A number of the outfits in Bayonetta 2 are Nintendo-themed costumes that are obviously based on existing characters. Not only are they themed costumes, but almost all are accurate representations of the original, too, with just a dash of Bayonetta flair added.

This collaboration with other Nintendo games began when Hideki Kamiya asked Platinum’s developers to design some Princess Peach costumes for Bayonetta. The unexpected request resulted in these preliminary designs …

However, Kamiya wanted the costumes to be as close to the original design as possible. Some more deliberation ensued, which culminated in the Peach costume below, and the decorative Mario strap.

A recolored version of the above resulted in the Daisy costume, complemented by a Luigi charm.

The Samus costume was next. This was a treat for the designer, who happened to love mecha. The original plan was to use the Varia suit as the base, but Kamiya suggested using the traditional Power suit instead. The differences in the two designs are small, but notable.

The developers didn’t want to change the Link-based costume too much because it’s such a specific design. For that reason, they decided to stay as faithful as possible to the original, while still giving the outfit a twist to make it undoubtedly Bayonetta’s. This design was sent in to Nintendo for the go-ahead.

They didn’t want to risk the design getting shot down for being too sexy, so it’s very similar to Link’s standard green jerkin. Nintendo shocked them by suggesting that the costume expose more chest. The suggestion resulted in this ultimate design.

Bayonetta 2 is currently available: it’s officially launched on the Wii U today.

[Ed: personally, my favorite is the Samus costume. Which is yours?]