In May 2015, Nintendo made headlines by announcing its partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to develop theme parks inspired by beloved Nintendo games and characters. This strategic move marked Nintendo’s ambitious entry into the global entertainment landscape. Fast forward a decade, and their dream has become a reality in the form of Super Nintendo World—a dynamic amusement park featuring thrilling rides, immersive interactive experiences, themed gift shops, and specialty dining venues located in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon, Singapore.
As anticipation builds for Universal’s forthcoming Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, which will debut the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Country expansion in the U.S., I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto, the visionary behind iconic franchises such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong. We discussed the journey of bringing these parks to life, collaborating with emerging talent within Nintendo, and his excitement for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.