View source for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge

{{short description|Amusement park attraction}}
{{italic title|string=Mario Kart}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox attraction
| name                = ''Mario Kart'': Bowser's Challenge
| logo                = File:Mario Kart Koopa's Challenge logo.png
| logo_width          = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image               = Mario Kart Koopa's Challenge (Universal Studios Japan) 1.jpg
| imagedimensions     = <!--Default is 250px-->
| caption             =
| location            = Universal Studios Japan<!--Must not be linked.-->
| location2           = Universal Studios Hollywood
| location3           = Universal Epic Universe
| section             = [[Super Nintendo World]]<!--Should be linked.-->
| section2            = [[Super Nintendo World]]
| section3            = [[Super Nintendo World]]
| status               = Operating<!--Operating, Closed, Under construction, Seasonal, Removed-->
| status2             = Operating
| status3             = Under construction
| cost                =
| opened              = {{Start date|2021|3|18}}
| opened2             = {{Start date|2023|02|17}}<ref name="PEOPLE">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Ryan |title=Universal Studios Hollywood Announces Opening Date for Super Nintendo World |url=https://people.com/travel/super-nintendo-world-universal-studios-hollywood-opening-date/ |website=PEOPLE |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |access-date=14 December 2022 |date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214151703/https://people.com/travel/super-nintendo-world-universal-studios-hollywood-opening-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| opened3             = {{Start date|2025|05|22}}<ref name="EpicUniverse">{{cite web|url=https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/everything-we-know-about-epic-universe-super-nintendo-world/|title=Everything We Know About Epic Universe: Super Nintendo Word|last=Stella|first=Alicia|date=January 2, 2023|website=Theme Park Stop|publisher=Theme Park Stop LLC|access-date=August 16, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718100706/https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/everything-we-know-about-epic-universe-super-nintendo-world/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| soft_opened         = {{Start date|2021|2|2}}
| soft_opened2        = {{Start date|2023|01|12}}
| soft_opened3        =
| year                = <!--If specified will override opened date and auto-categorize the coaster.-->
| coordinates         = {{coord|34.6679417|135.4305455|display=inline}}
| closed              = <!--Use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}}-->
| previousattraction  = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement         = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| type                = Augmented Reality Dark Ride<!--Should be linked.-->
| ride                = yes<!--Put "no" if not a ride. Defaults to "yes"-->
| manufacturer        = MTS Systems Corporation
| designer            = [[Universal Creative]]
| model               =
| theme               = ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''
| music               =
| height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft             = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m              = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph           = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h          = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqft       = <!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqm        = <!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce              =
| capacity            =
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type        = Bus-Bar Vehicle
| vehicles            =
| riders_per_vehicle  = 4<!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.-->
| rows                = 2
| riders_per_row      = 2<!--Only use if rows has been specified.-->
| duration            = 5:00
| restriction_ft      = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| restriction_in      = 40 <!--Must be expressed in inches and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| restriction_cm      = <!--Must be expressed in centimetres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| virtual_queue_name  =
| virtual_queue_image = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
| virtual_queue_status= <!--should be available if above fields are used-->
| virtual_queue_name2 =
| virtual_queue_image2= <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
| virtual_queue_status2=<!--should be available if above fields are used-->
| single_rider        = available<!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| pay_per_use         = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| custom_label_1      =
| custom_value_1      =
| transfer_accessible = yes
| assistive_listening =
| cc                  =
}}
'''''Mario Kart'': Bowser's Challenge''' (known in Japan as {{Nihongo foot|'''''Mario Kart'': Koopa's Challenge'''|マリオカート 〜クッパの挑戦状〜|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}) is an [[augmented reality]] [[dark ride]] that serves as the anchor attraction of [[Super Nintendo World]] at [[Universal Studios Japan]] and [[Universal Studios Hollywood]], with an upcoming version at [[Universal Epic Universe]]. The ride is based on the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' franchise, primarily on the ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' video game.
