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US$350m Mario land confirmed for Universal Japan
By Tom Anstey
The new land will be entirely themed on Mario IPs such as Mario Kart Credit: Nintendo
Universal Studios has finally revealed the first uses of its Nintendo IPs, announcing plans for a Mario-themed land at its park in Japan.
The news came last month that Universal Japan would be the first of the operator’s parks to gain a Nintendo addition after Universal announced a deal for exclusive theme park rights to Nintendo IPs such as Mario, Pokemon and Zelda in May last year, though details have been scarce.
Universal Japan has now confirmed the park will be getting its own Mario section, which will be an immersive experience similar in style to the hugely successful Harry Potter attractions. The Mario-themed expansion will take four years to develop at a cost of US$350m (€319.5m, £247m), with the opening timed to coincide with the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games, which are to be hosted in Tokyo.
Beyond its plans in Japan, Universal is expected to open further Nintendo attractions across its parks worldwide, with the staggered rollout likely to be similar to that of Harry Potter, which is going from strength-to-strength as it prepares to launch its next site at Universal Studios Hollywood on 7 April.
Universal Studios has finally revealed the first uses of its Nintendo IPs, announcing plans
for a Mario-themed land at its park in Japan.
TAW,VAT
THUMB8819_341101.jpg
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