Summary
TheMariofranchise has taken players to a variety of different locales and made great use of numerous different aesthetics throughout the series' legendary history. Games likeSuper Mario 3D Worldand the recentPrincess Peach: Showtimeoffer some of the most unique and memorable settings in the franchise thanks to their usage of a particular type of aesthetic. LikeSuper Mario 3D World,Princess Peach: Showtimeutilizes the glitz and glamor of neon lights to enhance the game’s theater aesthetic, proving that theMariofranchise knows how to effectively use neon to create a stunning world.
Princess Peach: Showtimeis a departure from the typicalMariospin-off game, taking place entirely within the world of Sparkle Theater and making limited use of traditional Mario series aspects. WhilePrincess Peach: Showtimedoes incorporatemechanics from past mainlineMariogames, its sparse use of familiar characters and environments contributes to the establishment of the game’s own identity. However, one area wherePrincess Peach: Showtimeshines is in its visual design and the environmental aesthetic of its hub world, which has a lot in common with the neon carnival ofSuper Mario 3D World’s World Bowser.
The Mario Franchise Has Made Great Use of the Neon Carnival Aesthetic
When players first arrive at Sparkle Theater inPrincess Peach: Showtime, they are greeted by a massive building decked out in neon lights, playbills, and statues of the theater’s resident performers, known asTheets. Once inside the theater, this visual design continues as elegant curtains drape the halls and the stage marquees are illuminated by similar neon lights. The combination of these elements givesPrincess Peach: Showtimean aesthetic of whimsy, and it successfully creates the type of theatrical carnival experience the game sets out to deliver.
The design of Sparkle Theater inPrincess Peach: Showtimemight remindMarioseries fans ofWorld Bowser fromSuper Mario 3D World. This world acts as the true final world of the main game and is home to a massive neon theme park designed after Bowser himself. The bright lights and overwhelming scale of Bowser’s carnival are a surprising sight for players the first time they encounter it after thinking they’d beaten the final boss in the previous world, making it one of the most memorable worlds in the whole franchise and demonstrating how the flashy neon aesthetic can create a sense of awe and wonder during a pivotal part of the game.
How Princess Peach: Showtime’s Aesthetic Enhances the Experience
The waySuper Mario 3D Worldsaves the reveal of World Bowser’s flashy neon amusement park design for the finale sets the stage for an epicfinal clash with Bowser. Given the fairly standard world themes for the rest of the game, introducing this world as the final surprise goes a long way toward building an intense ending. However,Princess Peach: Showtimetakes a different approach with the introduction of its world’s neon aesthetic, which ends up working out in the game’s favor in the long run by giving the game a solid backdrop for the events that unfold during the story.
Rather than using the neon aesthetic for the final world ofPrincess Peach: Showtime, the game was wise to make this design one of the first things players see when starting the game. IntroducingSparkle Theaterin this way early on sets the tone forPrincess Peach: Showtimeright from the get-go, and establishes the type of glamorous environment players can expect to visit each time they exit a level and explore the game’s hub. The cohesive design of Sparkle Theater’s opulent neon aesthetic helps immerse players in the game’s world and creates a satisfying overall experience.
