Audio and visual design amplify the dichotomy. The soundtrack toggles between jaunty, familiar Mario motifs and deeper, cinematic swells when Bowser rages. The palette shifts from pastel cheer to storm-tossed crimson, and the lighting—glinting sun one moment, oppressive shadow the next—becomes a narrative instrument. Technical polish is notable: frame rates hold up across modes, and Cat Mario’s movements feel immediate, a tactile joy.