Mario Mania: Nintendo goes beyond the game, creates an entertainment empire with theme parks and an animated film

Japanese video game company Nintendo NTDOY innovates by pushing the boundaries of traditional console gaming.

Like other video games that have had a significant impact on popular culture, Nintendo is now moving into broader avenues of entertainment.

What Happened: With its widespread influence, dedicated fanbase, and recent introduction of theme parks and a movie, Nintendo is poised to have a major impact in the entertainment industry at large.

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Nintendo has just opened its second theme park — Super Nintendo World — at Universal Studios, Hollywood, and will soon release the first animated Super Mario Bros. movie. Nintendo is collaborating with Illumination, the animation company that created "Despicable Me" and "The Secret Life of Pets," on the film.

This strategic shift to new media begins with the iconic Mario character. Super Nintendo World currently only focuses on Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom, the report says. The restrooms are also designed with an underwater aesthetic from Super Mario Bros.

Nintendo Chief Executive Shinya Takahashi told The Verge that while people think of Nintendo as a games company, they've always thought of themselves as an entertainment company.

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto plays an important role in these projects.

"I think this has the effect of introducing and providing more opportunities and touchpoints for people to interact with and learn about Mario," Miyamoto says of theme parks, according to The Verge.< /p>

Why it matters: Although Nintendo is closely tied to video games, its shift to these new avenues of monetization indicates the company's willingness to take risks and adapt changing consumer preferences, the report says. Many video game franchises have been adapted for film and television in recent years. "Halo", "The Last of Us" and "League of Legends" are some of the best known titles. Even streaming giant Netflix Inc. NFLX is trying to make gaming a major part of its future.

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Next: Get the scoop on Nintendo Direct—The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Release date and other releases!< /p>

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