Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[boomerthom]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Star Fox? The characters and vehicles seem infinitely marketable, and a simple simulator attraction would do justice to the IP.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Star Fox? The characters and vehicles seem infinitely marketable, and a simple simulator attraction would do justice to the IP.

I like Star Fox and the series is finally getting a new game sometime this year. But I don't see it as marketable enough for Universal to make an attraction out of. Especially a simulator when people are already complaining about the amount of simulation and screens in Universal rides. Plus a simple simulator would make it too similar to Simpsons where it would probably be right next to and people would call it a Star Tours ripoff too. So unfortunately, I see this being one of those Nintendo IPs that won't get much love in the park.

 

[chocotaco]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Star Fox? The characters and vehicles seem infinitely marketable, and a simple simulator attraction would do justice to the IP.

I agree, I think franchises like Starfox and Metroid could have a lot to offer and provide for multiple attractions each. I have an easier time coming up with attractions for those franchises than most of Nintendo's others. Only issue with them is that they aren't Nintendo's more mainstream characters. Unless they were to use Nintendo as the main draw for a third park (which they clearly aren't but I do think Nintendo would be suitable to do so), I don't see them using anything other than their most popular characters, mostly those related to Mario (including Donkey Kong, yoshi, etc), and Zelda.

 

[boomerthom]

I like Star Fox and the series is finally getting a new game sometime this year. But I don't see it as marketable enough for Universal to make an attraction out of. Especially a simulator when people are already complaining about the amount of simulation and screens in Universal rides. Plus a simple simulator would make it too similar to Simpsons where it would probably be right next to and people would call it a Star Tours ripoff too. So unfortunately, I see this being one of those Nintendo IPs that won't get much love in the park.

It would definitely struggle with familiarity before guests ride, though I think most guests (especially kids) would easily be on-board with the IP after riding. By "simple simulator" I meant in terms of ride tech - no need to push it like Gringotts or Kong. Though if interactivity becomes an integral part of the land, I could see something neat like having multiple destinations ala Star Tours 2, but maybe polling the guests mid-ride to decide which destinations to visit instead of choosing randomly. That would also match up with the games' emphasis on multiple routes through. Just a thought. It wouldn't be a headline attraction, but it could be neat if it compliments the heavy hitters like Mario and DK.

I agree, I think franchises like Starfox and Metroid could have a lot to offer and provide for multiple attractions each. I have an easier time coming up with attractions for those franchises than most of Nintendo's others. Only issue with them is that they aren't Nintendo's more mainstream characters. Unless they were to use Nintendo as the main draw for a third park (which they clearly aren't but I do think Nintendo would be suitable to do so), I don't see them using anything other than their most popular characters, mostly those related to Mario (including Donkey Kong, yoshi, etc), and Zelda.

Metroid just really seems like a tough sell in both guests' familiarity with the IP and how the heck you actually turn it into a ride. When I think Metroid, I think isolation and exploration, which could be tough to translate. A walkthrough/show experience might work (think Alien Encounter with freakin' Metroids instead of an alien), but I'm blanking on anything else. An in-your-face shooter attraction would be somewhat disingenuous to the IP, for example. Metroid is one of Nintendo's most subtle and thoughtful IPs, so I'd like to see a potential attraction reflect those traits. Was baffled when I saw it on HTF's list, but yeah...we'll see what happens. Metroid is my favorite Nintendo series, so I'd look forward to anything related to it in the parks.

 

[Cole]

Star fox is probably replacing BTTF up in japan so who knows if it'll make it over here? I hope so, it's been a childhood dream of mine to ride an arwing lol

 

[JungleSkip]

Star fox is probably replacing BTTF up in japan so who knows if it'll make it over here?

It is?

 

[boomerthom]

I'm now imagining a 3D Star Fox attraction that culminates in a Star Fox 64-style battle against Andross. His head and both of his hands seemingly "floating" in the air because of the 3D...hooooooly...and then...

Only I have the brains to rule Lylat!

*shivers*

 

[fryoj]

Peach's Castle: TSMM as if Nintendo and Universal Creative combined their creative firepower. 9 Levels. Level 9, Bowser! Lotso Screens will make his appearance for the duration of this attraction.

The levels thing gave me an idea. If it's a shooter type ride , how about having it set up that if you achieved a certain point total, your car takes a side track to fight bowser and save the princess? Probably not practical, but would certainly be unique. If that's impractical, I guess they could just do different ending scenes on a screen based on score. Get a low score and get a game over screen. Get high enough and get the princess. Re-rideability would be huge.

 

[chocotaco]

Metroid just really seems like a tough sell in both guests' familiarity with the IP and how the heck you actually turn it into a ride. When I think Metroid, I think isolation and exploration, which could be tough to translate. A walkthrough/show experience might work (think Alien Encounter with freakin' Metroids instead of an alien), but I'm blanking on anything else. An in-your-face shooter attraction would be somewhat disingenuous to the IP, for example. Metroid is one of Nintendo's most subtle and thoughtful IPs, so I'd like to see a potential attraction reflect those traits. Was baffled when I saw it on HTF's list, but yeah...we'll see what happens. Metroid is my favorite Nintendo series, so I'd look forward to anything related to it in the parks.

