The China Mail - Let's-a-go (to Hollywood)! First US 'Super Mario' theme park to open

Super Nintendo World will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood -- an amusement park that is traditionally home to rides based on film and TV franchises from "Waterworld" to "Harry Potter."

But with the video game industry now eclipsing movies in size, and theme parks using increasingly interactive technology to immerse guests, bosses of the two companies have joined forces to capitalize on the platform-hopping plumber's global popularity.

The new Nintendo attraction will largely mirror the design of its recently opened, slightly larger sister park in Osaka, including a "Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge" ride that uses augmented reality goggles.

Visitors race along a real-life track surrounded by actual set pieces, but can aim and shoot virtual shells at computerized villains they see displayed on their head-mounted, individual visors.

- 'Ultimate playground' -

There are also a number of mini-games in which visitors with interactive wristbands can accrue coins and stamps, to qualify for a "final showdown" with the evil Bowser Jr.

"It's kind of the ultimate playground," said Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative.

"We are known for our film franchises, which are terrific, and they're very immersive. Games are a different thing.

"How we even engage with entertainment is evolving in and of itself... entertainment is not static."

Nintendo fans have already begun flocking to the Los Angeles amusement park, where word quickly spread last week that the new attraction was admitting visitors for a "soft opening" to iron out any final technical glitches.

"Being here, it's like my childhood in real life," said Carlos Moctezuma, who wore a Mario outfit to the park.

"I've known Mario since I was in second grade. That was one of my first games on the Game Boy," said his partner Lexsi Houseman, dressed as Luigi.

"It's a dream come true," she added.

- Star-studded cast -

The official launch of Super Nintendo World is set for February 17, when visitors surrounded by mechanical Yoshis, Piranha Plants and Goombas from the beloved gaming franchise will be greeted by actors dressed as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach.

A third Nintendo theme park will follow in Orlando.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures -- the Hollywood film studio that shares its parent company with the theme park -- will release "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" in April.

The film features US actor Chris Pratt as the voice of Italian plumber Mario -- a casting choice which has sparked controversy and criticism on social media, but only drawn more attention to the nostalgia-laden movie.

A starry voice cast also includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong.

It will be Hollywood's second attempt to bring Nintendo's most famous characters to the big screen, after a widely panned 1993 live-action movie.

The first "Super Mario Bros" game came out in 1985 for Nintendo's NES console.

The platform game, in which Mario runs and jumps past obstacles to collect coins and save Princess Peach from the evil Koopa turtles, was based on the "Mario Bros" arcade game released earlier.

V.Liu--ThChM