Interactive theme park experiences continue to get more and more nuanced and the Super Nintendo World expansion at Universal Studios Hollywood continues in that tradition. Exclusive to the land, you can purchase Power-Up Bands that will enhance your visit with special activities and point-tracking challenges.
Here’s what you can expect with the Power-Up Band experience in Super Nintendo World starting February 17, 2023. Letsa go!
What Are They
Essentially, the Power-Up Band is a fancy slap band that can track your digital progress inside of Super Nintendo World when you have it linked to your Universal Studios Hollywood app. They sell for $40 plus tax ($43.80 with taxes) and are available in six designs: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, and Daisy.
How To Get One
You have the opportunity to purchase your Power-Up Band both inside and outside of the new land.
Inside of Super Nintendo Land:
- 1-Up Factory Story
- Dedicated Kiosks near the large Piranha Plant
Outside of Super Nintendo Land:
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ STORE at CityWalk
- Character Shop
- Feature Presentation Store
How to Link
Once you have your Power-Up Band, you’ll need to download and open the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app and navigate to the Super Nintendo World portal. The first thing you’re prompted to do in the app is to “Scan Band” where you’ll scan the QR code on the back of your Power-Up Band to link. Follow the instructions here and then this part of the mobile app becomes your home base for all elements of the Power-Up Band experience.
What Does It Do?
Once you have your Power-Up Band scanned and connected into your account within the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app, you can keep track of your progress to see…
- How many digital coins you’ve collected (they have no monetary value)
- How many achievement stamps you’ve earned for completing activities
- See how you rank up against other guests in the park (including your score on the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction)
- It’s also what you’ll use to engage in the Golden Mushroom Key Challenge
Golden Mushroom Key Challenge
An attraction unto itself, this can only be experienced with a Power-Up Band. As the story goes, Bowser Jr. has stolen the Golden Mushroom from Princess Peach and only we can help by recovering golden keys that gain access to Bowser Jr.’s private lair where you’ll engage in a final boss battle to recover the Golden Mushroom.
There’s four different activities where the golden keys are protected by Bowswer Jr.’s goons:
Piranha Plant Nap Mishap
Best accomplished as a team activity, disarm several alarm clocks to prevent them from awaking a gigantic Piranha Plant so that you can relieve her of a golden key.
Goomba Crazy Crank
Outsmart a Goomba by spinning a crank that will cause him to loose his footing and gain you access to a golden key.
Koopa Troopa POWer Punch
Use your Power-Up Band to punch a POW block and send a spinning turtleshell through a warp tunnel to disarm a Koopa Troopa of a golden key.
Thwomp Panel Panic
Tap all the blocks on the touch-screen to align them to the same color before time runs out to earn a golden key.
Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown Boss Battle
There’s four different keys to collect but once you have at least three, you can proceed to the final Boss Battle at Bowser Jr.’s lair.
Ready to Play?
We’ve got your in-depth gamer’s guide on everything there is to do at Super Nintendo World, check out our guide pages below.
Quick Links: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | Power-Up Band experience | Meet Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach | Toadstool Cafe | 1-Up Factory | AR Binoculars | Outdoor Vending | Virtual Line Reservations
See it for Yourself
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood officially opened February 17, 2023 and is now open daily.
The new Super Nintendo World expansion is located inside of Universal Studios Hollywood park and access is included with regular park admission. Super Nintendo World is not a separate theme park.
MORE INFO: For tickets, visit store.universalstudioshollywood.com.
