Nintendo Land is set to become the next highly-anticipated attraction at Universal Studios Japan, where it is scheduled to debut by 2020 in time for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
The recently confirmed $350 million deal was said to mirror the same large-scale investment that was needed in building the Harry Potter-themed area of the park, which opened to the public in July 2014.
According to the report by Japanese publication Sankei, Universal Studios Japan plans "to use the popularity of Nintendo character Mario" by launching a new Mario-themed area in the park as part of its partnership with Nintendo.
The move shows how USJ is keen on taking new ways to earn profits by creating attractions that are not only inspired by blockbuster movies, but also by Japanese games and animé.
Currently, USJ has park attractions that include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Hollywood Dream, The Ride Backdrop; the new Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, which will be a featured attraction until June 26; and Jurassic Park The Flying Dinosaur which is scheduled to open in Spring 2016 as the first attraction to mark the 15th anniversary celebration of the park.
Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based Kantan Games, revealed the planned area where the Mario-themed portion of the park will be housed.
"Busy start of 2016 for Nintendo. See the picture below for details," tweeted Toto.
The area said to house the future Nintendo attraction is currently being used as an event space. USJ plans to secure the area by moving the park's offices and staff rooms right next to it.
Based on the picture from the tweet, the area marked red on the map will be the location of the upcoming Nintendo-themed park attraction. The green areas on the map show the current attractions found in USJ.
Dr. Yasufumi Nakoshi, a psychiatrist, describes the USJ as a place where park goers can rejuvenate and become emotionally refreshed.
"I feel that Universal Studios Japan is a place where the Re-born philosophy can flourish," said Nakoshi. "Simply walking through the park can rejuvenate your spirits, allowing you to break away from your pre-established harmony and enjoy your own unique experiences."
Now that Nintendo is indeed coming to USJ in 2020, park goers certainly have more options to "rejuvenate" and have a "re-born" park-going experience.
4) Busy start of 2016 for Nintendo. See the picture below for details (from Sankei: https://t.co/NRejTXGL6Q) // end pic.twitter.com/EMHunhgYFa
— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) March 5, 2016
