nintendo as the future of its parks. And this wish list is how!Â
There’s also nothing to say that Universal Orlando needs to be bullish on Nintendo in Epic Universe. Although its newest theme park has ample expansion pads, it might actually be savvy to pull a page from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter playbook and diversify the Nintendo presence by expanding at the existing gates.
That could give Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios much-needed shots in the arm, and add crossover appeal to Nintendo fans visiting Epic Universe primarily for Super Nintendo World. After contrasting the quality of Epic Universe with the legacy gates, I’m not inclined to believe this is the best path forward. And there’s no shortage of areas in the older parks in need of redevelopment or outright replacement!
On that personal note, I should probably add the disclaimer that this is my wish list and is based in large part on my favorite Nintendo games, not comprehensive calculations about title sales or character awareness. My favorite series by far is Zelda, which is probably obvious if you read Breath of the Wild: The Magic Kingdom of Video Games.
However, time is finite and there are many Nintendo franchises I haven’t touched. Super Smash Bros, Splatoon, Fire Emblem, Kirby, Pikmin, and Xenoblade are series that I haven’t played at all. They don’t make my personal wish list for attractions in Super Nintendo World(s) as a result, but I’m guessing some of them could make great rides. Splatoon is an obvious one, and even though I know little about the character, seeing a shape-shifting Kirby Audio Animatronics figure would be awesome–and might be the hook I need to invest in that series.
With that out of the way, here’s my ‘just for fun’ top 10 list of additions in attractions at Super Nintendo World, in no particular order…
BONUS: The Neverending Story – Mario already has a major presence in Super Nintendo World, but I couldn’t resist including this after experiencing a memorable dragon ride is in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the first new side-scrolling Mario game in over a decade. This is a game jam-packed with memorable moments, but the Wonder Flower dragon you ride in the Dragon Boneyard level is my second-favorite. (#1 wouldn’t translate to a video game at all.)
Both of these games remind me of Avatar Flight of Passage, and make me think it’d be awesome to get a Nintendo ride featuring an exhilarating and majestic dragon ride. This actually isn’t a ‘bonus,’ as there’s an entry above it could easily replace or be combined with, but that might give away the spoiler.
Metroid Encounter – Two of my favorite games that I’ve played in the last few years are Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Dread. As highly rated as the latter is, I still it might be a bit underrated–at least, in terms of public popularity and sales.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally coming out as a launch year title for the Nintendo Switch 2, I’m optimistic that the series will finally have its chance to shine in the spotlight. The two most recent releases have already done better than the older games, but Beyond could be the breakdown hit that finally brings Metroid to the masses.
My initial inclination was an Alien Encounter-inspired theater attraction, with guests touring a Galactic Federation base when Samus captures a Chozo or Metroid and needs to teleport it to the base for some reason or another. Predictably, something would go terribly wrong and chaos would ensue. However, this would almost require narrative-driven storytelling, and Metroid excels at creating moodiness and tension through environments, music, exploration, and uncertainty. This attraction could have some of that, but the need for dialogue might make it a nonstarter.
Journey to the Center of Zebes – An obvious alternative for a Metroid ride would be based on Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea. In this groundbreaking attraction, you board a subterranean vehicle and encounter curious creatures and unexpected danger while exploring caverns.
Had Disney or OLC somehow secured an agreement with Nintendo, Journey to the Center of the Earth probably could’ve been reimagined into a Metroid attraction–it’s already sufficiently similar in setting, atmosphere, and mood. Drawing heavy inspiration from this existing ride for Journey to the Center of Zebes would make complete sense; just change out the ride vehicles, little critters, and climactic encounter. (A shooter ride would be another obvious option for the Metroid franchise.)
8. Enchanted Tale of Hyrule Castle – Sticking with Tokyo Disney Resort quasi-clones, we have the Zelda-based Hyrule Castle dark ride. Rather than being a love story between Link and Zelda like Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, this attraction would be an adventure through Hyrule Castle, culminating in an encounter with Ganondorf.
The attraction could start slowly with a focus on scenery, building in excitement and intensity as the tour progressed. Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland is another good example of what this ride could resemble in terms of pacing and vibe.
7. Star Fox Flight Fight – Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run is a great attraction. Well, minus the fetch quest gameplay…which is kind of a big asterisk in a gamified attraction. Honestly, the best part about the interactivity in Smugglers Run is the asteroid field segment, and that’s only triggered when there’s a delay at load or unload.