== History ==
The layout and details of the attraction were revealed across several years worth of leaked photographs, patents, and construction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=Rumour: Super Nintendo World Rides And Layout Potentially Revealed In "Leaked" Images |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/07/rumour_super_nintendo_world_rides_and_layout_potentially_revealed_in_leaked_images |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121225914/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/07/rumour_super_nintendo_world_rides_and_layout_potentially_revealed_in_leaked_images |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart- Articles |url=https://orlandoparkstop.com/search/Mario+Kart/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=Orlando ParkStop |date=February 4, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122041456/https://orlandoparkstop.com/search/Mario+Kart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Universal confirmed the attraction via the "We Are Born to Play" music video on January 13, 2020, but official details were still kept to a minimum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Brittani |date=2020-01-14 |title=Universal Studios Japan reveals new Super Nintendo World details |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/universal-studios-japan-new-super-nintendo-world-details-music-video/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Attractions Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123150756/https://attractionsmagazine.com/universal-studios-japan-new-super-nintendo-world-details-music-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The attraction was then formally unveiled on November 30, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glenn |first=Brian |title=Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan to open February 4, 2021 |url=https://www.insideuniversal.net/2020/11/super-nintendo-world-at-universal-studios-japan-to-open-february-4-2021/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Inside Universal |date=November 30, 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123153418/https://www.insideuniversal.net/2020/11/super-nintendo-world-at-universal-studios-japan-to-open-february-4-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The attraction opened alongside Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World on March 18, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Steen|first=Emma|title=Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Japan today|url=https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/super-nintendo-world-will-finally-open-at-universal-studios-japan-in-osaka-in-march-030821|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Time Out Tokyo|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220215854/https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/super-nintendo-world-will-finally-open-at-universal-studios-japan-in-osaka-in-march-030821|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-18|title=Super Nintendo World opens in Japan after Covid delays|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56447612|access-date=2021-03-19|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023195337/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56447612|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ride, alongside the rest of Universal Studios Japan, was temporarily closed on April 25, 2021, amid rising concerns regarding the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-23|title=Super Nintendo World Forced To Close Just One Month After Opening|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/super_nintendo_world_forced_to_close_just_one_month_after_opening|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184623/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/super_nintendo_world_forced_to_close_just_one_month_after_opening|url-status=live}}</ref> the park reopened in June of the same year, maintaining enhanced health and safety protocols.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-08|title=Super Nintendo World In Japan Has Officially Reopened|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/super_nintendo_world_in_japan_has_officially_reopened|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183227/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/super_nintendo_world_in_japan_has_officially_reopened|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-08|title=Super Nintendo World Reopens Following COVID-19 Closure In April|url=https://screenrant.com/super-nintendo-world-reopen-after-closure-april-covid/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182711/https://screenrant.com/super-nintendo-world-reopen-after-closure-april-covid/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ride officially opened in Universal Studios Hollywood on February 17, 2023.<ref name="PEOPLE" /> Another clone of the ride was announced for Universal Epic Universe scheduled to open in May 22, 2025.<ref name="EpicUniverse" />
== Ride description ==
=== Queue ===
The ride's exterior and queue are modeled after [[Bowser's Castle]]. The queue gradually reveals that the ride's plot involves "Team Bowser" ([[Bowser]] and the [[Koopalings]]) challenging "Team Mario" ([[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Princess Peach|Peach]], [[Princess Daisy|Daisy]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], and [[Yoshi]]) to the "Universal Cup".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Nilghe |first=Chris |date=2023-01-04 |title=Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge Review at Super Nintendo World |url=https://tdrexplorer.com/mario-kart-koopas-challenge-review-universal-studios-japan/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=TDR Explorer |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230226/https://tdrexplorer.com/mario-kart-koopas-challenge-review-universal-studios-japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Pre-show ====
Guests are given the [[augmented reality]]'s visors and enter the first pre-show room, which features [[Lakitu]] and [[Mii|Mii characters]] showing how to put on and adjust the visor. Guests then enter the second pre-show room, filled with replicas of Mii outfits from ''Mario Kart 8''. Here, Lakitu explains the ride vehicles and the shooting gallery-esque gameplay:
The four-person vehicles (modeled after "karts" from ''Mario Kart 8'') follow a set path on a railtrack. Guests attach the AR visors to the AR lenses in the vehicles, to view the Mario characters racing alongside them. Guests rotate their AR-wearing heads around to aim their [[Mario Kart|Koopa Shell]] ammo, and press a button on their steering wheel to fire the shells at characters within the augmented reality. Guests accumulate points during the ride by successfully hitting the "Team Bowser" characters with their shells. If all four riders turn their wheels in unison at certain turns, they'll "drift" into the turn, earning more points.<ref name=":0" />
=== Layout ===
After leaving the boarding station, the ride vehicles turn into a corner where guests can practice aiming and firing in the augmented reality before heading to the starting line.
