There have been rumors going around for a while that Universal and Nintendo would be teaming up to build a real-life Mario World, but the rumors mostly said that it was going to be happening in Japan. That makes sense: Nintendo sees itself, first and foremost, as a Japanese company. But it turns out the plans are bigger than the rumors hinted.
First of all, it turns out this Mario World is going to be in all of Universal’s theme parks, so instead of having to fly to Osaka, you’ll instead need to go to Florida or Hollywood. Secondly, while the rumors said 2020, the background of the video, filled with elements pulled from the games and built in reality, would indicate that they’re already at work. Check out the spinning coin coming out of the block!
The main question, of course, is what form this particular Mario World will take, and just how closely they’ll try to replicate the games. And it also opens the door to other Nintendo properties if this takes off. Not least because every buffet chain in America is just leaving money on the table not licensing Kirby as their mascot. Come on, Old Country, that pink little food vacuum is your perfect mascot.
(via Twitter)