FIRST LOOK Inside Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan

Katie Francis

In a special Nintendo Direct live stream, Shigeru Miyamoto took viewers on a tour inside Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan for the first real look at the new Super Nintendo World expansion.

Donkey Kong Country

A person stands in a tunnel reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country, with red brick and rock walls, gesturing with hands. Light is visible at the end, hinting at an exciting first look experience akin to Universal Studios Japan's immersive adventures.

The entrance tunnel transitions from the bricks of the Mushroom Kingdom to the stony architecture of Donkey Kong Country.

Get a FIRST LOOK at Universal Studios Japan's tropical-themed amusement park, featuring dynamic structures labeled "Kong." Don't miss the sign announcing the grand opening on December 11, 2024, as you step into a world reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country.

Donkey Kong Country opens on December 11, 2024. This wide shot from the main entrance shows Mine-Cart Madness in the back and Donkey Kong’s treehouse in the foreground.

Get a first look at a stunning aerial view of a theme park with two distinct sections: one showcasing colorful, blocky structures and a castle reminiscent of Universal Studios Japan, the other presenting a tropical landscape that evokes the adventurous spirit of Donkey Kong Country with its pyramid-like building.

USJ Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country official stock map 2

The above maps show where Donkey Kong Country is located in respect to Super Nintendo World (left) and the park as a whole (right).

Donkey Kong Meet and Greet

A tropical-themed building with a thatched roof boasts a sign reading "KONG," hinting at an exciting new addition. Palm trees sway against a clear blue sky, offering the first look into Donkey Kong Country's charm soon to captivate Universal Studios Japan visitors.

In a theatrical FIRST LOOK at Universal Studios Japan, a person in a suit embraces the large, furry Donkey Kong character on stage, surrounded by vibrant bananas and flowers, bringing the magic of Donkey Kong Country to life.

Guests will be able to meet Donkey Kong outside his treehouse and purchase a souvenir photo frame.

Jungle Beat Shakes

FIRST LOOK: Discover "Jungle Beat Shakes," a tropical-themed eatery straight out of Donkey Kong Country, with its thatched roof and vibrant palm trees, nestled in the lush greenery of Universal Studios Japan.

Jungle Beat Shakes is the counter service restaurant of the land. It’s a tiki hut-style venue with a walk-up counter.

Experience a FIRST LOOK at the Donkey Kong Country-inspired hot dog, topped with cheese, nachos, and vibrant red and yellow sauces. Served in a themed box featuring playful cartoon art, this Universal Studios Japan treat awaits you on its charming wooden table display.

FIRST LOOK: Two images of the DK Crush Sundae - Tropical Banana Flavor inspired by Donkey Kong Country. One is served in a mug for ¥2,000, and another in a regular container for ¥1,300. The background is adorned with banana patterns, reminiscent of Universal Studios Japan's vibrant atmosphere.

Two items from Jungle Beat Shakes were previewed: an unnamed hot dog and the DK Crush Sundae that comes with or without a souvenir barrel mug. The banana-flavored sundae will be ¥1,300 by itself and ¥2,000 with the barrel mug.

Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy & Merchandise

Experience the FIRST LOOK at Universal Studios Japan's new attraction, featuring a cartoon airplane facade with a sign reading "Funky's Fly 'n' Buy." Inspired by Donkey Kong Country, this adventure is adorned with vibrant tropical decorations.

The gift shop for the area is Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy, based on an in-game location.

A wooden display reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country features plush gorillas, mugs, and jars of honey on shelves. Three rows of gorillas hang in the center, echoing the adventurous vibe. Text in multiple languages adorns the top left, offering a FIRST LOOK into a world akin to Universal Studios Japan.

FIRST LOOK: Keychains and charms featuring cartoon characters from Donkey Kong Country are displayed on a yellow background.

The yellow background showcases a plush monkey face pouch on a lanyard and a keychain with a DK-branded barrel, capturing the essence of Donkey Kong Country. It's your FIRST LOOK at this unique collectible, perfectly blending fun and charm.

