You Can Now Play Mario Kart In Real Life, And It Looks Incredible

Mario Kart is a gaming classic. Would you believe it if I told you that this fun little racing series has been entertaining us for a whopping 30 years? Seriously. Super Mario Kart kicked things off on the SNES in 1992 and today, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a staple title of the Nintendo Switch.

Have you ever dreamt of stepping inside the game? Let me introduce you to Super Nintendo World. Bringing Nintendo games to life, this themed land can be found at Universal Studios’ theme parks around the world. The first iteration opened in Japan in early 2021 but Universal Studios Hollywood is next to open its doors in early 2023, and we’ve got our first glimpse at the world’s only real life Mario Kart.

Take a look at the brand new Mario Kart inspired ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in action below. This is honestly what dreams are made of.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a 3D dark ride that allows you to battle against Bowser as you zoom around various classic Mario Kart courses in a bid to win the Golden Cup. It’s the first ever Mario Kart ride of its kind and I don’t know about you, but I immediately need to book a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood with the chums.

The official description reads, “Ready to experience Mario Kart like never before? Put on the special goggles and battle Team Bowser on iconic Mario Kart courses alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Collect coins and throw shells to win the Golden Cup on the world’s first interactive Mario Kart ride with cutting-edge technology at Super Nintendo World. Opens early 2023.”

Let’s be honest, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is what we all really care about here but there promises to be a whole host of entertainment in the brand new land including “imaginative interactive areas, themed shopping and dining.” If the land is anything like its counterpart in Universal Studios Japan, guests enter through a Mario-inspired warp pipe, where they can then explore Princess Peach's castle and the Mushroom Kingdom. This is literally a gamer’s dream.