In May 2015, Nintendo revealed a groundbreaking partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to develop theme parks centered on its beloved games and characters, signaling an ambitious expansion into new realms of entertainment. A decade later, this vision has materialized as Super Nintendo World, a dynamic theme park filled with thrilling rides, interactive features, gift shops, and character-inspired dining in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and soon Singapore.

Before the debut of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, which includes the first Donkey Kong Country expansion in the U.S., I spoke with Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind iconic characters like Super Mario and Donkey Kong. We discussed the creation of these parks, his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo developers, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.