Nintendo has explained why the mischievous Nabbit is a playable character in New Super Luigi U. In an Iwata Asks interview , the downloadable content’s director, Masataka Takemoto, reveals that he was completely opposed to the idea of Mario making an appearance. To make sure Mario wasn’t featured in Luigi’s title, the developers were contemplating about adding a third Toad to the roster. But because having three Toads on screen may be confusing to players, they ultimately decided to make Nabbit playable . Read a portion of the Iwata Asks for New Super Luigi U below:

Iwata: Why did you choose Nabbit?

Takemoto: When we decided on Luigi as the main character, I talked with Tezuka-san about how I was absolutely against having Mario make an appearance.

Iwata: Not wanting to use Mario is something you simply don’t hear around the Entertainment Analysis & Development Department! (laughs)

Takemoto: Yeah! (laughs) The idea came up of using three Toads, but when three Toads show up, the screen gets confusing, so I hounded Tezuka-san about seizing this chance to use a new character.