Review: Super Nintendo World (USH) – Is It Worth It?

Super Nintendo World is the newest themed area to open at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and has been highly anticipated for a number of years.

Despite not being huge fans of the Mario franchise (don’t hate it, but not first in line to buy the latest game) we really enjoyed visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and think visiting this new area is very much worthwhile during a trip to the theme park.

That being said, given it’s popularity there’s a lot to know before planning a trip to Super Nintendo World to ensure that you have a great time if / when you visit.

How To Visit Super Nintendo World At Universal Studios Hollywood

You need a ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood to visit Super Nintendo World. However, this does not guarantee entry into the new area.

Instead, to guarantee entry into Super Nintendo World we recommend purchasing a Super Nintendo World early access ticket.

Early access tickets cost between $20 and $25 depending on the exact date of your visit and can be purchased from the Universal Studios Hollywood website.

However, these tickets still require you to have either a general theme park ticket or be a Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Pass Member with entry into the park on the same day.

If you know that you definitely want to visit Super Nintendo World during a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood then we think the cost of a Super Nintendo World early access ticket (in addition to a regular Universal Studios Hollywood ticket) is very much worthwhile.

However, if you’re more of a casual fan, and your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood doesn’t depend on visiting Super Nintendo World then we’d recommend trying to enter using the Virtual Line – should the area reach capacity.

Can You Just Visit Super Nintendo World?

Sadly, you can not just purchase tickets for Super Nintendo World. Instead, you must purchase Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.

These tickets provide you entry into the entire Universal Studios Hollywood theme park – but do not guarantee entry into Super Nintendo World.

Instead, to guarantee entry into Super Nintendo World we recommend purchasing a Super Nintendo World early access ticket.

Super Nintendo World is incredibly small in relation to the size of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

Therefore unless you’re a huge Super Nintendo (or more specifically Mario) fan we’d recommend ensuring that you also want to experience other areas, rides and attractions that the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park has to offer.

Who Is Super Nintendo World Best Suited To?

Despite being named Super Nintendo World, this area is specifically focused on the Mario franchise.

As a result, we think Super Nintendo World is best suited to fans of the Mario video games – especially those taller than 42″.

Given that this is the minimum height requirement for going on the only ride within the area; Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

However, despite not being huge fans of the Mario franchise (don’t hate it, but not first in line to buy the latest game) we still really enjoyed visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The theming and attention to detail are absolutely incredible, playing mini-games with a Power-Up Band is super fun, and the AR technology used in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge makes it one of the best family-friendly rides we’ve ever experienced.

Who Won’t Enjoy Super Nintendo World?

Those with little to no interest in the Mario franchise are unlikely to be entertained by Super Nintendo World, especially during the first year when the area is incredibly crowded.

While the area’s mini-games are less of a time commitment and have more of a general appeal the $40 cost of a Power-Up Band required to play the games is likely not something you should plan to spend money on during a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Instead, we’d recommend ensuring that other areas of Universal Studios Hollywood appeal to you prior to purchasing your theme park tickets and then simply passing through Super Nintendo World during your visit should the capacity of the area allow.

How Long Do You Need In Super Nintendo World?

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is surprisingly small – smaller than The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Inside the land you’ll find;

• 1 Ride
• 2 Meet & Greet Locations
• 1 Store
• 1 Restaurant
• 5 Mini-Games (Power-Up Band required)

As such I estimate that you could experience everything within Super Nintendo World in two hours. However, this assumes that Bowsers Challenge has a wait time of less than 20 minutes and that you made your Toadstool Cafe reservation when arriving inside the land so you didn’t have to wait around for a table when dining at the restaurant.

This also assumes that you completed all of the mini-games using a Power-Up Band with minimal wait times (less than 5 minutes each), spent no longer than 15 minutes inside the Super Nintendo World Store and spent no more than 10 minutes waiting in line for each character meet-and-greet.

Unfortunately, the reality is that even Universal Studios Hollywood visitors who arrive at the park when it first opens and goes straight down to Super Nintendo World are unlikely to experience such low wait times for everything within this land.

Instead, based on our experience it will take anything from 4 to 7 hours to complete everything inside of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. With an estimated 50% to 70% of your time being spent waiting in line.

Based on our experience the breakdown is likely to be;

• Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge – Wait Time 60 mins to 180 mins
• Toadstool Cafe – Wait Time & Dining Time 60 mins to 120 mins
• Mini Games – Wait Time & Play Time 5 mins to 40 mins (4 available)
• Bowsers Challenge (Final Mini Game) – Wait Time & Play Time 20 mins to 60 mins
• Character Meet & Greet – Wait Time 45 mins to 120 mins (2 locations, 3 characters available)

As such if you would like to experience both Super Nintendo World to its fullest and everything else Universal Studios Hollywood has to offer then we’d recommend purchasing a two-day park ticket (with Super Nintendo World early access for at least one of the days).