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Nintendo Theme ParkWhat do you think a Nintendo theme park would be like?
From Ted Russo
Hey there. As the summer rools in and thoughts turn to theme parks, a question has popped into my head: What would a Nintendo theme park be like?Posted June 20, 2009 at 9:21 AM Well, I'm extending my question to you good folks. What do you think a Nintendo theme park could be like? What sorts of attractions, eateries, stores and areas would it have?
Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond. From Tim W
Ok first off i think it would be best for them to pair themselves with disney or universal to create this theme park. Its a great idea and needs to be put in a good location and not have a repeat of hard rock/ freestyle music park. they should have teamed up with one of those companies too. Another company that could easily create this would be Sony. But ill stick to ninetendo since that is the thread. Now for the theme park i think mario could easily have his own land complete with batting cages and kart racing. I think it should really put you in the video games being real life instead of virtual reality. However there could be some virtual reality too. Definately a land based on the classic games should be created. I think it would be cool if they got rights to use games like ms. pac man. Another land could include a pokemon ride could be created here that would be kind of cool. Mega man could also be included in that land. Another idea that could develop would be a Brain Age quiz show similar to a millionarie show at Disney. And who can forget legend of Zelda. A dark ride through or something could be cool for this game. While im sure there may be alot more that could be included id really love for universal or disney to put all the video game giants together to create a great theme park. I feel if nintendo were to do this alone it may feel only like a half day park since they don't own every popular game in the world. But this is certainly a great idea and one should be developed.Posted June 20, 2009 at 9:37 AM
From Ty Mullins
There are several different characters and video games that rides and areas could be based after, including Pokemon, Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid Prime, Mega Man, and more. I would imagine the park's centerpiece would be Princess Peach's castle. It'd be a family park, a large fraction of it being completely Pokemon. There'd also be a Mario go-kart track (Mario Kart), a Legend of Zelda dark-ride, a Metroid Prime indoor roller coaster, a Pokemon "Trainer Academy", and more. I think it could end up being a really cool attraction, more than a half day park.Posted June 20, 2009 at 10:46 AM
From Eli Katzman
... japan? Posted June 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM
From Derek Potter
I've always viewed Nintendo as the perfect theme for a kid's area. I don't think that it would translate well into a whole park because of their target audience.Posted June 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM It would be my first choice for a themed kiddie land (In fact I've designed a few versions of one). The reason why is because it has thus far stood the test of time. Super Mario Bros and the NES came out when I was 5. Almost 25 years later, my 5 year old daughter can't get enough Mario and company through the DS and the wii. Parents of those kids have a real sense of nostalgia, and unlike Nickelodeon, have a real connection to Nintendo..probably even more than they do with Disney. It would all be in the design and budget. If it was done right with a generous budget, Super Mario Land would be the best in the world.
From Ty Mullins
"I've always viewed Nintendo as the perfect theme for a kid's area. I don't think that it would translate well into a whole park because of their target audience."Posted June 20, 2009 at 8:14 PM Nintendo's 25+ years has familiarized itself with today's adults and children. Mario, Donkey Kong, and others are all classics, things parents can look at it and remember from their youth. Today's children also know these characters. After reviewing all of our old Nintendo games, possible rides and attractions could be based after: The list could go on, of course.
From Brandon S
Ty, I think the centerpiece should be Bowser's castle and I could see either a dark ride or coaster themed to Bowser. Also, how about a dueling coaster themed to the Super Smash Bros.? You also need a ride themed to Yoshi! Posted June 20, 2009 at 10:04 PM
From Ty Mullins
^Hmm... Yoshi shot-and-drop, perhaps?Posted June 21, 2009 at 6:33 AM And I'm thinking Bowser's castle would be a tad too "dark" for the centerpiece. Princess Peach's castle, on the other hand, is much more friendly. The Bowser dark-ride would still be great, however, and I am a fan of the Super Smash Brothers dueling coasters.
