Because I've been studying from 1990's arcade and videogames a lot of the time in producing pixelart, I've generally drilled it into my head to produce sprites with a maximum of 15 colours + transparency. But that's a self-imposed limitation I need to remember to break on occasion, if it'll benefit in smoother nicer-looking pixelart. This is a fantastic standing Mario sprite with the benefits of the promotional Super Mario 64 CG model (gradation of colour) and none of the drawbacks (lifeless shading).

However as with any sprite with a large palette, it would be a bitch and a half to animate. I would know because whenever I make sprites with a large palette, they are a bitch and a half to animate.

this is sex <3

thanks guys =)  Well i was trying to make one more similar to the recent versions and seeing how those arent pixeled i felt it was necessary to have a lot of colours to make it look similar to those. 

That's a huge amount of colors for such a tiny guy! But he does look nice and smooth. I bet you could get it down to 16, though, easy.  Ah, and I just now see your note about the colors, so okay then, he's fine as-is.

I love the colours :D. Nice job

well they are both mario xD  to be hones, i see very little resemblence in terms of look and style.  Either way, this was done without a reference.

It looks a lot like this...but good job.

http://www.pixeljoint.com/pixelart/13250.htm

thanks jalonso =) 

Really good. Oddly enough I think its the excessive color count that makes this a special version of Mario.

wow thanks a lot wolverine =D 

I wish he'd looked liked this in his recent DS and GBA games.  This is pretty much perfect as far I'm concerned