Track installation for the new Donkey Kong ride has started at Universal Studios Japan. The heavily themed semi-dark ride will be part of the Super Nintendo World area of the park, which already features the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge dark ride. A opening date has not yet been revealed, but is estimated to be in the summer of 2022.
This new semi-dark ride will present guests with a unique roller coaster experience. This is because the ride vehicles will be riding on fake minecart track, with the real coaster track hidden underneath. This allows the ride to have unexpected ‘jumps’ over broken rails, obstacles on the track etc. which can give the ride a whole new dimension. The real track is very similar to the Steeplechase model manufactured by S&S Sansei, who will also be responsible for the fabrication of this project.
The ride will be located in the Donkey Kong Country mini-land within Super Nintendo World. This land will be themed to Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Nintendo Wii, which was first released in 2010. The ride, dubbed “Minecart Madness” will focus on the minecart sections of the game, making guests race through old temples and the jungle, while seeing all its inhabitants. The ride has not officially been revealed yet, but many concepts have already been leaked, showing that the coaster features both indoor and outdoor sections, with the exterior being based on the Golden Temple, the final level of the original game.
