I've been to theme parks all over the world. Disneyland, Disney World, Universal Orlando, Europa-Park. I thought I'd seen it all. Then I went to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, which just opened its Donkey Kong Country expansion on June 14. I booked a trip specifically for this. And I have to say: it's the most ridiculous, wonderful, over-the-top theme park experience I've ever had. Let me tell you why.
The Donkey Kong Expansion: What's New
The original Super Nintendo World opened in 2021 with Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge and Yoshi's Adventure. It was great, but it felt small. The Donkey Kong expansion doubles the size of the land. It's built to look like a jungle from the Donkey Kong Country games, with towering trees, waterfalls, and a mine cart track that weaves through the scenery. The centerpiece is a new ride called 'Donkey Kong: The Great Mine Cart Adventure.' It's a roller coaster that uses a trackless dark ride system—similar to Rise of the Resistance at Disney—but it's themed like a mine cart chase. You sit in a mine cart that rocks, tilts, and spins. The ride uses augmented reality headsets that let you see barrels, bananas, and enemies overlaid on the real sets. It's disorienting in the best way. I was genuinely laughing out loud.
The Queue Experience: This Is Insane
The queue for the mine cart ride is an attraction in itself. You walk through a temple filled with animatronic animals, including a giant mechanical crocodile that snaps at you. The theming is incredible—rock walls, torches, and a soundtrack that mixes the original game music with new arrangements. There's a interactive element where you can hit drums to make barrels fall. It kept me entertained for the 45-minute wait. At the end, you enter a room with a giant video screen showing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. They 'talk' to you in Japanese with English subtitles. It's surprisingly charming. The attention to detail is absurd. There's even a smell of jungle air—like wet leaves and dirt—piped into the queue.
The Food: Everything Is Shaped Like a Banana
The food at Super Nintendo World is famously ridiculous. They have 'Mario Burger' and 'Yoshi's Fruit Salad.' The Donkey Kong expansion adds banana-themed everything. I had the 'Banana Split Sundae,' which is a giant banana split served in a wooden bowl shaped like a mine cart. It's 1,500 yen (about $11) and feeds two people. It's delicious. I also tried the 'DK's Jungle Juice,' a tropical punch served in a souvenir cup shaped like a barrel. The food is surprisingly good—not just a gimmick. The restaurants are run by Universal, and they actually care about quality. I saw a family of four spending about $60 on lunch, which isn't bad for a theme park.
The Crowds and Wait Times
I went on a Saturday, and the park was packed. The mine cart ride had a 120-minute wait by noon. I used the 'Express Pass,' which costs an extra 5,000 yen ($37) per person. It let me skip the line and ride in 15 minutes. I recommend buying it in advance. The park also has a 'Virtual Line' system where you join a queue via the app. I used it for Yoshi's Adventure and waited about 30 minutes. The crowds are manageable if you plan ahead. Go on a weekday if you can, and arrive before the park opens at 8:30 AM. I got three rides in before 10 AM.