A version of that set in the Star Fox universe would be perfect. The gameplay is engaging and accessible, the characters are cute and memorable, and despite going dormant, the franchise is relatively recognizable. The ride itself is a slam-dunk concept for Universal, and could be just what Nintendo needs to reinvigorate interest in Star Fox. Win-win.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker Water Ride – Everyone loves boat rides, and no video game is better suited to be the basis for one than Zelda’s Wind Water title. The game itself has proven to be timeless, with the music and design of the talking boat being especially iconic. Although I love the cutesy cel-shaded style, the character models might need to be updated to the current look of Link, Zelda, etc. The game itself could be re-released for Nintendo’s nextgen system alongside the debut of the ride, adding much-needed synergy.
As for the ride system or inspiration, well…it’s a boat. Beyond that, there were actual credible rumors of a Zelda ride replacing the Lost Continent at one point, and it seems like Universal Creative had some pretty good ideas for that. With the recent closure of Poseidon’s Fury, maybe that’s gotten greenlit after Nintendo’s other recent successes.
5. Luigi’s Mansion: Shine & Seek – Since Super Nintendo World is basically Mario land, this list is largely devoid of entries featuring the iconic plumbers. That’s arguably a mistake, as they are the most beloved and recognizable characters, and there’s plenty of potential for future attractions based on Mario and Luigi. (Personally, I’d love something based on Odyssey or Galaxy settings, or some of the suits from Super Mario 3D World–but I’m not sure how those would translate to rides.)
With that said, there is one game that’s absolutely begging for a ride, and that’s Luigi’s Mansion. This was obvious even before Super Nintendo World was announced, and now it’s just a no-brainer. The Luigi’s Mansion attraction would be similar to Haunted Mansion with an interactive element similar to Monsters: Inc. Ride & Go Seek at Tokyo Disneyland.
4. Hang Glidin’Â Over Hyrule – Sticking with various obvious ones, there’s this flying theater attraction based on Link’s key mode of transportation in Breath of the Wild and, presumably, Tears of the Kingdom.
When it comes to geographic diversity, Hyrule rivals California in its range. Guests could fly over hot deserts, tropical forests, snowy mountain ranges, an active volcano, and much more, encountering mythical creatures and enemies along the way. You could argue that it being entirely CG would cheapen the appeal, but that hasn’t hurt the popularity of Soarin’ Around the World.
3. Wario and Waluigi’s Wild Ride – Much of what I know about Wario and Waluigi comes from social media lore and memes. The rest is a result of Sarah and I always choosing to play against them in Mario Party Superstars, as their mannerisms crack us up. All of this has painted a bonkers picture of these two arch-nemesis slash alter egos that makes them seem perfect for a weird, comedic attraction. Since they aren’t established or important, Universal Creative could be given a bit of latitude for non-canon world-building and goofiness.
As for what Wario and Waluigi’s Wild Ride would entail, I truly don’t know. I just like the name. With that said, the dynamic duo has a lot of potential as being the hosts you love to hate in a montage show or attraction featuring a medley of Nintendo characters that don’t make the cut for standalone attractions.
2. Animal Crossing – This is more Sarah’s cup of tea, but I’ve watched enough Animal Crossing: New Horizons to get the gist of it. From that, it seems to me that the game is all about savoring the little joys of life and, inexplicably, a celebration of capitalism. I can think of no better way to embrace both than with a walk-through exhibit brimming with details and Easter Eggs…plus a food court and gift shops.
Seriously. I don’t mean this in a cynical way, or as a lazy critique of commercialism. (C’mon, I’m a Disney fan!) Animal Crossing would lend itself to a World Showcase or Pacific Wharf-esque area to explore, with small storefronts, snack windows, and more. (Minion Park at USJ is actually the exact blueprint for a successful Animal Crossing area–just make it bigger.)
1. Pokemon – Honestly, Pokémon is a complete blind spot for me. By the time my parents allowed me to have a video game console, I was “too cool” for Pokémon. It also obviously wasn’t a college party game, and I already have too many games to play now. Pokémon feels like an all-or-nothing kinda thing, and I’ve picked nothing.
