Nintendo fans are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This highly anticipated game promises a fresh and creative take on the beloved 2D Mario games, reminiscent of the groundbreaking Mario Maker from 2015.
The inspiration for this new direction came from the success of Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. Movie, which demonstrated that audiences were eager for a more animated Mario adventure. The triumph of the movie resulted in a larger budget being allocated to the art direction of Super Mario Wonder, with a particular focus on the principle of animation known as “appeal.”
In an interview with NPR, Takashi Tezuka, the producer of Wonder, revealed that the team wanted players to experience something similar to what they saw in the Mario movie. They aimed to capture the essence of how Mario moves and behaves, ensuring that fans of the film would feel right at home in the game. This desire to create a cohesive Mario universe is intriguing, considering that the public’s perception of Mario has remained relatively unchanged for over three decades.
The involvement of a dedicated animation studio undoubtedly injected a renewed level of energy into the Mario franchise. The trailers for Wonder showcase a variety of art styles and fluid animation, featuring exaggerated poses that breathe new life into the iconic Nintendo character. Tezuka’s comments suggest that if Wonder proves successful, the entire franchise may undergo a reboot, signaling a potential shift in the way Mario is portrayed.
Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, has always challenged the character’s creativity. However, he waited two decades before giving the green light to an animated Mario movie, likely due to the negative reception of the live-action adaptation in 1993. Miyamoto has faced criticism for his protectiveness of the Mario IP, with fans expressing frustration over his reluctance to allow modifications or the creation of original characters within the Mario universe.
Super Mario Wonder represents a bold step forward and indicates that Nintendo is open to experimenting with their beloved plumber, even in a mainline title. Additionally, the upcoming remakes of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door are generating excitement among fans, as they promise to be Nintendo’s most creative RPGs yet.
While Mario has not traditionally been associated with visual polish and intricate narratives, Illumination’s movie demonstrated that there is a substantial audience for more spectacle in the franchise. This raises the question of whether this trend will continue with Nintendo’s next console. The future of Mario has never looked more vibrant, with endless possibilities on the horizon.
Source: DOTESPORTS