From Tim W
Personally i think a castle might be a little bit unoriginal. And a shooter type ride should also be developed. Maybe for the legend of zelda with shooting arrows. Oh and a monkey ball game would be sweet. Not sure how that could develop though! Donkey Kong should have some type of thrill ride. But this park would definatley be different than anything ever created! And yes yoshi does deserve a ride too. Frankly i cant think of a great icon right now, but still to me a castle seems unoriginal and done. Posted June 21, 2009 at 8:31 AM
From Ty Mullins
Well, you could try to base the centerpiece of hte park off of something important in the Nintendo world, such as Mario's hat or a Golden Star. Maybe a statue of Mario, perhaps, or somethign similar.Posted June 21, 2009 at 9:00 PM
From Dan Babbitt
How about for a centerpiece for the park you have a castle but at the same time you also have a big flag pole and a trampoline and the guest get an award if the are able to bring down the flag! Posted June 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
From Brandon S
I really like the Golden Star idea. That would be awesome to have a giant Golden Star in the center of the park.Posted June 21, 2009 at 9:39 PM
From Ted Russo
^Posted June 22, 2009 at 4:42 PM Why not have the centerpiece be a museum dedicated to the history of Nintendo? The outside of the museum could be decorated with images of Nintendo's diverse cast of characters.
From Tim W
That sounds like a good idea Ted. My vision for the building would be very modern with heavy nintendo themeing. Sounds great!Posted June 22, 2009 at 4:51 PM
From Ted Russo
Thanks. Also, I've been thinking about what the sections for the park might be like. I picture the entry section as the Nintendo Crossroads, which would be akin to theme park sections like Port of Entry or Main Street except themed as a mixture of Nintendo old and new.Posted June 22, 2009 at 7:05 PM Now, what might the other sections for the park be like? I do see them as themed to worlds from games, but how to handle attractions? Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule sections could easily be filled with things specific to their respective games, but could other sections themed to particular worlds allow for a mixture of different games as long as they shared some element in common (i.e., sci-fi, fantasy, city setting, etc.)?
From Tim W
Well obviously a mario themed land that could be city themed that could focus on rides of the main characters like mario, king boo, bowser, luigi, peach, and yoshi. Another land could be a jungle centered around legend of zelda and donkey kong. Megaman could be joined by pokemon metroid prime and starfox to create a type of action/warrior land. And then of course there is my brain age quiz show idea but not so sure where that could acctually go in the theme park. Kirby would need to be included in a land as well just not sure which one. But this would definately be a cool theme park. And now honestly if this was being built it would be amazing if other theme parks were in on this to have classic arcade games, and games from sony and sega and microsoft. The park could include pacman, centipede, super monkey ball, sonic, crash bandicoot, spyro, and halo. Now it would be a hit park! Im sure that this theme park could be a full day now but i think it might be best as a land and to not try and stretch it. Although it does work well and no other company could even have its own theme park at all! The only problem that i have is with the classic aracde games. I really think this park should have an area based around those. It would complete it. Posted June 22, 2009 at 7:45 PM
From Ted Russo
Well, as I mentioned, Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule can pretty much dominate their own sections. Some possible ideas:Posted June 22, 2009 at 7:50 PM -For a sci-fi area, go with either Corneria or Planet Zebes (possible games present here: Star Fox, Metroid, F-Zero) -While New Pork City could be a section, it could be designed as a blend of Earthbound and WarioWare, Inc. (maybe your Brain Age quiz show could be there) -Kongo Jungle, with a mixture of Donkey Kong Country, Pikmin and/or Yoshi's Island -Kanto could easily be all Pokemon, but maybe there might be some Kirby stuff there. Of course, Kirby might be better suited to just its own area and be mixed with something else.
