At Universal Studios Japan, The “jumping” of Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Drive immerses visitors in the minecart action of the video game, broken tracks and all. That’s right, you will experience a very realistic simulation of being KongIn this roller coaster opening at Universal Studios Japan, you’ll ride the car and jump onto a completely different track.
Tracker for theme park attractions CoasterTalk revealed a look at the technology in action from afar as it was tested Donkey Kong Country, a new section of Super Nintendo World.
You can see more footage in the video below, along with a digital rendering of a simulation that gives us a closer look at what promises to be a thrilling roller coaster using publicly available, patented schematics.
The technology is BANANAS! It’s crazy to see these ride vehicles go back and forth between different roller coaster tracks, just like in the Donkey Kong Games – You know, the ones where you put Kong on a minecart so he has to jump from broken rail to broken rail to complete the level. Here you are the monkey, entrusting your life to Universal Studios in a deeply immersive simulation of the game, jumping across tracks that, from your perspective, look and feel like you’re definitely in danger.
If you’re wondering how this is all possible: Theme Park Attractions Progress Insider Orlando Park stop reported that Universal Creative patented this technology as the “Boom Coaster,” in which the ride vehicle jumps off the visible “broken” tracks – which are actually a spoof of the story’s theme – while actually riding on a secretly hidden track below . And while that’s all well and good for the most part, let’s hope it is Donkey Kong Epic Universe’s ride is also officially announced in Orlando (see Orlando Park Stop for more on that), it’s still nerve-wracking. How can anything go wrong with the theme park’s track record (flashbacks, how often Hagrid’s magical motorcycle adventure broke when opened) – so that’s probably the case Bumps at the beginning. While it’s easy to worry about getting stuck in the air during a jump, this technology ups the ante and Universal Creative really goes out of its way to try something new. And we’ll definitely give it a try once it’s properly tested!
The Donkey Kong Country expansion of Super Nintendo World and its Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness Coaster is scheduled to open at Universal Studios Japan this spring.
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