Donkey Kong Country expansion in Universal Studios Japan opening later this year

There is exciting news for those visiting Japan in the future. Super Nintendo World’s expansion – Donkey Kong Country, will be opening this year. To hype up what’s to come in this latest amusement park attraction, Shigeru Miyamoto gave a tour via the latest Super Nintendo World Direct livestream.

Miyamoto showed the viewers how to get to the expanded location via Super Nintendo World. The location is near the 1UP Factory gift shop, and just like the main entrance, entering Donkey Kong Country will take visitors to a tunnel that transitions from brick to rocks. Upon entering, visitors will be presented with a jungle-themed exterior that fans may be familiar with when playing the games, like the Golden Temple and Donkey Kong’s treehouse.

Just like the Mario attraction, Donkey Kong Country will also feature fun mini-game activities, like a rhythm game, and other interactive panels that work with the existing Mario Power-up bands and the new Donkey Kong-themed bands and will be synced to your Universal Studios app. And it’s not an amusement park without themed food, mascot meet-ups, exclusive merch, and rides.

Super Nintendo World opened in Japan back in 2021 and has already expanded to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. In addition, the Mario-themed attraction is now under construction in Florida and Singapore. Miyamoto also announced that Donkey Kong Country will also open in Universal Epic Universe in Florida sometime next year. As of writing, to enter Super Nintendo World, visitors will need to book a timed entry ticket, along with a Universal Studios Japan entry pass, either via the Universal Studios Japan website or a partnering ticket seller, as the attraction will not allow everyone to go in due to crowd control.

Donkey Kong Country will open at Super Nintendo World Japan in Universal Studios on December 11, 2024.