Super Mario Odyssey’s Realistic New Donk City: Director Kenta Motokura Explains Development Choices

When Super Mario Odyssey launched on Nintendo Switch on October 27, 2017, it marked a significant evolution in the Mario franchise.

Developed and published by Nintendo, the beloved platformer introduced fans to an array of imaginative worlds, but none stood out quite like New Donk City.

The urban environment, populated by realistically proportioned humans and towering cityscapes, presented a bold new direction that contrasted sharply with the traditional cartoonish settings of earlier Mario titles. The decision to anchor Super Mario Odyssey's New Donk City in realism led to widespread curiosity among both fans and industry professionals.

Many questioned why Mario, a character known for his exaggerated, whimsical design, was placed in a landscape featuring skyscrapers and citizens with a more lifelike scale.

These inquiries addressed not just the visual dichotomy, but also the underlying creative vision behind Odyssey’s world-building. Kenta Motokura, Super Mario Odyssey's director, clarified the rationale in a recent statement provided by Nintendo.

"We felt it was important to establish a scale that players could intuitively grasp," Motokura explained.

He noted that by situating Mario in a city modeled after real-world environments, it became easier for players to judge in-game actions—such as the heights Mario can leap or the distances he can fall.

This tangible reference, Motokura added, made it simpler for users to comprehend and connect with Odyssey's universe. Motokura further emphasized Mario’s enduring versatility as a character: "Mario is iconic and dynamic enough to feel natural in a realistic environment," he observed.

This confidence in Mario’s adaptability underscores Nintendo’s consistent ability to innovate while preserving its flagship character’s essence, ensuring that even ambitious changes like New Donk City resonate positively with both newcomers and longtime fans. Since its release, Super Mario Odyssey has achieved remarkable commercial and critical success, quickly becoming one of the best-selling titles on Nintendo Switch.

The game has been praised for its inventive gameplay, richly detailed kingdoms, and the freedom it offers players to explore and experiment.

New Donk City, in particular, has been highlighted as a standout environment, celebrated for its unique blend of old-school platforming and urban adventure. Super Mario Odyssey’s innovative approach not only refreshed the Mario franchise but also demonstrated Nintendo’s commitment to creative risk-taking in AAA game development.

As the Switch continues to dominate global sales, the legacy of Super Mario Odyssey—and the design philosophy behind New Donk City—remains a compelling example of how classic characters can thrive in new, unexpected contexts.

Super Mario Odyssey Nintendo Mario Super Mario Kenta Motokura New Donk City Nintendo Switch