If you liked playing with wands in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you'll love playing with Power-Up Bands at Super Nintendo World inside Universal Studios Hollywood (and soon, Epic Universe in Orlando!) But with the Power-Up Band costing around $44 after tax, is it worth it to buy one for your trip?
The Power-Up Bands allow you to play the games in the land, collect digital coins, play Key Challenges to unlock keys, record the score you got on Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (bands are not required to ride the attraction) and even have an upgraded character experience (they interact with you.) Whichever character's band you pick is what "Team" you're on.
If you are going to buy one, I'd recommend purchasing it BEFORE you go into the land, preferably at CityWalk or one of the stores on the Upper Level of the park, so you have time to link it to your Universal app. You'll scan a QR on the back of your band to link it to your app, you'll choose a screen name, character image, and background. You can scan multiple bands into one app.
Some other fun facts:
- If you have a Nintendo Switch at home, it can be used as an amiibo in games.
- Unlike Disney's Magic Band+, it never needs charging. Which is nice.
- Each band comes with a cute collectible map.
So is it worth it?
If you are an annual pass holder, YES. Adult or child. You can build your score, have rankings, come back multiple times and play. If you'll be back more than once in a year, I think it's absolutely worth it. Unlike the Wizarding World wands, there is incentive to come back and use the bands over and over to raise your score, get stickers, etc. It heightens the experience and adds fun and laughs to your day.
If you're on vacation and visiting for just a day or two, I think it really depends on how much time you think you'll spend in the land. Do you like interactive experiences or are you just there for the rides? Do you enjoy physical games? Do you have kids that are too young for most attractions and will want to run around and play? I know some people whose kids spend hours casting spells with their wands, splashing around in Super Silly Fun Land, and trying to get as many coins as they can in Super Nintendo World, and some who can't be bothered and just want to ride as many attractions as possible.
Another option, if you are on a budget, is that the bands can be shared, just like the wands. With a Power-Up band, you could buy one and let the whole family pick a team and a name and enjoy it together.