In May 2015, Nintendo announced its partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to develop theme parks based on Nintendo games and characters. This collaboration has led to the creation of Super Nintendo World, featuring rides, interactive elements, shops, and themed dining in Japan, Los Angeles, and Florida, with a park soon to open in Singapore. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario and Donkey Kong, discussed the development of these parks and his excitement for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Miyamoto expressed his long-held dream of working on a theme park, stemming from his background in industrial design. Creating a Super Mario land required careful consideration to ensure it would resonate with fans. Universal provided a sample block that met the desired quality, leading to the creation of a detailed landscape. The team aimed for realism, incorporating moving elements like piranha plants, shells, and clouds. Miyamoto noted that the more effort put into the details, the more convincing and appealing the recreation becomes.

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One of Miyamoto's favorite details in the parks is the interactivity with the Power-Up band, which allows visitors to trigger 8-bit drawings on walls. He also appreciates the element of surprise when using the band, such as hitting a block and receiving coins. The Power-Up band tracks every interaction, adding to the immersive experience. Miyamoto also highlighted the inclusion of Pikmin in the parks, aiming to broaden their appeal beyond video game players.

When asked about maintaining his sense of humor and wonder, Miyamoto credited his engagement with creative people and the younger generation of developers. He advises young developers to focus on creating something new rather than chasing trends, emphasizing the enjoyment of the creative process. He also noted Universal's commitment to creating unique attractions, like a rollercoaster where riders feel like they are jumping, which has come to fruition in the Mine-Cart Madness ride at the Donkey Kong Country area.

Miyamoto shared his active role in character creation, including the evolution of Donkey Kong's design. He mentioned working with Rare on the first generation of Donkey Kong Country and collaborating with the 3D Mario team to make Donkey Kong more expressive. The new Donkey Kong design was also influenced by the movie.

While Miyamoto couldn't discuss specific details about Nintendo Switch 2, he expressed excitement about the ability to enhance original games with upgrade patches and create new experiences. He believes the new hardware will empower indie developers to expand on their unique offerings. He also mentioned that the mouse or voice chat being part of the Nintendo Switch 2 package is something that's very attractive and exciting.

Reflecting on his career, Miyamoto stated his desire to continue in creative endeavors and expand the recognition of Nintendo characters globally. He hopes that Nintendo will become universally known. Super Nintendo World and the Donkey Kong Country expansion are set to open at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, on May 22.