Mario & Luigi Brothership Could Have Been “Edgier” But Nintendo Said No

The beloved plumber duo, Mario and Luigi, almost received a grittier, edgier makeover in their latest game, but Nintendo steered the development team towards a more familiar aesthetic. Let's delve into the art direction evolution of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Exploring Artistic Styles

In a December 4th "Ask the Developer" feature on Nintendo's website, Acquire, the game's developers, revealed an initial design featuring a more rugged, edgy Mario and Luigi. However, Nintendo felt this deviated too far from the established characters' identities.

Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima (Nintendo) and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta (Acquire) discussed the development process. Acquire, aiming for "3D visuals that would bring out the unique appeal" of the series, experimented with various styles, leading to the initial edgy design.

Furuta recounted the initial proposal of a rugged Mario, followed by Nintendo's feedback emphasizing the need for a distinctly recognizable Mario & Luigi style. A subsequent meeting and a Nintendo-provided document outlining the core characteristics of the characters prompted a reassessment. Furuta admitted concerns about whether the edgy design resonated with players' expectations.

The final art style, they explained, successfully blended the appeal of illustrated elements (bold outlines, black eyes) with the charm of pixel animation, creating a unique visual identity for the game. Otani highlighted the balancing act between allowing Acquire creative freedom while preserving the essence of Mario.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for darker-toned games like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, admitted their natural inclination towards heavier themes. Developing a game based on a globally recognized IP also presented unique challenges for the team, accustomed to working on original properties.

Ultimately, the collaboration resulted in a positive outcome. The decision to prioritize fun and chaotic adventures, informed by Nintendo's design insights, led to a brighter, more accessible game world. The developers learned valuable lessons about clarity and visual understanding from Nintendo's design philosophy.