Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[JungleSkip]

No kidding. I can think of quite a few other areas ripe for replacement/reimagining before MIB should even begin to enter a theoretical conversation.

I'm not saying those won't get replacements either. I don't expect anything pre-2010 to be around for much longer, TBH

 

[belloq87]

I'm not saying those won't get replacements either. I don't expect anything pre-2010 to be around for much longer, TBH

I just don't understand the company's mindset if that's how they really feel about it. Wanting to capitalize and make money on contemporary/relevant properties and keeping links to the park's heritage (in the form of some of the best attractions at the resort) should not need to be mutually exclusive.

 

[JungleSkip]

I just don't understand the company's mindset if that's how they really feel about it. Wanting to capitalize and make money on contemporary/relevant properties and keeping links to the park's heritage (in the form of some of the best attractions at the resort) should not need to be mutually exclusive.

It's pretty clear that most people don't give a hoot about the park's heritage, for good or ill.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Splatoon would work well as a light retheme for MIB. Honestly, I could be okay with that.

But, I really don't want MIB to leave. I don't even like the movie franchise. But, MIB remains my favorite ride at UOR. Everything from the pre-show to the queue to the ride is a slam dunk. Disney has a multi-generational nostalgia that stops them from tearing out some evergreen rides. Universal is getting close to having a mass of Universal parents taking their kids to Universal. I hope that's enough to keep MIB around

 

[Mike S]

Never said you couldn't. But laser tag takes away the possibility of slip/sliding movement of Splatoon, not to mention the effect of moving slower through your enemy's paint color. I'm not saying it's impossible to make a splatoon style laser tag. I'm saying it'd be a waste of the property and a bad adaptation of the game, especially considering the lengths they're going for Mario Kart and Donkey Kong Country

The difference between Splatoon and those properties are the fact those rides are focusing on vehicles already in the games. In Splatoon you're kind of just running around. How do you put that in a ride?

 

[Alicia]

For the record. Never heard of Splatoon before this thread.

But I can name every Mario character, I know what Pokémon is, the difference between Zelda and Link, Kirby and I even know that the Metroid character is a girl.

But I have never heard of Splatoon before.

And I can't be the only one.

 

[quinnmac000]

The difference between Splatoon and those properties are the fact those rides are focusing on vehicles already in the games. In Splatoon you're kind of just running around. How do you put that in a ride?

Splatoon could work better as a play area using water and projection mapping for colors. Like a water gun fight.

For the record. Never heard of Splatoon before this thread.

But I can name every Mario character, I know what Pokémon is, the difference between Zelda and Link, Kirby and I even know that the Metroid character is a girl.

But I have never heard of Splatoon before.

And I can't be the only one.

Justice for Animal Crossing #Make Universal Great Again by adding Animal Crossing.

 

[Alicia]

Justice for Animal Crossing #Make Universal Great Again by adding Animal Crossing.

I do know Animal Crossing. I still owe Tom Nook some Bells.

 

[Mike S]

For the record. Never heard of Splatoon before this thread.

But I can name every Mario character, I know what Pokémon is, the difference between Zelda and Link, Kirby and I even know that the Metroid character is a girl.

But I have never heard of Splatoon before.

And I can't be the only one.

Samus.

Her name, is Samus.

And after 10 long years she's finally starring in good games again :cry:

 

[Blue]

For the record. Never heard of Splatoon before this thread.

But I can name every Mario character, I know what Pokémon is, the difference between Zelda and Link, Kirby and I even know that the Metroid character is a girl.

But I have never heard of Splatoon before.

And I can't be the only one.

Splatoon is a lot newer than those IPs. The first game came out just 2 years ago.

It's not as recognizable but I'd say it's probably more relevant than Metroid now.

 

[Skipper Justin]

I do know Animal Crossing. I still owe Tom Nook some Bells.

He'd bust your kneecaps if the character models had them.

 

[Alicia]

Splatoon is a lot newer than those IPs. The first game came out just 2 years ago.

It's not as recognizable but I'd say it's probably more relevant than Metroid now.

That's why something like Mario, and even Zelda, is better for the parks though. It's as relevant now as it was in the 1980's and early nineties, when people like me played video games. Wider audience for sure.

 

[E.Gadd]

Splatoon is the biggest thing they've come out with since the Wii [Insert Concept] series of games, and will likely factor into future brand decisions. Nintendo is very confident in being able to grow it into one of their top brands.(There are some pretty bold plans including animated films)

Problem is, it's too fresh yet to know how successful those projects will be in growing it into a lasting brand. It absolutely has the ability to get there though, it just needs more time and proven results.

Mario nor Pokemon were built in a day.

However, if we are talking about Osaka potentially getting something Splatoon related in the future over something Donkey Kong or Zelda related? Yeah, I could definitely see that happening. Especially if Japan continues to eat up everything Splatoon related that gets put out on store shelves.

