Nintendo has confirmed that it rejected several design concepts for the new Mario & Luigi game, including an “edgier” look that featured battle-hardened characters and dark aesthetics. According to designer Hitomi Furuta, the team was encouraged to explore a more rugged Mario character, but ultimately decided against it.
The original designs showed Mario and Luigi with roughed-up appearances, dirt-covered clothing, and even a yellow raincoat for one of the outfits. However, Nintendo deemed these ideas too intense for its young audience, opting instead to stick with the familiar Mushroom Kingdom look that has become synonymous with the franchise.
Despite some mild enthusiasm from fans, it’s possible that an edgier approach could have helped the game stand out from previous titles in the series. Nevertheless, Nintendo’s decision to play it safe and maintain the classic look will likely please both old and new fans of the Mario brothers.
Source: https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/nintendo-turned-down-edgier-mario-rpg-pitch-2998409