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‘A life size living videogame’: How Universal’s new Power-Up Bands transform the Super Nintendo World experience | Planet Attractions
     

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‘A life size living videogame’: How Universal’s new Power-Up Bands transform the Super Nintendo World experience

Universal Studios Hollywood is levelling up the experience at the upcoming Super Nintendo World with its all-new Power-Up Band. Here’s what the technology does




The Power-Up Bands are designed to transform the experience of Super Nintendo World into a living video game   Credit: Universal

Universal Studios Hollywood announced last week that it was levelling up its Super Nintendo World experience with a new technology in the form of its innovative Power-Up Band device.

Working in-sync with Universal Hollywood’s free-to-use app, guests can use the interactive wearable wristband to unlock a number of gameplay activities. Among them, they can collect digital coins, while also competing against other visitors for high scores as they make their way through Super Nintendo World. They can also compete for digital keys by completing ‘Key Challenges’. If they collect three keys, then they will gain access to a final boss battle with Bowser Jr.

When visitors receive their band, they will be able to choose between six characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad and Yoshi. Depending on their choice, the guests will compete in different teams.

“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life size, living videogame where you become one of the characters,” said Thierry Coup, who retired last month as senior VP and CCO at Universal Creative.

“You’re not just playing the game. You’re living the game, you’re living the adventure.”

The bands have also been designed to enhance the land’s flagship attraction - Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

One of the most innovative dark rides ever created, the attraction combines augmented reality with projection mapping and practical set pieces to fully immerse riders in the world of Mario Kart.

For Power-Up users, this experience is further enhanced as they can check their ranking and coins collected during the ride by tapping the band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel.

The band will also offer enhanced character interactions with guests able to track their progress at checkpoints placed around the land.

Power-Up Bands will be available to purchase at Universal City Walk and at retail spaces in Super Nintendo World. The technology will make its debut alongside the land’s official launch on February 17.

This will be the second Super Nintendo World to open worldwide and the first to open in North America. The first version of the attraction opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2021.

Super Nintendo World will also form part of Universal’s Epic Universe when it opens at the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, US, in 2025. The attraction is also expected to open at Universal Studios Singapore.


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‘A life size living videogame’: How Universal’s new Power-Up Bands transform the Super Nintendo World experience | Planet Attractions
news

‘A life size living videogame’: How Universal’s new Power-Up Bands transform the Super Nintendo World experience

Universal Studios Hollywood is levelling up the experience at the upcoming Super Nintendo World with its all-new Power-Up Band. Here’s what the technology does




The Power-Up Bands are designed to transform the experience of Super Nintendo World into a living video game   Credit: Universal

Universal Studios Hollywood announced last week that it was levelling up its Super Nintendo World experience with a new technology in the form of its innovative Power-Up Band device.

Working in-sync with Universal Hollywood’s free-to-use app, guests can use the interactive wearable wristband to unlock a number of gameplay activities. Among them, they can collect digital coins, while also competing against other visitors for high scores as they make their way through Super Nintendo World. They can also compete for digital keys by completing ‘Key Challenges’. If they collect three keys, then they will gain access to a final boss battle with Bowser Jr.

When visitors receive their band, they will be able to choose between six characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad and Yoshi. Depending on their choice, the guests will compete in different teams.

“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life size, living videogame where you become one of the characters,” said Thierry Coup, who retired last month as senior VP and CCO at Universal Creative.

“You’re not just playing the game. You’re living the game, you’re living the adventure.”

The bands have also been designed to enhance the land’s flagship attraction - Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

One of the most innovative dark rides ever created, the attraction combines augmented reality with projection mapping and practical set pieces to fully immerse riders in the world of Mario Kart.

For Power-Up users, this experience is further enhanced as they can check their ranking and coins collected during the ride by tapping the band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel.

The band will also offer enhanced character interactions with guests able to track their progress at checkpoints placed around the land.

Power-Up Bands will be available to purchase at Universal City Walk and at retail spaces in Super Nintendo World. The technology will make its debut alongside the land’s official launch on February 17.

This will be the second Super Nintendo World to open worldwide and the first to open in North America. The first version of the attraction opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2021.

Super Nintendo World will also form part of Universal’s Epic Universe when it opens at the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, US, in 2025. The attraction is also expected to open at Universal Studios Singapore.


 



© Kazoo 5 Limited 2024