Travel through the infamous big green warp pipe, and enter Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Play mini games, compete in Mario Kart, and meet your favorite Super Mario Brothers characters!
Super Nintendo World Hollywood Opening
The attraction first opened at Universal Studios Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on February 17th, 2023. Currently, this attraction is only available at Universal’s Hollywood and Japan locations. At this time, there are no construction plans in place for the Orlando location.
Admission and Ticket Pricing
Super Nintendo World Entry
Admission is included with purchase of any Universal Studios Hollywood ticket. Tickets to the park range from $109-$154 depending on the day and expected demand.
There are special Early Access passes which allow you to enter an hour before the park opens for an additional charge of $20-$30, depending on the day.
Additionally, Universal Studios offers Express passes for an extra charge, with price depending on the day and availability.
A Universal Express Pass allows guests to use the Universal Express lane for all attractions in the parks one (1) time. This can significantly shorten your wait times within the park, allowing for a seamless experience of all attractions.
If you are looking to skip the lines more than once, you can upgrade to the Unlimited Universal Express Pass for another additional charge.
Do I need a Universal Express Pass?
I highly recommend this pass to any guests spending just one day at Universal Studios during peak months/days, as wait times for individual rides can be upwards of 2 hours. Peak times include: Weekends, Holidays, School Breaks (Summer, Winter Break, Spring Break), and of course, opening days for any new attractions.
A Universal Express Pass allows guests to enter Super Nintendo World one (1) time without the otherwise required reservation time-slot.
At this time, the Universal Express Pass does not allow guests to skip the line for mini games, character meet and greets, or the Bower’s Challenge (Mario Kart) ride. Given the newness of the attractions, wait times are incredibly high.
In my experience, the wait time for Bower’s Challenge during a busy day over spring break, was estimated to be over 3 hours. Fortunately, the line moved much quicker than expected, and after just an hour and a half we were on the ride!
The only way to skip the lines inside Super Nintendo World is with a VIP tour. This tour ranges from $349-$519 depending on the day, and lasts for 5+ hours.
Guests can visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood with or without a Universal Express Pass.
Due to limited space, access may be limited via a virtual queue on busy days. Without a Universal Express Pass, guests will need to schedule a reservation time slot to enter Super Nintendo world.
Reservations can be made through the Universal Studios Hollywood app upon arrival to the park. These time slots fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive early and secure your desired time slot ASAP.
Reservations for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood
Due to limited space, access to Super Nintendo World may be limited via a virtual queue on busy days. Guests can check whether or not a reservation is necessary through the Universal Studios Hollywood app.
If necessary, guests can reserve a time slot through the Universal Studios Hollywood app upon arrival to the park. These time slots fill up quickly and guests should arrive early to secure their preferred time slot.
Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands
What are Power-Up bands?
While walking around the park, you are bound to see these slap-bracelets displayed at every souvenir shop.
These bracelets, available in six different character themes, track your scores and achievements. By choosing your character for the Power-Up band, you are choosing which team you will be on.
When paired with the Universal Studios Hollywood app, you can unlock digital stamps, collect coins, and track your team score on the Mario Kart ride.
Interact with blocks to collect coins and stamps by tapping your Power-Up band on the bottom. Power-Up bands can also be used as an amiibo™ when paired with a Nintendo Switch™!
How much does a Power-Up band cost?
These bands don’t come cheap. At 40$ a piece, the Power-Up bands are a great investment for frequent visitors of Universal Studios Hollywood, or fans wanting an interactive souvenir from the park.
Do I really need a Power-Up Band?
In addition to collecting coins and stamps, the Power-Up bands allow users to collect keys from the Key Challenges mini games within Super Nintendo World. Collecting three of the four keys available in Super Nintendo World grants users access to the special Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.
In my experience, the collection of keys, and scanning of bands were required to access the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. However, this could change in the future. The bands were also required in order to play the various mini games located inside the land.
