What if we didn't hate the Super Mario Bros. movie? | Alternate History Explored

If we had liked the Super Mario Bros. movie, George Romero writes the Resident Evil movie, Charlize Theron stars in Mighty Donkey Kong, and Waluigi... simply doesn't exist. With only a small change to the timeline, we find ourselves in a world where Luigi is king. Welcome to the Luigiverse.
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Polygon's VERSUS is an alternate history series that explores what would happen if just one thing had gone differently with some of biggest rivalries. In video game history, seemingly tiny decisions have huge impacts.
#nintendo #supermariobros #polygonversus

[@polygon]

WHAT OTHER ALTERNATE UNIVERSES DO YOU DARE TO SEE? LET US KNOW:

[@zacharybutler5944]

What if Black Isle hadn't disintegrated?

[@SaviTheGamer]

What if Masahiro Sakurai never put Nintendo characters in the prototype for smash?

[@sw0rdhyd350]

What if Nintendo had agreed to the collaboration with Sony and created the Nintendo Playstation?

[@pliable-head]

If I were a Polygon producer, my pitch for this series is 10000% "what if Gwen Stefani and No Doubt had never pulled out of 2004's Malice for Xbox." I want to follow a universe where a) this dumbfuck game did well, maybe well enough that its publishers made more games with its dumb vibes (IIRC this literally killed Argonaut as a studio), and b) musicians and recording artists working closely with video game production becomes much more commonplace....

[@brnman7383]

What if the witcher had been popular from the very beginning? What if Halo had been a platformer so as to copy other mascots?

[@Spongejay1]

This is just further proof that Polygon exists for two main reasons: write surprising well thought out video game reviews and create 20+ minute shitposts

[@calamaribowl8683]

This is?

[@octopus44445]

@@calamaribowl8683 Yes.

[@mokodomi]

@@calamaribowl8683 It’s honestly both.

[@TheMotlias]

Instead of changing the movie we just changed all of society, far easier

[@IcyDiamond]

“We live in a f**ked up society.” - The Joker

[@charliecrossing]

Also, mirroring Jenna in the alternate universe shots is such a cool editing choice and subtle enough that I would never had noticed if it weren't for her rad tattoos

[@nvrndingsmmr]

What a cool detail! I totally missed it

[@eritonaraujo1376]

I was wondering if anyone had noticed that too. Such a cool touch

[@jcespinoza]

spoilers!! Come on! 😣

[@nvrndingsmmr]

@@jcespinoza This is why you're supposed to watch the video before looking at the comments!

[@sylghouls]

"We could be living in an alternate reality where luigi is a gay icon" I think we can still make this one happen if we all work together and really put our minds to it

[@BestgirlJordanfish]

I am 10000% down for this

[@Becausing]

I feel like Waluigi would be the gay icon. He is camp, he is an outcast, and he is the best dressed out of M/Wario and Luigi.

[@tychoderkommentator2989]

@@Becausing Same. Luigi loves Daisy. Waluigi doesn't have a partner yet. So he would be perfect for it.

[@sylghouls]

@@tychoderkommentator2989 actually he's gay he told me so himself

[@polygon]

Let's go.

[@lko990mtapod]

"And Waluigi? Well, he never exists, there is simply no need for him" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Halinn]

This is truly the worst possible universe.

[@Hijiri_MIRACHION]

I thought Tuigi was meant to fill his role. I mean, he looks a lot like Waluigi, but I guess if they say that Waluigi doesn't exist, then that means that he does not exist.

[@debnlinda]

I hope that part wasn't a Brian David Gilbert jab...

[@drskelebone]

To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost.

[@thegreygoblin5165]

Waluigi is a multiversal. There can be no world without Waluigi

[@maxrona137]

There's no universe where Polygon doesn't make piss jokes

[@IcyDiamond]

God the Kirby with teeth in the thumbnail is so cursed, they’d have to take months to redo it! Thank God nothing like that actually happened in real life

[@meganellis5479]

“Horror fans are terrified by Chris Rock’s Hole” deserves an oscar

[@polygon]

I didn't notice the joke until we were shooting in studio and then I just had to lay my head in my hands. - Simone

[@ShupperDupper]

Chris Rock in a Silent Hill movie is so brilliant! Finally, a Silent Hill protagonist that reacts to the insane setting accurately.

[@jpgaul]

Oh, to be in the Luigiverse, chuckling at memes about Nintendo’s so-called Year of Mario…

[@krell.1415]

Jenna's tattoo (and thus whole body) flipping when we hop dimensions is an exquisite detail.

