Epic Universe construction update: Super Nintendo World progress powers up
Anticipation for Epic Universe’s Opening Day has us jumping up super high and shouting “Yahoo!” Press pause on your game and check out this construction update on Super Nintendo World.
Construction on Super Nintendo World is nearing the finish line (or, flagpole in this case) as Universal Epic Universe nears its May 22, 2025 opening date. Thanks to @bioreconstruct on X, we have new photos to share from one of his Jan. 17 flight above Epic Universe.
Super Nintendo World is home to three attractions: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Mine-Cart Madness. Today, we’re focusing on the portal to Super Nintendo World and the Mushroom Kingdom itself. If you’re interested in seeing how far the Donkey Kong Country portion of the land is coming along, we have a construction update detailing additions on that as well.
Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on Super Nintendo World’s portal. The Super Star and Super Mushroom are displayed as if they were shooting out of the various multi-colored warp pipes that sit atop the portal. Work continues on the Fire Flower power-up coming from the red warp pipe, as it does not have a face yet.
Above the portal is a double sided medallion, with one side displaying a classic 8-bit Mario and the other with a modern Mario design.
Judging by the portal’s concept art, a coin will be placed above the yellow warp pipe, but it’s not there yet.
Artwork courtesy of Universal
Nintendo Super Star Store sits to the right of the Super Nintendo World portal, technically located within Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe. Combining Nintendo characters with the Celestial Park aesthetic, this souvenir shop will suck up all the hard-earned coins you collected across Super Nintendo World. (Note: Coins found in the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country have no cash value.)
The main entrance to the store now has rockwork sculptures of Donkey Kong (left) and Bowser (right).
Another entrance to the Super Star Store features Yoshi (left) and Toadette on top of Toad (right). On the bottom of the image, the Mario fountain is running with water.
Stained-glassed windows above the entrance to the store display Princess Peach, Mario, Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong.
The portal to Super Nintendo World will take guests through Princess Peach’s castle and into the Mushroom Kingdom. Painting continues atop the turrets of Peach’s castle. A stained-glass portrait of Princess Peach rests above the exit of her castle, but it’s hard to see as it is covered in plastic wrap for now.
Work is in progress on the gazebo next to Princess Peach’s castle. If Epic Universe follows suit with the other versions of Super Nintendo World in various Universal parks elsewhere, this gazebo is where guests will be able to meet the princess herself, if she doesn’t get kidnapped … again.
Yshi’s, I mean, Yoshi’s Adventure is currently missing the Yoshi egg that acts as the “O” in the attraction’s name. A wait-time sign, with its accompanying ride warning board, were placed to the right of the entrance. A height indicator and the ride’s test seat are located on the left side of the ride entrance.
Yoshi’s Adventure’s outdoor portion appears to be relatively complete, with none of its figures or ride vehicles under plastic wrap.
The menacing exterior for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge appears to be fully complete. The attraction’s wait time/warning sign is also uncovered to the right of the ride entrance. Mario Motors, the ride’s gift shop where racers will exit through, also seems close to the checkered flag of completion.
The entrance to Donkey Kong Country is still under consturction, with groundwork, colored pavement, and an entrance sign still yet to be placed.
With just four months until opening day at the time of writing, Super Nintendo World is coming along beautifully. Construction crews are hard at work finishing this land before previews start in the months ahead.
Are you excited to experience Super Nintendo World? Let us know in the comments below! As always, stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for construction updates on Epic Universe! If you want to see more aerial shots of Epic Universe, check out the video below.
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