Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[Ashhanbre]

Yes, confidential. My guess is they want to see which project to fast track, Potter or Nintendo.

NINTENDO! NINTENDO! NINTENDO!!

 

[UNIrd]

Eh, it should be a 1-2 punch really. Nintendo one year, Potter the next.

 

[Dinoman96]

It'll be interesting to see how popular Splatoon becomes. I'm thinking it's nearing Pikmin levels of popularity right now. If it gets to Metroid (cult favorite, less mainstream) or Kirby (well-known, but not Mario/Zelda status by any means), I think I could eventually have a theme park presence.

Despite being more recent, I think it's safe to say Splatoon is more popular than Pikmin is at the moment.

NeoGAF has a nice reliable Nintendo hardware/software thread that shows all of Nintendo's games that have managed to sell over the million mark. Pikmin 1 sold 1.60 million while Pikmin 2 sold 1.12 million. Pikmin 3 sadly didn't hit the mark at all there (no thanks to the Wii U's crummy install base). Meanwhile, the first Splatoon alone managed to sell 4.80 million in one go, and its sequel is expected to dominate in Japan.

 

[quinnmac000]

Well if we are doing the game numbers game, Universal should for sure build animal crossing and Brain Age.

I know we base everything on game sales, but they won't be selling games in the park most likely they will be selling amiibos, etc. What's going to push more merch: Pikmin, Splatoon, etc?

 

[jseal777]

Remember, Disney has something to crush the new park.

whats that? The 50th?

 

[Imperius]

whats that? The 50th?

Was a joke to right after D23 and someone said that.

 

[jseal777]

Well if we are doing the game numbers game, Universal should for sure build animal crossing and Brain Age.

I know we base everything on game sales, but they won't be selling games in the park most likely they will be selling amiibos, etc. What's going to push more merch: Pikmin, Splatoon, etc?

I think people mention game sells to discuss how popular an IP may be to the general public, not necessarily how much merch that IP would sell in the park.

 

[Skold]

Yea, gotta love the Ball Factory.

Yep, we'll miss this for sure.

You may have noticed in pics i have posted that we carry hand sanitizer. For example, The Bypass Bridge | Inside Universal Forums

But i lose all of my shits here and run around picking those filthy balls up as fast as i can, to feed my kid's cannon or bag. We're in a war here folks!

Hate to lose this, but will be okay for SNW.

 

[Paulio]

I know it totally won't happen, but I want a Splatoon splash area in Nintendoland

Yeah but unfortunately, I don't think anyone know who Splatoon is, just Mario, DK, Yoshi, and other Nintendo characters.

 

[ChristopherSE]

Yeah but unfortunately, I don't think anyone know who Splatoon is, just Mario, DK, Yoshi, and other Nintendo characters.

I feel like a see Splatoon everywhere, and I'm sure a lot of parents will recognize it because their kids play it. But also, a water playground doesn't need a strong IP like an E-ticket anchor attraction does. It just needs to be fun and, well, have water. I think Splatoon could be perfect.

 

[Bobharlem]

What will close first in KidZone? Curious George seems like the most obvious one since that's probably where Mario Kart will go -- but it would also need the parade building behind it, so after HHN? Barney and Animal Actors seems like it could be later, Nuthouse coaster is kind of in the middle and Fivel could be shut down fairly quickly. DK would go in the Nuthouse/Fivel spot I'd assume?

Will animal actors shut down for good, or get moved?

 

[Teebin]

I will not miss KidZone at all.

I've never even seen KidZone! I have never had the sense that it was good design worth persuing.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've never even seen KidZone! I have never had the sense that it was good design worth persuing.

Of the many dozens of times we've been to Universal Studios, I doubt we've walked further back from ET more than two times. The only KidZone attraction we ever attended was the AA Pet Show, twice. Never really saw many people walking back that way, and we usually go on ET daily.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

What will close first in KidZone? Curious George seems like the most obvious one since that's probably where Mario Kart will go -- but it would also need the parade building behind it, so after HHN? Barney and Animal Actors seems like it could be later, Nuthouse coaster is kind of in the middle and Fivel could be shut down fairly quickly. DK would go in the Nuthouse/Fivel spot I'd assume?

