Mario and Luigi: Brothership is a rare stumble for Nintendo. The storied Super Mario franchise and its myriad spin-offs are known for many things, but negative critic reviews, complaints about bloat, and shallow gameplay are not among them. Indeed, while it may not be terrible, Mario and Luigi: Brothership didn’t land to the resounding applause of other Nintendo first-party IP launches, but one scrapped creative choice could have made it a bit more interesting, at least.
According to a recent interview with Nintendo producer Akira Otani, Mario and Luigi: Brothership was considered as a candidate for the now-iconic HD-2D art style, seen in the likes of Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remake. Otani said that the reason that the team ultimately decided against this art style is that there was a “dream” of a fully 3D game in the Mario and Luigi franchise, as all the previous entries featured pixel art. The 3D art style was also considered more consistent with the box art for the previous games. Thus, all that audiences are left with is a dream of what could have been.
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One Mario & Luigi: Brothership Feature Marks an Important Character Evolution
Mario & Luigi: Brothership added a new feature that not only helps the player out a lot, but it further fleshes out one brother’s personality.
Future Mario Games Should Consider the HD-2D Art Style
HD-2D Is One of the Industry’s Most Alluring Aesthetics
In a nutshell, the HD-2D visual style is achieved by contrasting traditional 16-bit sprites with 3D backgrounds, allowing for both a unique juxtaposition and greater freedom of movement, as the y-axis is opened up. Octopath Traveler may be credited with popularizing the style, but it’s also been featured in a number of other popular modern titles, including:
- Triangle Strategy
- Live A Live
- Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remake
Naturally, it’s impossible to objectively explain why this graphical style resonates with so many, but one major factor is its raw ingenuity: the 16-bit art style is, at this point, inherently nostalgic, and this is something that many developers leverage to varying degrees of success in their modern releases, but these retro-fueled titles often offer little in the way of visual innovation. The HD-2D style, however, manages to present these nostalgic tropes while still feeling completely new and experimental. Plus, the contrast between the flat 2D sprites and the more detailed backgrounds, assets, and VFX like dynamic shadows and particle effects makes for a pleasing sort of dissonance, out of which beauty arises.
Why the Mario Franchise Should Adopt the HD-2D Art Style In the Future
Perhaps the greatest contribution to the industry, were Nintendo to pursue the HD-2D aesthetic for future Mario entries, is the mere fact that there would be more of these stunning games on the market. The style is rather young, and not a lot of games have made full use of it yet, so it being more prolific would be nothing but a good thing. Plus, if any gaming company has the funds, vision, and talent to bring the HD-2D aesthetic to its full potential, it’s probably Nintendo.
As for why the Mario IP would be a good fit for HD-2D, it really comes down to one core concept: variety. Variety is a major part of the Mario legacy and identity, as the IP is so much more than just Super Mario Bros. The red-hatted plumber has helmed countless sports games, party games, and role-playing games over the years, and even the platformers that are most associated with the franchise oscillate between being in 2D and full 3D. Put simply, a Mario game with the HD-2D art style would feel appropriate, and seeing the characters, locations, and iconography of Mario presented in such a way could be excitingly novel.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Save Princess Peach’s voice, the Beanbean Kingdom and … Bowser?! The game that launched the Mario & Luigi series returns looking better than ever before.
In this renewed classic, Mario and Luigi journey to the Beanbean Kingdom with Bowser to restore Princess Peach’s voice. Control Mario and Luigi simultaneously, making use of their unique Bros. Moves to solve puzzles and emerge victorious in action-packed battles. Pay heed to the enemy’s patterns and time your reactions right to land satisfying counterblows. Included in this remake is the Minion Quest:
The Search for Bowser mode tells the story of the game from the perspective of Bowser’s minions. Recruit characters to grow your own Minion army as you fight to locate your missing leader!
Mario and Luigi have access to different techniques, known as Bros. Moves, necessary for solving puzzles on their adventure. Switch between the two characters at will to pave your way and progress through new areas. Time your button presses to skillfully dodge enemy blows, land devastating counters, and inflict increased damage in battle. Utilize Bros. Attacks that dish out massive damage!
In the brand new mode titled Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser, become the unlikely hero, Captain Goomba. Journey together with ShyGuy, Boo and other familiar Baddies. The Minion Quest storyline takes place during Mario & Luigi’s classic adventure. Find out what really transpired behind-the-scenes!
Compatible with Amiibo figures from the Super Mario series, including Mario and Luigi Amiibo figures. Also coming soon are brand new Goomba and Koopa Troopa Amiibo. The Goomba, Koopa Troopa and Boo Amiibo figures will each have read/write compatibility.