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

The popular plumber duo, Mario and Luigi, almost had a grittier, edgier look in their latest game, but Nintendo stepped in to keep the iconic characters true to form. Let's delve into the art direction evolution of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Exploring Diverse Artistic Styles

A December 4th Nintendo website article featuring an "Ask the Developer" segment revealed that the initial designs for Mario & Luigi: Brothership showcased a more rugged, edgier aesthetic for the brothers. However, Nintendo felt this deviated too far from the established Mario and Luigi identity.

Developers Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima (Nintendo) and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta (Acquire) discussed the creative process. Acquire, aiming for "3D visuals that would highlight the series' unique charm," experimented extensively, leading to the initial edgy designs.

Furuta recounted the humorous situation, explaining that Nintendo's feedback emphasized maintaining the recognizable Mario & Luigi style. A subsequent meeting and a Nintendo-provided document outlining the core characteristics of Mario and Luigi helped refocus the project. Furuta admitted initial concerns about whether the edgier version resonated with player expectations.

The final art style, according to Furuta, successfully blended the appeal of bold illustrations with the playful charm of pixel animations. Otani added that Nintendo's guidance balanced preserving the essence of Mario with allowing Acquire creative freedom.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for titles like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, typically works on less vibrant, more serious games. Furuta acknowledged their natural inclination towards darker RPG aesthetics. Developing a game based on a globally recognized IP also presented unique hurdles for the team.

Ultimately, the collaboration proved fruitful. The team's decision to prioritize the fun, chaotic adventures of the Mario & Luigi series, combined with Nintendo's design expertise in visual clarity, resulted in a brighter, more accessible game world.