Mario & Luigi's Adventure Nearly Took a Darker Turn

The beloved plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, almost received a grittier, edgier makeover in their latest game. However, Nintendo stepped in to ensure the game maintained its signature style. Let's delve into the art direction journey of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Exploring Diverse 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 and edgy Mario and Luigi. However, Nintendo felt this deviated too far from the established characters. The discussion involved Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima from Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development Department, and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta from Acquire. Acquire, aiming for "3D visuals that would bring out the unique appeal" of the series, experimented with various styles, leading to the initially edgy design.

Designer Furuta explained the initial concept, noting the subsequent feedback from Nintendo emphasizing the need for a distinctly recognizable Mario & Luigi aesthetic. Nintendo provided guidelines defining the core characteristics of the brothers. Furuta admitted initial concerns about the edgier design's player appeal.

The final art style blended the appeal of illustrated elements (bold outlines, black eyes) with the charm of pixel animation, creating a unique visual identity. Otani added that while Nintendo encouraged Acquire's unique style, preserving the essence of Mario remained paramount.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for less vibrant, more serious titles like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, naturally gravitated towards darker RPG aesthetics. Developing a game based on a globally popular IP also presented unique challenges. Furuta acknowledged the team's tendency towards heavier themes.

Ultimately, the collaboration proved fruitful. The final direction emphasized the fun and chaotic nature of the Mario & Luigi series. The developers learned from Nintendo's design principles, resulting in a brighter, more accessible game world.