Super Mario Strikers - Arcade Edition

[yamatetsu]

I like the one with the dark background, but I would add the kicked ball to it, which would give the bottom area a splash of color.

[reptileink]

Last one is WAY too busy.

I would use a "flatter" soccer ball and raise it up a little bit so it shows between "strikers" and "super mario" if that makes sense. The 3d ball does not fit the style of the artwork.

The darker circle I think distracts from the overall picture.

[Le Chuck]

I'd drop the game name and most of the characters from the side and enlarge Mario to make him the visual center, maybe do the logo small and in the corner or underneath him.  Might change up the dynamic a bit. 

[8BitMonk]

Last one is WAY too busy.

I would use a "flatter" soccer ball and raise it up a little bit so it shows between "strikers" and "super mario" if that makes sense. The 3d ball does not fit the style of the artwork.

The darker circle I think distracts from the overall picture.

Yeah that group shot one was very preliminary just to get a rough idea of how might combine the characters. I wasn't digging the dark circle either. I see what you're saying about the ball, even with a flatter ball and covering up Luigi a bit to make it look layered I think it seems out of place and doesn't add much. Going with a ball that matches the style exactly still looks off to me.

[8BitMonk]

I'd drop the game name and most of the characters from the side and enlarge Mario to make him the visual center, maybe do the logo small and in the corner or underneath him.  Might change up the dynamic a bit.

Interesting idea, I was emphasizing the logo because I was envisioning how this might have been designed as an actual nintendo arcade cab and you never see them without a prominent game name. I do like how clean it looks. Here's a couple examples with Mario.

[reptileink]

I think the ball should be behind all the characters, but I am LOVING the last one!

[Luigi]

Wow, this is one really nice (and big) bartop


And I'm always happy when my mounting plates are doing a good job 

[8BitMonk]

Wow, this is one really nice (and big) bartop


And I'm always happy when my mounting plates are doing a good job 

Thanks! Mounting plates were perfect for this project. 

[8BitMonk]

I think the ball should be behind all the characters, but I am LOVING the last one!

Really liking that last one too. Nintendo used that image for the European cover. Don't care for the concrete bg.



In addition to the characters I have the US hires cover art (sans logo) to work from. Also below is an image of how Nintendo combined the characters for a promo poster.

[Le Chuck]

Yeah, that's better to me, looking sharp

[yotsuya]

I like Mario kicking the soccer ball as opposed to Mario getting ready for takeoff, myself. 

[Le Chuck]

I like Mario kicking the soccer ball as opposed to Mario getting ready for takeoff, myself. 

Use both, why would both sides match? 

[yotsuya]

I like Mario kicking the soccer ball as opposed to Mario getting ready for takeoff, myself. 

Use both, why would both sides match?

Because I prefer an actual action as opposed to locked and loaded. 

[Le Chuck]

I like Mario kicking the soccer ball as opposed to Mario getting ready for takeoff, myself. 

Use both, why would both sides match?

Because I prefer an actual action as opposed to locked and loaded.

[vwalbridge]

If we are voting, I'm all for the one with Mario kicking the soccer ball. The one with Mario just "striking a pose" doesn't look soccer themed when you first look at it.

Really great artwork by the way.  And +1 for your willingness to try different layouts.

Also that 3-point landing video made me shoot milk out my nose. 

[8BitMonk]

Nice 3-point landings. 

The one with Mario just "striking a pose" doesn't look soccer themed when you first look at it.

The original had a soccer ball in it which made it look soccer themed. Looks less like he's striking a pose or flapping his wings. Forgot I had taken out the ball to add my version.



There's this as well, I think it's supposed to be an overhead view of Mario running but it looks more like an overhand volleyball smash.



Did some quick expirimenting vignetting in the Nintendo promo/cover art over the spike bg.



Still liking the clean cutout flaming ball kick over the spikes one the best. I lean towards keeping the sides uniform.

[yotsuya]

Let me just say, putting the ball back in with the first graphic makes it look MUCH better.

[8BitMonk]

Initial Control Panel concept.

[8BitMonk]

I've also recreated the 'VS.' art from the game but haven't found a good spot for it, ends up looking cluttered.



Here it is at the bottom by the characters.

[vwalbridge]

The control panel art is looking really good. Not much wrong with that. However, to avoid having your control panel looked cluttered, I'd leave out the "VS".  Less is more in this case.

But if you really want to incorporate it somewhere, maybe make the "VS" just a little smaller and put it under Donkey Kong's feet perhaps. I dunno...I'm not very good with art so I'm merely suggesting. Your artwork is already 110% more that I could ever pull off.

I'm also a bit confused withe the "Shift" buttons? That must be something specific to Strikers?

[vwalbridge]

Oh and 2 more things:

1. I like that Luigi is player #2. 
2. And I like that Luigi has that same "death stare" as he does in Mario Kart. 

[reptileink]

What about placing the "VS" in the Marquee where the game logo is? I think you have enough game logos on the whole cabinet to tell us what it is.

[8BitMonk]

I'd leave out the "VS".  Less is more in this case.

But if you really want to incorporate it somewhere, maybe make the "VS" just a little smaller and put it under Donkey Kong's feet perhaps. I dunno...I'm not very good with art so I'm merely suggesting. Your artwork is already 110% more that I could ever pull off.

What about placing the "VS" in the Marquee where the game logo is? I think you have enough game logos on the whole cabinet to tell us what it is.

Good suggestions, I had tried the 'vs.' at DK's feet but it was busy and right on the bend of the CP. I like the idea of using VS. in the marquee, reptile I think you're right about not needing the logo so many times, I removed it from the side and just have it on the CP top. I'll either just have it there or just on the sides.

