PixlBit

So you know how the Mario Bros. are plumbers and they fell into a pipe that led them to the Mushroom Kingdom?  Well, I work in the plumbing department of a major hardware store, so I guess the same thing happened to me!  So in this blog, you’ll read all about my adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom, and how I was able to defeat Bowser three times in one morning.  Take that, Mario!  So yeah, I went to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood a few weeks ago, so here’s my detailed account and experiences of the whole thing.

Part 1: Cary in the Mushroom Kingdom

The first part is just a bunch of generic pictures of the outside of the park.  Lots of photos and tips for when you go, so make sure to check it out.

Part 2: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Almost immediately after I got to the Mushroom Kingdom, a.k.a. Super Nintendo World, Bowser challenged me to a Mario Kart race!  So of course I took him up on that challenge!  So here’s my impressions of the Mario Kart ride.  Was it good?  Did I beat Bowser?  Well you’ll just have to read on to find out.

Part 3: Bowser’s Fireball Challenge

My next Bowser confrontation was a different kind of challenge.  A food related one!  I really wanted to go to the Toadstool Café restaurant at Super Nintendo World, and luckily we got in!  I think this was one of the things I was looking forward to at the park the most!  In Japan they have a couple of Kirby cafes with Kirby related food and gifts.  I’d really like to go to those, but I don’t think I’ll be going to Japan anytime soon, if ever.  So I think this Mario themed restaurant is about as close as I’ll get!

Part 4: Bowser Jr.’s Secret Lair

Any good video game has lots of secrets and hidden areas, and Super Nintendo World was no exception.  When we got to the Mushroom Kingdom, we learned that Bowser Jr. had stolen the Golden Mushroom and Princess Peach needed ME to get it back!  But in order to do so, we needed to use our Power Up Bands to play some mini-games to collect three keys so we could open up Bowser Jr.’s Secret Lair for one final showdown!

And that’s my time at Super Nintendo World.  So what did I think?  Well, I’m really glad I got to go and experience it.  Even though I’ve never become a super famous game reviewer, I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been able to have that many other gamers never get to do, like go to PAX and E3 several times, and now this.  I was also glad to spend time with my dad.  However, because of all the crowds, the disappointing ride, the poor service and wait time at the restaurant, and the poorly designed Bowser Jr. area, I don’t think I want to do this again.  Once was enough.  Maybe in a couple of years when the Super Nintendo World opens up in Orlando I might be ready to do it again, but I could really wait a long while after that, at least that’s how I feel now.  So all in all, it was fun, but only once.  I also can’t really recommend this place for parents with little kids because of all the problems, which is a shame because with a few tweaks and adjustments, this place would be perfect for them.  But for now I think it’s only best for older patient kids, teens, and older gamer enthusiasts and Mario fans.

I also really wish this area wasn’t just ALL Mario.  Especially in the gift shops, they could’ve had other franchises.  Like Zelda, Metroid, Pokémon, and especially Kirby and Animal Crossing.  Oh man, if they had those last two things as areas in the theme park, I wouldn’t want to leave!  Maybe them not having that is a blessing in disguise.  And wouldn’t it be cool to have other video game franchises at a theme park, like Mega Man?  I know what you might be thinking, “Gee Cary, wouldn’t you like to have a Pac-Man theme park?”  Well did you know that already happened?  Back before Six Flags Over Texas was owned by Time Warner and their kids area was Looney Tunes Land, the kids area of the park was usually based on whatever was popular at the time.  And for a couple of years in the early 80s, it was called Pac-Man Land.  Granted it was nothing more than a glorified McDonald’s PlayPlace painted yellow with a crappy magic show, but it did happen!  I live near that park so I was able to see it as a kid.  I remember they also shared the area with the Shirt Tales, so I didn’t like that as much.

Anyway, let me know what you think and if you have any questions, post them in the comments section!  Later!  --Cary