Nevertheless, I’m aware of the popularity of Pikachu and his posse. It stands to reason that one of the most popular video game franchises of all time would be represented in a future Nintendo land at Universal Orlando. Rights issues would need to be worked out, but I assume that’s doable given the presence of Pokémon in pop culture.
As for what type of attraction, I assume we all agree that it should be Hall of Pokémon. Inspired by the Liberty Square stage show, each Pokémon would stand up and squeak their name, with Pikachu delivering a passionate and patriotic speech. In actuality, I have no clue what kind of attraction would be best for Pokémon. I like the idea of seeing them as adorable Audio Animatronics, but am guessing some sort of shooter to “catch ’em all” might make more sense than a bunch of squeaked speeches in a stage show. Rumors are already swirling that Pokémon will soon take over the Springfield area of Universal Studios Florida, evicting the Simpsons from the park. So perhaps we won’t have to wait much longer to find out!
Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Universal Orlando Planning Guide for everything about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. If you’re planning a trip out to the already-open Super Nintendo World, see our exhaustive Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood. For regular updates, news & rumors, a heads up when discounts are released, and much more, sign up for our FREE email newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which Nintendo games or characters do you think Universal should adapt into theme park attractions? What kind of rides would you like to see built? If you’ve experienced Super Nintendo World, did the land leave you craving more or is this little area enough video games in theme parks? Eager to step foot into this video game universe? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a game changer for the legacy parks. A third entry in Epic Universe was a smart (though obvious) move. Nintendo World seems to be the next jackpot, and I agree they should use a similar approach, with a land in each park.
Pokémon could be a similar phenomenon, though probably more difficult to execute as a whole land in each gate? That’s assuming they can work out the rights, which has to be the only reason they haven’t bet on such a worldwide popular IP yet.
Alternate for a Metroid ride… think Tower of Terror, but with a portion going up and then falling to match the platform jumping nature of the Metroid franchise.
Also Zelda is absolutely ripe for a sub-area within Super Nintendo World. You could do any one of 3 different rides like you mention (also a trackless ride like Ratatouille or Mickey n Minnie railroad where you go through a classic Zelda dungeon). Food booths based on all the Hyrule noshes (Fairy Juice? Octorock sushi rolls? Gel… Gels?)
What you described for Metroid sounds pretty similar to the ride system for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. I doubt Universal would spend that much on Metroid, but it’d be cool!
Totally agree on a Hyrule area in Super Nintendo World. Works really well with Donkey Kong Country.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who noticed the creatures and atmosphere in Journey to the Center of the Earth look like those in Metroid games! Speaking of which, escaping an exploding planet or self-destructing space station is such a common motif in those games, that would make for a good finale for its ride. Kind of like escaping the Star Destroyer in Rise of the Resistance.
how about an actual Mario kart go kart track?? engines can already be throttled/limited at any go kart track. tie that in to a small network, red shells slow down server in front of you for 3 seconds, blue shell hits first place driver, star and mushrooms give speed boosts for a few seconds. it can be done, we have the technology!!
also the sooner we can forget that wind waker existed, the better we all can be! I don’t know how to do Zelda any justice in an amusement park, but I want it. and laser tag walkthrough Luigi mansion for sure!
Despite being Team SEGA I enjoyed this post very much 🙂
I haven’t played much Nintendo at all (apart from being handed the controller when there was a particularly difficult temple or jump puzzle – no idea how I got branded as a video game wizard, but now I have to defend the title anyway), and I’d still love to see the expansions outside of the Mario World. Hyrule looks breathtakingly beautiful and should really have a mini-land of its own, and Metroid deserves a presence with such an awesome lead character.
I totally missed that Poseidon’s Fury had closed, though – was that recent? It has been one of my favorite campy rides since I wandered into it over a decade ago, and I was glad to see it still working when I went last September. That really would be a good chunk of land for something Zelda-themed though…
The real question is whether Mario gets his own park, or whether you want to spread him out over multiple parks like Harry Potter. There’s easily enough range in Mario-related games to fill out multiple differently-themed lands, let alone rides. (Ideas for Donkey Kong Square/Country keep popping up into my head, like an 8-bit interstitial animation screen.)
“a montage show or attraction featuring a medley of Nintendo characters that don’t make the cut for standalone attractions”
My pitch is Super Smash Bros: The Dark Ride, where guests’ “mashing buttons” results for a Star Tours variety of possibilities rather than a Buzz Lightyear or Toy Story game-and-ride.
