Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe features the third version of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, bringing the famous game franchise to life with 3-D technology.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
About
Read the official description below.
On Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, you’ll put on special goggles and steer through iconic courses alongside Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. In this interactive ride, you’ll collect digital coins and throw shells to try to defeat Team Bowser and win the Golden Cup. With multiple outcomes, it’s a different experience each time you ride.
Ride Information
- Type: 3-D / 4-D motion simulator
- Duration: 5 minutes
- Size restrictions: Minimum height requirement is 40 inches, guests under 48 inches must be supervised, restraints may restrict certain guests
- Accessibility: Guests may remain in a standard wheelchair but must transfer from an ECV or motorized wheelchair.
Does Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge accept Universal Express Pass?
Yes.
Is there a Single Rider queue?
Yes, and parties will be split.
Does Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge have Child Swap available?
Yes.
Will guests get wet on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?
No.
Do guests need to use a locker?
No.
Location
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is located in Super Nintendo World, on the second level (where guests enter the world) in Bowser’s Fortress.
Exterior
Entrance
If you’ve read our coverage of or already experienced Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Universal Studios Hollywood, then the Epic Universe ride will look pretty familiar. It’s more or less the exact same queue and ride. Guests enter through Bowser’s Fortress, splitting up inside into the standby, single rider, and Express Pass queues. The wait time is posted outside on the warning sign.
Indoor Queue
A giant statue of Bowser greets guests at the top of a staircase. It’s his home, after all.
Bowser has challenged Mario to a race for the Universal trophy, and guests are along for the ride.
A row of other Mario Kart trophies and medallions are on display.
Guests enter Bowser’s library. Throughout, there are themed books like “Off the Edge: A Rainbow Road Story,” “Know Their Weakness: Mario,” “Feng Shui for Dungeons,” and “How to Talk to Princesses.”
Between the bookshelves are desks and workbenches.
A giant magnifying glass is next to a detailed scale model of the Mario Kart course (behind a glass case).
Boos appear among some of the books.
Other props include mystical items like crystal balls and mysterious bottles.
On the desks are Bowser’s notes and schematics.
One book lies open, showing the inspection guide for Bowser’s airship.
A model of the airship is on a nearby shelf. Behind it are blueprints for the ship.
Being Bowser’s library, there are, of course, a few pictures of Princess Peach.
One of her portraits sits on the arm of his giant armchair, which is in front of a fire.
A workbench by the fire includes the notes “Team work makes Bowser’s dream work” and “Strategy meeting today!!” There is an illustration of a Mechakoopa.
More drawings of Bowser’s henchmen inventions are pinned to the wall. String connects each to where they appear on the Mario Kart track.
The next room is Bowser’s lab. There are scanners on the wall for Bowser and Bowser Jr.’s hands. Next to those are water fountains.
In the lab are fully constructed versions of Bowser’s inventions.
Screens show some of the work going on inside machines, like this Bob-omb under construction.
Guests then pick up their Mario visors and head through a TV studio.
Pre-Show
The pre-show room is a continuation of the studio, showcasing Mario Motors souvenirs, including the racing suits and helmets of Mario and his friends.
Lakitu appears on screens to give guests instructions. With graphics, guests are shown how to play the IRL version of Mario Kart, including aiming with their visor, shooting, and connecting their Power-Up Band, if they have one. Power-Up Bands can track your score and progress over multiple plays.
Guests then descend into the cellar of the fortress, passing some conveyor belts of Bowser’s gadgets. More screens show footage of how guests should board the ride and put on their visors.
Ride Experience
Now it’s time to race! The ride takes guests through a series of physical sets with moving elements and some screens. But most of the action is only visible through the augmented reality headsets built into the visors. Guests aim and shoot, interacting with Bowser’s team and Mario’s.
Depending on how many points the players in your kart get, either Team Mario or Team Bowser will be declared the winners. Unfortunately, we lost to Bowser. Better luck next time.
Video
Watch our full ride POV below. Note that the AR is not visible in our video.
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