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

The beloved plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, almost received a grittier, more mature makeover in their latest game. However, Nintendo stepped in to ensure the game's art style remained true to the franchise's established identity.

Exploring Diverse Art Styles

In a December 4th "Ask the Developer" feature on Nintendo's website, Acquire, the game's developers, revealed early concepts featuring a more rugged and edgy Mario and Luigi. This stylistic departure, aimed at creating a unique visual identity distinct from other Mario titles, initially received pushback from Nintendo. Nintendo felt the deviation was too significant and risked alienating fans.

The collaborative process involved Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima from Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development Department, and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta from Acquire. Furuta recounted the initial proposal of an edgier Mario, followed by Nintendo's feedback emphasizing the importance of maintaining a recognizable Mario & Luigi aesthetic. Nintendo provided guidelines defining the core characteristics of the brothers in previous games. This feedback ultimately guided the developers towards a more suitable direction.

The final art style successfully blended the bold outlines and expressive eyes of illustrations with the playful, dynamic movements of pixel animation, creating a unique visual style for the game. Otani highlighted the balancing act of preserving Mario's core identity while allowing Acquire creative freedom.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for darker, less vibrant titles like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, faced the challenge of adapting their style to a globally recognized IP. Furuta admitted their natural inclination towards heavier themes needed to be tempered to align with the lighthearted nature of the Mario & Luigi series. Working with a well-established IP also presented unique hurdles.

The final product benefited from this collaborative process. The team's decision to prioritize fun and chaotic adventures, combined with Nintendo's design insights for clarity and accessibility, resulted in a brighter, more user-friendly game world.