In May of 2015, Nintendo made an exciting announcement about their partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts. This collaboration aimed to bring the beloved worlds of Nintendo's iconic games and characters to life in the form of immersive theme parks. This move represented a significant expansion of Nintendo's presence into the broader entertainment industry. Fast forward to today, and this vision has been realized through Super Nintendo World, a dynamic theme park experience featuring thrilling rides, interactive attractions, themed gift shops, and character-inspired dining options. These parks are now enchanting visitors in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon, they will captivate audiences in Singapore as well.
As we eagerly anticipate the launch of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, which includes the first-ever American addition of the Donkey Kong Country expansion, I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto. This legendary game designer, known for creating iconic characters such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong, shared insights on how these theme parks were developed. Our conversation also touched on his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo game developers and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.