From Tim W
For a kirby area id really like to see something themed to king dedede and metaknight. Personally i dislike earthbound and pikmin and dont believe theyve made such a big impact as some other video games. Ive been thinking bout rides for a while now though. Currently i think there should be Cornea, Mushroom kingdom, Hyrule, Kongo Jungle, and Dreamland. I think these five areas could serve as the primary basis and be very in depth focussing on multiple charachters from the various series instead of one or two. Honestly i think pokemon might be hardest to do since it has lost its impact and was considered just a fad. Posted June 23, 2009 at 6:51 AM
From Ted Russo
Now, I've been thinking about how this park could work. I could see not having an attraction for Pikmin. I'd consider Earthbound because, while it may not be as big a name as Super Mario Bros. or Legend of Zelda, it is considered a classic from the Super Nintendo and people still hail the game. Pokemon is admittingly somewhat of a challenge to do, but it is a series that is still going on and has its fanbase.Posted June 23, 2009 at 2:34 PM For the moment, here is what I'm currently seeing as sections with the games reflected there. Of course, these are just possibilities. Besides deciding which ones to go with, I haven't settled on if I should have six or seven sections: Nintendo Crossroads (blend of Nintendo games)
From Adam Nodjomian
a land devoted solely to pokemon is definetly needed. It is one of nintendo's major products and it has a way of stayig uodated and popular, not just a fad.Posted June 28, 2009 at 1:24 PM
From Ben Catchpole
I think they should make a Bowser's Castle Ride. it would be a rollercoaster style ride where you're taken thru the castle and you get a laser pointer gun which you use to shoot animatronic versions of classic Mario foes such as Koopas, Goombas, Bob-Bombs, Chain Chomps, Pirahna Plants, Cheep-Cheeps, Shy Guys, Etc. Each single shot would give you 10 points and each succesful kill would give you 100 points! And near ther end you would come face to face with the Koopa King himself. Bowser would take multiple hits to defeat and is kinda tricky do to the fact that he breathes fake fire that cost you points if you're hit. He also stomps around shaking the ride around and making you dizzy. he has many more moves and roars like when he's angry or in pain, Growls in anger, and make a low grunt of disappointment. once he's defeated you earn a whopping 1500 points and you rescue Princess Peach who is played by a beautiful young actress and the rider who scored the most points gets to ride side by side with the princess! That would be cool!Posted July 29, 2009 at 11:46 AM
From Tim W
Sounds cool Ben. Posted July 29, 2009 at 1:38 PM
From Ben Catchpole
ThanksPosted July 29, 2009 at 2:54 PM
From Juji Natsumi
The best locations for the park can be in the U.S,Japan,Europe,and ChinaPosted October 27, 2009 at 2:20 PM Princess peach's Castle can be the center piece of the entire park(and have a sweets cafe and gift shop while Zelda's Castle can be for Hyrule along with being an entrance to a dark ride themed as Twilight Princess since it's more grimm and dark(remember the Scary adventures of Snow white from Disneyland?)
darkrides: Luigi's mansion,Yoshi's Story and Paper Mario with animation on large screens Rollercoasters:Mario Cart and have it be Bowser's Castle and have one as Rainbow bridge or Mario Galaxy as an indoor Coaster so people can embrace the tripy neon colors and see the stars like "Space Mountain" kiddy rides: since Yoshi is very kid friendly, there can be little mini rides such as a ferris weel,spinning Yoshi eggs,and a mini coaster(thats not to scary for children) and maybe a small play ground with slides, and ect. other: have a contest area decked out as Mario Party, guests can arrive inside a fun house in a cute little car and from there people can expericence mini games like the ones from mario party and the winners will get awsome prizes of there choice and maybe a free gift from the gift shops restruants:a cookie shop called "Yoshi's Cookie factory" and for a Pizza place it can be called "Mona Pizza" like the character from Wario and for Princess Peach,a cute and pinkish cafe for sweets like Ice Cream, cakes and ect. Gift Shops: there can be cute little shops for people to buy stuff, one can be called "Luigi's Toy Shop" and other's can be small gify shops next to al the exits of all the rides themed as the rides there next too.
