Power-Up Bands get games going in Super Nintendo World

Disney4me · 2025-05-18T09:03:57Z

A new-to-Orlando aspect of Epic Universe theme park is the arrival of Power-Up Bands, brightly colored wristbands that boost the interactivity in Super Nintendo World.

When users wear them and perform certain tasks in the video game-inspired environment, they earn digital keys and other powers. They’re a bit like the magic wands in Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands mixed with the MagicBands of Walt Disney World.

Here are things to know before you go on the grid in Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.

Powering up

First, purchase a Power-Up Band at Epic or other Universal Orlando outlets. They’re a little clunky and themed to characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and others. The price is $42. (There’s a kiosk dedicated to the bands near the entrance to Donkey Kong Country.)

The bands are not required to enter Super Nintendo World or to experience its three rides. Some members of your group – very young or noncompetitive types – may not need one at all.

The bands are synched up to the Universal Orlando app via a QR code on the back of the band. Time-saving tip: Download that before arrival at Epic Universe.

A kiosk in Super Nintendo World is one place at Epic Universe theme park where Power-Up Bands can be purchased. On the right is a wall-mounted ? Block that the bands interact with. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)

Game time

There are upsized games around Super Nintendo World, and the silicon bands allow participation and record-keeping. They lean into timing skills and hand-eye coordination, more than feats of strength, but they aren’t stagnant events either.

In the Koopa Troopa POWer Punch game, players must time movement in order to send a shell up a pipe and score a digital key. In Piranha Plant Nap Mishap there are multiple alarm clocks with which to contend. There are also Goomba Crazy Crank, Bob-omb Kaboom Room and Thwomp Panel Panic games.

Players also can save coins to their Power-Up Bands during Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, the augmented-reality ride/game within Super Nintendo World. Hit targets, get coins. Digital stamps can also be achieved on the Mine-Cart Madness coaster and Yoshi’s Adventure, a flat ride.

Besting Bowser

Unlock enough keys – three is enough, sources say – and you are eligible for the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. In this indoor space, there’s another challenge that is all about recovering the stolen Golden Mushroom.

Guests join for a meet-and-greet with Mario and Luigi in Super Nintendo World at Universal Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Block party

Throughout Super Nintendo World are the famed yellow music and ? Blocks just waiting to be punched. No need to be overly aggressive. The targets are fairly low to the ground, and players can just hit their fists on the bottom of the block to get a response (and associated points). No need to whack the actual band against the block.

Although there are blocks higher on the walls, it’s just decor worth no coins. No need to stand on shoulders or go to other extremes.

Allegedly, there are coins to be earned in the ride queues, although like many video games, instructions are not detailed and may require personal exploration.

Keep track

In the Universal Play section of the app, there’s a scoreboard containing tallies of all players, in your own group and beyond, plus whatever badges have been earned. There are also 8-bit-looking maps showing the locations of blocks and other items.

Power-Up Bands don’t have powers in the other worlds of Epic Universe. They’re merely accessories there. Wearers may be asked to remove them before getting on the bumpier rides.

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