Ask the Developer Vol. 15: Mario & Luigi: Brothership – Chapter 4 | Updates

In the series’ past iterations, we focused heavily on piano music, but this time we wanted something different. We tasked him with integrating wind instruments and injecting more emotion, giving him the creative freedom to do so.

Crafting the music wasn’t straightforward. We’d meet with Sakamoto-san weekly, often scratching our heads and asking, “What truly defines the ‘Mario & Luigi’ style?” (Laughs) In time, we selected instruments that matched that distinct feel—think tropical steelpans, upbeat brass bands, and lively accordions—and streamlined them to capture that essence.

Once we pinpointed the instruments, the music began to resonate with the series’ vibe. There isn’t a strict definition of “Mario & Luigi-like,” but I focused on how well the music aligned with Mario and Luigi’s in-game actions. Ultimately, we amassed an incredible soundtrack filled with diverse tunes.

What really stood out to me was that beyond the main tracks, there were many pieces crafted specifically for individual scenes. Usually, tracks are reused for battles, boss fights, and events, but here, each cutscene was paired with its own unique composition.

For this installment, music was composed after scenes were finalized. Sakamoto-san crafted each track based on the scene’s flow and discussed ideas for climactic moments together.

A wonderful synergy emerged as the narrative unfolded. With over 100 unique pieces, every track is truly remarkable. I’m eager to get my hands on the soundtrack! (Laughs)

Generic tunes wouldn’t have done justice to the detailed cutscenes. They were already impressive, and we thought they’d be even more impactful with dedicated incidental music. We ended up adding 40 more tracks to the original 60. (Laughs)

Regarding the timeline?

Everyone chuckles.

Adhering to a tight schedule added pressure, but our immersion deepened as our efforts increased. The live recording led to an even richer listening experience.

The authentic “Mario & Luigi” feel was achieved thanks to Acquire’s diligent work and thorough series research. To further this, we involved team members from AlphaDream who had integral roles in the original series. Maekawa-san, formerly from AlphaDream, supervised our project. His involvement helped reinforce the game’s distinctive atmosphere.

It was an enlightening experience. We wanted the game to feel familiar to long-time fans without any discordant elements.

While storytelling is crucial in an RPG, achieving gameplay balance is equally challenging, right?

Yes, during the final phases, Fukushima-san worked closely with the battle system team.

In previous titles, battles included a badge system where players could use badges once the gauge filled, requiring strategic use, particularly in boss fights.

For this game, we wanted something players could enjoy more freely. Collaborating with Acquire, we introduced the Battle Plug system. These plugs, instead of badges, are equipped with easily noticeable effects that alter regular actions.

There was a tricky balance to maintain due to the numerous combinations of Battle Plugs.

Absolutely! (Laughs) With over 40 Battle Plugs, the combination possibilities are endless. The system was designed to be intuitive, allowing players to equip their plugs of choice freely without needing complex calculations—making it accessible for younger gamers too.

Discovering both individual plug effects and the fun synergies of combining them adds another layer of enjoyment.

Players develop their own strategies, whether focusing on aggression with damage-dealing plugs or defense with recovery and counterattacks. Plugs need time to recharge, so swapping them out while they recharge lets players find their favorites.

Personally, I enjoy the Iron Ball plug! Equip the Surprise Iron Ball plug alone, and a single iron ball drops—combine it with a Kaboom Attack, and balls rain on multiple foes. Using two Surprise Iron Ball plugs makes them larger and pairing that with Kaboom results in massive impacts—it’s incredibly fun and intuitive!