Shigeru Miyamoto, the famous game designer behind Nintendo’s iconic titles, recently showcased the new Donkey Kong Country area at Super Nintendo World, marking an exciting addition to the theme park at Universal Studios Japan.
This new section is part of the park’s ongoing expansion, which began in March 2021. The Donkey Kong Country area complements the existing Super Mario World section, giving visitors an immersive experience in the vibrant worlds of Nintendo’s most beloved characters.
The Donkey Kong area transitions visitors from the familiar blocky environment of Super Mario into a jungle-themed area, featuring attractions like the Donkey Kong Tree House and the Golden Temple. The temple stands out with a large monkey face from which steam pours out.
In addition to these visual elements, guests can interact with large conga drums, which light up when played. If visitors follow the correct rhythm and hit the drums in a particular sequence, the character Rambi appears above them, adding a fun interactive element to the experience.
The Donkey Kong Country area also features secret locations and reward hunts for visitors to explore. Around the park, letter blocks spelling out Donkey Kong’s name are hidden, and guests can scan these using a special power-up band that looks like a large watch.
Shigeru Miyamoto Debuts Donkey Kong Country Area at Super Nintendo World in Japan
The items earned through these activities are tracked via the Universal Studios app, encouraging guests to explore and complete challenges. For food, guests can visit the Jungle Beat Shakes shop, which serves unique treats like a banana-flavored DK Crush Sundae and a DK Hot Dog.
There is also a Funky Kong-themed shop where visitors can purchase Donkey Kong-themed merchandise. One of the key attractions in this new area is the Golden Temple ride, a gentle roller coaster that takes guests on an exciting journey through a golden jungle setting.
During the ride, Cranky Kong and Squawks interact with guests, urging them to protect the golden banana from the Tiki Take Tribe. This attraction, along with others in the area, pays tribute to the 40 years of Donkey Kong since its debut, a milestone created by Miyamoto.
Nintendo’s expansion into theme parks is part of a broader strategy to engage a wider audience beyond gamers. With Super Nintendo World locations opening or planned for Hollywood, Osaka, Orlando, and Singapore, Nintendo aims to introduce its intellectual property to more people.
Although the company has not disclosed the financial impact of its theme parks, it views them as a key part of its ongoing business growth. The Donkey Kong Country area is scheduled to open in Japan on December 11, 2024, and will also be part of the upcoming Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida.
