Astro Bot Director Pays Tribute to Super Mario Bros. and Nintendo at The Game Awards

Astro Bot Director Nicolas Doucet Recognizes Nintendo and Super Mario Bros.

as Key Influences at The Game Awards This year has seen countless comparisons between PlayStation's standout platformer 'Astro Bot' and iconic Nintendo titles such as Super Mario Bros.

Fans and critics alike have debated how much Sony’s hit game draws from the legacy of Nintendo and its pioneering work in the platforming genre.

During the 'Game of the Year' segment at The Game Awards, Astro Bot’s director Nicolas Doucet addressed this conversation, giving credit where it’s due and solidifying the link between his team’s latest release and the revered Nintendo classics. Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi under Sony Interactive Entertainment, launched to critical acclaim in September 2024.

The game quickly earned a reputation as one of the best 3D platformers of its generation and stands as a celebration of PlayStation’s 30-year history.

Notably, it scored a perfect ten out of ten stars from the respected gaming outlet Push Square, who hailed it as one of the greatest platformers of all time. Despite Team Asobi's ties to Sony, Doucet took a moment at The Game Awards to acknowledge the profound inspiration that Super Mario Bros.

and Nintendo provided.

In a heartfelt segment, Doucet reflected on his early gaming experiences, sharing: "Before PlayStation existed, other pioneers were already creating platformers.

I remember being a child during Christmas of 1989, receiving a gray console.

The game bundled with it was Super Mario Bros., which left a significant impression on me.

We’re in Tokyo and they’re in Kyoto, but I must pay tribute to the company that consistently set the standard for innovation and quality, inspiring us to develop the game we did.” Doucet’s remarks, although delivered without directly naming Nintendo, left little doubt about his intentions.

By highlighting his formative experience with Super Mario Bros., he underscored the direct lineage between past platforming innovations and Astro Bot’s captivating blend of nostalgia and freshness. This public tribute not only celebrates Nintendo’s enduring influence in shaping the platformer genre but also exemplifies how creative inspiration transcends corporate boundaries within the gaming industry.

Super Mario Bros.

has sold over 40 million copies worldwide since its original release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), setting a benchmark for platformer quality and innovation.

Team Asobi’s Astro Bot continues that tradition, blending modern gameplay mechanics with a deep reverence for its roots. Astro Bot is currently available for PlayStation 5, while Super Mario Bros.

continues to be a hallmark of the Nintendo Switch’s extensive classic games library via the digital eShop and Nintendo Switch Online.

The mutual respect shown by industry leaders such as Nicolas Doucet is a testament to the shared passion that drives both developers and fans in the worldwide gaming community.

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