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The opening of a Super Nintendo World theme park in Orlando, Florida has reportedly been delayed by around two years to 2025.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that construction work on Universal's upcoming Epic Universe park – which includes a Super Nintendo World area – has recommenced following pandemic-related shutdowns. However Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings told the Sentinel that Universal had now pushed the park's opening to early 2025.
Epic Universe construction halted indefinitely last year due to economic uncertainty, but has now begun again. Little is known about the new park, other than that there will be a Super Nintendo World section included.
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Comcast CEO Brian Roberts discussed the Nintendo park at a Morgan Stanley financial conference: “We have high, high hopes for what it means. It’s a whole interactive gaming experience. We’ve been investing in parks and hotels, so as we look at the next 10 years, it’s hard not to see an exciting road map ahead for the parks business.”
The first Super Nintendo World theme park is due to open in Osaka, Japan this year – although the date is still unknown after Osaka Prefecture announced a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Japanese park gives us a good sense of what may be coming from the North American versions, including a gamified visiting experience, Mario Kart and Yoshi rides, and a surprisingly complex layout. Shigeru Miyamoto himself recently offered a virtual guided tour of the park.
Aside from the Orlando park, Super Nintendo World will also become a part of Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Singapore.
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Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.