Review: Nintendo’s Donkey Kong theme park adds extra a-peel to Super Nintendo World

videogameschronicle.com:

Nintendo and Universal Studios Japan’s Donkey Kong Country area has been in the works for the best part of a decade. We first glimpsed the Super Nintendo World expansion via a design leak in 2019, and finally, five years later, and after multiple delays, it will open to the public in Osaka, Japan, this week, with a Florida version due next year.

Walking through the area’s majestic entrance – which for SNW’s first three-and-a-half years, was covered by a suspicious, nondescript closed door – you’re immediately struck by a captivating vista of movement and colour. There’s no doubt this is another stunningly recreated game world which, with the help of Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto, has been translated into an interactive playground in real life.

Just like Super Nintendo World’s main area, the attention to detail is captivating, and the sight of DK barrels, bongo drums, collectibles, and minecart tracks sprawled out ahead will make you want sprint in, like a excited child, and start playing with all of its toys.

Donkey Kong Country officially welcomes the public in Osaka, Japan from December 11, 2024. However, last month, USJ kicked off a pre-opening period, during which some of its highest-tier annual pass holders were allowed to visit early, and members of the press, including VGC, were invited to experience the area for the first time.

With interactive attractions, a food vendor, store, and ride, Donkey Kong Country expands the size of the existing Super Nintendo World by 70%, according to USJ. Its main attraction is its roller coaster based on the games’ memorable mine cart ride levels. There’s also a new store themed on Funky Kong, and a bongos mini-game. Like the Mario area, DKC also features interactive elements and themed merchandise and food.

While the content here isn’t quite as rich as in Universal’s Mario world (most of that 70% land increase is ultimately taken up by the ride and its queue, while there’s a real lack of verticality), and there are some