The beloved plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, almost had a grittier, edgier makeover in their latest game. However, Nintendo stepped in to ensure the game maintained its signature charm. This article delves into the creative process behind Mario & Luigi: Brothership, revealing how the art direction evolved.

Early designs featured a more rugged, less cartoonish Mario and Luigi. Acquire, the development studio, explored various styles in their quest to create 3D visuals distinct from other Mario titles. This experimentation led to a significantly edgier interpretation of the iconic duo.

However, Nintendo provided feedback, emphasizing the importance of preserving the core Mario & Luigi aesthetic. The developers, including Akira Otani and Tomoki Fukushima from Nintendo, and Haruyuki Ohashi and Hitomi Furuta from Acquire, engaged in a collaborative reassessment. Nintendo provided guidelines on what defines the characters' established visual identity. Furuta admitted concerns about whether a drastically different style would resonate with players.

The final art style successfully blended the bold outlines and expressive eyes of illustrative art with the playful dynamism of pixel animations. This approach created a unique visual style for the game while remaining true to the franchise's spirit. Otani highlighted the balance between encouraging Acquire's unique style and maintaining the recognizable Mario essence.

The development process presented challenges. Acquire, known for darker, more serious games like Octopath Traveler and Way of the Samurai, had to adapt their style to fit the lighthearted nature of the Mario universe. Creating a game based on a globally recognized IP also posed unique hurdles.

Ultimately, the collaborative effort resulted in a game that successfully balances a fresh visual style with the familiar charm of Mario and Luigi. The developers learned valuable lessons from Nintendo's design philosophy, resulting in a brighter, more accessible game world.