Super Nintendo World’s Donkey Kong Country Brings Pure Joy To Epic Universe

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Back in late 2020, visitors were allowed entry to the Super Mario World section at Universal Studios Japan for the first time. This area offered rides and various minigames inspired by the Super Mario series. Unlike traditional theme park experiences, this one focused on collecting coins and stamps, competing with other guests, and trying to rank highest on leaderboards. The concept was further solidified when a scaled-down version opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. It’s clear that Universal is committed to incorporating game elements into its theme parks. In May, the company will debut its latest park, Universal Epic Universe, featuring its own Super Nintendo World, including a Donkey Kong Country section.

Recently, TopMob was granted an exclusive tour of the freshly unveiled Super Nintendo World at Epic, including the opportunity to explore and engage within it. Whilst some elements found in Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World may be recognizable, this revamped Florida location boasts a significant expansion and increased size. The updated version now includes the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Country ride and mini-land that debuted in Japan last December, along with the fan-favorite Yoshi’s Adventure dark ride. However, what truly sets it apart are the new interactive challenges and play styles introduced within the land, as well as an abundance of coins to accumulate.

The rides

The star attraction of the latest amusement park is an unusual rollercoaster called Minecart-Madness, which emulates the thrilling experience of riding a minecart in the Donkey Kong Country video game series. Riding this ride is like hurtling through one of the game’s minecart levels, complete with jumps, twists, and turns that mimic the chaotic action of the game. Unlike traditional rollercoasters, Minecart-Madness is designed to replicate the sensation of a minecart skimming across tracks while evading danger at every turn.

If you’ve had the good fortune to explore Universal Studios Japan since its inception, you’re aware it offers a distinctly one-of-a-kind adventure. Interestingly, the masterminds behind Universal Studios devised an entirely novel kind of ride to replicate the sensation of racing along in a minecart. Consequently, Super Nintendo World provides an exceptional adrenaline rush, as it’s been exclusively dark-ride attractions up until now – a style of theme park ride that guides riders through a sequence of animated sets on assorted vehicles.

As someone who might not be thrilled about rollercoasters, fear not! If you’re visiting Orlando, there’s much more to enjoy than just high-speed loops and drops. Take a whirl on the Super Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride, for instance. This isn’t your typical theme park experience; it’s an immersive journey into the world of Mario Kart!

You’ll start by exploring Bowser’s imposing castle, getting a glimpse into the inner workings of how he creates his minions and monsters. Then, buckle up and prepare for a high-speed race against some of the Mushroom Kingdom’s top drivers. The excitement comes to life using augmented reality goggles! It’s like stepping right into the video game itself!

Besides the famous Hollywood-portrayed rides, there’s another one worth mentioning: the Yoshi’s Adventure ride, specifically designed for younger visitors. On this adventure, you hop on Yoshi’s back and journey through various themed landscapes. It’s a simple, yet soothing experience, perfect for relaxation.

The games

In Super Nintendo World, the real magic happens through the games. You might recall our initial coverage when it debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood, where we discussed collecting coins and stamps to eventually battle Bowser Jr. But, this isn’t immediately clear within the park, so it becomes an adventure for visitors to discover methods of earning coins by using the Power Up Bands. Considering they retail for more than $40, it’s fortunate that Universal keeps updating activities related to these bands.

After incorporating Yoshi’s Adventure and Minecart-Madness, there are now numerous activities available for you to engage in. For example, within Yoshi’s Adventure ride, there are many hidden Yoshi eggs waiting to be discovered. To earn the golden-egg stamp, you must locate all of them and press the button on your vehicle’s control panel, which will add your findings to your cumulative Super Nintendo World tally.

In the Donkey Kong Country region, there are several methods to accumulate coins, and most of them are based on the original games. The standout mini-game in this sector involves locating giant letters that spell out ‘Kong’ scattered across the landscape. Historically, these Kong letters have granted extra lives, opened secret stages, or served as save points within the games. In the Donkey Kong Country land, however, they provide a stamp and coins to boost your ranking on the leaderboard. Furthermore, a banana slot machine can be found in this area, which you can activate by swiping your Power Up Band. Prizes can range from piles of bananas to balloons granting extra lives. The items you gather contribute to the total number of coins added to your score.

Additionally, you’ll discover hidden clues in the form of puzzle pieces, numerous boxes adorned with Donkey Kong logos that require scanning, a golden banana at the peak of Minecart-Madness, and an adventure reminiscent of Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat. In essence, they transformed the 2005 GameCube game, equipped with a bongo drum accessory, into an immersive theme-park experience, featuring giant drums for drumming synchronously and coin collection. Frankly, this could be the most unique attraction Super Nintendo World presents, given that it’s not common to find a tribute dedicated to a GameCube title.

Additionally, you may notice that you have the opportunity to accumulate additional coins by taking multiple rides on any of our attractions. However, if your goal is to rank at the top, remember to consider wait times for each ride.

The theming

Among various aspects, it is perhaps the key factor that stands out significantly, particularly within the realm of Donkey Kong Country. To be frank, Yoshi’s Adventure aligns more with the Super Mario Land area. Entering Donkey Kong Country, a franchise I initially encountered on the Super Nintendo, was as awe-inspiring as my first step into Super Mario Land.

The locale has been crafted to resemble stepping into a Donkey Kong Country gaming world. From the tunes, aesthetics, to even the banana-infused goodies and encounters with Donkey Kong himself, it’s a unique experience that mirrors nothing else. Capturing the essence of a classic video game you grew up with is challenging to describe, but it’s truly extraordinary.

Certainly, it’s understandable that after exploring all of Donkey Kong Country, one might crave more content. The Isle of Berk in the How to Train Your Dragon section of Epic Universe is vast – it’s the largest land in the park – and I wished for a similar expanse in Super Nintendo World, just so there could be room for even more Donkey Kong adventures. The Mario section of the land is spacious and seems to stretch out in every direction when you enter. I yearn for that sense of space for Donkey Kong Country, which is significantly smaller than the expansive Mario area. Given the ongoing success of the franchise with a new title, Donkey Kong Bananza, coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, perhaps they could eventually expand to offer more character interactions or even another ride. Where can I meet Cranky Kong in this universe?

Perhaps they might consider expanding their universe into a fresh franchise, nestled under the Nintendo brand. Could we soon find ourselves exploring and adventuring in the world of The Legend of Zelda?

No matter what, Donkey Kong Country surpasses expectations and often goes beyond them. It solidifies Epic Universe as the go-to destination for North America’s ultimate Super Nintendo World (apologies to Hollywood), offering numerous opportunities to play and win. And let me tell you, the banana-infused DK Crush Sunday, served in a large waffle cone within a collectible Donkey Kong barrel mug—should you choose to upgrade—is quite tasty.

On May 22, Orlando’s Super Nintendo World and Epic Universe officially welcome visitors. Besides Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk, this expansive park features unique lands and attractions inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter, as well as the dark realm of Universal Monsters.

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2025-04-11 17:10