3-2-1 GO! Universal Studios Hollywood today offered the first look at Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which will be the signature ride for its forthcoming all-new immersive land: Super Nintendo World.<\/p>\n
Like its counterpart in Japan, Universal’s first stateside Super Nintendo World will feature Bowser’s Castle, the dungeon of which will house the Mario Kart ride.<\/p>\n
The premise is simple, according to the press materials, but designed to be equally challenging to guests of all ages, regardless of gaming experience: “As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through courses underwater and in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win.”<\/p>\n
It sounds similar to the Japanese ride, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, in which each kart carries four team members who race another team on a dual-track course while wearing head-mounted augmented reality goggles.<\/p>\n
Along the way, there are piranha plants, sewage pipes and, of course, Bowser. Other key elements are that the ride is repeatable and has a variety of potential outcomes depending on how each team plays.<\/p>\n
The press materials call it “one of the world’s largest, most interactive rides” and claim that Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge “seamlessly fuses augmented reality with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces… to debut a ride that’s unparalleled anywhere within the theme park industry.” Power-Up Bands will be a part of the park experience, as well, and are integrated into the Bowser’s Challenge attraction.<\/p>\n
Watch the video below for a preview.<\/p>\n