Mario chess pieces

[Gors]

before doing anything else, I'll tell you that this is pretty subpar and should be redone.

The idea of Mario chess pieces isn't bad but you need to improve on the execution of it. For example, pixelart-wise, the fact that their heada have colored outline and the body doesn't is weird. Choose either colored outlines or black outlines for your work (though I suggest using colored lines as black eats out the space and hampers definition in such a small sprite.) Also the characters barely resembles themselves, principally Peach. Pay attention to the characters' details, such as curly points on her hair, a less cluttered face etc. Official Nintendo games have achieved this in similar-sized sprites so you shouldn't have problem doing that.

Now, design-wise, it is poor and as interesting as slapping a Nintendo character on top of pawn chess pieces. Make the pieces in a way so one can see them and instantly recognize and say 'Luigi is the bishop', or 'Mario is the castle' etc. Also, pay attention to each characters' roles to get the piece suitable for him. For example, I'd place Mario as the King instead of castle, and make the opponent's pieces Bowser and his minions.

You'd get extra design points if you could represent it without using default chess pieces. It'd be nice if you made the castle as a pile of brick blocks, horse as yoshis and the pawns as several Toads. Same with Bowser, fortresses, hammer bros and such. Be more creative!