Nintendo's "Edgier" Mario & Luigi: Censored Concept Revealed

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 retained its signature charm. Let's delve into the art direction journey of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Exploring Diverse Artistic Styles

In a December 4th Nintendo developer interview, Acquire, the game's developers, revealed an initial design featuring a more rugged, edgier Mario and Luigi. Nintendo, however, felt this deviated too far from the established characters' identities. The developers, Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima (Nintendo) and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta (Acquire), aimed for 3D visuals that captured the series' unique appeal while differentiating it from other Mario titles. This led to experimentation, resulting in the initially edgier designs.

Furuta recounted the humorous situation where their "edgier" concept received feedback from Nintendo, prompting a reassessment. Nintendo provided guidelines outlining the core characteristics of Mario and Luigi. Furuta admitted initial concerns about player reception to this departure from the norm.

The team ultimately blended the appeal of bold illustrations with the comedic charm of pixel animation, creating a unique style for the game. Otani emphasized the balance between allowing Acquire creative freedom and preserving the essence of the Mario characters.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for darker, less vibrant games like Octopath Traveler and the Way of the Samurai series, faced the challenge of working within the established Mario universe. Furuta acknowledged their tendency towards more serious themes, a contrast to the lighthearted nature of Mario games. Developing a game based on a globally recognized IP also presented unique hurdles.

Ultimately, the collaboration proved fruitful. The team embraced the fun, chaotic spirit of the Mario & Luigi series, incorporating Nintendo's design insights for clarity and accessibility. This led to a brighter, more user-friendly game world.