Acquire Revealed as Developer of Mario & Luigi: Brothership

The gaming world has recently been buzzing with excitement as the mystery surrounding the developer of "Mario & Luigi: Brothership" has finally been unveiled. Contrary to popular speculation that pointed towards studios like ILCA, Next Level, or even a new team formed by former AlphaDream developers, the actual developer is Acquire. This Japanese studio is well-known for its collaboration on the critically acclaimed "Octopath Traveler" series.

Evidence of Acquire's involvement surfaced through various screenshots shared online, which attribute the copyright of the game to both Nintendo and Acquire. While some skeptics might question the authenticity of these images, it is worth noting that similar methods previously revealed the developers behind other Nintendo titles, such as the "Super Mario RPG Remake." This lends credibility to the current claims regarding "Brothership."

Founded in 1994, Acquire has a rich history in the gaming industry, initially gaining recognition for the "Tenchu: Stealth Assassins" franchise. Over the years, the studio has developed numerous games across various platforms, particularly excelling on the PlayStation Vita and PSP. However, its most notable contributions have been as a co-developer on the "Octopath Traveler" and its sequel, "Octopath Traveler 2." In recent years, Acquire has been under the ownership of GungHo Online Entertainment and, more recently, FromSoftware's Kadokawa Corporation.

This year alone, Acquire has released several titles, including "Ancient Weapon Holly," "C.A.R.D.S RPG: The Misty Battlefield," "Scars of Mars," and "Hookah Haze." Additionally, the studio co-developed "Amedama" and "All in Abyss: Judge the Fake." Given this impressive track record, the announcement of Acquire's involvement in "Brothership" has been met with enthusiasm, albeit with a hint of surprise.

What makes this development particularly interesting is that this marks Acquire's first venture into developing a first-party Nintendo title. It signals a shift in Nintendo's approach, as the company appears to be expanding its collaboration with external developers beyond its traditional partners, which include Game Freak, DeNA, Grezzo, and others.

However, it is somewhat perplexing that fans have to engage in detective work to uncover the identities of the developers behind Nintendo's major titles. This trend of piecing together information from copyright details has become a common practice, as seen with other recent releases like "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" and "Princess Peach: Showtime." It would be refreshing for Nintendo to be more transparent about its development teams, as fans are eager to celebrate the hard work of these talented creators.

The revelation of Acquire as the developer behind "Mario & Luigi: Brothership" not only highlights the studio's impressive legacy but also reflects Nintendo's willingness to explore new partnerships. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how this collaboration unfolds and what it means for the future of beloved franchises. Fans can look forward to experiencing the unique blend of creativity that Acquire brings to the iconic Mario universe.