Well I haven't put too much thought into it, but I was thinking it could be set up that we are working for the Galactic Federation to take on some space pirates and metroids (if any of this conflicts Metroid lore let me know, I played the games awhile ago and enjoyed them but I admit I'm not caught up with the lore surrounding metroid). It would be similar to the Transformers attraction. Of course things will go wrong, as they always do, and we become over run. Samus then comes to save the day and just as things look to be clear Ridley makes his appearance and we have an epic fight scene. Now, to your point, would be hard to come up with an attraction that captures that feeling of isolation, but as long as it didn't destroy the lore I personally don't see it as being a deal killer. Samus did work for the galactic federation right? So I don't think it would be too far-fetched to work out an attraction based around us working for the galactic Federation and then having Samus save us when things inevitably go wrong. Could also work around with different ideas, maybe based around us studying Metroids which have been quarantined in a containment center, and of course they manage to get loose! I think there is potential with Metroid especially since Metroid offers many different environments to work with, would just require more than the 10 minutes of time I dedicated to trying to think of something. I'm sure those who have a much better imagination and creativity than I could come up with something mindblowing involving metroid.

A lot of cool enemies and character designs. One of my favorites:

 

[JungleSkip]

I don't think Metroid will jive with the feel of the overall land.

If anything, maybe we could get a Samus M&G. I doubt there would be more than that.

 

[quinnmac000]

Star fox is probably replacing BTTF up in japan so who knows if it'll make it over here? I hope so, it's been a childhood dream of mine to ride an arwing lol

Nah any nintendo IP would probably replace the area where they held Universal Cool since thats their season area.

 

[chocotaco]

I don't think Metroid will jive with the feel of the overall land.

If anything, maybe we could get a Samus M&G. I doubt there would be more than that.

I agree. I think only way something like metroid would get an attraction would be if they made a whole park out of Nintendo. Since they're not I'd imagine Uni will stick to mostly characters related to Mario in someway, and then Zelda. Still fun to think of what could be done though! Going to be torturous between now and whenever they reveal their actual plans for it.

 

[JungleSkip]

I agree. I think only way something like metroid would get an attraction would be if they made a whole park out of Nintendo. Since they're not I'd imagine Uni will stick to mostly characters related to Mario in someway, and then Zelda. Still fun to think of what could be done though! Going to be torturous between now and whenever they reveal their actual plans for it.

I think Metroid could make one hell of a shooter attraction, that's for sure.

 

[boomerthom]

I don't think Metroid will jive with the feel of the overall land.

If anything, maybe we could get a Samus M&G. I doubt there would be more than that.

I'm holding out for a Captain Falcon meet and greet. Hell, I don't even like meet and greets. SHOW ME YA MOVES!

I think Metroid could make one hell of a shooter attraction, that's for sure.

I could get down with this if it was basically a HHN house mixed with MiB.

 

[quinnmac000]

Nintendo is all honesty is a hard IP to develop in a theme park setting to make everyone happy with the IPs represented

 

[JungleSkip]

Nintendo is all honesty is a hard IP to develop in a theme park setting to make everyone happy with the IPs represented

If you're being realistic, there are properties that are clearly going to be represented in a big way. Expecting anything else is setting yourself up for disappointed.

Mario
Zelda
Pokemon
Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii outsold the entire Metroid Prime trilogy combined. Metroid just doesn't sell, so realistically it's not gonna show up. Star Fox has been dormant since GameCube, so that's clearly not going to be there either.

 

[boomerthom]

Nintendo is all honesty is a hard IP to develop in a theme park setting to make everyone happy with the IPs represented

True, yeah. Though, even if certain IPs don't translate into full-blown attractions, I think Universal and Nintendo would earn a lot of good will among fans by fitting in lesser-known IPs wherever possible. Meet and greets, merchandise, restaurant/shop theming, ambient music, etc. Lots of possibilities!

Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii outsold the entire Metroid Prime trilogy combined. Metroid just doesn't sell, so realistically it's not gonna show up. Star Fox has been dormant since GameCube, so that's clearly not going to be there either.

It's a shame Tropical Freeze didn't explode like Returns. It's so ****ing good...my game of the year by a long shot. Still think DK showing up in the parks is highly likely, though,

 

[Cupcakes]

The big thing I'm wondering about is just how expansive will Universal's contract with Nintendo be? Will the contract grant Universal the theme park license for ALL of Nintendo's properties or will it grant them only the license for the "big four" properties?

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

That'd be one hell of a lineup, I'll say that. Would hope that Uni/Nintendo's TSMM would be significantly better than DHS's, though.

But two small dark rides like your first two listed would be awesome compliments to the park

As far as Mario i really really want an awesome Super Mario Bros. E-Ticket Dark ride. Same goes for Pokemon. If we could get those two things, i honestly would be friggin ecstatic! I'll take more though haha

 

[grizzlybarely]

As far as Mario i really really want an awesome Super Mario Bros. E-Ticket Dark ride. Same goes for Pokemon. If we could get those two things, i honestly would be friggin ecstatic! I'll take more though haha

I think a Mario E-ticket dark ride is a solid bet. Mario will probably also get 1-3 flats/spinners with one of them likely based on Yoshi.

For Pokemon, I'm expecting at most flats/spinners, no dark rides or coasters, as this is the most kid-friendly property. Maybe a Camp Jurassic-type area with animatronic Pokemon. Zubats in caves, Magikarp splashing in a river, etc.

Donkey Kong is your coaster. The mine ride is too perfect. If they can resolve capacity issues, a Wild Mouse is a good candidate.

Zelda is the wildcard. I agree with others that this is Phase 2.

If they use any other IP significantly, I'm betting on a Kirby restaurant.