If there’s anything we’ve learned this year, it’s that AI creations are still not quite up to the task when it comes to artistic endeavour, with countless viral DALL-E creations bordering the terrifying and the hilarious. Now, they’ve only gone and got everyone’s favourite plumber too, with a rising Reddit post showcasing an AI interpretation of what the potential sequel to Mario Odyssey might look like (but dear god, we hope it doesn’t).
This Super Mario Odyssey 2 AI concept art from Reddit might just be one of the most daunting things I’ve seen this year, even more so that another viral Reddit post of a Morbius Nintendo DS game, something no one wants. In the first of the two AI interpretations, Mario’s muddled face is barely visible, with most of the screen occupied by something that looks like a hybrid of Donkey Kong, Pennywise, and Neon Genesis Evangelion’s monstrous Lilith. It’s a no thanks from me.
In the second of the two AI pieces, you can at least make out Mario, though there’s a look in his eyes that suggest his high-intensity mushroom diet has finally started to take its toll. This latter image has a relatively detailed background at least, though it does look like New Donk City if it was under the control of the Shinra Electric Power Company instead of the accommodating mayor Pauline.
If there’s anything to take away from these borderline offensive AI creations it’s that concept art is still well within the realms of the professionals, and those professionals are still people. For now, AI might be best left to randomly generate levels in some of our favourite roguelikes rather than sully the image of the most beloved character in gaming. Though if a future killer AI Terminator type is reading this with revenge in mind – just kidding, great work, I loved it.
There you have it, the Mario Odyssey 2 AI concept art you wish you could bleach from your brain. To see some fan art done well, check out this Genshin Impact Pixel fan art that had us harking back to the golden era of 2D RPGs.