Developer Insights Vol. 15: Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood – Part 4 | Latest Updates

Otani: Up until now, the series has leaned a lot on piano melodies for its background music. But this time, we wanted a change. We approached him with the idea of incorporating wind instruments and infusing more emotion, and then we gave him creative freedom beyond that.

Ohashi: Crafting the music was quite a challenge. We’d have weekly meetings with Sakamoto-san and often found ourselves asking, “What exactly makes something feel ‘Mario & Luigi’?” (Laughs) Ultimately, we chose instruments that carry that signature Mario vibe, really narrowing it down to create that feeling. Think tropical steelpans, lively brass bands, and accordions.

Otani: Once we zeroed in on the instruments, they began to align perfectly with the series’ vibe. Even though there’s no hard definition of "Mario & Luigi-like", I kept in mind whether it synced well with the characters’ in-game movements. In the end, the music turned out to be fantastic.

What truly impressed me was the bespoke nature of the music throughout the game. Instead of relying on a handful of tracks for different scenarios like battles or events, unique compositions were crafted for each scene.

Ohashi: For this project, music was added only after the scenes were established. Sakamoto-san composed the music by observing how each scene transitioned into the next. The climactic scenes’ music was a collaborative effort as well.

Otani: There’s a seamless synergy that develops as the story progresses. With over 100 pieces of music, and every track hits the mark. I’m definitely snagging the soundtrack when it drops. (Laughs)

Ohashi: Generic tunes wouldn’t have captured the spirit of the cutscenes. The scenes were already impressive, so we thought, “What if we enhance them with tailored music?” The result? An additional 40 tracks on top of the original 60. (Laughs)

About the Schedule

Everyone: (Laughs)

Fukushima: We did face a tight schedule, but the deeper we dove, the more engrossed we got. Recording a live performance at the end added an extra layer of enjoyment to the music.

Otani: The genuine Mario & Luigi essence springs from Acquire’s dedicated research and effort. We wanted to elevate that feeling, so we brought on board some folks from AlphaDream, the brains behind the series—directors, game world and battle creators—to collaborate with us. Maekawa-san, also from AlphaDream, supervised this project closely, further enriching this game’s quintessential feel.

Ohashi: It was a real eye-opener. We knew fans of the previous games wouldn’t want a jarring experience with this installment.

Balancing Story and Gameplay in an RPG

Ohashi: During the final stages, Fukushima-san worked closely with the team on the battle system.

Fukushima: Previous series entries used a "badge" system in battles. Once your meter filled, you could use the badge, but it took time to recharge. Players often reserved them for crucial moments like boss fights.

This time, we wanted something players could use more spontaneously. So, we teamed up with Acquire to introduce the Battle Plug system. Instead of badges, players equip Battle Plugs, which subtly change or enhance regular actions.

Otani: Balancing the multitude of combinations with Battle Plugs was no small feat.

Fukushima: You’re telling me! (Laughs) With over 40 Battle Plugs available, the combination possibilities are endless. It’s designed for flexibility—players can pick and mix plugs freely, making it user-friendly even for young newcomers.

Ohashi: Discovering not just individual plug effects but also their synergies is such a thrill.

Fukushima: Everyone tends to develop their preferences—some go for aggressive plugs for heavy hits, while others choose defensive plugs for healing and counterattacks. Keep in mind that a plug can only be used a limited number of times before needing a recharge, so try experimenting to find your favorites.

Furuta: I’m a fan of using Iron Ball plugs in battle! Using the Surprise Iron Ball plug drops a single iron ball, but paired with a Kaboom Attack, it hits multiple enemies. Equip two Surprise Iron Ball plugs, and the balls grow larger, increasing the impact when combined with a Kaboom Attack. It’s really intuitive.