As part of a Q&A session held during Nintendo’s recent financial briefing, gaming industry icon Shigeru Miyamoto shared why he thinks The Super Mario Bros. Movie has the potential to be a success with both series fans and non-gamers. The wide-ranging Q&A session covered topics ranging from his involvement with the upcoming movie, to the explosive sales numbers for the recently released, squid-centric shooter Splatoon 3.
Shigeru Miyamoto is a figure who has become legendary among many gamers, serving as the creative force behind iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros. and the Legend of Zelda. Starting his career at Nintendo in the 1970s working on arcade titles, Miyamoto would go on to create some of the most iconic franchises in gaming, often drawing from his childhood and hobbies for inspiration. In addition to Shigeru Miyamoto’s ongoing work on some of his classic franchises, the industry icon is also a producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, set to release in 2023.
In a Q&A published as part of Nintendo’s latest financial results briefing, Shigeru Miyamoto shared his thoughts on all things Nintendo. After discussing the continuing success of the Nintendo Switch in the light of hardware revisions and recent high-profile releases for the handheld gaming platform, Miyamoto was asked about expanding the Mario franchise to new audiences with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Miyamoto explained that the film’s creators have spent a lot of time trying to craft something that will appeal to a broad audience, while also assuring gamers that the movie will be “faithful to their memories of the game.”
The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been the subject of skepticism from many fans of the franchise ever since it was announced in 2018. Fans still stinging from the first attempt at bringing the plucky plumbers to screen, 1993’s critically panned Super Mario Bros., were worried that the animated film would make the same missteps as its live-action predecessor. The surprise casting of Chris Pratt as Mario in the animated film only added to many fans’ concerns. Attempting to allay gamers’ worries about the new film, Miyamoto states his belief that The Mario Bros. Movie does a good job of staying true to the franchise's roots while telling a new story everyone can enjoy.
The Super Mario Bros Movie has had a hard time winning over some Mario fans, but having the film receive the blessing of Mario’s creator may help ease those concerns. Gamers can sometimes be overly protective of the franchises they love, but it’s clear that Miyamoto wants to do right by them with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Mario fans will have to wait until 2023 to see for themselves if the film can truly capture the magic of the games
The Super Mario Bros. Movie will hit theaters on April 7, 2023.
Source: Nintendo