How to Get Hired at Next Level Games
Everything you need to know about Next Level Games’s art style, hiring process, salary ranges, and portfolio requirements to land a game art role at Next Level Games.
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Studio at a Glance
Art Style by Title
Next Level Games has developed a distinctive visual language across their titles. Here is what the art directors look for when reviewing portfolios.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Nintendo Stylized — Playful & CharmingLuigi’s Mansion 3 represents the pinnacle of Next Level Games’ work — a showcase of expressive animation, playful environment design, and Nintendo-quality polish. The art style is warm, slightly cartoonish, and filled with character. Every room tells a story through its props and lighting.
- Warm, inviting color palettes with strong thematic variety per floor
- Highly expressive character animation — Luigi’s fear is iconic
- Prop design with personality — every object feels intentional
- Lighting that shifts mood dramatically between areas while remaining accessible
Super Mario Strikers: Battle League
Nintendo Sports — High Energy & BoldBattle League has a distinctly energetic aesthetic compared to other Mario games — more aggressive, high-contrast, and sports-themed. Character designs show unusual levels of intensity for the Mario IP. A useful reference for Next Level’s range.
- High-energy action poses with dynamic composition
- Bold, readable character designs that exaggerate normal Mario proportions
- Stadium environments with crowd and atmosphere systems
- VFX that supports sports energy — explosions, trails, impact
The Hiring Process
Portfolio Review
Next Level Games is a Nintendo development partner. Portfolio review is thorough and prioritizes Nintendo-style artistry — charm, polish, and technical precision at console-quality standards.
Typical duration: 2-4 weeksHiring Manager Interview
Video call discussing your experience, tools, and portfolio highlights. Nintendo partner studios value collaborative, iterative artists.
Typical duration: 1-2 weeksArt Test
Take-home art test relevant to the role. Expect a direction brief in Nintendo’s stylized language — not photorealism.
Typical duration: 2-3 weeksFinal Interview
Panel interview with senior artists and potentially studio leadership. Cultural fit is genuinely important at Nintendo partner studios.
Typical duration: 1-2 weeksOffer
Offers include standard Vancouver BC employment benefits. Global Talent Stream is available for international hires.
Typical duration: 1-2 weeksSalary Ranges at Next Level Games
| Level | Salary (CAD) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Level Artist | CAD $60,000 – $90,000 | Vancouver, BC |
| Senior Artist | CAD $90,000 – $120,000 | Vancouver, BC |
| Lead Artist | CAD $120,000 – $140,000 | Vancouver, BC |
Salary data compiled from job postings and industry reports. Actual compensation may vary.
Portfolio Tips by Discipline
Prop Artists
- Polished, stylized prop work — every object has personality and purpose
- Show props in context — not just isolated renders, but as part of a scene
- Luigi’s Mansion reference: props that could be ghosts’ possessions are ideal
- Demonstrate clean topology and real-time optimization alongside beautiful UVs
Animators
- Expressive character animation — secondary motion, weight, personality
- Luigi’s fear animations are the benchmark for expressiveness Next Level achieves
- Show game-ready animation: idle, walk cycle, action, and reaction states
- Understanding of squash-and-stretch and timing in Nintendo-style animation
Character Artists
- Stylized character work in a Nintendo-adjacent aesthetic
- Show ability to maintain charm and readability at game resolution
- Demonstrate face and body rigging-awareness in your sculpts
- Include work that shows range — charming friendly characters AND more intense designs
Application Reality
Next Level Games is a well-respected Nintendo development partner with a strong internal culture and competitive Canadian compensation. As a result, turnover is low and openings are selective. Most roles require relocation to Vancouver, BC. The Nintendo-adjacent work style means generic AAA-realism portfolios significantly underperform — charm and polish matter as much as technical skill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Next Level Games owned by Nintendo?
Nintendo acquired Next Level Games in 2021, making them a first-party Nintendo development studio. Previously they worked as an exclusive Nintendo development partner for decades.
Does Next Level Games hire outside Canada?
Next Level Games hires internationally and has experience with BC PNP and Global Talent Stream immigration pathways. Relocation to Vancouver is required for most roles.
What Nintendo games has Next Level Games made?
Next Level Games developed Luigi’s Mansion 2 (3DS), Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Switch), Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS), Super Mario Strikers and Battle League (GameCube/Switch), and Punch-Out!! (Wii). All exclusively for Nintendo platforms.
What engine does Next Level Games use?
Next Level Games uses a proprietary game engine developed specifically for Nintendo hardware. They do not use Unreal or Unity. Prior engine experience is less important than technical art fundamentals and adaptability.
Is the studio currently hiring?
Next Level Games posts roles on their website and LinkedIn periodically. Their acquisition by Nintendo in 2021 has supported continued growth. They are always looking for strong artists, though the volume varies by project phase.
Jobs posted before the paywall
These roles are no longer accepting applications. Find current openings via ArtBlast.