Mario Brothers: Nintendo Rejects "Edgier" Pitch

The beloved plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, almost received a grittier, more mature makeover in their latest game. However, Nintendo intervened, steering the art direction back towards a more familiar style. Let's delve into the development journey of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Exploring Diverse Artistic Styles

Image from Nintendo and Acquire

In a December 4th "Ask the Developer" feature on Nintendo's website, Acquire, the game's developers, revealed an initial design featuring edgier, more rugged versions of the iconic brothers. Nintendo, however, felt this deviated too far from the established Mario & Luigi aesthetic.

Developers Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima (Nintendo) and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta (Acquire) aimed to create "3D visuals that would bring out the unique appeal" of the series, differentiating it from other Mario titles. This pursuit led to experimentation and the creation of a significantly different, edgier Mario and Luigi.

Furuta recounted the initial design with a laugh, explaining that Nintendo's feedback emphasized the need for a distinctly recognizable Mario & Luigi style. A subsequent meeting and a document outlining the series' defining characteristics helped refocus the art direction. Furuta admitted that even she questioned the edgier design's suitability, considering the player's perspective.

The team ultimately blended the appeal of illustrated elements (bold outlines, black eyes) with the charm of pixel animation, creating a unique style for the game. Otani added that while Nintendo encouraged Acquire's unique style, preserving the essence of Mario was crucial, highlighting the balancing act of these two elements.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for less vibrant, more serious titles like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, naturally gravitated towards a darker tone. Furuta acknowledged this inherent bias. Working with a globally recognized IP also presented a unique challenge for a studio less accustomed to collaborations of this scale.

Ultimately, the collaboration proved beneficial. The team's decision to prioritize the fun, chaotic adventures of the Mario & Luigi series resulted in a brighter, more accessible game. They also gained valuable insights from Nintendo's design philosophy, improving clarity and playability.