On July 2, 2025, I had the chance to experience USJ’s newest attraction, Villain-Con Minion Blast, during its technical rehearsal—just days before its official opening on July 11. It’s Universal Studios Japan’s first-ever moving walkway shooting ride, and as a local who often visits the park, I was excited to see how it compares to other interactive attractions.
In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly what it was like—from the queue to the gameplay—while sharing real tips and observations you won’t find in official guides. Whether you’re planning your first ride or just curious, here’s everything you need to know.
What It’s Really Like – My Honest Review & Tips
What to Expect in the Queue
I was lucky enough to experience the attraction early during a technical rehearsal before the official opening. Since it was a rehearsal, I was able to enjoy the ride with almost no waiting time. The queue is partially outdoors.
As you move through the line and enter the building, you’ll find a series of displays featuring the Vicious 6, the villain group from Minions: The Rise of Gru. These displays really help build excitement and set the mood for the ride.
Set Up the USJ App Before the Ride for a Smoother Experience
While waiting in line, you’ll find a QR code that links to the official Universal Studios Japan app. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, this is a great time to do it. After downloading, make sure to complete the initial setup—such as entering your player name and selecting your character avatar. This will make it easier to sync your blaster smoothly when you receive it later.
You can still enjoy the ride without the app, but syncing it is highly recommended, as it lets you check your detailed score and performance after the ride ends.
How the Blaster Works – Syncing with the App and Standing in Position
As you move through the queue, each guest receives their own blaster called the E-Liminator X.
At this point, you’ll be prompted to sync your blaster with the official USJ app.
To do this, simply hold your smartphone near the marked area on the blaster.
Once the connection is successful, your player name will appear on the blaster’s screen.
A bit further along, you’ll reach the entrance to the moving walkway. On the floor, red and blue circles mark where you stand. A crew member will assign you a specific circle to stand on.
You’ll remain in that same spot throughout the entire game.
App Connection Trouble – Expect Some Delays
When I visited, many guests were struggling with registering in the app or pairing their smartphones with the blaster, which caused a bit of congestion near the boarding area.
To avoid this, it’s best to complete the setup during your wait in line.
At First, a Bit Confusing, But Fun Anyway
Right after the game started, I was a bit confused because I couldn’t tell which targets were mine.
Since multiple players share the same screen, a bunch of colorful symbols and shapes appear all at once. Each player has their own icon, but for a moment, I had no idea which one I was supposed to aim for.
Thankfully, I looked down and noticed that my personal symbol was displayed on my blaster.
I had missed it earlier, but this is something you should definitely check before the game begins.
Your blaster has two buttons:
The front button delivers a powerful shot, but it can’t be fired repeatedly.
The second button allows rapid-fire, but with lower damage.
To get a high score, you’ll need to switch between the two buttons depending on your target.
At first, I didn’t fully get all the rules—but that didn’t stop me from having fun.
My final score? A solid 320,500 points—not bad for my first try!
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?
A Fun Shooting Game—Even If You’re Not a Minions Fan
The shooting game itself was genuinely fun—even if you’re not familiar with the Minions, you can still enjoy it.
Since you can compete for high scores and customize your blaster, I think it’s the kind of attraction that many guests will get hooked on.
Plus, there are extra features that make the entire Minion Park more interactive, like app-exclusive missions and hidden treasures scattered throughout the area.
The ride also seems to have good throughput, so unless you visit right after the official opening, the wait times might not be too bad.
That said, you might not fully grasp the mechanics on your first try—so I recommend riding it at least a couple of times to really get the most out of the experience.
Things I Noticed During the Ride
The Blaster Is Heavier Than It Looks
The blaster felt heavier than I expected. After playing for a while, you might find your arms getting tired.
It might be difficult for young children to hold the blaster on their own for the entire duration.
Watch Your Space While Aiming
The spacing between players isn’t extremely tight, but it’s also not especially generous.
There were a few moments when I almost bumped my blaster into the person next to me while focusing on aiming.
You’ll find yourself turning around frequently, so being aware of your surroundings helps prevent bumping into others. so a bit of spatial awareness is definitely helpful.
Express Pass Is Worth Considering
During the rehearsal, wait times were relatively short, but the attraction may get crowded right after the official opening.
Indoor attractions like this tend to be busier during the summer and on rainy days.
If you’re visiting with family or on a busy day, using an Express Pass might be a smart choice to save time.
Conclusion
All in all, Villain-Con Minion Blast is definitely worth multiple rides to master the gameplay and enjoy the full interactive experience that USJ has crafted. So mark your calendar for its official opening on July 11, 2025, and prepare for a blast of villainous fun!
- [2025] USJ’s Minion Park Expands with Villain-Con Minion Blast – Full Guide
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