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 steered the development team, Acquire, towards a more familiar aesthetic.

Exploring Artistic Styles

Acquire, in their pursuit of a unique visual style for Mario & Luigi: Brothership, initially explored a bolder, more rugged design for the iconic duo. According to developers Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima (Nintendo) and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta (Acquire), this "edgier" interpretation deviated too far from the established Mario and Luigi identity. Nintendo provided feedback emphasizing the importance of maintaining the series' recognizable style. Furuta admitted initial concerns about the edgier design's player appeal, ultimately agreeing with Nintendo's guidance.

The final art style blended elements of bold illustrations (solid outlines and distinct eyes) with the playful charm of pixel animation, creating a unique visual identity for the game. Otani highlighted the collaborative process of balancing Acquire's unique style with Nintendo's vision for the Mario characters.

Navigating Development Challenges

Acquire, known for darker titles like Octopath Traveler and Way of the Samurai, faced the challenge of adapting their style to a globally beloved franchise. Furuta acknowledged their tendency towards more serious themes, but ultimately, the collaboration resulted in a brighter, more accessible game. The team learned from Nintendo's design principles, focusing on clarity and playability. The final product retained the fun, chaotic spirit of the Mario & Luigi series while showcasing a fresh visual approach.