Summary
- Universal Studios Japan's Donkey Kong expansion will feature a thrilling roller coaster called Mine Cart Madness that simulates the franchise's minecart segments.
- The roller coaster achieves this effect by using a patented technology called Boom Coaster, where the carts run on hidden tracks instead of visible ones, creating the sensation of being thrown into the air during broken track moments.
- Donkey Kong fans can look forward to joining the series' titular protagonist on an adventure to protect the Golden Banana, with the attraction potentially featuring other references to the games in addition to the broken track jump.
A new ride for the upcoming Donkey Kong-themed section of Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World will give parkgoers a very hands-on and thrilling series throwback, according to reports. The attraction apparently uses a simple yet clever design to provide this experience.
Nintendo first announced the Donkey Kong expansion to its Universal Studios Japan area in 2021, revealing plans to add a new roller coaster and other interactive experiences. Named Donkey Kong Country, which is also the title of the franchise's Super Nintendo Entertainment System reboot series, the section will also feature themed merchandise and food. More details regarding the roller coaster, Mine Cart Madness, have finally popped up online, giving fans a better idea of what they can expect once it opens.
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CoasterTalk, a YouTube channel dedicated to keeping an eye on the progress of attractions around the world, claimed in a recent video that Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong rollercoaster will simulate the games' minecart segments by making its riders feel as if they were being thrown into the air during moments where there are broken tracks. The ride can achieve this effect as its carts are actually running on a set of hidden tracks and not on the visible ones via a patented technology called Boom Coaster. The official page for Mine Cart madness claims the Donkey Kong Country ride will let fans join the series' titular protagonist on their adventure to protect the Golden Banana, so the attraction could feature other references to the games in addition to the broken track jump.
Universal Studios Japan's Donkey Kong Country is set to open in spring 2024, while Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida will get its own version of the area by summer 2025. The U.S. Site will also feature the Mine Cart Madness roller coaster, as well as themed food, drinks, and merchandise, among other things.
The last Donkey Kong game released for home consoles was Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which was initially launched for the Wii U in 2014 and received a Nintendo Switch port in 2018. Leakers have claimed that a new 2D Donkey Kong game is already being developed for the Switch 2, the rumored successor to Nintendo's popular handheld console. Meanwhile, a remake of 2004's Mario vs. Donkey Kong is currently set to be released this February.
2024 is shaping up to be a big year for Nintendo even when just taking into account the opening of Donkey Kong Country and a possible launch for the next generation Switch. Donkey Kong fans will have to wait and see if the new Universal Studios Japan expansion and the Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake are the only things that Nintendo has in store for the series this year.
- Released
- February 16, 2024
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong
WHERE TO PLAY
The rivalry reignites! Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to Mario to get them back! Run, jump, and backflip your way to retrieving them across over 130 levels in this puzzle-style twist on classic platforming action. The rivalry that originally heated up on the Game Boy™ Advance system returns on the Nintendo Switch™ system with newly added co-op play, brand-new worlds, updated music and visuals, and other new ways to play.
Put your brain to work and figure out the best way to reach the Mini-Mario toys in puzzle-platforming challenges across eight distinct worlds. Watch for enemies, dodge hazards, and use the tools scattered around. See if you can earn a Perfect rating on each level!
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Puzzle
