Category: Universal Studios Japan

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AR ‘Mario Kart’ Ride to Open at Japan’s Upcoming Super Nintendo World

Universal Studios Japan today announced the opening date of its long-delayed ‘Super Nintendo World’ in its Osaka-based theme park, which is set to feature a Mario Kart-themed ride including AR headsets.

The grand opening of Super Nintendo World is officially set for February 4th, 2021, marking the 20th anniversary of USJ’s Osaka theme park.

In a press statement (Japanese), the company says the attraction combines a number of state-of-the-art video technologies such as AR headsets, projection mapping, and screen projection footage with special effects such as steam, as well as famous scenes from its past games reproduced on the ride’s course as set pieces.

Image courtesy Universal Studios Japan, Nintendo

The ride has been in development for more than six years now, and according to Bloomberg, the new theme park area cost ¥60 billion yen ($578 million USD) to build.

The Mario Kart AR ride takes place inside a recreation of Koopa’s (aka Bowser’s) Castle, and kits out riders with AR headsets topped with Mario’s iconic cap. USJ says on its website that park-goers will be able to race against other players through Mario Kart courses, toss out shells, and sprint to finish line with Mario and Peach. Check out Bloomberg’s first look below to get a peek at the ride.

Given the current state of travel, February 4th is admittedly an optimistic date. In a bid to address this early on, the park is enforcing a set of new practices, including social distancing, increased park sanitization, temperature checks, mandatory mask-wearing, and also encouraging guests to use Osaka’s COVID-19 tracing app. Granted, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is mostly geared towards attracting domestic tourists, however that area has recently seen its third, and largest flare-up of the virus, so it’s still likely going to be an uphill battle.

And in the midst of Super Nintendo World’s opening, it remains to be seen whether large-format VR attractions the world over will be able to make plans for a similar rebound. It’s still too early to tell though, so we’ll be watching 2021 with great interest to see whether a wary public can truly feel safe enough to return to location-based entertainment after (hopefully) wide distribution of an effective vaccine.

The post AR ‘Mario Kart’ Ride to Open at Japan’s Upcoming Super Nintendo World appeared first on Road to VR.

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Final Fantasy XR Ride Opening Soon In Japan

The Final Fantasy series remains one of the most enduring, beloved and popular videogame franchises, getting innumerable spin-off videogames, merchandise, films, and now, a theme-part ride at Universal Studios Japan.

In a move seemly designed to make Western Final Fantasy fans cry with envy, The Final Fantasy Ride at Universal Studios is set to only run for a limited time. The attraction will form part of the theme park’s yearly ‘Cool Japan’ event, which is set to feature other beloved Japanese franchises such as Monster Hunter.

Though much of the promotional art revealed so far focusses on the iconic characters of Cloud and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, the team at Universal studios are promising that the ride will take visitors to various worlds of the Final Fantasy universe, so there is still a chance of catching a glimpse of Vivi, Kefka, Lighting or Cecil.

The Final Fantasy XR Ride is, in essence, a virtual reality (VR) re-dress of the existing Space Fantasy rollercoaster. In similar fashion to how Galactica at Alton Towers works, riders will don VR headsets at the start of the ride, which are synced to the motion of the ride to provide a smooth and immersive experience, such as a view of a confrontation between Cloud and Sephiroth or a battle against series mainstay monsters, the Cactuars.

In addition, special limited-edition merchandise for Final Fantasy XR Ride will be available, featuring designs and artwork created by Final Fantasy artist and character designer Yoshitaka Amano, like a t-shirt and watch featuring promotional artwork for the ride, or limited edition Moogle and Chocobo plushies.

The ride will open on 19th January, 2018 and Final Fantasy fans will have until 24th June 2018 t experience the ride before the Final Fantasy trappings are removed. VRFocus will bring you further news on Final Fantasy XR ride as it becomes available.

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Universal Studios Japan To Open Final Fantasy VR Roller Coaster

Universal Studios Japan has been known for hosting attractions featuring some of the major cultural icons of Japanese television, film and videogaming, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Attack on Titan. Now the Final Fantasy videogame series will form part of its 2018 line up of attractions with a virtual reality (VR) roller coaster.

The upcoming Final Fantasy attraction is set to be called the Final Fantasy XR Ride, a mixed reality (MR) experience that allows park visitors to get on board on of the famous airships from Final Fantasy lore, then set off to travel between the various worlds of Final Fantasy, catching glimpses of the heroes and villains of each title, and getting involved in some hair-raising situations along the way.

Promotional materials for the Final Fantasy XR Ride features Final Fantasy VII protagonist Cloud Strife, flanked by Squall and Lighting of Final Fantasy VIII and XIII respectively, Tidus and Zidane of Final Fantasy X and IX are present, along with Terra and Cecil of Final Fantasy VI and IV for those who like to delve further into the franchise history.

The VR visuals will be produced by Square Enix in-house visual team at Visual Works, who have been responsible for the impressive CGI cut-scenes that have become an expected aspect of the franchise. Another name connected to the Final Fantasy franchise, artist Yoshitake Amano is also involved, creating a logo for the ride in the style of several of the previous videogames in the series.

The Final Fantasy XR Ride is due to open at the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka on 19th January, 2018.

VRFocus will bring you further news on the Final Fantasy XR Ride as it becomes available.