[@polygon]

I hate that I didn't even notice this - Simone

[@livendus]

This video just reminded me that "Pirates vs Ninjas" used to be a whole thing and it's gonna take me a while to recover

[@polygon]

Remembering that really took me back to a dark place - Simone

[@andrewgreenwood9068]

I have no idea what this is but something in my subconscious made me come out in a cold sweat

[@pliable-head]

Every video in this series is done so exquisitely spot-on. Jenna kicks so much ass, her brain is huge and her fashion is always on point. Also thank you Pat for the handful of clockably Pat-driven jokes and the museum-worthy Tuigi illustration

[@daveypeppers746]

The fucking chortle I gave with "Dev Patel in The Shovel Knight". Bravissimo.

[@rachelladue1572]

I'm gonna see that movie next week, but i havent played the video game so i probably wont understand the story very well

[@2445elijah]

This other universe was looking great, until the banning of streaming came in, then everything began to crumble piece by piece as it went on and showed the true horror of this dark mirror world

[@polygon]

The banning is streaming was such a good, dark touch. - Simone

[@VideoFeverShow]

Jenna is the first person bold enough to lead the “Super Mario Bros movie is good actually” revolution that is long overdue.

[@liquidypoo]

You must have missed Voidburger's new segment on Giantbomb

[@IsaacMayerCreativeWorks]

Also Cody Some More News Johnston

[@aaronsacks9262]

@@liquidypoo God, thank you, came here for just this

[@SuperNova-so2cj]

shes right but we didnt want crisp rat as mario

[@seriousbusiness47]

Some of us have been fighting this fight in vain our whole lives

[@johnobrian566]

You can't just drop stuff like "Kathryn Bigelow's Fallout" on me, it's like a kick to the stomach.

[@polygon]

Kathryn Bigelow's Fallout

[@Kidzelda0]

John Woo's 'Metroid'!

[@thenefariousnerd7910]

"Nintendo Presents: Marvel Vs. Capcom" is honestly genius in its simplicity.

[@polygon]

Brands: The Movie

[@superplushtiman7ti075]

Yeah, why aren’t they talking about X-Zone and it’s sequel: X-Zone 2, those movies were Smash Bros before that hit

[@aimelle3]

"Chris Pratt as Donkey Kong" You were so close.

[@meganellis5479]

0:23 that’s a real nice toad you got there

[@polygon]

gee thanks, be a shame if anything happened to it!

[@Kyulnjir]

When I was a kid I loved Mario and I loved lego. I always wanted a mix-up of both of them so I could enjoy two of my favourite things at once. However, now that lego mario exists I kind of see why they were so hesitant to cross-over.

[@BigBoiAlpha]

This is anti-waluigi propaganda that undermines everything BDG stands for

[@avataraarow]

BDG has left polygon, and now all the pent up Waluigi slander Jenna had waiting is going to pour forth and make our poor sweet boy cry “WAH!”

[@laurafrakinroslin]

You misinformed fool, the lack of Waluigi marked this as a dystopia from the start. Polygon’s love for Waluigi is as intrinsic to the company as it’s devotion to him is inexplicit.

[@theepurpletoaster]

15:22 - I wondered how The Sims could be transformed into a movie, then I remembered The Truman Show. Of course, it would have to be delayed a couple of years until The Sims 1 released, but that's just the reality of the Luigiverse.

[@genericname2747]

I want a horror movie about Bella Goth

[@theepurpletoaster]

@@genericname2747 Getting abducted by aliens or drowning in a ladderless pool?

[@genericname2747]

@@theepurpletoaster Both

[@dominateeye]

Oh my God. Someone needs to figure out how to make mods for movies so I can watch The Truman Sim.

[@shoba8717]

'An earthbound movie made by dreamworks' DUUUUUUUUDE I would give away my kidney just to see that movie

[@rmdcade1717]

I agree with Jenna's fundamental premise that the movie a) is good b) builds earnestly on the foundations of _Max Headroom._ Also, the Scalia/Breyer quotes are liquid genius.

[@needlethatsings4454]

I laughed like a drunken king when the fast and furious franchise was brought into the fold

[@TimdeVisser86]

'Bodacious Interdimensional Science Genius' is a hell of a title.

[@jack0slack]

It's good to know Polygon is still taking the Polygon Interdimensional Study Society and applying their findings.

[@dayalasingh5853]

These alt histories are fascinating.

