It’s been a long time coming, but Super Nintendo World has finally gotten its first expansion park! When Nintendo first unveiled its theme park, it was made clear that while Mario would be the focal point of the main attraction, as he’s the most well-known video game character in the world, he would be the only one getting the attention over time. Instead, new parks would be added to help build up the brand and give people going to the park more to do. The first extension was announced last year and revealed to be focused on Donkey Kong.
The good news is that the Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion has officially opened in Super Nintendo World’s Kyoto branch. It’s already been confirmed that both the California and Florida branches of the park will get the DK extension in 2025, with them both being opened by May, which is when the Universal Studios “Epic Universe” officially opens.
Regardless, the Donkey Kong Country Park has plenty for fans of the great ape to enjoy. For example, you’ll be able to see many of the locations and characters that have been in the games in the past, including a reference to DK’s original arcade game. Like in Mario’s park, there are also mini-games that you can enjoy, including being able to play the bongos to unlock a certain friend and collecting the “KONG” letters. The big attractions, though, are getting to go to the store to buy plenty of new merch, going to the restaurant to eat plenty of banana-focused dishes, as the Kongs love eating bananas, and then, there’s the mine cart roller coaster ride. Curiously, Nintendo hasn’t shown off much of the ride, but that might simply be because it wants fans and parkgoers to experience it themselves without too many teases.
Preview events and insider teases of the park have already praised the DK extension, and it will make many fans hopeful that they can go to it in the future. Plus, you can chalk this up as another win for Nintendo, who has been working hard to expand its brand beyond gaming devices for a while now.
With the Donkey Kong park slowly opening up around the world, the question once again becomes, “Which character will get the next park?” It really depends on what Nintendo feels will be the “best-timed” expansion. To that end, our money will be an expansion based on the land of Hyrule due to the live-action film coming up.