For Orlando, I could see Inkling mascots show up on occasion to hang out with Mario and friends.

"Come join 'Off the Hook' for their mini-concert at Peach's Castle!"

I imagine cross promotions that take advantage of Nintendo's slew of mascots characters will be a relatively common occurrence at SNW.

 

[zg44]

I just don't understand the company's mindset if that's how they really feel about it. Wanting to capitalize and make money on contemporary/relevant properties and keeping links to the park's heritage (in the form of some of the best attractions at the resort) should not need to be mutually exclusive.

It's not too much of a surprise that Comcast only really feels tied to the parts of the parks that its fingerprints are over (as well as IPs over at the movie studio). Anytime a new owner (or CEO) takes over a set of media assets, this is sort of what happens.

You could argue the same is true over at Disney in terms of how every CEO has left his mark on their parks/IPs...

Look at how DreamWorks' movie slate is changing under Comcast, or look at how Viacom is changing under its new CEO (emphasizing several networks and changing Spike to Paramount Network etc.).

 

[captainmoch]

In my opinion, I'd rank Nintendo properties this way:
Top-Tier, deserve full lands:
- Mario universe (feat. DK and Yoshi)
- Pokemon
- Zelda
Second Tier, potentially could get smaller but still permanent representation:
- Splatoon (As a kid splash park similar to Curious George.)
- Animal Crossing (Brewster cafe with KK Slider animatronic show and a connected Nookling Junction gift shop... make it happen.)
- Kirby (Kirby Cafe at CityWalk or USF could work. Kirby would also be the perfect property to theme flat rides after.)
Thrid Tier, could get temporary attractions:
- Metroid (Maybe at HHN? The series has a darker tone than most Nintendo properties already.)
- Fire Emblem (could maybe get a Universal Cool event in Japan to promote FE Switch, but that's the most I'd expect.)

 

[epcyclopedia]

Random note: the Art Director position they had open for Nintendo has been put on hold. Not exactly sure what that means, but might suggest a snafu.

 

[Mike S]

In my opinion, I'd rank Nintendo properties this way:
Top-Tier, deserve full lands:
- Mario universe (feat. DK and Yoshi)
- Pokemon
- Zelda
Second Tier, potentially could get smaller but still permanent representation:
- Splatoon (As a kid splash park similar to Curious George.)
- Animal Crossing (Brewster cafe with KK Slider animatronic show and a connected Nookling Junction gift shop... make it happen.)
- Kirby (Kirby Cafe at CityWalk or USF could work. Kirby would also be the perfect property to theme flat rides after.)
Thrid Tier, could get temporary attractions:
- Metroid (Maybe at HHN? The series has a darker tone than most Nintendo properties already.)
- Fire Emblem (could maybe get a Universal Cool event in Japan to promote FE Switch, but that's the most I'd expect.)

Metroid Prime 2 would actually provide a pretty good basis for a HHN house, especially the very beginning of the game.

 

[Paulio]

Ok guys, what would Super Nintendo World look like on Halloween Horror Nights? Does it look like it would close for HHN or it would be like "Boo-Ville" in HHN 2002? SNW is likely going to take place at Universal Studios Florida at the former Kidszone area so HHN would take place. I kinda wish it open though, considering how much money Nintendo would bring to the park...or maybe it's not suitable for an adult-oriented event.

 

[Mike S]

Ok guys, what would Super Nintendo World look like on Halloween Horror Nights? Does it look like it would close for HHN or it would be like "Boo-Ville" in HHN 2002? SNW is likely going to take place at Universal Studios Florida at the former Kidszone area so HHN would take place. I kinda wish it open though, considering how much money Nintendo would bring to the park...or maybe it's not suitable for an adult-oriented event.

Since there are plenty of adult Nintendo fans there should definitely be something even if it's not really scary.

A Boo House or Luigi's Mansion would be cool.

 

[Alicia]

In my opinion, I'd rank Nintendo properties this way:
Top-Tier, deserve full lands:
- Mario universe (feat. DK and Yoshi)
- Pokemon
- Zelda
Second Tier, potentially could get smaller but still permanent representation:
- Splatoon (As a kid splash park similar to Curious George.)
- Animal Crossing (Brewster cafe with KK Slider animatronic show and a connected Nookling Junction gift shop... make it happen.)
- Kirby (Kirby Cafe at CityWalk or USF could work. Kirby would also be the perfect property to theme flat rides after.)
Thrid Tier, could get temporary attractions:
- Metroid (Maybe at HHN? The series has a darker tone than most Nintendo properties already.)
- Fire Emblem (could maybe get a Universal Cool event in Japan to promote FE Switch, but that's the most I'd expect.)

The only problem with the cafe is you only get to watch KKSlider perform if you happen to catch him 8pm on Saturday night.