In May of 2015, Nintendo made a groundbreaking announcement: they would partner with Universal Parks & Resorts to develop immersive theme parks inspired by their beloved games and iconic characters. This marked a bold step for Nintendo as they sought to expand their presence in the global entertainment landscape. Fast forward a decade, and that vision has blossomed into Super Nintendo World—a dazzling amusement park featuring thrilling rides, interactive experiences, specialty shops, and themed dining venues located in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and, soon, Singapore.
As anticipation builds for Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, which will introduce the first-ever Donkey Kong Country-themed area in the U.S., I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind creations such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong. During our conversation, we discussed the journey of bringing these parks to life, collaborating with the next generation of Nintendo developers, and his excitement for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.