Hope you’re enjoying the new Zelda. My college and high school teens have been on playing non-stop since Friday morning.
Trying to think of something for Pikmin. Thinking something similar to Mickey’s runaway railroad would do the trick with a blend of happy, stunning graphics to scary chase or battle defenses along the way. All the while searching for that guy and his space ship.
As we exit the ride, there would be a smoothly/juice store to satisfy the desire for fruit juice created during the ride.
To beat an industry leader, you need a true game changer. Mario could be that game changer for Universal. There are reports that Mario is more recognizable than Mickey Mouse.
It’s not often you get a situation where Pepsi can beat Coca-Cola, Adidas can beat Nike, or Burger King can beat McDonald’s. But I strongly believe that Mario opens the door for Universal to beat Disney.
And this is coming from someone who prefers Disney. It will be interesting to see where things stand in the coming decade or two.
You should play Kirby and the Forgotten Land on Switch. It’s like playing a Disney ride!
Wind Waker was such a boring , basic game. I equate it to Phantom Menace in the star wars series – both were designed for little kids to get into the franchise.
Honestly, I’m skeptical of what they’ve already done. How do you make a Mario Kart ride that isn’t a go kart track?? It would have taken little effort to make a system that cuts/increases throttle remotely, along with a touch screen in the kart. Touch screen, send a red shell, the kart in front of you reduces throttle temporarily. Star power no effects hurt you, etc. They really did it an injustice.
A Luigi Mansion walkthrough haunted house could be fun, an on rails ride would be acceptable. I’m not even sure how to approach Zelda – simulated horseback ride?
THe suggestions are above are good, but each reminds me of a Disney clone equivalent, from Pandora to Monsters Inc ride, to Millennium Falcon ride… Heck, maybe I should be a ride designer…
Disney should do a Kingdom Hearts park….not in Florida. I took my three grown sons (27, 36, and 41) to Super Mario Land on Feb. They found the land pretty over-crowded (just opened) and confusing. Afterwards they said they found it colorful but underwhelming. For me (the old lady of the group) it was kinda boring. Sadly life has moved on from my likes.
Based on your suggestions I think you miss Tokyo Disney Resort a lot and in all seriousness. Luigi’s Mansions dark ride should already be greenlit at this point. it’s that obvious and would be amazing. King Boo would be epic!!! For Kirby he has a ton of opportunity and you should play Kirby and the Forgotten Land, but no need to pay full price it goes on Nintendo sales quite often. I underestimated Kirby’s popularity here in Japan. he even had a cafe we ate at
One thing I would not do is give a Metroid attraction guns because as much as I like some shooting rides, they tend to have a louder and more chaotic atmosphere that wouldn’t work in an ominous setting. I think your ideas for that franchise do seem great, though!
I’ve never been to Japan, but Space Fantasy seems extremely similar to Mario Galaxy down to even the plot and music.
I think Pikmin could lend itself to a calm outdoor boat ride like the Jungle Cruise.
Then there’s the Island Flyover in Wii Sports Resort which could be a great Soarin’-esque attraction. Wuhu Island would be an awesome place to visit!
I have a bunch of Nintendo ideas but I’ll leave it at that for now lol
When my workday ends, I will close up my home office, remove my children from the Switch and/or tv, and play Tears of the Kingdom until Sunday at 5pm when I should bathe and take my wife and mother out for dinner.
I’d ride Soarin’ over Hyrule in real life. The entrance line should be a fog enshrouded forest as though you were winding your way to find the Master Sword.
That’s all I’ve got. I should be working. I’m a grown person with responsibilities. GIVE ME THE GAME.
“I’m a grown person with responsibilities.”
Some might say that saving the kingdom of Hyrule from eternal darkness is the greatest possible responsibility. Certainly more important than doing the dishes, at the very least!
For Pokemon its the low hanging fruit no doubt: Pokemon Snap the Ride. This could be an amazing slow moving ride that may work best as a combination of animatronics and screens and where the objective is to take as many pictures of pokemon as possible. It would be an interactive and competitive ride.
Sounds good! Whatever they opt to do–assuming they can work out the rights with Game Freak–I hope it results in a Pikachu AA. That’s really my only criteria for a Pokemon ride.