First Look: From Mushroom Kingdom to Donkey Kong Country, Epic Universe Brings Super Nintendo World to Life

Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort, brings five expansive new lands to life — and few are as instantly recognizable as Super Nintendo World. With iterations already open in Japan and Hollywood, this might be the most familiar destination for some guests — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t surprises in store.

Level 1: Enter the Mushroom Kingdom

From the moment I stepped through the portal, this land set itself apart with what might be the most clever use of an entrance in the entire park. You don’t emerge into a sweeping reveal — you ride an escalator, surrounded by glowing green tunnel walls and the unmistakable sound effects of a warp pipe. 

It’s an entrance that doesn’t just look like the game — it moves like it too. And then you arrive: inside Princess Peach’s Castle then and into the open, where Mount Beanpole towers in the distance and the whole Mushroom Kingdom pulses with motion.

No land is more kinetic than this one. Coins spin overhead, blocks flash and ding with sound, Piranha Plants chomp, and animatronic Yoshis march steadily in circles. With a Power-Up Band, you can join in — activating coin sounds, triggering effects, and collecting keys and digital points throughout the land. (And don’t forget to snag the golden banana in Donkey Kong Country’s queue.)

The land is significantly larger than its Hollywood counterpart, with two added experiences: Yoshi’s Adventure, and the debut of Donkey Kong Country in the U.S.

Yoshi’s Adventure is a slow-moving indoor/outdoor ride with elevated views of the Mushroom Kingdom. It’s charming, gentle, and punctuated with visual details. Someone called it the Nintendo PeopleMover, and now I can’t unhear it.

As a first-timer on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, I found there’s definitely a learning curve — from positioning the heavy Mario cap and attached AR visor (and assisting kiddos if they need help too) to the mental gymnastics of tracking shells, aiming, and racking up points, all while trying to appreciate what could stand alone as a richly themed dark ride without the added gameplay element. Feeling shell-shocked, gamers in the know assured me this is the kind of ride you probably won’t master or fully appreciate on your first try. So if you’re only going to do it once — be sure to read up and know what you’re doing. 

Banana-Powered Adventure in Donkey Kong Country

Around the corner, it’s a party in Donkey Kong Country cascading waterfalls, overgrown greenery, and a full change in energy. It feels like a completely new biome — colorful, tropical, and alive with motion. Bananas are everywhere: in the foliage, in the queue, and, I’m told, on the menu at The Bubbly Barrel. (I didn’t get to try the banana treats this time, but I have a feeling they’ll be worth the return.)

The marquee attraction here, Mine-Cart Madness, lives up to its name. The queue builds tension with clever theming, but the real thrill comes from the ride’s “broken track” effect. The coaster simulates sudden jumps over missing rails — giving you the illusion that your cart is leaping through the air. It’s safe, of course, but that doesn't stop your brain from going straight to the panic of every time you almost lost a life in the game. Whether or not you remember Donkey Kong Country vividly, the nostalgia hits hard.

Game Not Over Yet

I didn’t make it to Toadstool Cafe on this visit, but knowing the response to its menu and atmosphere in Hollywood, I feel confident this one will deliver. I also missed the merch this time around, only getting a quick peek at the main shop, Mario Motors, which just means this world demands a second round.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore