Mario Kart Dark Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood | Without & W/ AR Glasses | Super Nintendo World

[4K] Mario Kart Mario: Bowser’s Challenge is a NEW Augmented Reality dark ride in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. 1st POV ride through is filmed without the special AR goggles to show you all the physical sets and animatronics. The 2nd mini POV shows you what it looks like when you put on the goggles onto your visor.
"Put on the special goggles and battle Team Bowser alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach on Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge. You’ll steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds, collecting coins and throwing shells to win the Golden Cup." - www.universalstudioshollywood...
For more info regarding this new Super Nintendo World and tickets, please visit their official website: www.universalstudioshollywood...
Video filmed 1/13/2023 during the soft opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.

[@Attractions360]

For those wondering what you see when you put on the AR glasses onto the visor, please go to 6:10 mark. That's where you will see all the characters you're racing with when looking through the glasses.

[@humanities-english]

You really captured the attraction, which is a complex and difficult one to portray! Very well done!

[@SidRulz100]

To be fair, videos don't do a great ride any proper justice. This ride looks fun on its own, but I betcha the AR glasses make it complete.

[@stronghold8266]

@@humanities-english stop lying

[@Jvietstylz]

We got to take the ride. It’s extremely distracting with the HUD and trying to catch all the detail in the background. Cool ride but I was def confused for the first few minutes.

[@ndanielgomez8948]

it is already open

[@wywycat]

That ending with rainbow road with the AR is so seamless with the giant screen it feels like ur in a video game

[@alexjohnston2734]

I agree it's a great effect.

[@bunnearix]

This ride is on "Beta Testing". That area isn't fully open.

[@aleczhor1479]

Ah, now I see why it took so long to finish.

[@Min-Pins]

Ya that part is pretty wild

[@CasualLemmonJuice]

It’s undescribibaly awsome. You just need to do it to understand lol

[@TheVargr]

The AR is what really makes it work. Looked good without them, but a bit slow. The big difference is on Rainbow road with them on feeling so much faster

[@Mike__B]

Yeah without the AR headgear it looks like a very slow dark ride, super nice backgrounds and theming but you really don't get that extra dimension.

[@Firegen1]

From everything I've seen I think the ride system has to be slower. The AR I have seen would make a rider violently ill if the ride was as fast going. Also to hit all those timings, I'll take slow and precise then fast and janky any day.

[@qique]

@@Firegen1 even slower? What have you been smoking no it has to go faster that’s the point of a RACING ride to go fast.

[@smartalex995]

@@Firegen1 yeah he's rigth it has to go faster since the visors graphics go fast but the ride is slow. But it does make you feel disoriented. Came out with a big o headache.

[@professorpenne9962]

​@@qique people have motion sickness

[@Anonymous58815]

The scenery looks really good, very true to the source material, but I feel like this is a ride you really have to experience for yourself.

[@CarloNassar]

Yeah, I agree with you on actually experiencing it. The same goes for any ride tbh.

[@Anonymous58815]

@@CarloNassar Well yes, but this one especially because the AR effect isn't something you can truly get the gist of by watching a KZbin video.

[@sixtocortescastaneda4169]

Absolutely, having just ridden it for the first time today as of the time of writing. Videos don't do it justice one bit.

[@ffblegend6422]

Agreed

[@calvinmccullough4873]

Ride could of been so much better...everything leading up to it was amazing only to fall short

[@infinitydash]

This looks fun and interesting but I can't help but think a slow moving, interactive shooter type ride is just a bad fit for Mario Kart. As others have said Luigi's Mansion would be a perfect fit for this style of ride. Or even just a more general Mario dark ride. But Mario Kart specifically should have an element of thrill, in my opinion. I will wait to fully judge until I've ridden it of course...

[@billmassicks9352]

I have been on this. And you comment is spot on. Very slow ride and no element of thrill. I will ride again when the line is short. Going again for tech rehearsals and passmember preview 1/29. Overall, I was not impressed.

[@MoAntphonyMo]

Shouldn’t be a surprise. This ride has been out for a while now and I didn’t expect anything different from the japan version tbh.

[@Primogen18]

When you have radiator springs racers at Disneyland, it's hard not to wonder what could have been. I agree this ride system is better suited for Luigis mansion.

[@stinkywiener]

maybe when there is horror nights in super nintendo world they could have a Luigi mansion style maze with boos and other ghosts to scare you

[@daviddeming1916]

This looks pretty boring for a kart ride.

[@UltraRobbie]

That's really interesting! Even without the goggles, it's really impressive how they translated the style of the games into the ride, and created the sense of distortion and perspective - especially the Rainbow Road part!

