Sure thing! Let me take you through a more engaging rendition of the article. We’ll keep the original structure but make it sound fresh and inviting:
First, could you briefly introduce yourselves?
Otani: Hi there, I’m Akira Otani from Nintendo. I’ve been a part of the Mario & Luigi series journey since the second game, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and took on the producer role starting with Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story. This is actually the seventh title in the series that I’ve worked on. My main duty this time around was overseeing the entire project, but that definitely doesn’t mean I just sat back. I was very involved, brainstorming and collaborating with the team to shape the game content.
Fukushima: Before this project, my job involved working with external developers for titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch. For the Mario & Luigi title, I came on board as the Associate Producer. Collaborating with the team at Acquire, I juggled everything from initial brainstorming to final touches, which included managing schedules and tying together all the game elements.
Ohashi: Hello! I’m Haruyuki Ohashi from Acquire. As the director, my task was crafting and guiding the on-site development. This was my first experience partnering with Nintendo, and I’ve got to say, it’s a relief to see the project come to fruition successfully.
Furuta: Hey, I’m Hitomi Furuta from Acquire as well. My responsibility on this project was overseeing the art direction. That encompassed determining the overall visual style and designing some primary characters. I’ve been a Mario fan since I was a kid, but diving into the development of this game was my first time venturing into the Mario & Luigi series.
Next, could I ask Otani-san to explain a little about the Mario & Luigi series and about this game?
Otani: Absolutely! The Mario & Luigi series kicked off in 2003 on the Game Boy Advance. These games fall under the Action RPG category and focus heavily on Mario and Luigi teaming up to navigate the gameplay. We like to call it “Brother Action RPG.” What sets the series apart is its well-rounded blend of dynamic action, clever puzzles, and an engaging story, all of which are wrapped in that unmistakable Mario charm. Now, this particular game is our first new entry in the series in nine years, following Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam back in 2015.
Thank you. You mentioned that this was the first new game in nine years, but what kind of setting does the story take place in?
Otani: This time, the action takes place in Concordia, completely separate from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi venture across various islands floating in its ocean waters. Shipshape Island serves as the headquarters for our heroes, from where they embark on quests to discover other islands, each presenting unique puzzles and challenges. As the antagonist Zokket looms, Mario and Luigi meet all sorts of characters who lend their support in this adventure.
This game was first announced during the Nintendo Direct that aired in June 2024. Since it’s the first new game in the series in nine years, I imagine a lot of people were surprised.
Otani: Absolutely, the reaction was more intense than anticipated, both domestically and internationally. I think folks simply didn’t expect this series to make a comeback, and bringing it back caught everyone off guard.
Well, it has been a while since the last installment of the Mario & Luigi series was released, after all.
Otani: You’re spot on. For quite some time, we’ve had many internal conversations about where to take the series next following Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. We wanted to bring something fresh to the table, something that would align with modern hardware capabilities while preserving the beloved essence of Mario & Luigi games. It’s been a real balancing act… There were moments of experimentation and doubt, and we even considered shelving future titles entirely.
Ultimately, we reached out to Acquire, and after a series of discussions with Ohashi-san, I became confident that Acquire could potentially bring our 3D vision for Mario & Luigi to life. So, we embarked on this joint endeavor together. Furthermore, maintaining the game’s distinct Mario & Luigi vibe was crucial, so we enlisted some former AlphaDream members who had been part of the series’ earlier development.
