[2] With a variety of photo retouching and image composition functions, SmartMedia storage card slots, and planned 64DD floppy disk compatibility, the game was intended to supplant Japan's small growing market for personal computers.

The player can compose a unique image using the included Mario series clip art, borders, fonts, and other graphics.

[2] To facilitate such compositions, the user can optionally exchange Exif images with any other SmartMedia device via the two card slots on the top of the game cartridge.

[3] The game's development was a joint effort supervised by Nintendo which contributed some character graphics, the prominent computer memory manufacturer Hagiwara Syscom for the game software,[2][5] electronics makers Datt Japan[2] and Tokyo Electron for integrating the SmartMedia slot into Nintendo's Game Pak cartridge design, and printer maker Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.[1] On December 2, 1997, Mario no Photopi was preannounced with optional compatibility with the 64DD floppy drive[1] at a time when the drive was expected to launch in March 1998.

He praised the convenience of the gamepad driven user interface for image slideshows and management, and he especially enjoyed editing custom photos with Nintendo's characters.