I'm also a bit confused withe the "Shift" buttons? That must be something specific to Strikers?

This is the shifted function for the KADE encoder, you press it in combo with the top buttons. Wasn't crazy about 'shift' either, kind of confusing, I changed it to Start P1 and P2.

Oh and 2 more things:
1. I like that Luigi is player #2. 
2. And I like that Luigi has that same "death stare" as he does in Mario Kart. 

 

I added a couple of the sidekicks by Mario and Luigi, renamed Shift to Start P1 and P2 and added some circle/direction art around the joysticks.

[yotsuya]

The art style on the marquee doesn't match the rest of the cab.

[8BitMonk]

The art style on the marquee doesn't match the rest of the cab.

Good eye, yeah that bugs me a little too. They're from the load animations so they're from the game but differ from the printed art style. May have to come up with something more consistent or leave them out.

Character select and load animation

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Sprite sheet

[yotsuya]

I actually have been won over by the rough sketchy look of the artwork, and I'd love to see it stay consistent throughout.

[8BitMonk]

I actually have been won over by the rough sketchy look of the artwork, and I'd love to see it stay consistent throughout.

I think you're right, it'd look better keeping it consistent. Think I can crop the 'sketchy' character versions I have left and get a good effect. I'll have to tinker with it some more.

[Toasta]

This is a fantastic looking project.  I love the use of artwork. And how many options you have looked into.  Can't wait to see finished pictures

[8BitMonk]

This is a fantastic looking project.  I love the use of artwork. And how many options you have looked into.  Can't wait to see finished pictures

Thanks! 

[reptileink]

Yea, I hav to agree that the sketch look wins out on this one. Also, I would keep the game title on the sides, as most arcades have that. The "VS" should also be in that sketch style if possible as well. Kind of gives the whole thing character.

[Vidiot]

Just wanted to jump in here to sub and say this is an awesome looking project. I also love the fact that the cab has it's own shape and it's not just a weecade clone. I also like the sketchy art style better. That's gonna be a fun bartop to play on.

[8BitMonk]

Yea, I hav to agree that the sketch look wins out on this one. Also, I would keep the game title on the sides, as most arcades have that. The "VS" should also be in that sketch style if possible as well. Kind of gives the whole thing character.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, I think I'll keep the game title just on the sides. Not sure on the VS. in a sketchy font style though, it's consistent with the logo art and so I'm not totally averse to it staying as is. I'll give a couple sketchy looks a try though, always good to experiment.

Just wanted to jump in here to sub and say this is an awesome looking project. I also love the fact that the cab has it's own shape and it's not just a weecade clone. I also like the sketchy art style better. That's gonna be a fun bartop to play on.

Thanks! The fact that it's playable is one reason I haven't made a recent update. That, the 4th holiday and a little game called Rocket League which I'm loving right now. Hoping to finish up the art this weekend and send it to print.

Anyone have thoughts on the arrows and circle art around the joysticks? Think they may be too much and it might be cleaner without. Thanks to everyone for the feedback and suggestions.

[vwalbridge]

Anyone have thoughts on the arrows and circle art around the joysticks?

I'm a "less is more" kind of guy so I'd leave them off. Plus, I don't care for the right circle covering so much of DK's hand. Will you be using dust covers?

Very nice work. Your patience has paid off. 

[8BitMonk]

I'm a "less is more" kind of guy so I'd leave them off. Plus, I don't care for the right circle covering so much of DK's hand. Will you be using dust covers?

Yeah, I'm leaning towards leaving them off. They don't add much, simpler and doesn't cover up DK. The black circles in the pic represent the dust covers.

Yea, I hav to agree that the sketch look wins out on this one. Also, I would keep the game title on the sides, as most arcades have that. The "VS" should also be in that sketch style if possible as well. Kind of gives the whole thing character.

Comp'd some new marquees with the sketchy artwork and sketchy 'VS' text. I was skeptical about the sketchy 'VS' text but I kind of dig it, it does seem more cohesive. Probably needs a little tweaking to tuck the S under the V a little nicer.







A little busy with all the characters so I tried a couple with just Wario and Waluigi. I could break out any two characters. Having the evil versions of what's on the CP in the marquee seemed to make sense.

[8BitMonk]

Had some time to work on painting the soccer ball ball tops. The originals are foosballs which aren't white enough, the black had already started to come off plus I wanted a little shading on the stitching. I plan to try just a clearcoat as well as an epoxy resin to see which I like better. Think this first go around will be practice, I notice there's a mould line on the ball and some other markings I could buff out.



Stitching is a little dark, think I'll need to lighten it a bit. You can see the plain foosball in the background

[Le Chuck]

Dude, this build remains totally sick in my book.  Love the custom balltops. 

Wario and WaLuigi are stupid, do the sketchy color vs with peach and that other broad whose name escapes me. 

[8BitMonk]

Dude, this build remains totally sick in my book.  Love the custom balltops. 

Wario and WaLuigi are stupid, do the sketchy color vs with peach and that other broad whose name escapes me.

Thanks! I'm interested to see how the balltops turn out once they're epoxied. I agree on Wario and WaLuigi, not crazy about them for the marquee.

[8BitMonk]

I'm about ready to send off my artwork to Game on Grafix.

For the marquee I decided to go back to the Super Mario Strikers logo. The Vs. was cool to explore but in the end I prefer having the logo there as it would've been in an arcade. To make it more interesting I incorporated the flaming ball coming out of logo and used the most dynamic character art left including the goalie jumping at the ball.

Marquee Final
 


CP Final - Removed the logo and the directional arrows for the joysticks.



Side Panel Final



How it should all look together.

[Le Chuck]

^yes.

[Vidiot]

 
Awesome!