Mario and Luigi: Brothership Could Have Been Very Different

by

Summary

  • Mario and Luigi: Brothership almost had a different art style inspired by Acquire and Square Enix’s HD-2D games like Octopath Traveler.
  • Brothership marks the grand return in the Nintendo RPG series after almost nine years, but it was not developed by AlphaDream.
  • Developers considered using pixel art for the game, but ultimately opted for a 3D style.

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of immersion in the world of gaming, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when contemplating the artistic direction that could have been for Mario and Luigi: Brothership. The tantalizing prospect of an HD-2D art style, reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, would have undeniably breathed fresh life into the beloved RPG series. However, as a pragmatist who’s witnessed the ebb and flow of artistic trends in the gaming industry, I can appreciate the developers’ decision to opt for a 3D style instead.

The interview disclosed that the style of gameplay for Mario and Luigi: Brothership might have been distinct, drawing influence from the HD-2D games created by Acquire and Square Enix, such as Octopath Traveler. Mario and Luigi: Brothership, marking a triumphant comeback to the cherished Nintendo RPG series, represents the initial fresh installment in nearly nine years. In contrast to the preceding games in this 21-year-old series’ legacy, Brothership was not developed by AlphaDream, as the studio ceased operations in 2019.

Rather than AlphaDream, the game Mario and Luigi: Brothership was collaboratively developed by Acquire, a renowned Japanese production company. Many RPG enthusiasts are already familiar with Acquire, thanks to their work on Square Enix’s critically acclaimed Octopath Traveler series. The first two games in this series were highly praised for their detailed sprites and pixel art, seamlessly integrating 2D and 3D environments to deliver a classic RPG experience. This design approach was also employed in Square Enix’s Triangle Strategy and the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. It is suggested that Mario and Luigi: Brothership might have chosen to follow a similar path.

In a recent interview with Nintendo producers Akira Otani and Haruyuki Ohashi, Otani shared that the development team initially contacted Acquire due to their expertise in cutting-edge 3D technology. The studio’s proven track record in creating RPG games such as “Octopath Traveler” was appealing to Otani. When asked if they contemplated transforming “Mario and Luigi” into an HD-2D RPG like “Octopath Traveler”, Otani admitted it was a consideration, but ultimately decided against it, opting for a 3D approach instead.

Why Mario and Luigi: Brothership Went With 3D instead of Pixel Art

Otani’s rationale for this was that earlier versions of the “Mario and Luigi” games featured pixel art within the game, but had 2D illustrations on their boxes. He thought it could be challenging for customers to identify the games, as Mario titles typically maintain a consistent visual identity across both box art and in-game graphics. To bridge this gap, his vision was to create the next “Mario and Luigi” game in 3D. Consequently, the graphics of “Mario and Luigi: Brothership” closely resemble the artwork on its box, using stylized cel-shaded models rather than sprites.

Ohashi acknowledged the challenges associated with creating games using pixel art, too. Drawing on his expertise in pixel art animation from the No Heroes Allowed series, he admired the technicality and style of pixel art in Mario and Luigi games. However, he felt it would have been tough to duplicate that. Consequently, both developers deemed 3D game development a suitable choice and an engaging challenge for themselves.

Read More

2024-12-26 21:24