Nintendo asks ‘who is Emio?’ in creepy horror teaser

When you think of Nintendo, you probably don’t think of horror. That’s why a lot of people are a little perturbed to see the Mario creator posting a new video that’s not only mysterious, but it’s creeping people out. And we don’t even know what it’s actually in relation to.

Anyone who’s anyone knows the kind of games Nintendo is known for, so it’s quite the mystery to see this short horror teaser that simply asks “who is Emio?”. At only 15-seconds long, we don’t get much, but what we see is enough to get everyone talking.

All we’re treated to is a dark figure, clad in a simple trench coat. They stand against a wall, with just a small light highlighting their frame. But that’s not what we’re drawn to. The most unsettling thing about this clip is the paper bag on their head, complete with a hand-drawn smiley face. Why is it smiling?! Bags are for carrying groceries!

Is it related to the Nintendo/Bloober Team colab?

Far be it from me to throw interpretations your way. I’m sure everyone has their own theory. Here’s a Reddit thread if you want to know what a lot of people are saying about this Emio character. The Nintendo website itself certainly doesn’t help fill in any clues.

However, it might not be beyond the realm of possibility to conclude that it may be (perhaps) related to Bloober Team. Hear me out. Basically, this interview (translated by Google from Polish to English) with studio CEO Piotr Babieno does mention something about a new project that’s being worked on by the horror developer for “Nintendo platforms.”

Is it a new horror IP then from the Layers of Fear developer? Let me just absolutely reassert that this is just speculation on my part. Pure and simple. The timing, however, of both the interview and the Emio teaser is quite interesting. But, remember: speculation. Nothing more.

Having said that, it’s not 100% out of Nintendo’s wheelhouse to dance with the horror demon once in a blue moon. No, I’m not talking about Luigi’s Mansion. Many will remember the Game Cube exclusive Eternal Darkness, a survival horror game that pretty much invented the sanity mechanic that would be popularized in Amnesia: The Dark Descent years later. Well, Nintendo published that, so it’s not as if the company is afraid of dipping its toes into the dark and spooky.

At this stage, it’s a fun little teaser that’s getting us all talking about what’s possibly on the horizon from the people that brought us The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong. But also the giant, snapping piano in Mario 64.