Enter Bowser’s Castle and join Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach in a race through the Mushroom Kingdom, collecting coins and helping Team Mario take on Team Bowser.
Race through the Mushroom Kingdom on Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge, an interactive attraction inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood. Wear augmented reality goggles, steer your kart, collect digital coins and throw shells as you join Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach in a race against Team Bowser.
Where is it located?
Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge is inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California. The attraction entrance takes you through Bowser’s Castle, where displays of trophies, medallions and character portraits set the scene for your race.
How to access?
You need valid Universal Studios Hollywood admission to experience Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge. The ride is included with park admission, subject to operating hours and ride restrictions. You can also explore the rest of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, including its interactive activities, themed dining and shops. A Power-Up Band™ is optional and sold separately; it adds interactive features and lets you track your score on the ride.
Things to know before booking your tickets
- Height requirement: You must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 and 48 inches (102–122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
- Ride type: This is an interactive ride that combines a moving vehicle with augmented reality goggles and game-style elements. It is not a traditional high-speed roller coaster.
- How to play: Steer your kart, aim and throw shells, collect digital coins and work with Team Mario to compete against Team Bowser.
- Power-Up Band™: You can ride without one. A band adds score tracking and other interactive features across SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and costs extra.
- Rider safety: The ride includes sudden acceleration, turning, spinning and simulated racing. Restraints and physical rider requirements apply.
- Accessibility: A test seat is available for visitors who are unsure about the fit. Review Universal’s current safety and accessibility guide for boarding requirements and restrictions.
Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge in a nutshell
Must-see highlights
Signature experience
Put on augmented reality goggles, steer your kart and throw shells at targets as you race through underwater courses and cloud-filled tracks. Your score can change with each ride.
After the ride
Explore SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ with interactive Key Challenges, themed dining at Toadstool Cafe™ and Nintendo-themed merchandise at the 1-UP Factory™. Look out for character encounters with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.
Exploring Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
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Walk through Bowser’s Castle
The queue takes you through Bowser’s Castle, filled with trophies, medallions, character portraits and displays that introduce the race. Look for the Golden Cup and other details that build the story before you board your kart.
Race with augmented reality goggles
Wear the special goggles to see digital characters, objects and targets layered over the physical ride environment. The combination of augmented reality and moving vehicles makes the attraction feel like a real-life version of a Mario Kart race.
Steer, aim and throw shells
Use the steering wheel to guide your kart and the controls to throw shells at targets. Collect digital coins while helping Team Mario compete against Team Bowser. Your performance contributes to your score, giving you a reason to try again.
Race through familiar Mario Kart environments
Follow the action through courses inspired by the Mario Kart games, including underwater settings and tracks among the clouds. The ride combines physical sets, screen-based imagery and augmented reality to bring the race to life.
Add more interactive gameplay with a Power-Up Band™
A Power-Up Band™ is an optional extra that lets you track your ride score and collect digital coins and stamps. You can also use it for interactive Key Challenges around SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, with collected keys unlocking the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.
Know before you go
Location
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, California. Follow the park map to the land and look for Bowser’s Castle.
Timings
Ride operating hours may vary by date. Check the official park app for current hours, wait times and any temporary closures before joining the queue.
Height and safety requirements
- You must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall.
- Children between 40 and 48 inches (102–122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
Accessibility and rider safety
- The ride includes sudden acceleration, turning, spinning and simulated racing.
- Riders must meet physical and restraint requirements.
- A test seat is available at the entrance.
- You can ride without a Power-Up Band™. If you want to track your score and take part in additional interactive activities around the land, you can purchase one separately.
- Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad may appear in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. Check the park app for current character encounter information, as availability and timings can vary.
Frequently asked questions about Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
No. It is an interactive ride combining a moving vehicle, augmented reality goggles and game-style controls to recreate a Mario Kart race.
You must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 and 48 inches (102–122 cm) must have a supervising companion.
Yes. Valid Universal Studios Hollywood admission includes access to the attraction while it is operating, subject to ride restrictions and availability.
No. The band is optional and costs extra. It adds score tracking and interactive features throughout SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
Wear the augmented reality goggles, steer your kart, throw shells at targets and collect digital coins as you help Team Mario race against Team Bowser.
It is inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California. The queue passes through Bowser’s Castle.
Yes. Special goggles layer digital characters, objects and targets over the physical ride environment to create an interactive racing experience.
Yes. Universal notes that the ride offers multiple outcomes and the chance to improve your score, making repeat rides part of the experience.
Explore interactive Key Challenges, visit Toadstool Cafe™, browse the 1-UP Factory™ and look out for character encounters.
The queue has wheelchair access, but riders must meet specific transfer, posture and restraint requirements. Check Universal’s current accessibility guide or speak to a team member before riding.