[@jennkivell2381]

it's amazing , good to know my sensory child would still enjoy this wit out googles

[@UltraRobbie]

@@jennkivell2381 Absolutely!

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

Still prefer playing Mario kart in Switch or Wii Console

[@BlueJourney2719]

I love how both Mario or Bowser can win depending on what happenes and it’s not always one sided.

[@kingluigi2089]

I thought it was Mario vs Luigi?

[@BabyDanielBD]

i also love how Mario just claps and waves upon losing, like it is just as casual and friendly match as it would be in actual Mario Kart

[@BlueJourney2719]

@@BabyDanielBD To him it is, to us it ain’t.

[@CasualLemmonJuice]

@@kingluigi2089it’s Mario vs bowser, it’s really fun and I honestly didn’t expect to see us lose cuz I thought it was one sided 💀

[@1TSS0FLVFFY]

apparently theres a third option and its only if you get high enough points the universal cup shows up

[@simply_solo]

this actually looks so much cooler than i expected! i thought it felt kinda slow but i guess it feels faster when you’re actually on the ride and wearing the AR glasses

[@lxisha]

the ride is a little slow but when youre on it it feels faster since the cart moves around alot. Theres wheels where you can control the cart and make it turn!

[@MrStGeorgeIllawarra]

you really don't notice it.

[@lukenaoumovitch4477]

If you watch a lights-on video of Space Mountain, it looks so incredibly slow compared to what it feels like when the lights are off. Rides are hard to judge until you’re actually on it I guess

[@saraH-yu1mx]

It does. Especially rainbow road you feel like you’re going really fast

[@nwo2cool]

This ride is similar to California Adventure's Toy Story ride.

[@JamesAutoDude]

As someone who can't physically go to theme parks anymore, I'm extremely grateful for your quality content & coverage of these. I was so excited to hear about this part of universal and was waiting to be able to see it on here

[@coreymarcel23]

Much respect to you James

[@gabs_ara]

God bless you, my guy.

[@davemccage7918]

Why can’t you?

[@JamesAutoDude]

@@davemccage7918 I suffer from physical and mental ailments that prevent me from leaving my house unfortunately

[@MarkaveliRises]

Same

[@MissRoMayo]

This is definitely one you have to try in person. It has a much greater 'wow' effect when you're playing it. We tried it in Japan in November and it felt like so much was happening and felt a lot faster and more fun than it looks in a video. So much so that I'm watching this video because I couldn't take in the physical surrounds properly at the time due to how immersive the game was.

[@Visious05]

I was wanting to earlier today, but I didn’t cause I would have to deal with a 3-hour wait-time. That’s how good it is. Super-packed line during the summertime.

[@purplefern6010]

Even without AR it was a very fun looking dark ride! Glad AR wasn't used as an excuse to cheap out in other areas.

[@purplefern6010]

@@caseypenk I dunno. I thought it still looked cool anyway. 🤷‍♀️

[@natedoggrevolution]

@@caseypenk I don’t know I’m looking at that ride and thinking if everything was animatronic and practical effect, the costs of maintenance would be tremendous and would only rise the ride ages.

[@masterowen45]

shame about the obvious track rail... feels like it should have been a trackless ride to give more sense of the randomness of the route. The rooms look perfect though.

[@wywycat]

Less downtime though

[@PixelGamer456]

I’m pretty sure the AR goggles make it so you can’t see the track if I remember correctly

[@imsocool5932]

Its the same in japan?

[@gissneric]

Aren't we at the Trackless dark ride era of attractions now? Though it kinda reminds me of the classic dark rides at Disneyland with AR.

[@dozer11]

Trackless is a lot more expensive and tbh is probably unnecessary with the AR goggles on. Also trackless shuts down so easily if people drop something on the ride. Yes, trackless is the future, but if it doesn’t help much for an experience like this, why spend the extra money?

[@witchingbrew3]

The rainbow road transition is what blew me away. It reels like a ride you really have to experience to get all of it.

[@CheerBoyX2]

It was only 10 seconds :/ This ride should have been like the CARS ride from Disneyland California's Adventure. Now that would have been a thriller

[@1TSS0FLVFFY]

@@CheerBoyX2 the quality of the ride doesnt change just cause its slow the sets are just as detailed as the cars ride but this one is a game like buzz lightyear and toy story mania its fun to get high scores

[@qique]

@@1TSS0FLVFFY it’s really not :/

[@1TSS0FLVFFY]

@@qique i mean ive been on both of the rides and it definitely is but okay lol

[@lovebisounours9892]

good evening, where is the attraction where you are shown on youtube

[@Goodgrief478]

Even without the glasses the look alone of the ride looks AMAZING.