Darkrides: one can be a log ride/darkride(the boats can look like the king of red lions) themed as the Windwaker which will be very kid friendly,magical,and fun,and in the middle of the ride people will get wet. having one resemling the cruise from Majora's mask would be nice, and along with it being a dark ride it can be an exotic tour of the Deku Palace and the swamp it's near. remember Peter Pan's flight? that one can be themed as Ocarina of time and guests can ride under a large owl who will take you all around diffrent places in Hyrule Kingdom like Zora Domain,the forests and Goron City and for the under rated games Link's Awakening can have tropical dark ride of it's own. Restruants: it can be the "Milk Bar" from Majora's mask and while guests are happly having robotic animatronic replicas of the Zora band playing music from the game and other well known songs from the legend of zelda series. Gift shops: some will be located in the castle town areas and one can be in the kokiri forest just like the game and a happy mask shop.and can sell stuff like plastic bow and arrows that are safe for small children, cosplay stuff such as Link Hats, elf ears, Zelda tiaras, sling shots and ect
since Star Fox, Metroid, Kirby,F-zero,Earth Bound are all scifi they can have a huge section together and this will be the perfect hot spot for roller coasters, rollercoasters: Kirby's Dreamland adventure will be fast, colorful and, and trippy. the carts can have a warping star and each cart can have a diffrent color kirby sitting on each star. so the colors and star kingdom will be visible the coaster can be an indoor coaster. for F-zero this coaster can be outdoors located near and ocean/beach area resembling the track on super smash brothers. this one will even have a large and scary loop and the cars will have a hood over them, so it feels as if people are in the race cars. simulaters: StarFox will be perfect for this one, it will feel as if were in Arwing and the concept can be about fighting Andross or feel as if were in one of the ships acompaning Slippy, Falco or Fox and for an extra on some occasions the language can be in Japanese with English subtitles and on sometimes Pure English. shooting games: Metroid can be a fun lazer tag game, people can sit in little cars that look like rockets and space ships and help Samus shoot all the alien monsters and who ever shoots the most will gt an awsome T-shirt and a free picture with a hot actress dressed as Samus Aran. other, having some awsome stuff themed as Pokemon would be a huge hit considering how popular the series is,
Hotels:I'd suggest Luigi's mansion as the theme but think it's a tad bit to scary since there might be small children attending with there parents and such, so I think Mario sunshine would be nice, or maybe a small water park decked out as Pokemon would be cool, and all the slides, and sprayers and ect can look like water Pokemon
From Adam Nodjomian
Needs more pokemon.Posted October 27, 2009 at 2:56 PM
From Juji Natsumi
agreed ^^ More Pokemon!Posted October 28, 2009 at 7:29 AM
From Scott Williamson
Luigi's Mansion could be a walk-in scary place like the cave at Tom Sawyer Island. Or it could be a ride like Haunted Mansion.Posted October 28, 2009 at 5:53 PM A "Kirby Air Ride" ride could be like Star Tours. Or maybe it could be something like Sonic
From Juji Natsumi
thats pretty much what I was thinking too x3 it would be awsome(thats why I listed Luigi's Mansion as a darkride since the haunted mansion is too a darkride)seeing Luigi in some parts when he's freaked out would be funny more then scary if there were kids going on the ride xD I know I'd be laughing lolPosted October 28, 2009 at 9:23 PM
From Ethan Betcher
For a roller coaster "theme" you could have it look like a bunch of pipes. Kind of like a water park has....or just make into a water park! Since Mario and Luigi were plumbers. Don't forget about Wario. He would definitely get a good "bad character" coaster. Posted October 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
From Joanna Hamilton
You'd have to assume that the two most aggressive rides in the park would be Metroid and Zelda (and possibly, as a third, Donkey Kong). Posted October 31, 2009 at 9:29 AM Metroid would do well as a dark-ride akin to Spider Man (actually, it would be awesome if you think about it), while Zelda could be cool as either a Toy Story Mania-like game (think grappling hook, bow and arrow, magic wand, etc.) or a Dueling Dragons-type coaster (Link as one, Ganon as the other). Donkey Kong as the Hulk/Aerosmith coaster would be a nice touch, as well (Starfox also works, here: "Do barrel roll!"). What else is there: Wii Sports Complex could be a cool virtual reality area where you could play, you know, Wii Sports games. Super Mario Bros. would be cool as a Phillarmagic show, I think -- the brothers and Bowser could use a cool 10-minute movie. Pokemon also works as a show, although I'd rather see it as a Men In Black type ride, where you compete with other 'trainers' (riders) to catch the most pokemon. That's all I can really think of, but if you consider Nintendo gaining permission to use other characters from past projects, a Mario Vs Sonic ride would be awesome, as well as a Super Smash Bros type experience. Oh, and obviously: MARIO KARTS !!! God, I wish this would all come true, haha.
