Super Nintendo World Direct Reveals Donkey Kong Country Opening Date While Offering a Teasing Glimpse Of Its Rollercoaster

A Super Nintendo World Direct on Monday offered fans their long-awaited first look at the new Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion while announcing it will officially open December 11, 2024 in Japan.

The brief presentation led by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto provided an overview of the area’s attractions, games, food, and merch. Among other things, Miyamoto showed off a Donkey Konga-themed rhythm game that can be played with friends, and revealed how the park’s wristband can be used to gathering letters spelling “KONG.”

The presentation finished with a brief glimpse of the much-hyped Mine-Cart Madness rollercoaster, which will simulate the rail-jumping action of the original game for the Super Nintendo. Fans will have to see for themselves how Universal Studios will pull that off, but Miyamoto promises that it will be fun even for familities who are normally averse to rollercoasters.

Super Nintendo World is approaching its fourth anniversary in Japan, having originally opened in December 2020. First details of the Donkey Kong Country theme park were announced last year with a tentative opening date set for spring 2024. It is now set to open on December 11 at Universal Studios Japan, with the version of Super Nintendo World in Florida also featuring the area when it opens in 2025.

We gave Super Nintendo World a 9/10 in our original review, writing, “Super Nintendo World brilliantly reinvents and gamifies the theme park experience, while offering an unprecedented level of immersion and – most importantly – fun. It’s a fitting tribute to Super Mario on the series’ 35th anniversary that will fill your heart with joy.”

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.