[@smashblaster1-up190]

The more I hear that Coin sound effect, the more I keep thinking I'm at a Grocerie Store's Checkout

[@thespyrobrother4367]

I will admit, a part of me was slightly disappointed when I first heard it was an AR dark ride rather than something like a roller coaster. However, after riding it myself, I honestly was blown away. After being somewhat underwhelmed with Web Slingers something about the movement and the simulation of speed was just perfect in this ride, and I cheered at almost every moment because in the moment it felt like my very childhood was coming to life right before my eyes. Ride it for yourself, or don't, but I will happily ride this over again and again.

[@qique]

I rode it but still left disappointed lol I was expecting a high velocity coaster but no we got a slow ride where all we do is just…. Shoot

[@thatonepangirl6940]

@@qique I’m terrified of rides as I hate Disney land I’m so scared since childhood. so is this ride actually slow? I need to know as I also have anxiety and I’m going soon so compared to the Harry Potter ride where you fly how is it compared to that feel wise…

[@qique]

@@thatonepangirl6940 you’ll survive this ride prolly goes like fastest 5mph so your barely moving only thing is If you get motion sickness watch out cuz it spins and some turns

[@thatonepangirl6940]

@@qique Okay thank you so much this helped but still I am nervous of course but I heard good things about this ride :) thanks

[@dantdmfangamingrich9802]

I’m not one of those mindless fans who praise everything because when I went I was disappointed that it was slow and just a shooter ride and not a rollercoaster but at least it looks cool

[@brinicole2999]

Ok that was pretty good. The colors and especially the water special effects are really cool. And a good length too. I wouldn't be mad waiting for a bit to ride this.

[@CPGreeno357]

idk as someone who isn't a thrill seeker but loves witnessing all the technological advancements when it comes to rides im personally excited for this

[@user-sr1xe5wk8h]

That whole land looks so awesome, but I’d probably poke my eyes out if I had to listen to the coin jingles all day

[@randomname4726]

I think you'd want to poke your *ears* out :P

[@juishydomangoes8623]

I remember the Japanese POV and was worried that the lack of things (animatronics/figures) in the sets would kill the ride if you ever did it without AR, but those sets are SO impressive. I am actually really excited about this, looks so beautiful.

[@SpezyCoasters]

imagine an interactive darkride themed to luigis mansion with some comedic hints to the haunted mansion of course

[@Toasty_67]

This looks insane by the looks of it. I think when I got to universal studios I might go there with my sis

[@MadiBendy]

I’m really obsessed with the design of this park… it’s so stinking cute

[@AmusementLabs]

Those vehicles are really working overtime. You can definitely hear all the onboard computers' fans just full blast. Perhaps they can later invest in some quieter fans.

[@AmusementLabs]

@@user-lk5cq4lo6l I mean maybe, but they could probably do a better job with a speaker.

[@charlieaction6178]

They should’ve made it a roller coaster

[@projectxspectre]

I rode this yesterday and the Rainbow Road part was freaking amazing! I wish the whole ride was just the different iterations of Rainbow Road.

[@vernedmonds7498]

The scenery is legit! The colors are on point, and everything looks good... I just feel this would've been better had it been a rollercoaster type ride. Doesn't have to be top notch speed, but just a tad bit more acceleration. Cool looking ride though.. And I hope the VR is better once on for yourself.

[@sometf2player752]

Apparently the ar is what really makes the ride come together

[@jardex2275]

Something like Epcot's Test Track would have been interesting. Make it 80% dark ride with a speed loop at the end. I suppose that may have led to the AR glasses coming off or causing nausea for the rider.

[@shanellecarlson9499]

@@jardex2275 yeah they didn't need to have the AR head gear. Could have incorporated a 3D experience without that. And they should have sped the ride up a bit somehow and made it more interactive

[@jardex2275]

@@shanellecarlson9499 If you didn't see, there is a game within the ride already. Looks like a shooting gallery where you shoot shells at the karts on screen. I think AR is a good idea overall. 3D would have just covered everything in screens, rather than props, plus the glasses still could get lost during the speed coaster part I described in my original comment. As for the speed, I'm wondering if there are more parts to the ride that add to that feeling, such as fans blowing wind in your face.

[@shanellecarlson9499]

@@jardex2275 thank you for responding on this because I was trying to find my comment so that I could change it because I went to look at another more in depth video of the ride and realize now that you get to shoot the shells n such at bowser

[@MasDouc]

This should have been a fast, "Test Track" style coaster. Each curve could have a slight bounce to simulate jumping to drift, speed boost pads, simulated jumps and physical shells that bounce around the track... They really dropped the ball on this. Even Rainbow Road felt anticlimactic.