[@Mitzi_DelverVRC]

"What if we had liked the Super Mario Bros. movie?" yo, I've been living that "What If" my whole life

[@Mitzi_DelverVRC]

#TrustTheFungus

[@Becausing]

This picture of a reclined Tuigi is doing it for me. I should probably call my therapist…

[@rachelladue1572]

Pat drew it according to the credits

[@charliecrossing]

90's Leo Link is the most concise way I've ever seen my gender described

[@jjthepikazard212]

i appreciate the concept of daisy & luigi being gay lesbian solidarity & now i will always look @ them as each other's beard

[@Tankirb]

Doctor Strange: Congratulations you're a Prophet

[@nathancarter8239]

This video is now a lot weirder where Polygon accidentally guessed A: That Chris Pratt would play a Nintendo Character B: That they were only slightly off for which he would play

[@peppered-ronis]

Finally, someone who understands the true cinematic genius of the Mario movie. Jenna truly is a bodacious interdimensional science genius 😔

[@pixiemeg]

Jenna continues to be the MOST fashionable

[@asatowolfe]

The Polygon Interdimensional Study Society; also known as [PISS].

[@gues.t]

The Social Healthcare Insurance Territory

[@DeerBonesBaby]

Grand Turismo: The Movie. Grand Tworismo. Three Grand Turismo. Grand 4. Grand Turismo Five.

[@theworld6710]

That’s like asking if we lived in a perfect world where people appreciated true art. It’s tough to know

[@Flameclaw123]

JENNA WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

[@ashx89]

Well, Jenna is gonna have to make a part 2 of this one now that Chris Pratt Mario exists.

[@lilsquiggy]

Versus has really stepped into the space of unravelled.

[@jacksoninskip1614]

Yes...Just as I predicted.

[@genericname2747]

Fool! Versus is unraveled, from another universe

[@jacksoninskip1614]

@@genericname2747 Shit u rite!

[@CanadAce]

I love this series, they are always spot on with their commentary and humor!

[@milenacosta8299]

Polygon Interdimensional Study Society

[@polygon]

that's us

[@gjhartist3685]

This was such a fun concept to think about hahaha. Thanks, Polygon!

[@TheBobbu]

I love this so much. Romero's Resident Evil movie? How do I hop to that dimension, please? Though I wonder how the Doom movie would have fared in the Luigiverse...

[@sylghouls]

this is such a delightful series

[@catarinabarbosa2247]

"where nobody gives a fuck about comic book movies" blessed timeline

[@andromedasgarden]

jesus christ yes

[@Mordalon]

But I like them.

[@dominateeye]

"video game movies become comic book movies instead" not as blessed as you think.

[@Mordalon]

@@dominateeye But that implies, like with comic book movies, they find a way to do them that is appealing to a lot of people while also playing to their strengths. Comic book movies by and large are good these days.

[@Tankirb]

The casting of the 2022 Mario movie really sounds like an Alternate History Explored video.

[@ggdynfytugfy6892]

Yeah but what if Mario lost his hands instead of his heart?

[@fionamaecry7579]

stephen strange moment

[@oddnerdout]

Thank you for the sound design and video edits, it makes it much clearer the distinction between our world and the alt verse. The reverse playback makes me think it’s like activating a special Phoenix Wright feature during a cross examination. Great content enhanced by a great editing

[@aimelle3]

"this is known as Dual Production, or DuPro" I see what you didn't do there.

[@rachelladue1572]

I sadly dont could u explain?

[@aimelle3]

@@rachelladue1572 They used DuPro as the abbreviation of Dual Production instead of the more obvious DP. DP is also used to refer to a certain sexual act.

[@2clam4jam]

The second you said “nobody gives a fuck about comic book movies” I was convinced and yearning for this utopia

[@genericname2747]

Okay, but what if we replaced comic book movies with comic strip movies? Fans of the MCU (Marmaduke Cinematic Universe) fight with fans of the Garfield movies.

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

How dare you. Garfield is superior. Don't you remember when he asked if Jon bleeds?

[@KagatoIuchi]

When I was in the theatre and the post-credits rolled and Sakurai showed up to talk about the Smash Bros. Initiative I got so hypeeeeeeeeeeee

[@rachelrachel9152]

I really do want to be in that reality

[@saraellwood630]

It's always so much fun hearing y'all's ideas about video games and media!! It reminds me of chats my sister and I have, and I can't get enough. Also, you look so great with that haircut!

