In our latest development project, we wanted to take a fresh approach to the series’ soundtrack. Traditionally, piano melodies have been the backbone of our music, but this time, we decided to shake things up a bit. We asked our composer to incorporate wind instruments and inject a hefty dose of emotion into the tracks. Once we set this direction, we let him take the creative reins.
Creating music for this project was no easy feat. We met with Sakamoto-san weekly, and we’d often find ourselves pondering over what exactly makes music “Mario & Luigi-like.” (Laughter ensues) Our solution was to select instruments that captured the essence of Mario & Luigi, trimming down the options to emphasize that signature feel. Instruments like tropical steel pans, lively brass, and playful accordions made the final cut.
As we refined our instrument choices, the music started feeling just right for the series. While “Mario & Luigi-like” doesn’t have a set definition, I focused on whether the tunes matched the brothers’ in-game activities. Ultimately, we ended up with an amazing collection of music.
Another standout feature is the way the music was tailored for specific scenes. It’s common to use the same track for similar events, like battles or boss fights, but our composer crafted unique pieces for each cutscene.
For this project, the music was added after the scenes were created. Sakamoto-san composed each piece by watching how scenes transitioned from one to the next. We collaborated closely, especially for the climactic parts of the game.
There’s a beautiful harmony that enriches the story as it unfolds. We ended up with over 100 compositions, each of them a gem. I’m itching to get my hands on the soundtrack! (Laughter)
Generic music wouldn’t have done justice to our cutscenes. Personally, I found the scenes so well-executed that they deserved their own musical flair. We layered an additional 40 tracks on top of the initial 60 specifically to enhance the drama. (More laughter)
So, what about our timeline?
(Laughter all around)
Despite the tight schedule, I think the deeper we immersed ourselves, the more rewarding it became. We even ended up recording a live performance, which brought an extra layer of enjoyment to the music.
The true “Mario & Luigi-like” essence in this game owes a lot to Acquire’s dedication and in-depth study of the franchise. To bolster this authenticity, we brought in key individuals from AlphaDream—those who previously shaped the world of Mario & Luigi. This included core directors and developers. Maekawa-san, a former AlphaDream stalwart, also facilitated the process, ensuring the game retained its unique charm.
The learning curve was significant. We certainly didn’t want gamers who cherished previous titles to feel disconnected with this one.
Now, let’s talk a bit about the gameplay, which is equally important in an RPG as the story, but finding that balance can be tricky, right?
Toward the end of development, Fukushima-san spent a lot of time with the battle system team refining their work.
In older versions, battles featured a “badge” system, which players often reserved for critical moments like boss encounters. But we wanted to add an element that players felt more at ease using, so we conceptualized the “Battle Plug” system with Acquire, driven by the game’s theme. Instead of badges, you equip Battle Plugs. Most of these Plugs have evident effects on regular actions, activating changes or additional effects through mere equipping.
However, balancing all these combinations of Battle Plugs was quite the challenge.
You can say that again! (Laughter) With over 40 Battle Plugs, the combination possibilities were practically endless. We designed it to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, including younger players entering the gaming world for the first time.
It’s delightful not just to explore each plug individually but to see how they work together too.
Everybody has their approach—some go for offensive plugs that pack a punch, while others prefer defensive options for recovery and counterattacks. A plug can only be used so many times before it needs recharging, so it’s interesting to swap them out and discover your favorites.
I particularly enjoy using the Iron Ball plugs in battle! Using the Surprise Iron Ball plug alone drops a single ball, but pairing it with a Kaboom Attack makes the balls hit multiple enemies. Adding another Surprise Iron Ball plug increases the size, and combined with the Kaboom Attack, you’ve got large balls wreaking havoc on multiple foes. It’s so intuitive and enjoyable.