[@leleprtk]

I still can’t believe they fucked up a MARIO KART RIDE of all things this badly. So disappointing.

[@OutSbrich]

I agree, but I will ride it first before truly killing it

[@SebassChen]

its a family style ride similar to Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters.

[@ItsPhantomXD]

I’ve been on the ride an actually it’s really fun

[@arielperez3613]

Universal studios Hollywood doesn’t have the space to be building that type of attraction

[@HereforaMoment]

I cannot wait to take my kids on this ride!looks like so much fun and the nostalgia is next level.

[@ScottWallace5]

Thank you very much for this and the comparison! The AR is the BIG difference here, and rainbow road is definitely highlight. Looks amazing!! I just wish it went much faster and bigger for a Mario Kart type of ride, but I guess this is as best as possible.

[@superpatrickmario]

I love the Mario Kart Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood - it’s my favourite

[@winbornew]

This looks awesome! I can’t wait for this experience.

[@mrtnpope]

Who's here after Bill Burr's podcast? Still laughing😂

[@jefflapointe3351]

Bill Burr's favorite ride.

[@paulv7744]

Waited 2.40 hours for it.. He for sure love him some Mario.

[@brandonhaygood5286]

Lol that's why I'm here too.

[@marcuscheng2507]

I really can't wait to ride this!!!

[@ThemeparkNThings]

Even without the glasses, it's still a fun, amazing ride. I can't wait to get back down there imma ride with and without the glasses

[@doseofmyreality]

Looks magical ✨ Outside the ride (at the beginning of the video) the coins, characters & Mario layout all look so realistic. The ride looks absolutely wonderful but I could probably watch the exteriors in real life for an hour 😂 Great video!🎉

[@ThrdSqdCptn]

I'm not going to pretend this was a better idea than making dual Hagrid motorbike style ride. I've NEVER played Mario Kart so slowly... this is like 5cc version of the game.

[@CharliXCXismymom]

The haunted mansion track set is gorgeous

[@AK_Swavey]

Loved this, hope mario and nintendo stay forever, big part of peoples childhood and even getting older nice to see it still relevant

[@alexap3361]

Thank you so much for filming and sharing this with those of us who are currently incapable of traveling and going on rides right now. I can’t watch this without smiling ear to ear. What a joy you are sharing. Thank you!!

[@gabrieldally6044]

This is without the A.R. I wrote it yesterday and it's very impressive with the AR technology

[@gonefishing6957]

Amazing!! I can't wait to ride this.

[@mannyluke7566]

I'm glad that I went on the ride before watching a video like this. It still looks amazing, but oh my goodness. The AR makes me feel like I'm really in Mario Kart!

[@broformers6433]

Amazing blend of digital and practical. An instant classic!

[@SeedGroupPodcast]

Honestly, this looks great with or without the AR glasses.

[@sportsygirl8]

That was so cool!!!! Both with and without the AR glasses is neat. I loved the rainbow road part at the end pretty awesome!

[@jamesyu613]

That looks so fun, The rainbow road at the end is awesome makes like your in the real game

[@jeffcunningham8807]

I know it’s a slow moving ride but this genuine looks like an fun ride

[@laurel.cosplay234]

I'm hoping after previews they speed it up a little.

[@alecbormia4523]

This is really cool the sets are really impressive. I do wish though that the actual karts themselves moved faster. I love the feeling of going fast and nailing all the turns in mario kart and I was hoping this ride would encapsulate that more.

[@raynarksatriawibowo6688]

Have a perfect slow moving theme for Luigi mansion Used it for a fast paced kart race

[@jstan022]

I’m really glad you recorded through the headset. It definitely makes the ride.

[@anthonyvo1963]

This new attraction ride looks great

[@JR-ej9up]

Looks Really Amazing !!!

[@coasternut3091]

Rainbow road part was pretty cool before the AR. Even better after

[@NMW567]

This really should've been a coaster, but at least it's an actual dark ride and not another motion sim

[@philipstephens5960]

I hate to say this, but all of the coin collection noises in the outside areas would drive me batty.

[@hawaiianpunch6534]

Ooooh... I was looking for Bullet Bill. He was in the glasses. Very cool.

[@Matt-Culture]

Universal sure does love rides with Screens

[@into_play3226]

I love that this takes a lot of inspiration from Mario Kart 64 - the best Mario Kart imo

[@bracebrooks967]

I love those visuals, but I believe the ride would be more fun if it went faster. I wonder what a Sega world featuring Sonic and his friends would look like at Universal Studios..

