Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Mike S]

I don't think this thread is the right one for it, but if we're talking about it...



I think Nintendo lands will stop at Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, with the sublands of DKC and maybe a Luigi's Mansion expansion to SNW. We might see a regional Legoland-style Universal park a la Fresco incorporate some Kirby or Animal Crossing, but we are probably never going to see a Metroid or Splatoon ride outside of Japan, if ever.

Actually if there’s a Metroid ride anywhere it would be Hollywood or, most likely, Orlando because of space. Metroid as a series is more popular in the west than in Japan. I posted an idea before of an expansion land in Epic that’s basically a space faring hodgepodge land: Metroid MiB style shooter, Star Fox a Star Tours like simulator, Kirby kiddie coaster, F-Zero megacoaster. These franchises can’t support their own lands, but together I can’t see this being unpopular.

 

[Legacy]

Actually if there’s a Metroid ride anywhere it would be Hollywood or, most likely, Orlando because of space. Metroid as a series is more popular in the west than in Japan. I posted an idea before of an expansion land in Epic that’s basically a space faring hodgepodge land: Metroid MiB style shooter, Star Fox a Star Tours like simulator, Kirby kiddie coaster, F-Zero megacoaster. These franchises can’t support their own lands, but together I can’t see this being unpopular.

Actually, this would be the perfect replacement for Marvel at IoA.

Hulk -> F-Zero
Storm Force -> Kirby
Spider-man -> Metroid
Then build Starfox simulator in the Fear Fall location.

 

[Mike S]

Actually, this would be the perfect replacement for Marvel at IoA.

Hulk -> F-Zero
Storm Force -> Kirby
Spider-man -> Metroid
Then build Starfox simulator in the Fear Fall location.

Universal will not get rid of Marvel.

 

[Grabnar]

Animal Crossing New Horizons outsold both of the best selling Zelda games?

I think that was largely because it came out at quite literally the most perfect moment that it possibly could've with the covid lockdowns occurring at essentially the same time.

Actually, this would be the perfect replacement for Marvel at IoA.

Hulk -> F-Zero
Storm Force -> Kirby
Spider-man -> Metroid
Then build Starfox simulator in the Fear Fall location.

I was thinking that something like Star Wars Launch Bay could work really well for the less popular characters for M&G. You could swap out characters like they're doing at Avenger's Campus and use that as a guide for how popular an IP would be for an expansion or w/e.

 

[DodgsonHere]

Actually, this would be the perfect replacement for Marvel at IoA.

Hulk -> F-Zero
Storm Force -> Kirby
Spider-man -> Metroid
Then build Starfox simulator in the Fear Fall location.

I know this is all blue sky, but the notion that Universal would replace Spider-Man with an IP like Metroid is crazyyyy, let alone the rest of Marvel with lesser popular Nintendo properties

 

[mccgavin]

Generally, mixed IP lands like Pixar Pier at DCA do not turn out well, unless it happens to be a kids area. Dormant franchises like Star Fox and F-Zero aren't very likely to appear in any form, as they as niche even amongst the gaming community.

 

[Mike S]

Generally, mixed IP lands like Pixar Pier at DCA do not turn out well, unless it happens to be a kids area. Dormant franchises like Star Fox and F-Zero aren't very likely to appear in any form, as they as niche even amongst the gaming community.

I’ll admit Star Fox is iffy, but this is why I’d make F-Zero a huge roller coaster. At that point the IP doesn’t matter as the ride itself would draw people in. Plus anyone that knows Smash Bros. knows who Captain Falcon is. So maybe cut Star Fox and you’d still have a solid land.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I’ll admit Star Fox is iffy, but this is why I’d make F-Zero a huge roller coaster. At that point the IP doesn’t matter as the ride itself would draw people in. Plus anyone that knows Smash Bros. knows who Captain Falcon is. So maybe cut Star Fox and you’d still have a solid land.

Wouldn't it make just as much sense to turn the Hulk vehicles into Arwings then? F-Zero is far less of a thing than Star Fox to both hardcore fans and the GP, and to Nintendo themselves frankly lol.

Either way, and as much as I hate to say it, most of Nintendo's properties aren't getting anything outside of a Launch Bay-type location or temporary event. Pikmin was incredibly lucky to make it in as an easter egg. We might see some Splatoon plushies in some stores or a Kirby Cafe, maybe some Isabelle or Tom Nook M&G's, but that's about it.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I don’t want to get off the rails…..

Save Metroid for a 4th park. Develop a film before then.

That way, Mario and co. is at EU. Zelda at IOA, Pokémon at USF, and Metroid at the 4th park. Perfectly spread out.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I think the odds of Animal Crossing or Splatoon happening are more likely than Kirby. While Kirby is popular, he's only partially owned by Nintendo, and any implementation of that IP may not be able to fall under the Super Nintendo World brand. As much as I love the Kirby games, I don't think they would lend themselves particularly well to a land or attraction. Bringing over the Kirby Café from Tokyo or some sort of store would probably be the best option.

I'd agree that AC is certainly more popular than Kirby.

I could, at the very least, see a mildy themed flat ride, M&G and a quick service dining location for Aninal Crossing. At the very least, a merch location (Nook's Cranny)

 

[ultimateforce]

Could this be the first new major park built with selfie locations in mind?

 

[DodgsonHere]

Could this be the first new major park built with selfie locations in mind?

Huh?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Could this be the first new major park built with selfie locations in mind?

Absolutely, I think more so it’s with Instagram and Social Media in general though. SNW is very show off type of land with a lot of big and little things to take pictures of or tik tok.

 

[Chorizo]

Could this be the first new major park built with selfie locations in mind?

Past the entry portal into Dragons is gonna be a very highly photographed spot, with the statues framing the Great Hall and mountain immediately as you enter.

 

[Loki]

Past the entry portal into Dragons is gonna be a very highly photographed spot, with the statues framing the Great Hall and mountain immediately as you enter.

I can think of a half dozen spots that are going to be good spots for selfies.

Dragon Statues
Main Entrance (of course)
Right after entrance overlooking waterfalls
Paris street looking up the stairs to the church


The Helios Hotel
The Carousel at night @_@
The big fountain
Frankerstein Manor (mostly at night with it lit up)
Throw a dart in SNW and you hit a selfie spot (Bowser's Castle, DK Temple, Peach's Castle, etc.)

 

[Loki]

Bunch of concept art for HTTYD at Universal Epic Universe

sample

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

This is definitely going to be the most impressive land visually at all of UOR I’d imagine.

 

[tielo]

I could see an indoor Star Fox Dumbo spinner. The walls around the spinner is a screen.
When the ride start it will give the sensation you lift out into space. Then the spinning start and you can shoot targets and get a score. Laser beam walls should be avoided by going up and down.

 

[belloq87]

Lots of new (to me) tidbits in here:


Sounds like we should probably not expect the Monsters to look like their "classic" selves, but more in line with the various re-interpretations that HHN has gone with. That's not my preference! Give me Lugosi and Karloff, and pay their estates what they want.

 

[Gartooth]

With regards to future Nintendo IP, I'm not really sure how much deeper Universal even digs into Nintendo's IP catalog if we were to assume that eventually we see Zelda at IOA and Pokémon at USF? That would cover all of Nintendo's most popular franchises with a land at each of the 3 parks similar to Potter.

The last obvious area to build more Nintendo is the expansion pad in EU between Mario and Monsters. But that would get you 1 land or 2 mini lands to put whatever remaining Nintendo you want in it. That I'm not really sure we would see many B-tier franchises like Metroid or Kirby ever come to the resort unless we end up getting a 4th park in Orlando one day?