The ride then takes guests through a variety of locations from ''Mario Kart 8'' based on previous ''[[Mario Kart]]'' installments, including: N64 Royal Raceway,{{efn|This course first appeared in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''.}} GBA Mario Circuit,{{efn|This course first appeared in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''.}} 3DS Piranha Plant Slide,{{efn|This course first appeared in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''.}} Dolphin Shoals, Twisted Mansion, Cloudtop Cruise, Wii Grumble Volcano,{{efn|This course first appeared in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.}} and [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart)|Rainbow Road]].{{efn|Based on the Rainbow Road in ''Mario Kart 64''.}}<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Nicole |title=Super Nintendo World theme park opens Feb. 4 — see the new Mario Kart ride |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2020-11-30 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/30/21726399/super-nintendo-world-theme-park-universal-studios-mario-kart-ride-japan-opening |language=en-US |accessdate=2020-12-11 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007054745/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/30/21726399/super-nintendo-world-theme-park-universal-studios-mario-kart-ride-japan-opening |url-status=live }}</ref> If riders collectively earn 100 points, the ride ends with "Team Mario" winning the race. However, if riders don't accumulate enough points, they'll see an alternate ending where "Team Bowser" wins.
Point tallies are shown at the end of the ride, similar to [[Toy Story Mania!|Toy Story Mania]].<ref name="Ars">{{Cite web |last1=Orland |first1=Kyle |title=AR Mario Kart anchors Universal's Super Nintendo World in February |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=2020-11-30 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/11/ar-mario-kart-anchors-universals-super-nintendo-world-in-february/ |language=en-us |accessdate=2020-12-11 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211100633/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/11/ar-mario-kart-anchors-universals-super-nintendo-world-in-february/ |url-status=live }}</ref> If guests scan their Power-Up Band against the steering wheel, they can log and keep track of their high-score for the ride on the official Universal Studios smartphone applications.<ref name=":0" />
== Reception ==
The ride has received mixed reception from critics. The attraction has been praised for its innovative technology, intricate theming, detailed sets, and special effects. However, it has also been criticized for moving at a slow pace, since the attraction is based on a high-speed racing franchise, and the AR lenses offering a narrow view of the characters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robson |first=Daniel |date=2021-03-23 |title=Super Nintendo World Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-nintendo-world-review |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128170024/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-nintendo-world-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=GameCentral |date=2021-04-02 |title=Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge review - the biggest ride at Super Nintendo World |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/02/mario-kart-koopas-challenge-at-super-nintendo-world-review-14346418/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Metro |language=en |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225040738/https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/02/mario-kart-koopas-challenge-at-super-nintendo-world-review-14346418/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/attractions/mario-kart-koopas-challenge Official website (Japan)]
* [https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/mario-kart-bowsers-challenge Official website (Hollywood)]
{{Mario Kart}}
{{Universal Studios Japan}}
{{Universal Studios Hollywood}}
{{Universal Epic Universe}}
{{Golden Ticket Award for Best New Family Attraction}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
[[Category:Amusement rides based on video game franchises]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2021]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2023]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2025]]
[[Category:Mario Kart|Koopa's Challenge]]
[[Category:Universal Studios Japan]]
[[Category:Universal Studios Hollywood]]
[[Category:Universal Epic Universe]]
[[Category:Universal Studios Singapore]]
[[Category:Best New Family Attraction]]
[[Category:2021 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:2023 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2025 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:2025 establishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Licensed properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences]]
[[Category:Universal Destinations & Experiences attractions by name]]