NEW Interactive Experiences Announced for Universal Theme Parks — But There's a Catch!

Universal just made a huge Pokémon announcement — and it could change everything!

©Pokémon

A brand-new interactive Pokémon experience is officially on the way, but it’s launching exclusively in one Universal park first. Here’s why this announcement is both amazing and frustrating at the same time.

Universal Destinations & Experiences and The Pokémon Company just made a major announcement that has fans buzzing around the world! An all-new immersive, interactive Pokémon experience is officially in the works, and it will debut at Universal Studios Japan. While little has been revealed about the specifics, the project promises to bring the world of Pokémon to life in ways that go far beyond the typical meet-and-greets and show elements we’ve seen so far.

Universal Orlando Resort

The announcement outlines a plan to develop “more innovative, immersive, and world-class Pokémon experiences” that build on an existing partnership dating back to 2021. That partnership has already delivered themed parades and seasonal shows at Universal Studios Japan, but this new initiative aims to elevate the concept with interactive, fan-first attractions that go deeper into gameplay and world-building.

©Pokémon

In statements released with the news, Mark Woodbury — Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences — said the collaboration will allow Universal’s teams to push creative boundaries and “bring its vibrant world to life in new and innovative ways.”

Tak Murayama — Executive Vice President of Universal Studios Japan — highlighted the park’s history with Pokémon entertainment and said the new project will “transcend traditional entertainment” with experiences fans have never seen before.

Tsunekazu Ishihara — President and CEO of The Pokémon Company — noted that the timing coincides with Pokémon’s 30th anniversary and reflects the franchise’s mission to “enrich both the real and virtual worlds.”

©Pokémon

Here’s the catch: this experience will launch exclusively at Universal Studios Japan first! That means Universal fans in the U.S. or elsewhere won’t be able to try these immersive Pokémon elements right away, at least not initially, without a trip to Japan. While Universal has confirmed that similar experiences are planned for parks around the world, including in the United States, no specific timeline, location, or ride/theme details have been released yet.

The Japan-first rollout follows a pattern Universal has used before. For example, Super Nintendo World debuted first in Osaka in 2021 before later opening versions in Hollywood and Orlando. Fans often see the most ambitious versions of new lands or attractions in Japan first, with adaptations later on for parks in the U.S. and other regions.

Mario and Luigi!

Universal has yet to share whether this new Pokémon experience will be a single attraction, an entire themed land, or some type of interactive world akin to Super Nintendo World’s gameplay areas, and there’s no confirmed opening date either. It’s not out of the realm of possibility to speculate that it could include ideas like ride experiences, AR-style interactive zones, or even gameplay integrations that blur the line between digital games and physical theme park environments like we’ve already seen Universal accomplish.

For now, Pokémon fans and theme park enthusiasts will have to keep an eye on Japan for the first look at this next-level experience and wait patiently for details about when similar interactive fun will land at Universal parks closer to home. We’ll continue to keep you updated as we learn more about this Pokémon experience and how it’s shaping up! Be sure to stay tuned with us right here at DFB for it all.