[@kathyevans3251]

It looks awesome!!!!

[@NeroMai]

At first I thought this was gonna be a kiddie ride with how slow this was going, but with AR it looks like pure chaos just like the game

[@ajschlem]

I'm just really glad that they used so many elements from MarioKart Wii, especially the MKWii menu music at the station. Even they understand that MKWii was the strongest title in terms of music, theme, and nostalgia.

[@jacobkirk1846]

This is super cool. It would be awesome if they had like a Mario Kart inspired bumper car racer as well. That maybe times the racers on who can complete 3 laps in the quickest time, with a scoreboard and such.

[@tonydoinstuff]

Those are some pretty amazing sets! The land itself is awe-inspiring. But would've expected a Mario Kart ride to be... idk, faster?

[@Ihavethreeaxolotls]

Omg I thought the goggles were on the entire first half! Some of the effects are crazy with how animated they look. From my phone screen at least, it’s hard to sell if some things are practical effects or projection!

[@CallardAndBowser]

Oh, that's really better with the image from the AR Glasses, at first I thought this ride was pretty weak until the later footage from the glasses.

[@justinhenderson5813]

That looks like FUN!!!😁

[@Pollo.a.la.crema.]

I was hoping it was gonna be a thrill ride like the Cars ride at Disney. But I will say this is a total upgrade in terms of rides for it being at universal studios hollywood.

[@wikirat7750]

I thought skull island region of kong was the worst ride in universal but this ride has taken its place

[@snowfire48]

This is gonna be so cool

[@TonyZmex]

for this waiting 2-3 hours, no way

[@MattieBennett]

I’m here because of Bill Burr

[@litlik3966]

これ映像だと分かりにくいけどかなり楽しかったし本当にゲームの中に入ってる感覚になってすごく楽しかった❤️‍🔥

[@Lyssa_t.cos_slay]

I hope Universal Orlando brings something more thrilling

[@jeremys.travels]

Looks like a ride for toddlers, thanks for the video I wouldn't bother going on it.

[@thehellezell]

The projection mapping this team put together is totally sick!!! love it!

[@tropmonky]

Exciting to see with the AR glasses!

[@shanellecarlson9499]

Looks way better toward the end when the person who recorded their experience with the 3D headset. It also made a lot more sense. I'd love to go check it out for myself!

[@jujuu.f]

this looks so cool!! I though it’d be a simulator, the same style as the jimmy fallon race through new york one, which I’d really enjoy, but this is also very cool!

[@supertouring1]

So this ride seems like a slower version of Radiator Springs Racers, but with more with AR.

[@teddym2808]

The sets are super spot on

[@mr.jeffinizor2713]

id love to see a nintendo world giga coaster of rainbow road sometime in the future, that would be the ultimate nintendo world attraction and it would be so fun

[@vinstinct]

It looks pretty cool. Think it would be better if it was a trackless ride.

[@liljes34]

This is THE most incredible thing I have ever seen. My mouth was wide open with joy just sitting watching this at my computer... As a lifelong Mario fan from Mario 64 on, this is really special to see.

[@fedymunke8684]

I love it how the ride goes slow so people like me are not scare and people who have issues with fast rides can still ride it because it’s slow and if they have problems with things like the ar they don’t have to use the goggles

[@thefaulkness]

I went on this last weekend Honestly, very happy about how slow moving the carts are because, as this is essentially an on rails shooting game, it would've made me (and not just me) INCREDIBLY ill The effects make you feel like you're moving way faster though

[@GeneSavage]

Not gonna lie, that looks fantastic!

[@yorukkizigeziyor]

Very beautiful ☺👍

[@rmannayr2129]

THIS RIDE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

[@dhartist]

This is awesome! I wish it wasn’t mixed AR at times but overall it looks great!

[@SMGP1314]

I'm so excited for this attraction. Once it's finally open.

[@hunterthixton7577]

Even though that this super Nintendo world is small it's still amazing and incredible universal did a really good job and I'm also really excited for super Nintendo world coming to Florida for the new theme park Universal's working on right now epic universe guys!😊😲

[@rmannayr2129]

CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE IT!

[@uhhh_adam]

I wanna go opening day but I have a feeling it's gonna be super packed

[@thecunninlynguist]

I love this..pretty long, all things considered. almost as long as that star wars one

[@ThemeParksAndAttractions]

This is one of those attractions you really need to check out for yourself to see what it's like you can't really take in what it's like to experience it without being there as it will look very different with the glasses 😀

[@edgarlarios4718]

I'm glad this channel exists if only to preserve the rides that no longer exist.

[@TheJessyJen]

I can’t wait to try this ride with the glasses to get the full experience