The classic animated series based on Nintendo's iconic plumber, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, is back on television screens. However, its return is generating buzz not for nostalgia, but for its jarring visual presentation on the MeTV network.

The Visual Disappointment of the Revival

The original 1980s cartoon was widely considered a quick cash-in production at the time. Now, viewers suggest that the current broadcast quality makes the series look significantly worse than they remember.

Suspected AI Upscaling Issues

It appears MeTV may have utilized a low-quality or bargain-bin Artificial Intelligence upscaler on the footage. This process has resulted in an unsettlingly smoothed-over aesthetic across the entire presentation.

Many characters now exhibit noticeable visual discrepancies compared to their original appearances. Furthermore, the AI processing has struggled significantly with rendering written text within the show.

As Engadget noted, AI tools often perform poorly when attempting to accurately represent on-screen text. It is surprising that station staff did not review the footage before airing, given these obvious flaws.

History of 'The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! originally ran for only one season. Despite this, 65 episodes were broadcast throughout 1989, reflecting the high episode counts common in that era.

Live-Action Segments and Zelda Integration

The series was notable for its inclusion of live-action segments. These segments featured professional wrestler "Captain" Lou Albano portraying the character of Mario.

Additionally, the show incorporated a cartoon adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. This segment was famously reserved for every Friday broadcast slot.

Engadget has contacted MeTV seeking clarification regarding the upscaling process used and will provide updates upon receiving a response.