As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia tinged with disappointment when I hear about the abandoned concept for an edgier Mario. Growing up, I remember the joy and excitement that came with every new Mario adventure, the bright colors, the infectious music, and the endless fun. But as a gamer who’s seen the evolution of gaming from 8-bit to high-definition, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to explore a darker, grittier Mushroom Kingdom.
During a fan Q&A session following the release of “Mario & Luigi: Brothership” on Nintendo’s official site, I, as a passionate admirer, had the privilege to learn about Hitomi Furuta’s innovative idea for the Mario RPG. Intriguingly, she shared that her initial pitch aimed at crafting a more mature and edgy version of this beloved franchise.
From the outset, Super Mario games have been vibrant, cheerful journeys brimming with happiness, appealing to gamers of all ages. Even in situations where his princess was abducted by a colossal turtle, he’s still hopping across meadows and exclaiming “Yahooo” everywhere he goes.
Concept of an edgier Mario
In the interview, Furuta stated that they wanted for Mario to be different in his next game:
I’m ashamed to say it, but we weren’t conscious of that when development started, which led to us making a huge detour. And in our search for a new Mario & Luigi style, at one point we ended up trying to present an edgier, more rugged Mario instead.
Indeed, it’s disappointing that this idea didn’t get approved, as there could be a significant number of fans intrigued by a grittier version of Mario. However, the team was steered towards exploring something more suitable for all ages, which is why we find ourselves returning to the familiar style of the Mushroom Kingdom again and again.
Even rugged Mario would have been as cute as before
But don’t feel too disappointed, because the concept art that of game that came along with the interview shows what the developer thought would be a “rugged Mario” and we have to say it’s… cute…
Given that not even the concept of portraying the Mario Bros. with a mere speck of dirt on their caps or (heaven forbid) in a raincoat was accepted, it seems unlikely that we’ll ever witness a truly gritty depiction of the iconic red-hatted plumber.
Given Nintendo aims to primarily market their games towards children, it’s logical that they maintain the playful tone for franchises like Mario. Nevertheless, with only modest excitement surrounding Mario & Luigi: Brothership, introducing a hint of darkness and edginess might have resulted in a much more engaging game.
What do you think about the concept art? Would you like to play an edgier Mario in the next game?
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2024-12-05 18:09