Amusement parks based on media companies aren't new. After all, several of the world's most popular parks incorporate Disney and Universal's IPs. Still, these destinations primarily focused on television and film. So, seeing Mario receive the Mickey Mouse treatment via Universal Studios Hollywood's is a gratifying experience for many gamers, including myself.
But why stop with𒁃 Nintendo? With their extensive casts of characters, elaborate worlds, and one-of-a-kind experiences, video game franchises make pe🔥rfect amusement parks. Disagree with me? Listen to my pitches and try not to get hyped!
4 Fin🌜al Fantasy💧
I've been playing Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line a lot lately. If there's an argument for a theme park, this game is it. Playing FBL feels like a Square-Enix Disney World (no relation to Kingdom Hearts). There's catchy music, colorful characters, tons of rises and falls (if you're playing a Field Music Stage, anyway), and an adorable rodent-like mascot! Theatrhhythm even had a game titled "All-Star Carnival." Coincidence? I think not!
A Final Fantasy theme park would feel like if thꦬe Magic Kingdom took up an entire state. You could make a park for each mainline game. Yet, series conventions, like chocobos, Gil, etc., will giveཧ the parks a unifying theme - admittedly a more existential one than Disney World.
Imagine the attractions in Final Fantasy World. You could go on a high-speed motorcycle chase in Midgar. Or you could bet it all in the Blackjack airship casino. Ever wanted to ride a chocobo? Now's your chance. And don't worry about the kiddos. They'll have a blast inside the Sin-themed bouncy house. Who knew getting consumed by a whale-like beast was so much fun?
3 ▨ Saﷺints Row
One of my friends suggested a theme park I couldn't pass over: . I know it's a controversial choice. Why dedicate a theme park to free-range crime, not to mention the dated stereotypes and tropes the series built itself on? But as my friend said, "in Saints Row, nothing makes sense, but it happens anyway." That statement sold me on the idea.
At its core, Saints Row isn't about crime; it's about creating the most ludicrous sandbox experience possible. There are alien invasions, jetpacks, and, let's not forget, the outrageous ragdoll physics! A Saints Row theme park visit is akin to walking into the X-Men danger room without training or experience. In other words, guests are buying a ticket to chaos. What other parks could offer that? (Excluding the local pop-up carnival with the sketchy, rusted Ferris Wheel.)
I'm not concerned about catching Saints Row up with the times. We'll nip that gross transphobia in the bud! But I'm not sure how to replicate ragdoll physics. So, perhaps someone can revisit this idea in two-hundred years.
2 🌠 Resident Evil 🌄
Imagine an amusement park where 'Halloween Horror Nights' or 'Fright Fest' was all year long. You would likely get a theme park. Would it be my thing? No. I'm a coward. But this kind of theme park isn't for me. A Resident Evil theme park is for your friends on Facebook who repost the Tumblr meme that says 'It's time to get SPOOKY' every March. This is their horror paradise.
A Resident Evil theme park can take on various designs, depending on how much land its developers have. On the one hand, you could make the park a perfect replication of Racoon City. But, on the other hand, you can take a zombified Magic Kingdom approach, with the Baker cannibal house on one side of the park and the Spencer Mansion on the other. However, Resident Evil 5 would be off-limits (that's a racist hot potato no one wants to touch).
So, what would be the Resident Evil park's standout feature? Would it be the gorgeously grotesque animatronics and practical effects? Or maybe the rides would elevate thrills and chills to a new level? Personally, I'm looking forward to the food. Where else can you eat a faux-human brain burger with red herb seasoning? Oh, and let's add a side of T-virus sauce to that order!
1 ༒ Animal Crossing
Before I wrap my pitches, I want to add a Nintendo park outside the Mario Bros universe. After all, why stop at Mario when there are so many rich IPs to draw from? At first, I thought I would suggest Pokemon. But, honestly, I've written enough about that franchise today. Also, there are just too many of t𒈔hem now. How can I even keep track? So then I thought, why not ?
Thrill rides and special attractions aren't the only draws of a great theme park. Costumed characters are another significant asset. And Animal Crossing has many anthropomorphic cuties that could fill a selfie scrapbook to the brim. Do I know all their names? No. There are just too many of them now. How can I even keep track? But I know who Isabelle is, and that's all that matters.
What's unique about an Animal Crossing amusement park is that it wouldn't be an amusement park, at least not in the traditional sense. There will be no rides or resort lodging. On the contrary, guests must build their housing from the ground up, feed themselves, pay off their loans from Tom Nook, and support the betterment of the community.
Okay, it's a commune - I'm pitching a commune.