The landscape of gaming has a way of constantly evolving, with new trends and bold ideas regularly reshaping the experiences on offer. One of the most recognizable faces in the industry, Mario, has not been immune to this evolution. In 2023, the iconic Nintendo mascot underwent a series of interesting transformations that were uncharacteristic of his usual depictions, but nonetheless captured the attention and sometimes bemusement of fans worldwide.
For a mascot revered for consistency, 2023 was decidedly the year where Mario got weird again. It might be apt to think of it as the "Year of Mario," similar to the "Year of Luigi" a decade earlier. With only a handful of new games—a 2D platformer, an animated movie, and a remake of "Super Mario RPG"—Mario managed to be everywhere, his influence rippling through the Nintendo universe with a surprising twist.
Taking inspiration from past eras, Mario was re-introduced to audiences with alterations that harkened back to the creative liberties of the 1990s. The animated Super Mario Bros. Movie reimagined the Mario Bros. as Italian-American plumbers from Brooklyn, drawing parallels to their portrayals in the 1993 live-action movie with an expanded family setup and business ventures. On the gaming front, "Super Mario Bros. Wonder," a return to the 2D platforming genre, injected the series with a level of expressiveness and artistic freedom not seen since "Yoshi's Island."
Perhaps the most telling sign of this new direction was the absence of Charles Martinet, the voice actor synonymous with Mario, who stepped down from voicing the character in favor of a new role as a Mario Ambassador. This strategic decision by Nintendo signaled an intentional shift. While classic elements like Mario's "Wahoo!" and his signature overalls remained intact, Chris Pratt's vocal performance in the film and Kevin Afghani's portrayal in "Wonder" provided a stark contrast to Martinet's exuberant Mario, signifying a notable change in the character's audio representation.
This departure from familiarity was further exemplified in the gameplay mechanics and artistic choices in "Wonder," which completely forwent the Mushroom Kingdom for the Flower Kingdom, endowed with Wonder Flowers that drastically altered gameplay. These flowers introduced radical elements to each level, with transformative abilities that challenged the series' status quo.
Mario's aesthetic also received an overhaul with an almost "claymation-like" style that referenced original hand-drawn character art. Enhanced animation brought the characters to life, imbuing them with nuanced motion and emotion far beyond their previous incarnations. Even the game's audio profile was reimagined, with sound effects choosing more organic, instrumental tones over traditional synthetic sounds.
The shift in Mario's depiction has historical precedence. During the '90s, Nintendo was more liberal with the branding, allowing Mario to explore new realms, diversify into different gaming genres and engage with various edutainment partnerships. It was a time when the character's image was molded and stretched in numerous directions, manifesting as a whimsical, nearly unpredictable entity—much like Mickey Mouse in the beginnings of Disney.
After years of refinement and defining a standardized version of Mario, these new developments in 2023 signaled a confident Nintendo, one that was willing to embrace risk and encourage their most renowned figure to step outside the lines they had drawn around him. The company's new direction suggests that they trust their audience to recognize and accept a Mario that can innovate without losing the essence of the character they have come to love.
The year 2023 may serve as a pivotal moment in how we perceive Mario. Like Mickey Mouse, who experienced his own redesign and resurgence, Mario shows that he is still very much relevant, with the ability to enthrall audiences in various forms. We can look forward to a Mario that embraces the unexpected, bringing joy through creativity and surprise. With 2024 on the horizon, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Mario's storied legacy, ready for whatever weird, wacky, and wild adventures await.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
