In this Mario mash up, Super Mario is transformed into a punk rocker with a complete overhaul of the game by Billy Bishop.
Nintendo World approached Billy to bring his personal vision to Mario and he has in extraordinary fashion. Billy has completely rebranded the game as if it were about two decades ago. Included in the package of designs is the Super Nintendo packaging, cover for the cartridge, an example of an in-game story sequence and lots of signage.
The Mario mash up Billy has come up with are very reminiscent of the era with vintage styles and colors. His portrayal of each character as a punk rocker is spot on. Billy Bishop’s Behance profile is filled with all kinds of other impressive crossovers, including Clockwork Orange as babies and superhero movie characters placed into old time comic books.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Retro Video Game Makeovers
- Opportunity to update classic video game characters with a modern twist, appealing to nostalgia and attracting new audiences.
- Crossover Rebranding
- Potential to combine iconic characters from different franchises, creating unique and unexpected collaborations.
- Vinyl-inspired Artwork
- Chance to incorporate vintage design elements, like record album covers, into video game rebranding for a retro aesthetic.
Where This Applies
- Gaming
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for video game companies to rebrand popular games and attract new players through inventive design.
- Graphic Design
- Opportunity for graphic designers to showcase their creativity by reimagining beloved video game characters and creating unique mash-up artwork.
- Pop Culture Merchandise
- Chances for merchandise companies to capitalize on the popularity of crossover rebranding by producing and selling limited-edition collectibles.
