Plucking another classic 90s Mario game for the remaster treatment, millions of Nintendo Switch players will likely be getting their first chance to play Super Mario RPG when it lands on November 17 this year.
One of the earliest role playing games in the series, the original proved to be the final Mario game on the SNES just before the Nintendo 64 delivered the likes of Mario Kart 64. In the remake, we can expect a whole host of improvements and modernisations so that Super Mario RPG can finally get the player base that it’s long deserved.
Below, you will read:
- Overview of the original Super Mario RPG
- Expected gameplay for Super Mario RPG remake
- The story and characters of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
What game is Super Mario RPG a remake of?
The 2023 release of Super Mario RPG is a remake of the 1996 release Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. The full gameplay video of the original is embedded above, but if you don’t want any of the story or levels spoiled, perhaps only watch the first minute or two.
When the original was released, it proved to be the first of the year for the series, but the last on the SNES. When the N64 hit, Super Mario 64 came out as well. Sales expectations were fairly low. Luckily, it was well-received by critics and it sold beyond its sales target, which was set at around a half million.
Nintendo continued to believe in the game, porting it to the Wii in 2008 for its Virtual Console and then to the Virtual Console on the Wii U in 2015. This is its first big revival that Nintendo is really getting behind. By the look of the reveal trailer, the remake is staying true to the original, but with many modern upgrades, particularly aesthetically.
Perhaps more importantly, the game developed by Square (now Square Enix) impressed Nintendo enough that it inspired several other RPGs for the Mario series. The biggest of these is likely Paper Mario, which received a new instalment itself in 2020 with Paper Mario: The Origami Knight.
What’s the gameplay like in Super Mario RPG?
Super Mario RPG is a mix of classic Mario platform play with turn-based combat situations, more open exploration opportunities, and a focus on story and cinematics to drive the game forward. The collaboration with Square was done to help bring in elements of the popular Final Fantasy series, and that shows in the Super Mario RPG gameplay.
You’ll still get to do Mario’s jump, unleash his power-ups, and even make your way into green pipes, but as it’s an isometric RPG, you’ll have a top-down angled camera and much more to explore. In these areas, you’ll be looking to open boxes, defeat enemies, and talk to NPCs to get better items.
As with many of the great RPGs on the Switch, you’ll have your own menu to sort the items that you collect, equip weapons to your team members, access special items, get an overview of the map, and see how many coins you’ve collected. As you play and win turn-based combat situations, your team members will level up and grow more powerful.
Who would enjoy Super Mario RPG?
Super Mario RPG is aimed at being a role playing game for everyone. Sporting the popular characters, sounds, and sights from the legendary series, you’ll now get to do a bit more exploring, upgrading, partake in strategic battles, and enjoy a detailed story while meeting quirky side characters.
Built by the team behind the Final Fantasy games, if you enjoyed the classics in that series or even the strong outing of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection, you’ll enjoy the familiarities in this Mario setting. A big part of the experience for many will be the camera angle.
The isometric view is used in many RPGs, but it isn’t for everyone. Superb games like Hades, Dragon Age: Origins, and the sensational Bladur’s Gate 3 utilise this camera angle. The latter of those three is a heavy RPG; Super Mario RPG is more of a light RPG. You could also look to JRPGs, which are more aligned with Super Mario RPG’s inspirations, like Octopath Traveler or the turn-based play of Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
If any of the games listed above appeal to you, but you’d like a more clear-cut RPG experience with colourful characters, some platforming elements, and turn-based combat with teams of three, then Super Mario RPG should suit you.
What’s the story in Super Mario RPG?
NOTE: Light spoilers for Super Mario RPG ahead!
In Super Mario RPG, you commence with much of the same mission: Bowser’s taken Peach and Mario’sset to be the hero. However, when a gigantic sword falls from the sky to obliterate the wish-granting Star Road and the fire-breathing tortoise’s castle, they’re all vaulted across the world. On top of this, the Mushroom Kingdom is taken over by the Smith Gang.
From there, you set out to assemble a ragtag team to recover the fragments of Star Road, take back the Mushroom Kingdom, and help anyone you encounter along the way. As you collect the pieces, you’ll experience a whole host of new biomes, environmental hazards, enemies, and helpful companions – Mallos’s character arc is so memorable even over a quarter century later!
Which characters will be in Super Mario RPG?
In Super Mario RPG, you can team up with and play as Mario, Bowser, Peach – otherwise known as Princess Toadstool – and the two new characters of the original: Geno and Mallow. Mallow thinks himself a tadpole, but actually has a much more royal lineage, while Geno is a wood-bodied warrior of the Star Road.
Among the other popular returning characters for the 2023 remake of Super Mario RPG, the trailer reveals Croco, Birdo, Yaridovich, Knife Guy on top of Grate Guy, Dodo, Valentina, Bowyer, Guerilla, Exor, Yoshi, Toad Minister, and Booster.
Super Mario RPG truly is one of the spin-off gems of the vast Mario series and should be well worth the gaming hours when it lands in November this year.
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