Mario and his strange and exciting world have formed an unbreakable foundation on which Nintendo has built itself. From that, the franchise has grown into other spin-off games that see Mario doing everything from racing cars to playing Tennis. That said, one of his most prominent appearances has been as a skilled fighter in the franchise Super Smash Bros. Now The Super Mario Bros. Movie has recently revealed that the game will be homaged but not in the way fans may expect or like.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie will serve as an origin story for Mario and his brother, Luigi, as they venture into the Mushroom Kingdom and train to take on the might and army of Bowser. But as Mario practices, he also encounters what will be some of his most definitive side adventures. One of the most prominent was a scene modeled after the Mario Kart series that sees the mustachioed plumber leading the pack in his iconic cart. But the Easter egg for Super Smash Bros. seemed much more comedic than expected.
Super Smash Bros. Has a Different Tone Than Mario Games
The Super Mario Bros. Movie started its latest trailer with Mario cautious but prepared to face off against a foe in a gladiatorial arena. But closer inspection revealed that Mario was to face off against his enemy on a lone steel girder homaging both the first Donkey Kong game and Super Smash Bros. As expected, Donkey Kong faced off with him, and as Mario charged, DK used his Gorilla strength against him, mercilessly beating Mario up. But even though Mario's apparent loss was brutal, its comedic tone didn't fit what the franchise was always known for.
Mario games have always been lighthearted and fun, but the Smash games were always on the mature side. Many of its stories have often involved the heroes of various games joining forces to face off against an enemy more powerful than any one hero combined. In fact, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate showed the end of many of these heroes, with Kirby being the sole survivor. Needless to say, the shift in tone from serious to comedy is one that may come as a surprise for many fans who grew up with both franchises.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie May Have Hindered Super Smash Bros.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie looks to be a celebration of all things Mario and the legacy he has helped to create over the decades. As a result, the upbeat tone of those games permeated into every frame of the trailer. But even though things like this are important and will help to make the movie feel as fun as the games, it does come with certain moments that show why other titles may or may not work well with a similar lighthearted tone. In this case, the game in question was Super Smash Bros. By using the setup of such a famous franchise as a punchline, it's hard to foresee a film based on a similar premise being as intense.
While the scene is funny, it raises eyebrows for those who adore the Smash franchise. That said, being that this is only a trailer for the film, it could also just be a piece of a much larger puzzle. If so, Mario's beating could be set up for his eventual growth in skill. Because of this, that could mean that he may return for round two and offer a battle worthy of the name Super Smash Bros. and prove that this is only the beginning of something truly epic.