I highly recommend purchasing a Power-Up band in order to fully immerse yourself in the experiences available at Super Nintendo World.
Mini Games in Super Nintendo World
There are multiple mini games in Super Nintendo World. When paired with a Power-Up band these mini games can unlock keys, coins, and collectible stamps.
The Key Challenges
There are four Key Challenges in Super Nintendo world. By collecting three keys, you will unlock the special Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, where you can recover the Golden Mushroom.
Goomba Crazy Crank:
Crank the wheel as fast as you can to make the Goomba fall. Collect a key if you succeed.
Koopa Troopa POWer Punch:
Time your POWer punch correctly to hit the Koopa Troopa through the green tube, and win a key from this mini game.
Piranha Plant Nap Mishap:
Shut off the ringing alarm clocks to keep the Piranha Plant asleep. Collect a key if you can complete this challenge.
Thwomp Panel Panic:
Tap the blocks on the screen to make the wall all one color. When the Twomp falls down he will remix the colors on the wall. Collect a key if you can complete the challenge.
Using the Keys at Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown
Once you’ve collected at least three keys, head to the entrance of Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. Scan your band to play in this special game!
In this game, players have the opportunity to retrieve the Golden Mushroom. Dodge, swat, and jump your way to success in this video-game style experience.
Bower’s Challenge (Mario Kart) Ride
Bowser's Challenge
The main attraction in Super Nintendo World is undoubtedly Bower’s Challenge, better known as the Mario Kart Ride.
Wait times can range from 0-180(+) minutes. The only way to skip this line is with a VIP tour. At this time, the Universal Express Pass is not applicable to Bowser’s Challenge in Super Nintendo World Hollywood.
This ride uses cutting-edge technology, allowing visitors to play Mario Kart like never before. Put on the special visor, and scan your Power-Up band to collect stamps, coins, and record your score!
Shoot Koopa Shells at team Bowser to get ahead, and be sure to keep an eye out for hidden blocks on the track.
Bowser's Challenge Ride Requirements:
- Height Requirement: 40 in (102 cm)
- Visitors under 48 in (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervisor
Toadstool Cafe and 1-UP Factory
In addition to the ride and mini games, guests can enjoy the Toadstool Cafe and 1-UP Factory.
Toadstool Cafe
The Toadstool Cafe has been very popular, often filling up on reservations for the day. Be sure to scan the QR code at the entrance of the Toadstool Cafe and Super Nintendo World to check for reservations.
Power-Up before you take on Bowser by dining on Mario themed entrees, and deserts at the Toadstool Cafe.
1-UP Factory
The 1-Up Factory is a gift-shop selling special Super Nintendo World merchandise. While some merchandise may be available at gift-shops around the park, and the character shop near Jurassic world, other items are available exclusively inside the 1-UP Factory.
Meet Super Nintendo World Characters
Guests will have the opportunity to interact with famous characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.
If you invest in a Power-Up band, meeting with these characters will unlock special collectible stamps in the app. Don’t miss out on this easy collection opportunity!
Super Nintendo World During Universal Studios Hollywood Horror Nights
Pro Tip for Premium Park Access:
While Halloween Horror Nights occurs for only a limited time throughout the year, it created an undeniably amazing experience at Super Nintendo World. As the park transitions to Horror Nights in the evening, park visitors who purchased the after 2PM day/night-pass were granted access to Super Nintendo World one time after 7PM, with no reservations required.
Park visitors with only a day pass had to leave the park at 5PM. By 7PM, Super Nintendo World was completely empty, and only open to park visitors with a 2PM day/night pass.
This was the first time I was able to complete all 4 mini games, Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, and play in Bower’s Challenge in under an hour! The cherry on top: Toadstool cafe was open, with no reservation needed, and no lines.
Having waited almost two hours for Bower’s Challenge, and not being able to play the mini games or enjoy toadstool cafe due to wait times on my first visit to Super Nintendo World, this was the ultimate Super Nintendo World Hollywood hack.
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