Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[Mike S]

Yea, Nintendo is in Florida ALL the time. UC is based there, so it shouldn't be all that surprising. But it shows how dedicated Nintendo is to these projects.

(I'm still on the record as saying no way will park 3 be Nintendo-only)

Why isn’t there a satellite UC in Japan? I would think that would be easier.

 

[JungleSkip]

Why isn’t there a satellite UC in Japan? I would think that would be easier.

I mean, I'm sure there is. But the majority of the work and the decision makers are still in Florida.

 

[quinnmac000]

I mean, I'm sure there is. But the majority of the work and the decision makers are still in Florida.

Correct they havent found anyone qualified to lead UC Japan. Hints the multiple UC management jobs in Japan that have been open for the past 6 months.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Correct they havent found anyone qualified to lead UC Japan. Hints the multiple UC management jobs in Japan that have been open for the past 6 months.

That's not good.

 

[Teebin]

I would reckon that it takes a very certain sort to want to go and live and work in Asia. Same goes for the Middle East.

 

[shiekra38]

Correct they havent found anyone qualified to lead UC Japan. Hints the multiple UC management jobs in Japan that have been open for the past 6 months.

I'll move to Japan...where do I sign?

 

[quinnmac000]

I'll move to Japan...where do I sign?

Go to Universal Orlando Jobs site Universal Creative -Design and Engineering have public openings if you are serious about it....though I think you were joking.

 

[zg44]

After looking at these mindboggling Nintendo sales numbers with Mario and Zelda putting out absolutely incredible results along with the Switch, I have to wonder how that plays with Universal execs.

Obviously they know how big Nintendo's brands were when they signed the contract ~5 years ago, but it does make you wonder how much bigger they're thinking now.

Between Pokemon Go, Super Mario Run, Pokemon Sun/Moon and their sequels and the Switch with its Mario and Zelda games, Nintendo is arguably as strong as it's ever been across the board.

And Nintendo's had some dominant periods in its history with the NES/SNES/N64 era and the Wii era as two examples.

We're basically in a 3rd golden age for Nintendo.

I'd imagine that reinforces the timelessness of the Nintendo brands.

You can build a 7 acre Zelda land and not worry about whether Zelda will be relevant in 30 years. Very few movie franchises have that pull.

I still think @AliciaStella's buildout is problematic in terms of how it balances the 3rd and 4th dry parks..., but Universal should at least be thinking on that kind of scale in terms of how impactful the Nintendo Lands will be.

 

[Mad Dog]

After looking at these mindboggling Nintendo sales numbers with Mario and Zelda putting out absolutely incredible results along with the Switch, I have to wonder how that plays with Universal execs.

Obviously they know how big Nintendo's brands were when they signed the contract ~5 years ago, but it does make you wonder how much bigger they're thinking now.

Between Pokemon Go, Super Mario Run, Pokemon Sun/Moon and their sequels and the Switch with its Mario and Zelda games, Nintendo is arguably as strong as it's ever been across the board.

And Nintendo's had some dominant periods in its history with the NES/SNES/N64 era and the Wii era as two examples.

We're basically in a 3rd golden age for Nintendo.

I'd imagine that reinforces the timelessness of the Nintendo brands.

You can build a 7 acre Zelda land and not worry about whether Zelda will be relevant in 30 years. Very few movie franchises have that pull.

I still think @AliciaStella's buildout is problematic in terms of how it balances the 3rd and 4th dry parks..., but Universal should at least be thinking on that kind of scale in terms of how impactful the Nintendo Lands will be.

Yeah. My preference has always been a large prominent land of 15 to 20 acres in the new park. A 7 acre land in IOA. And a 7 acre land in the Studios park....I'm with you . I think they should use the draw for all three parks.....A hundred acre only Nintendo park is too much Nintendo. It could work, but as a scaled down 40-50 acre boutique park.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Universal has so many ways to utilize Nintendo. Originally the big speculation was if Harry Potter would be in all the parks. Universal now seems content to leave it in the north property. Yes, Harry is King in the North.

Will Nintendo be in all the parks? The likely answer is yes, at least for the dry parks. It could even be used in a South property water park. Don't think we will see Mario Pipe slides at Volcano Bay.

Universal does not seem to be in a hurry to build new lands in the current parks so we have the frustrating wait for SNW in the new park. After that we might see the floodgates open and Nintendo appearing all over.

I do think a 4th dry park has been in the plans all along and will be built sooner rather than later. I look forward to another SNW there with a ride connecting the two south property parks. Those two parks are likely designed to be close together to facilitate this.

Disney could counter this by opening a Mos Eisley style cantina in the back of Epcot, extending the canal and creating Star Wars: The Great Water Taxi Ride.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

So is Nintendo still happening in the third dry park?

 

[zg44]

So is Nintendo still happening in the third dry park?

Yes, the open question right now is which Nintendo Land(s) will appear there.

 

[shiekra38]

Yes, the open question right now is which Nintendo Land(s) will appear there.

Let's be careful to say something is for sure happening somewhere...I won't believe Nintendo is or isn't going anywhere until I see concept art

So after it opens.

 

[quinnmac000]

Nintendo's latest IP before it inevitable gets brought into will we see this in the park

 

[JungleSkip]

Nintendo's latest IP before it inevitable gets brought into will we see this in the park

Nintendo only owns 1/2 of it, so no

 

[quinnmac000]

Nintendo only owns 1/2 of it, so no

They only own a third of pokemon yet we still having the Pokemon conversation. (Nintendo already has some ownership in Cygames, and DeNA who is co-owner of Cygames)

 

[JungleSkip]

They only own a third of pokemon yet we still having the Pokemon conversation. (Nintendo already has some ownership in Cygames, and DeNA who is co-owner of Cygames)

Pokémon is the biggest game franchise on the planet. This is a no-name mobile game.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Pokémon is the biggest game franchise on the planet. This is a no-name mobile game.

Allow me to buddle into this, saying that the partnership between Nintendo and Cygames is huge, but that I would not think much of it when it comes to the parks.

Not everything from Nintendo can work for Super Nintendo World.

 

[Frank Drackman]

They only own a third of pokemon yet we still having the Pokemon conversation. (Nintendo already has some ownership in Cygames, and DeNA who is co-owner of Cygames)

Isn’t their 1/3 tied around merchandising though?

I really am not sure, but if they get to license all merchandise but they get 75%...but let’s say they make 0 on any video games, that cost/profit if one of the other companies....if the three Pokémon companies are split somewhat like that, I could see why Nintendo would want UNI to create a Pokémon area!

 

[Mike S]

Isn’t their 1/3 tied around merchandising though?

I really am not sure, but if they get to license all merchandise but they get 75%...but let’s say they make 0 on any video games, that cost/profit if one of the other companies....if the three Pokémon companies are split somewhat like that, I could see why Nintendo would want UNI to create a Pokémon area!

Nintendo owns every single trademark regarding Pokémon. Nothing can be done without them on some level. This whole split should have 0 effect on theme park rights.