Mario & Luigi: Brothership Developers Address Surprising Similarities with The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Mario & Luigi: Brothership Developers Clarify Surprising Parallels with The Super Mario Bros.

Movie The latest entry in Nintendo’s beloved RPG series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, has garnered significant attention since its release on the Nintendo Switch for its engaging gameplay and heartfelt storytelling.

However, fans and critics alike have been quick to spot similarities between the game's opening cutscene and the blockbuster animated film, The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, produced by Nintendo and Illumination.

Both the game and the movie depict Mario and Luigi traversing a mysterious portal, leading to the siblings being separated and sent to unfamiliar worlds—a striking parallel that has sparked conversation across fan communities. Despite these apparent likenesses, the developers at Nintendo and Acquire have publicly clarified that the resemblance is purely coincidental.

In a recent 'Ask the Developer' interview published by Nintendo, Akira Otani of Nintendo EPD stated, "When developing Mario & Luigi: Brothership, we had no prior knowledge of how The Super Mario Bros.

Movie would unfold.

We focused solely on representing the brotherly bond in a way that felt authentic to this game, without considering the movie’s approach.

After seeing the film, we also noticed how similar these moments were, which came as a surprise to us." Director Haruyuki Ohashi of Acquire echoed this sentiment, sharing, "It was genuinely surprising to watch the film and recognize scenes that closely resembled our own work." Designer Hitomi Furuta added, "It almost felt like the movie had the same creative idea we did!" The team collectively expressed amusement at the coincidence but emphasized that both the game and the film share a foundational focus: the unique connection between Mario and Luigi. Otani also highlighted the positive impact of the film’s success, stating that the popularity of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie could inspire audiences to explore more games starring Mario and Luigi on the Nintendo Switch and eShop.

The mutual enthusiasm between Nintendo’s game development teams and the film’s creators underscores the enduring cultural appeal of the Mario franchise. Interest in Mario & Luigi: Brothership is not only due to the familiar faces and shared themes, but also because it marks the series’ return after nearly a decade.

The last mainline title, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, was released in 2015.

According to developers, the franchise was nearly shelved until Nintendo invited Acquire to collaborate, breathing new life into the beloved RPG series for Switch fans worldwide. With Mario & Luigi: Brothership now available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, players can experience a new chapter of the iconic brothers’ adventures—echoing the spirit of camaraderie that has defined this franchise for decades, whether on the big screen or in the palms of players’ hands.

Nintendo Mario Super Mario Bros. Movie Super Mario The Super Mario Bros. Movie Super Mario Bros Luigi Acquire Mario & Luigi: Brothership Mario Bros