Nintendo fans will go crazy for this theme park that’s right on our doorstep

Aussies can’t get enough of Japan - and this theme park is an unmissable stop on every family’s dream itinerary.

4 min read

February 6, 2025 - 11:20AM

Step into the game: Super Nintendo World is now open

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Deciding to dedicate an entire day on our family’s first-ever trip to Japan - and a chunk of our entertainment budget - to a theme park was, at first, something I wasn’t completely sold on.

The thought of spinning around the sky on roller coasters all day isn’t exactly my cup of tea, so it was agreed that we would choose one that would satisfy the whole family’s different interests - and stomach strength …

That’s where Universal Studios Japan (USJ) came in.

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Images: Supplied

A Nintendo fan's dream

To be honest, as soon as I heard that it has Super Nintendo World (SNW), the world’s first theme park ‘land’ that brings my favourite childhood game, Super Mario Bros., to life, I was in.

Of course, I couldn’t help but pretend for a little while that the whole adventure was for the benefit of my 10-year-old who was bursting at the seams to be experiencing first hand what so many YouTubers are raving about.

Of course, USJ is far more than just SNW, but we’ll get to all of that later.

Due to USJ being so popular - it’s the third most visited theme park in the world - it’s key to have a little bit of a plan in what your family wants to go on first, because there is just SO much on offer throughout the park that it would be near impossible to do it all in the one day.

In fact, we only did about half as it was a busy day with some big queues, but managed to tick off most of our bucket list attractions - and that was mostly due to having very handy Express Passes, which are completely separate from the purchase of entry tickets.

There are various options depending on which attractions you want easier access to, and each pass can only be used once. Entry tickets and Express Passes range in cost depending on the day you visit and amount of rides, so it’s best to check the website directly.

Images: Supplied

You're literally IN the video game!

To have the best chance of short lines, we start the day in SNW. My son is kitted out with a Power-Up Band, which allows him to do fun challenges, and we head straight to Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge. Kids will love this high-tech ride which whizzes you around in a full-size cart while you throw shells at baddies. It’s a five-star rating from me, too.

I won’t lie - SNW is perhaps one of the busiest places in all of USJ because it literally is SO impressive that you really feel like you’re walking through the video game. It wasn’t open for our visit yet, but SNW now has the world’s first Donkey Kong land, which is heaven for young and retro gamers.

Once my son completed his all important battle with Bowser, it was onto to check out the rest of the park.

The Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 4D ride did not disappoint, as did the Jaws boat ride, which is still so iconic even all these years later.

Only one member of the family was brave enough to tackle The Flying Dinosaur, which sees riders soar through the air - often upside down - on an adrenalin-filled roller coaster. While I could barely watch without my insides churning, they highly recommended it for anyone keen for a very fun thrill.

Image: Supplied

Rides, shows and so much more

In between rides, we carved out time to catch WaterWorld, a Hollywood stunt-style show, which was highly entertaining and gave us much needed time off our feet.

While it wasn’t on our itinerary due to the age of our child, USJ has lots on offer for little ones, with Sesame Street themed rides and play areas, Hello Kitty activities, a Flying Snoopy ride and carnival style games.

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We ended the day just as we’d planned - taking in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The impressive Hogwarts recreation is truly incredible and you can even buy a cup of Butter Beer along the way. The holy grail here is The Forbidden Journey, which creates an ultra realistic - and sometimes dizzying - 4D experience flying on a broomstick, facing off with Harry’s enemies, and going on a wild ride you won’t forget in a hurry.

For a day where I didn’t step on one rollercoaster, USJ is still one very fun and exhilarating experience that was an absolute highlight of our family’s Japan adventure.

Entry tickets to USJ can be bought at the gate, but due to its popularity, it’s recommended to purchase online ahead of your visit. Express Passes are much more limited, so it’s recommended to purchase these first prior to entry tickets.

Josephine’s visit was in cooperation with #universalstudiosjapan (#USJ) but all her views are her own.