Update [Thu 11th Jan, 2024 09:20 GMT]:
Proto Inc. has contacted us with a statement to clarify that the Mario hologram seen at CES was an unfinished proof of concept that was not intended for commercial use.
"The AI hologram animation briefly seen today is an unfinished proof of concept tested for a client to demonstrate technological capabilities and innovation. It is not intended for commercial release. AARP and Nintendo were not involved in the inadvertent showing today. The fact that so many gamers of the world have taken notice shows that they are the best fans in the world and we salute them."
So there you go, it seems no one was supposed to see it! At least we know that if a Mario-themed hologram might show up for real in the future, it might be a bit better than this.
Original Article [Wed 10th Jan, 2024 09:45 GMT]:
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is in full swing over in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it's the perfect opportunity for major companies to showcase some of the products and concepts that could be making their way into your homes in the coming years (though there's already a bit too much of a focus on AI for our liking).
We've already seen some truly magnificent feats in technology, such as Samsung's new transparent microled screen and a bonkers gravity-defying robot window cleaner from Ecovacs. Something that's been making the rounds, however, is a rather bizarre depiction of Mario via ProtoHologram and Target. Utilising hologram technology, attendees are able to talk to Mario directly, but the results are, well, kinda baffling...
Sure, it looks like Mario, but it's completely lacking his whimsical characteristics. And what on earth is that voice?! Anyway, we're going to assume that Nintendo probably isn't involved in... whatever this is. It's a weird marketing technique, that's for sure, and it's not really prompting us to dash off to Target anytime soon.
Still, as horrifying as it is, it's also kind of funny. We're not going to lie, we'd probably spend a completely unreasonable amount of time with this thing and see what ridiculous stuff we can get it to say.
But what do you fine folks make of this weird and wonderful CES discover? Is there anything else from the show that you feel needs a shout out? Let us know with a comment.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 55
oh hell no that's not Mario that's Mark 💀
Ahh yes, Cosmic Mario. I say that because ain’t no way regular Mario sounds like that!
That’s pretty awesome to be honest.
It’s-a me, Mario, and I vant to suck your blood!!
It would be funnier if he had no mustache.
The odd thing is the model appears to use assets from the movie render (the hat) and the game model (note the gloves)
It also sounds like the guy in the pub who reckons he can do a better Mario than 'that Kevin fella and he'll sound more manly too'
"Hello, my name is Mario Mario. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Honestly, it could have used a generic character but it’s 1000x funnier with this. Not very “holographic” looking though… It looks pretty much flat.
Bowser means… nothing to me.
Well, you guys were pretty sure it was Martinet's voice in SMB Wonder trailer, so I'll take that as an unconfirmed information.
@martynstuff that model is neither game nor movie level. It's made for this.
This should have been the voice for the Mario Movie, would have been hilarious.
I watched this without sound because I'm at work but as soon as he started moving his mouth extremely quickly my mind filled it with a stereotypical italian accent speaking fast gibberish, not unlike Terminal Montage's "Something about" series when Luigi is trying to exorcise Mario
@Bobb So Mario & Luigi voices.
It's like a throwback to the 1990s when Nintendo would still sometimes license out their IP to some ill-advised third parties! 🤣
I thought they had a much tighter grip on the reins these days, so it's brilliant to see something this hilariously bad in 2024! Maybe Hotel Mario 2 is still a possibility after all. 😂
@JagGentlemann I just listened to their voice clips in those games and yes, a thousand times yes. That was 100% what I imagined
Somebody was testing his/her 3D modeling abilities with a Gamecube render of Mario and the voice of Microsoft Sam.
Dracula sure got a makeover.
Mario has logged in.
It has the same soulless robotic quality as the Johnny Cab from Total Recall.
As an actual antendee of CES (and a Las Vegas resident) NOBODY is “freaked out” by the Mario hologram.
That’s a fact.
This article is hyperbolic hysteria or looking to make news fiction.
I’m an actual CES attendee. As in I go into the Las Vegas Convention Center. I actually have viewed potentional future products and displays.
I wonder who the mythical “freaked out” are.
First CES, then, the world.
maybe they could'nt use the trademark voice because of the looming new AI laws? Also it would be even worse if the tech piece said some bad stuff with the so called "real voice of Mario".
Seems like AI voice of a Italian and not Mario
Bring back Charles Martinet's Mario in Real Time, which somehow was a better demo than this...even if it was from like 1991
Well, he is giving good advice.
Reminds me of Cucuí Ganon XD
he doesn't even blink?!
Is that you Shadow Mario?
Sounds like A.I
Reminds me of the "Peach likes pink, and daisy likes PORPOL"
Sounds like Mario vants to suck your blood.
This is what happens when Nintendo ninjas slack off.
Uh, Mario? You feeling okay?
Consume enough mushrooms and this is bound to happen.
I love Mario saying "Remenber to keep hydrated", and I have no idea why.
It is definitely not Mario, but to be fair it’s a pretty accurate Italian accent (source: I’m married to an Italian and have lived in Italy for over a decade).
call me when we have true holographic technology a la StarWars
I feel sorry for Mario. Look at those stiff shoulders. Shouldn't work that hard!
I don’t support any company that salutes gamers in their PR Statement.
OK, so Vampire/Russian Spy Mario was not meant to be. Good. It's bizarre that would still be shown off at an event before it's supposed to be finished.
I just can't believe physical animated .pngs are real now.
Accidentally on purpose.
I've been watching "Digimon Ghost Game". It's actually pretty good. Pretty much every episode a Digimon appears in the form of a Hologram and attempts to murder random bystanders.
DON'T TRUST THE MARIO HOLOGRAM!
That's hilarious - maybe its a magikoopa who made a mario imposter?!! Lol
Thats grumpy Mario in the morning when he's not acting and didn't have his pizza yet.
You mean Mark was a fake?!?!
Man, even the holograms in Red Dwarf weren't this funny.
What click bait. Shame on you. There's nothing wrong with it either.
@xshinox Goodness, you mean to tell me that not all Italian guys sound like high pitched clones of martinet? 🙄
It was then quietly ushered away by men in black suits, the witnesses later silenced.
Hologram? Looks like a flat 2D screen since Mario barely moves and the cameraman doesn't move.
@HylianFox
You aren't supposed to laugh WITH Rimmer, you are supposed to laugh AT Rimmer!
@rotekps_aniger The guy in the X video didn’t seem particularly comfortable talking to this thing
@Gaming-Penguin Yipeee!
Coming back to this, I realize, this must be ¡Super Marty!
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