A quick shot of some merchandise was shown, including ear headbands and plush. Miyamoto also showed off the Donkey Kong Power Up Band that was announced in 2023. A Diddy Kong Power Up Band will also be available.

FIRST LOOK: Poster of Super Nintendo World featuring Mario and Donkey Kong from Donkey Kong Country. Showcasing three souvenir medallions labeled A, B, and C, each with unique designs from Universal Studios Japan.

Three new pressed pennies will also be available.

Activities

Three people stand in front of decorative barrels and a wooden structure with "DK" symbols at Universal Studios Japan. Text reads, "Here, you can play a rhythm-based Donkey Kong Country activity.

Three people stand before large colorful drums, reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country, and a screen displaying a surprised rhino face with "Ah!" captioned. It's a playful first look that could easily fit within the lively atmosphere of Universal Studios Japan.

Two activities were previewed, including the above drum game. It requires three people to complete, with Crew Members able to fill in and help out. Guests must follow lights on the drums to play the rhythm, after which Rambi the Rhino will emerge from the crate.

A person stands next to a large rock with a red letter "K" sign, reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country, surrounded by lush greenery. Subtitles reveal this first look at hidden letter panels in Universal Studios Japan's new adventure area.

As part of the “secret areas” around the land, letter panels are hidden. Each will have a place for guests to use their Power Up Bands and collect the letter panels on the app.

Mine-Cart Madness

A person stands at the entrance of Universal Studios Japan, surrounded by tropical decorations and a large stone structure, offering a first look into the captivating world of Donkey Kong Country.

FIRST LOOK: A colorful, stylized stone face sculpture with golden horns and teeth evokes a Donkey Kong Country vibe. It's surrounded by decorative palm shapes and flowers, emitting mist from its mouth against a blue sky—a scene you might spot at Universal Studios Japan.

Mine-Cart Madness is the main attraction of the land. Guests enter the Golden Temple.

First look at an ancient-style mural on a yellow brick wall, reminiscent of the adventurous spirit of Donkey Kong Country, depicting geometric patterns and stylized figures in reddish-brown hues.

Get a FIRST LOOK at wall art featuring stylized human figures and geometric patterns in earthy tones, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any space.

Murals on the wall depict the Golden Banana and some of the obstacles of a classic Donkey Kong adventure. (Can you spot the hidden Pikmin?)

First Look: Cranky Kong and a parrot lounge on wooden furniture in a log cabin setting, while subtitles reveal the chase of the Tiki Tak Tribe from the Golden Temple—a scene that captures the adventurous spirit of Donkey Kong Country, coming soon to Universal Studios Japan.

In the queue, an animatronic Cranky Kong gives the ride’s backstory.

A person stands next to an empty mine cart ride at a loading station with wooden decor reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country. Subtitles read: "We're at the loading station for the mine cart ride." It feels like a first look into an adventure straight out of Universal Studios Japan.

First look at the empty Donkey Kong Country amusement park ride vehicle on a track, with themed wall decorations in the background at Universal Studios Japan.

Guests will board mine carts to ride out of the temple.

FIRST LOOK: A statue of a monkey wearing a hat, reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country, perches proudly atop a decorated pillar surrounded by lush tropical foliage at Universal Studios Japan.

FIRST LOOK: A stone staircase reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country leads up to an arched gateway under a clear blue sky, evoking the enchanting atmosphere found at Universal Studios Japan.

A very short preview of the ride was given, but Dixie Kong and the climb up the first ascent were shown.

Get a first look at the colorful arcade cabinet design, showcasing a cartoon gorilla with boxing gloves in action poses. This vibrant display, reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country, is set against a lush jungle-themed background. Perfect for any Universal Studios Japan enthusiast!

Watch the preview from the Super Nintendo World Direct below.

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Katie Francis

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