From Mike Seary
Firstly, a Nintendo theme park would have to incorporate all of the iconic games/characters from their catalogue.Posted November 1, 2009 at 6:16 AM ZELDA- It would have to be there, but I honestly have trouble concieving an idea for this one... vehicles just don't seem appropriate. Probably some type of epic-scale darkride (or maybe even a walkthrough) with heavy theming and an interactive element. CASTLEVANIA- Obligatory "haunted house" attraction. Think Disney's Haunted Mansion with a more mature, creepy theming (actually a bit scary/morbid, pyro/tactile effects, wicked BG music/). Mainly anamatronic (as opposed to film/cgi/3d) so the tangible figures lend to the creepiness. Maybe some actually fast omni-mover suprise manuevers... Skeletons, Zombies, Medusas, Frankenstein creatures, even the Grim Reaper. Ther ride would culminate with a scene of Simon Belmont in epic battle with Dracula. MEGA MAN- 3-D sim/darkride hybrid much like the Amazing Spiderman. Backstory is that Dr. Light is teaching a class (to the riders, of course) on advanced robot technology in a standing room auditorium at his research facility when sirens/alarms/violent explosions are heard. He goes to security cameras and sees that worker bots have been destroyed and Wily's attack robots are attempting to get through the facility and gain entrance to the main lab. The guests are hurried into evacuation vehicles where they (through 3-D tech and animatronics) encouter Wilys robots who are trying to prevent their escape. Mega man is called by Dr. Light to protect the riders and provide safe escape. Ride ends with a battle between Mega Man and Wily. MARIO- I would make the mushroom kingdom an entire AREA of the park... you could have MARIO CARTS, a WATER RIDE(warp-zone themed with all the pipes or something), BOWZERS CASTLE (fun-house feeling dark ride with all the perils one would expect; fire effects, simulated lava, stuff trying to squash you, etc) and a good kids' play area. I would include a DONKEY KONG attraction in here too (kinda like the old Kongrfrontation, but much more whimsical and funny, with tropical jungle theming) STARFOX- Straight forward flight simulator ride with a wickedly themed cue including animatronics of all the main characters. Themed as a flight school for new cadets, the riders wind up getting quickly recruited to actual combat duty when the base at Corneria comes under attack. Very similar layout to the old BTTF ride at Universal. METROID- This could actually provide two separate attractions: One would be a shoot-em dark ride much like MIB or Buzz Lightyear (but a little faster, with some good manuevers and stuff that actually jumps out and startles you a bit) and the other would be a federation-run center for the study of alien lifeforms (kinda like the Jurassic Park Discovery Center at IoA, except here you can see Metroid Samples in captivity as well as many other "hands on" activities and alien "specimens" As for park layout, I would have several lands, including; -Mushroom Kingdom (strictly Mario mythos... I would imagine that Mario's stories deserves their own land)
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