Mouri continued to recount the team’s deliberations, stating, “Even within the team, opinions were divided. The default voice was rather generic, akin to a news anchor, but players had the option to switch to a ‘tsundere commentary.’ Surprisingly, according to our playtest records, a considerable number of players were opting for the tsundere commentary.”
For those unfamiliar with the term ‘tsundere,’ it characterizes an individual or character who may outwardly display harshness or aloofness but occasionally reveals a more tender and affectionate side. This trope is commonly found in various anime series, and the idea of it infiltrating a Mario game certainly sparked curiosity.
Ultimately, the live commentary feature was largely abandoned, primarily due to the immense effort required to create diverse voice variations. Nevertheless, remnants of the concept endure in the form of Wonder’s Talking Flowers. These in-game elements offer various phrases and hints to Mario and his companions as they journey through the side-scrolling levels. Mouri believes that this approach represents “a version of live commentary that harmonizes with the Mario universe.”
