Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe puts you inside the Mushroom Kingdom to race Bowser, ride Yoshis, and even collect coins! But for that true jumping and collecting Mario action, you’ll want to grab a Power Up Band and participate in the Key Challenges and Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. This article covers all you need to know about this interactive game and how to play. Lets a go!

What Are the Key Challenges and Bowser Jr.’s Shadow Showdown?

The Bowser Jr. Shadown Showdown and Key Challenges are physical games where you just jump, hit, tap, and drag physical and digital items around. Bowser Jr. stole the Power Star and tells us the only way we can get it back is to collect three keys, unlock his fortress, and beat him once and for all in a showdown. Guests use their Power Up Bands to collect keys around Super Nintendo World from Key Challenge games, which they can then turn in to complete against Bowser Jr. in the Shadow Showdown.

Do I Need a Power Up Band?

Most games and the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown require a Power Up Band. Games that require more than one guest can be unlocked with one band and played by up to three additional guests who don’t have a band. The two games you can play without a band are Bomb-Om Kaboom Room and Thwomp Panel Panic.

Key Challenges

There are five different games to choose from, and each one produces one key. Good news: you only have to play three of the five games, but your kids might want to play them all! Games are found throughout the top floor of the Mushroom Kingdom section of Super Nintendo World.

⭐️ Goomba Crazy Crank (1 Guest) – The brown blob with the fangs is called Goombas, and we must knock this one off a rotating platform. Next to the Goomba is a crank we need to vigorously rotate the crank to make the Goomba lose its footing, fall, and hit the key. The crank is often not easy to turn for small children, so we suggest that parents help their kids.

⭐️ Pirranah Plant Nap (1-4 Guests) – The easiest to find game in the land, Pirranah Plant Nap has up to four guests who prevent a giant Pirranah Plant from waking up by smacking blaring alarm clocks. Have guests patrol a set of alarms to man and not send everyone running around to win.

⭐️ Koopa Troopa Power Punch (1 Guest) – Guests hit a POW Block that sets off a chain reaction that knocks over a Koopa Troopa for a key. Pay attention to the guests playing to see when to time your punch to properly hit the moving shell.

⭐️ Bomb-om Kaboom Room (1-2 Guests) – Scramble to find the pieces of the Key Coin spread around the room and then reassemble the coin to win.

⭐️ Thwomp Panel Panic (1-4 Guests) – Change all the flip tiles to one color several times, including breaking frozen blocks, to unlock the key. This is best played with two or more guests coordinating as a team.

Bowser Jr. Challenge

Once you’ve collected the three keys from the Key Challenge games head towards the small turret with the giant padlock to take on Bowser Jr. After verifying you have all three keys and a short wait, guests will watch a quick pre-show explanation video. During the challenge, guests will jump, duck, and wave their arms around as a shadow of themselves is projected on the wall. The objective is to collect coins, avoid the bad guys, and defeat Bowser Jr. The game is rather physically intensive, imagine jumping around swatting away Bomb-Oms, but easy enough for a child to play.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• The Key Challenges are popular all day long. If you only have one day, we suggest playing the last thing before the park closes. Visiting more than two days? Visit in the morning, and remember collected coins carry over from previous visits to SNW.
• Keys are unlocked by scanning your band on a touchpoint after completing the game. Do not make the mistake many have of not scanning your band and showing up to Bowser Jr. with fewer keys than needed.
• High Score Boards are located throughout the land that provide real-time leaderboards for coins collected and can help show your progress.

Have you played the Key Challenges and Bowser Jr Shadow Showdown? Leave your tips and suggestions in the comments below!