From Console to Coaster: The Journey from Video Game to Theme Park Attraction
When fans get to go inside their favorite games!
Since their inception, video games have created worlds that players love to inhabit. Whether going to an arcade to play Pac-Man or using a home game console to play any version of Super Mario Bros., the worlds in 2-D are incredibly captivating.
Since the 1980s, theme parks around the world have tapped into video game IP to create real life experiences for those who love the games–and maybe new fans who haven’t played them yet.
Pac-Man Land
Back in 1983, a Pac-Man Land existed for a short time in the theme park, Six Flags Over Texas, and it was dedicated to children. Pac-Man Land was a Playport dedicated to play through a series of ropes, tunnels, and climbing apparatuses. In 1985, however, Six Flags changed the area into a Looney Tunes branded attraction when the company acquired the rights. But the short-lived theme park area devoted to the classic arcade game can be seen in this television ad for the park.Â
Tomb Raider rides
The video game series Tomb Raider from the 1990s not only inspired a blockbuster film, but it inspired several theme park attractions. Tomb Raider: FireFall, which opened in 2005 at King’s Dominion in Doswell, VA, was a suspended top spin ride that had guests flying through the air. In 2002, an earlier version of this ride called Tomb Raider: The Ride appeared indoors with even more theming at King’s Island in Mason, OH. Both rides were inspired by the film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider which of course was inspired by the video game. And both were renamed The Crypt when the parks they appeared in changed ownership to Cedar Fair. Sadly, both have since been removed.
Another Tomb Raider themed ride, also called Tomb Raider: The Ride, opened at Canada’s Wonderland in 2004. This ride is a flying rollercoaster suspended on a track above the car, and while it’s still in operation today, it has been re-themed Time Warp following the Cedar Fair ownership.
LEGOLAND NINJAGO WORLD
The LEGO company’s NINJAGO toy series, loosely inspired by East Asian myths and culture, was established in 2011 and is a favorite amongst LEGO fans. Video games based on the brand have released simultaneously since 2011, with about twelve games in total. The series has also inspired a fantasy action TV series (which has fifteen seasons!) and a movie, all which inspire the games as well. So it’s only natural that the NINJAGO brand has a dedicated space at LEGOLAND theme parks. LEGOLAND NINJAGO WORLD attractions exist in all of LEGOLAND theme parks worldwide. NINJAGO The Ride is a 4D interactive video game ride where riders actually play a game with screens in front of them using their hands. In the LEGOLAND parks in Germany and Japan, a thrill ride called Flying NINJAGO has guests flying through the air on a dragon-like apparatus.Â
Angry Birds
Angry Birds is one franchise that has a surprising amount of theme park representation. The first ever Angry Birds Land in the world opened in 2012 in Särkänniemi Adventure Park in Tampere, Finland. But it closed in 2022 due to the expiration of the license to use the name. In Thorpe Park, in Surrey, England, Angry Birds Land existed from 2014 to 2023. Attractions included a 4-D movie with special effects and a re-theming of an existing drop ride: Detonator. Unfortunately, the movie is gone and while the Detonator ride remains, it has lost the Angry Birds theme. And several Angry Birds Activity Parks, which are mainly playground parks, exist in many locations across Finland, Malaysia, the U.K., China, and Russia.
But the main event for Angry Birds fans is Angry Birds World in Doha, Qatar. This amusement park is a full scale theme park with both indoor and outdoor rides, thrills, and attractions for all ages. For game lovers there are arcade-style games and laser tag; for those who want a real stomach drop, there’s a rollercoaster and a sling-shot style ride to get your heart pounding. There’s even a waterpark!Â
Super Nintendo World
Currently there are two Super Nintendo Worlds: in Hollywood, CA and Osaka, Japan. More are being planned for Universal Studios Singapore and the newly announced Universal Epic Universe expansion at Universal Studios Orlando. These Super Nintendo Worlds are heavily based on the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises. The larger Super Nintendo World is in Japan, and both completely immersive worlds feature rides and attractions that put you right in your favorite game worlds. To bring the immersive experience even closer, there is even a gaming feature you can participate in by purchasing a Power-Up Band, a wristband that allows guests to collect digital coins and keys throughout the land in the park. Sounds just like capturing SuperStars in the Mario Bros. universe!
Have you visited any of these theme parks and attractions? What theme parks would you love to see based on your favorite games? We want to hear your ideas in the comments!
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