[@opadrip]

I like to think in this universe, Jurassic Park got reps in Smash and everyone argued that the T-Rex was too big for Smash.

[@SleepyBabyYT]

18:24 Chris Pratt Donkey Kong is disturbingly close to our current reality.

[@fionamaecry7579]

JENNA THIS HAIRCUT SUITS YOU SO WELL I LOVE

[@charliecrossing]

I kept getting distracted by how shiny and perfect her hair looks, I am in awe

[@NatRealActual]

i dont know what you mean by "what if" that movie is a classic

[@stagelights_]

I don't think the name tuiji would be the name they'd give him, they'd probably keep waluigi as a name since it's a pun on the japanese "warui" meaning "bad"

[@rachelladue1572]

yeah but since the waluigi name came after the wario name, there's no saying they wouldnt go with some other inspiration if wario wasnt the main riff for it, esp since maybe they planned to focus on the US market more after the US movie. Or at least maybe they wouldve localized it as tuigi

[@ambermiller3751]

versus is such an amazing series oh my god i am delighted every time

[@l0u13__3]

I think that the problem with video game movies is that studios mess it up to make it different like mortal Kombat and AC which alienates current fans and is too wild for normal movie go-ers

[@will4not]

I love Polygon’s alternative universe videos. The writing is amazing and the editing makes the other universe feel so real I forget which one is our universe.

[@mh752]

0:21 button to replay the clip of the Polygon Interdimensional Study Society, to really go back and appreciate every individual reaction

[@TheoStimac]

"I wish Jenna did more horror content." *Jenna makes this video.* "Not like that."

[@Rexdrinksredbull]

This video was genuinely amazing to watch as the universe kept getting more and more convoluted, and more and more things kept having domino effects of each other. I'd love more videos like this, it was hilarious and amazing

[@starcraft412]

Charlize Theron as Samus is actually such perfect casting

[@IamJacksSTD]

So the Smash Brothers movie (released circa 2017) stars Charlize Theron as Samus, Jason Segal as Mario, Matthew Lewis as Luigi, Chris Pratt as Donkey Kong, and Leo DiCaprio as an older Link. I see Hugh Jackman as Captain Falcon, Finn Wolfhard as Ness, John Leguizamo returning as the voice of Yoshi, Mark Hamill as the voice of Pikachu, Idris Elba as the voice of Fox, Tress MacNeille as the voice of Kirby, and in a completely oddball casting decision that turns out to be a major hit with audiences, Fran Drescher as Jigglypuff. Her career is revitalized and The Nanny gets a sequel series.

[@chrismorrison4525]

I can't believe you made an alternate universe which is simultaneously a hellworld and gamer heaven. Never in a million years would I have pictured Sakurai being the Nicky Fury of this universe but god that had me wheezing.

[@jayl2298]

What have you done?

[@louisxyz1]

A prestige HBO Last of Us series actually makes a crazy amount of sense, that would totally have played in 2013

[@louisxyz1]

Also Kathryn Bigelow's fallout absolutely tracks, damn

[@samuelhyde7286]

Me and my friend always had a running joke about a parallel universe with exactly this situation It would always start normal enough, you wake up in your bed, head downstairs, but something feels off People keep making references you don't get... things feel commercial almost Suddently you see it, a poster for The Super Mario Bros Movie mounted in your family's front room with a golden frame, at which point you have to desperately find a way to escape before they all realise you're not one of them. God forbid they discover you're not like them

[@speakwithanimals]

Almost every sentence in this is worthy of it's own tweet. Fantastic video

[@Dracullina]

Would genuinely really like Charlize Theron as Samus. If they ever do a live-action Metroid, she'd be awesome.

[@streakywiz9242]

oh hell yes, this was so good! absolutely loved the way it branched out into the effects (affects???) of this on the world outside of video games. i am both amused and horrified

[@sintua]

21:23 (Vaguely threatening but pensive techno beat with piano splonks)

[@FredByDawn]

"I wish more people like the Mario Bros movie :)" A new Mario Bros movie is announced starring Crisp Rat, causing an inevitable wave of 'NOT AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL 😤,' and the monkey's paw curls a finger.

