Nintendo Rejects “Edgier” Proposal for Mario RPG Game

The development team behind Mario & Luigi: Brothership recently disclosed some intriguing insights regarding the initially proposed but ultimately rejected designs for the game that aimed for a more intense aesthetic.

Nintendo has consistently maintained a light-hearted atmosphere in its Mario franchise, especially within the gaming realm. The exception remains the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie from the 1990s, which is often remembered for its darker themes.

In a recent interview featured in an “Ask the Developer” post-release discussion, designer Hitomi Furuta revealed alternative concepts that were explored during the development of Mario & Luigi: Brothership but ultimately did not make the final cut.

Exploring the Rejected Edgier Designs for Mario & Luigi

Nintendo rejected Mario & Luigi: Brothership Edgier designs — Concept Art of the Rejected Designs by Nintendo

Furuta candidly admitted, “I’m ashamed to say it, but we weren’t conscious of that when development started, which led to us making a huge detour. In our search for a new style, we ended up experimenting with a grittier, more rugged portrayal of Mario.”

However, this vision of a Metal Gear Mario did not align with Nintendo’s brand identity. The company ultimately decided against these designs, instead urging the team to revert to a more recognizable aesthetic, resulting in the classic Mushroom Kingdom style being upheld.

The scrapped designs depicted Mario and Luigi with a battle-worn appearance; they were shown as slightly disheveled, with dirt on their clothes and ragged outfits. One of the more unconventional designs featured Mario donning a bright yellow raincoat, eschewing his traditional cape or raccoon suit.

Given that Nintendo’s target audience primarily includes younger players, the decision to reject these rough-and-tumble designs is understandable. The sight of scruffy, battered Mario brothers navigating their adventure could have been unsettling for many fans.

Yet, there’s a notion that the introduction of such bold designs might have provided Mario & Luigi: Brothership with a unique edge, differentiating it from previous installments in the series and potentially garnering heightened interest.

Learn more about the rejected concepts and insights.