Visitors to Super Nintendo World will get to cap off their experience with a little-advertised fight against Bowser Jr. While the encounter is charming, it requires visitors to complete other activities throughout the park first, framing Bowser Jr.'s appearance as the theme park's "final boss."
Super Nintendo World has captivated Nintendo fans worldwide with its cutting-edge ride design and Mushroom Kingdom aesthetics. Though the land has been a long time in the making, it is finally opening on March 18 in Japan, giving Mario fans a chance to see beloved characters and locations first-hand. While the land principally draws its design from Super Mario 3D World's Mount Beanpole level, it also includes elements from the Yoshi and Mario Kart subseries. Optional bracelets known as "Power-Up Bands" can be purchased and used to trigger interactive set-pieces.
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If visitors collect keys by engaging with various interactive areas hidden throughout Super Nintendo World, they gain access to "Bowser Jr.'s Shadow Showdown," a short encounter against the mischievous child himself. While the "fight" consists of visitors manipulating their shadows to send fireballs at Bowser Jr., the experience is surprisingly elaborate, including a short queue and pre-show. Upon defeating Bowser Jr., players reclaim a Golden Mushroom and see a letter of thanks penned by Peach. It's not quite as intense as Bowser's levels in Super Mario 3D World, but it makes up for it by being filled with Mario references.
The attraction should be exciting for fans of Bowser Jr. The queue is filled with never-before-seen art of the character, as well as life-size versions of signature Bowser Jr. equipment like his paintbrush and Koopa Clown Car. Notably, the attraction seems to feature an all-new design for Bowser Jr. as a baby. Fans of Bowser Sr. may be disappointed by his absence from the encounter, but there's a reason for that; he's busy manning the Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge ride.
The Power-Up Band system is key to the experience, which may irritate some. While they are impressive pieces of technology, and even serve as amiibos on the Switch, the Power-Up Bands are not included with park admission. This means that Bowser Jr.'s Shadow Showdown is effectively an extra cost on top of entering the park. In all fairness, the average park guest likely wouldn't take the trouble to "unlock" the Bowser Jr. encounter; those who take the time are likely hardcore Mario fans who won't mind purchasing an exclusive souvenir.
While the way the park utilizes Mario elements is exciting, it is hopefully only the start for Super Nintendo World. A Donkey Kong Country expansion is likely in the works, and others are rumored. Components of the land already hint toward a larger universe: eagle-eyed visitors can spot a few Pikmin watching passersby. If this means something related to the Pikmin franchise is on the way to the park, Nintendo fans have a lot to look forward to in the future.
Super Nintendo World will open March 18 in Universal Studios Japan. Fellow Super Nintendo World complexes are currently in development in Hollywood, Orlando, and Singapore.
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