[@starrykev]

the amount of detail and thought that goes into these alt timeline videos is so astounding, thank u jenna and ur co-PISSers

[@superplushtiman7ti075]

There are a few classics here I never heard mentioned Sakura Wars(2000), a masterful Sci-fi/steampunk/fantasy movie that not only helped to save the Dreamcast, but was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, of which it won 5. The story behind it was also amazing, the director of 1997's Legend of Zelda wanted to make a Sonic movie for the 1999 Summer Blockbuster season, when he went to Japan to ask for the licence from SEGA in 1998, he caught the ad for Sakura Taisen 2(you know the one I'm talking about) and the plans were changed, Iris became the figure of purity for most fans with people saying she was 'too pure for this cruel world she finds herself living in'(that is slightly based on a critics response) Project X Zone(2012) sequel to the sub-par 'NAMCO X Capcom' from 2005, X-Zone featured SEGA Studios joining the 'Tri-force of developers'(so-to-speak), and brought forward a sequel, X-Zone 2, the following year(to less acclaim, still won 2 Academy Awards, and was nominated for 3) and renewed interest in Sakura Wars, leading to a series of solo films starting with 'Iris: A Sakura Wars story' released in December 2013, and the dupro series 'Sakura Wars: Neo' which is going to air it's 7th season soon, and a new series called 'Iris and the Flying Robot' which may or may not be connected to the manga 'Giant Robo'(which the 1967 Toei Live-Action show was dubbed as 'Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot') Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing(2010-present) a Wacky Races-styled dupro series that has some acclaim to it, but it's game show spin-off(gambling, but for kids, mixed with regular quiz-show) Sonic And All-Stars Racing Transformed(2012-present) wasn't too big... But there had to be something to it, as they are STILL MAKING EPISODES EVEN NOW

[@mfultimate]

the wider implications of movies and games being so linked are wild to me. mixed media in our universe is largely seen as a gimmick (FMV games, ARGs around movies, etc.) but in the Luigiverse, multimedia productions would become a lot more commonplace and shift the way media is presented to the public. versus is such a good series

[@bensonprice4027]

Leo as Link? A muppet starfox? Sign me up! Shut up and take my money!

[@jeffblackman6960]

the giant Wii Us at the end is a wonderfully subtle punchline

[@Percussive_Comrade]

Jenna, you bodacious interdimensional science-genius; these alternate universe videos are brilliant and hilarious and I love watching them. Also, the Super Mario Brothers movie is good and you're out here fighting the good fight.

[@CaptainCarrotzz]

You had me at co-pissers. Polygon always hits me with that content I didn't know I needed.

[@BestgirlJordanfish]

I mean, I def liked it more than the Sonic movie at least. Goodness these videos are an entertaining existential trip

[@TheNeraum]

At 6:31 i thought "where the hell did this article come from???" Then realised it's a Polygon article that you guys probably help make or format or something. You have too much power

[@ProfessorFudin]

Seeing a Golden Sun movie/show in the luigiverse's production schedule has made me want an animated series in our universe

[@erikferal]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Live Action. Legend of Zelda. Ocarina of Time. Film it in New Zealand, give it a 3 Hour Runtime (+10 Minute Intermission when Link enters the Temple of Time) and watch the Omega Blockbuster Box Office Revenue make Endgame look like a penny on the sidewalk.

[@geistincarnate]

Never has a polygon series better embodied its surreal deep-dives. Well done!

[@square-table-gaming]

This movie straight up IS a masterpiece. It has literally nothing to do with Mario, but it's still absolutely incredible.

[@krell.1415]

"Co-pissers" "You see, we're just doing normal bathroom stuff but there's three of us"

[@marisolkim9098]

JENNA JENNA WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

[@KimiJimiJames]

This is incredible! Good job guys! There's just one hole though--what happens to Sonic and SEGA in the Luigiverse? The answer to this question has huge ramifications that include the yakuza itself (and I DON'T mean just the Yakuza games). You guys coulda gone hog wild with it in ways beyond even what happens to our media!

[@Gabriel-zy7ee]

I think Sonic might be good to go and a major success with the 06 drama actually working out like how the Maeio movie worked here.

[@theopreston8507]

always impressed by the effort that goes into these- great job!

[@BlakeMaloof]

"What If...?" now streaming on Nintendo Plus!

[@davinw1671]

Not gonna lie, seeing Golden Sun get recognized at 19:05 made my whole day. It always deserved better than what this universe gave it.

[@Silverwind87]

You had me at "and where nobody gives a fuck about comic book movies." Take me to the Luigiverse.

[@SamDGrover]

The DuPro is such a cursed, haunted, damned, and profane idea. Like the concept actually stressed me out watching this video. That's some really solid worldbuilding!

[@kgrlktty]

I'm so mad. PISS really took me out, I wasn't expecting it and it really just sniped me. Laughed so hard I think I popped something