Mario got a design update in 1988
with the premiere of Super Mario Bros
3 to reflect his now standard character
art. His shirt was changed from
blue to red, though his overals were simplified to black. The use of black outlines also
creates a more cartoon like characterization and help him stand out from the background.
Mario himself was not the only thing to become more cartoony as the series art progressed. Clouds, hills and bushes all appear to be very freindly. Staff have commented that during production of Super Mario Bors. 3 that Miyamoto "tried to put eyes on everything" and that they had to reign him in.
