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Universal Studios Hollywood lands Nintendo attractions
A still from a video announcing Nintendo attractions coming to Universal Studios parks worldwide, including Universal Studios Hollywood. Pictured: Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and, of course, Mario.
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Mario is officially jumping (out of a pipe) into Universal Studios theme parks worldwide, including Southern California's Universal Studios Hollywood, according to a press release from Nintendo. No opening date has been announced, but the Nintendo areas at Universal parks are scheduled to open over the next several years.
While Nintendo attractions were already announced last year for Universal Studios Japan, now they're officially headed stateside. Nintendo describes the attractions as "expansive, highly themed environments" at their Hollywood, Orlando and Osaka locations.
Nintendo and Universal to make parkgoers feel like they're playing their favorite games in real life, including Mario items like gigantic piranha plants, question blocks and power-ups — as well as Mario and other iconic Nintendo characters.
"We are constantly amazed how the park developers are bringing the essence of our games to life in the real world," Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto said in a video making the announcement.
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Nintendo at Universal announcement video
Nintendo is working with Universal's theme park creative teams to create the new attractions. Also on the theme park menu: Nintendo restaurants and stores.
"We are going to be able to create an entire Nintendo world. And as we continue to develop it, that world became more immersive, and more involved, and more colorful, and more exciting, and more interactive," Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury said in the video.
Should you be intimidated if you aren't a gamer? The release at least claims that there's something for everyone, regardless of your age or gaming experience.
The release says there will be individual announcements for each park, with the first announcement coming soon.
This story has been updated.
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