The Coolest 3D Depiction of Mario You've Ever Seen

Umar Muzammil, a Senior 3D Artist at Epic Games, whom you might remember for his Houdini-based simulation of Nokia's iconic Snake game, has returned to the realm of 3D character art, presenting what may likely be the coolest version of Mario you have ever seen.

Created using ZBrush and Houdini, Umar's version of Mario boasts somewhat realistic facial features, a disheveled mustache, and a cigar enveloped in flames, transforming the beloved plumber into a character straight out of an 80s action movie. Additionally, the artist employed Houdini's Solaris and Karma for look development and KineFX for rigging.

What's more, the creator has shared a 7-part video breakdown showcasing the sculpting, rigging, grooming, and LookDev workflows behind the portrait:

And here are some of Umar's earlier CG characters:

Check out more of Umar's amazing works here and don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.