Summary
- Link spotted in construction of Super Nintendo World in Orlando, sparking speculation about Zelda’s future inclusion.
- Current focus on Mario and Donkey Kong, but Zelda fans may see hope for the franchise being integrated later on.
- Possibility for iconic Nintendo franchises like Zelda to be included in park expansion, building on success of concept.
Eagle-eyed Nintendo fans have noticed that Link has made a surprise appearance at Super Nintendo World in Universal Epic Universe Orlando. The park is currently under construction, but that hasn’t stopped Nintendo fans from trying to discover everything they can about what to expect.
Super Nintendo World got its start in Japan, and has since opened a second location in California. Both are part of Universal Studios parks, and fans on the East Coast are looking forward to Universal Epic Universe Orlando opening its own Super Nintendo World, which is currently slated to open in May of 2025.
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Universal Orlando Super Nintendo World Teases Park Layout
Photos of the Super Nintendo World area at Universal Studios Orlando offer a peak at the park’s layout ahead of its 2025 opening.
Several months in advance of Super Nintendo World’s opening, photos of the park’s construction have been making waves, much as similar images did when the first Super Nintendo World was being built. The main focus of the photo is the construction of the entryway to Super Nintendo World, which takes the shape of a portal whisking visitors away from this world to Mario’s world. However, Nintendo fans quickly noticed that in the lower-right corner, Link can be seen on a stained glass window. It would seem to be the same image and style of stained glass window that can be found at some official Nintendo Stores.
Will Zelda Be Part of Super Nintendo World?
Some fans may see this as an indication that The Legend of Zelda could appear at Super Nintendo World in some shape or form. Previously, rumors have suggested that Zelda and Pokemon could be featured at Super Nintendo World Orlando. However, Link’s presence doesn’t necessarily mean that the game series will be a focus of Super Nintendo World, at least at first. So far, the park is said to be focusing on Mario and Donkey Kong. With that said, a video also allegedly showed Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma checking out construction for the park, which further pushed these rumors. However, Zelda fans probably shouldn’t get their hopes up for anything particularly substantial when the area opens to the public.
Super Nintendo World seems to have been a success for Nintendo and Universal so far, with Nintendo event renting out Alarmo to visitors staying at the park’s official hotels in Japan. It seems quite plausible that Super Nintendo World will eventually expand to include more of the iconic franchises the Big N is known for. At one point, the concept for the Super Nintendo World parks even considered including Splatoon. While it’s a popular IP, especially in Japan, if Nintendo considered the possibility of including once its newer IPs, it seems highly likely that Zelda will be eventually integrated into the park in some way beyond a simple stained glass window.
