In May of 2015, Nintendo took a groundbreaking step by officially announcing a partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts. This collaboration aimed to bring the beloved worlds of Nintendo's video games into life through immersive theme parks, marking a significant expansion into the realm of physical entertainment. A decade on, this ambitious vision has materialized as Super Nintendo World, a captivating array of theme parks that have opened in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and are set to enchant visitors in Singapore soon. These parks are filled with thrilling rides, engaging interactive experiences, themed gift shops, and dining options inspired by Nintendo's iconic characters.
As Universal gears up for the launch of its new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, and introduces the first-ever Donkey Kong Country expansion in America, I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto. As the legendary game designer behind characters like Super Mario and Donkey Kong, Miyamoto shared insights into the development of these parks, his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo game developers, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. This interview sheds light on the creative process behind blending the digital and physical worlds of Nintendo, and what fans can expect from future innovations in gaming and entertainment.
