Mario & Luigi Brothership Could Have Been “Edgier” But Nintendo Said No
The iconic plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, almost took a drastically different path in their latest adventure. Early development of Mario & Luigi: Brothership saw the duo sporting a much edgier, more rugged look. However, Nintendo ultimately steered the project towards a more familiar aesthetic. Let's delve into the fascinating story behind the game's art direction.
Mario & Luigi: A Rougher Start
Image from Nintendo and Acquire
According to a December 4th "Ask the Developer" article on Nintendo's website, developers Acquire initially explored a bolder, more rugged visual style for Mario and Luigi. This departure from the series' established aesthetic was part of their quest to create 3D visuals that captured the series' unique charm while differentiating it from other Mario titles. This experimentation led to a surprisingly edgy rendition of the beloved brothers.
Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima from Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development Department, and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta from Acquire, shared insights into this creative process. Furuta recounted the team's initial enthusiasm for the edgier design, only to receive feedback from Nintendo emphasizing the importance of maintaining the recognizable Mario & Luigi identity. This led to a crucial reassessment of the art direction, guided by a Nintendo document outlining the core elements defining the characters throughout the series. Furuta admitted initial concerns about whether this rugged version truly resonated with what players expected from Mario.
The team ultimately found a balance, blending the appeal of illustrated styles with bold outlines and expressive eyes, with the charm of pixel animations that captured the characters' signature comedic movements. This approach resulted in a unique art style specific to Brothership. Otani highlighted the delicate balancing act of allowing Acquire creative freedom while preserving the essence of Mario.
Navigating the Challenges
Acquire, known for its darker, less colorful games like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, brought a unique perspective to the project. Furuta acknowledged the team's natural inclination towards a more serious tone, a challenge when working with such a globally recognized and lighthearted IP. This was further complicated by Acquire's limited experience developing games featuring established characters from other companies.
Despite these hurdles, the collaboration proved fruitful. The team's decision to prioritize the fun, chaotic adventures central to the Mario & Luigi series, combined with Nintendo's design insights focused on clarity and accessibility, resulted in a brighter, more player-friendly world. The experience provided valuable lessons in balancing creative vision with the established expectations of a beloved franchise.