Will animal actors shut down for good, or get moved?

Probably that and Barney. Lots of KidZone is used for HHN queues so they'll have to work around those.

 

[Alicia]

Everything in KidZone is kinda built at a weird angle, but more or less:

Barney and Curious George will become Mario Kart, plus some backstage area behind Barney.

Woody and Fievel become Donkey Kong, right up against ET overflow queue.

Animal Actors and KidZone entry courtyard become Nintendo courtyard and Yoshi ride (Mushroom Kingdom,) with entrance to SNW jutting all the way into the main walkway. Some snack stands will need to move out there but the BttF prop train and car should be fine where it is.

 

[Imperius]

So excited for this. I'm not a huge DK fan but the ride just sounds great.

 

[Alicia]

So excited for this. I'm not a huge DK fan but the ride just sounds great.

Me neither. Never even played a DK game but I am pumped for a tangible ride at Universal!

 

[Imperius]

Yeah all I really play on Nintendo is Mario Kart, Pokémon, and super smash bros, but I'm far more excited for this than Star Wars.

 

[quinnmac000]

So on Nintendo's website they have a list of licensees and associated websites who are allowed to legally create products for Nintendo ranging from Toys, Apparel, etc. I went to each site that was still active and looked at all their product and found out which one was the best sellers and boy the results were quite interesting.

In clothes, Zelda and classic Nintendo (SNES controller shirts etc) are king in being bought by men. In boy sizes however Splatoon does really really really really well. Junior sizes bestselling Nintendo IP seem to be Animal Crossing with Toom Nook, Resseti, and Redd the Fox Tops and Tanks. Women tended to buy the Star from Mario and Princess peach gear. Girls sizes sell a lot of Yoshi, DK, Mario and friends gear. There appeared to be little to no Kirby gear however people did buy Star Fox and Pikmin shirts.

In toys, Kirby and Pokemon reign supreme based on wholesale. However individually using ToyRUs, Walmart, Target as the General public for what toys sell well in regards to Nintendo, Animal Crossing by far blew out all the competition. This was followed by Pokemon, Mario Friends, and Kirby. Zelda Splatoon and Pikmin toys were present. ToyRUs bestsellers is creating a very different picture at the current moment with Animal Crossing 100% leading the way. However down below is 2015's number and it strongly demonstrates the distinct tastes each region has in regards to Nintendo.

These were the best selling amiiboos in 2014

And these were the most sought after and always sold out figures in 2014

In art books and collectible figurines, its also an even spread of Zelda, Metroid and some Kirby. Based on the licensed Nintendo figurines, Zelda and Metroid have a much larger selection followed by Kirby and then Mario and DK figures also present is present.

 

[Paulio]

So in case I'm missing something and I'm too lazy to go back and scroll for crucial information, but amid the rumors, does anyone think if Super Nintendo World might fit into Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida? The problem I have with replacing Kidzone with Super Nintendo World is that there are several backstage used for several HHN mazes behind the KidZone area. Based on the concept of Mario Kart ride and the DK mine cart coaster, it looks like they're gonna take up a lot more than just the Kidzone Area.

On the other hand, the Lost Continent at IOA seems so dead, is outdated, and so far the only island without an actual themed ride. The Poseidon's Fury doesn't have as much fanbase and most of the shows and decorations of the shows there are so choppy and cringy at times. There isn't a lot going on there like I have with other islands. There are rumors that SNW with a Zelda themed area would be part of Phase 2 at Islands of Adventure after the first one at USF opened and the Lost Continent might be tapped for possible replacement, considering the fact that Dragon Challenge would also be removed for the new Harry Potter dark attraction that is a family-themed type coaster.