Super Nintendo World is a dream come true for many of the hardcore Nintendo fans out there. The theme park takes the world of Nintendo and Mario games, in particular, to create a unique experience for visitors. From a Mario Kart-themed ride and interactive POW Blocks to a cafe inspired by Toad, there are tons of nods and references to Nintendo's history. However, one of the many objects that make up the theme park might've been inspired by a fan-made mod for an older 2D Mario title.
The mod titled Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii (a mod for New Super Mario Bros. Wii) is an entirely fan-created sequel to the Wii game that was developed in three years by a team of loyal Nintendo fans. It includes over 100 new levels, remixed graphics, remixed music tracks, new bosses, and more. Someone on Twitter that goes by Meatball132 posted images of what appears to be one of the Cacti from Super Nintendo World and then a different image of that same exact Cactus from the Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii mod.
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The cactus is entirely new, as it was designed by the mod team, so it seems that maybe one of the designers working on the Nintendo theme park accidentally found the image of the cactus from the mod and not from the original game itself. Meatball132 noted that if someone were to search "New Super Mario Bros. Wii cactus" on Google, one of the images that pop up happens to be a picture from one of the mod's desert levels. The cactus looks extremely similar to the model used for the theme park, with there being a single colored flower on the right "hand" of the cactus.
Nintendo has yet to say anything about these findings, but it was most likely a mistake from one of the theme park's designers, as one could easily think that the image was from an official New Super Mario Bros. Wii stage. If the person doesn't have a keen eye, there's really no way of telling unless they further investigated the source of the image itself.
Only time will tell if Nintendo decides to change up the design of the cactus or if anything will come out of this at all. It'll be interesting to see if the Japanese company takes any action.
Super Nintendo World was initially planned to open up on February 4th, 2021, in Universal Studios Japan, but that date was pushed back due to Osaka currently being under a state of emergency. Other Super Nintendo World locations are currently in development in Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore.