Back in 1996, RPGs were niche outside Japan, but Mario was a worldwide phenomenon.
Super Mario RPG worked to bridge that gap and created a game that is still considered an excellent RPG that even someone who hasn’t played RPGs before can pick up and play.
Super Mario RPG might streamline the genre’s conventions but it always does this with a thoughtful approach that doesn’t overly diminish their depth or appeal.
Removed from the context of the time it may not be obvious why Mario RPG took this approach but to put it mildly, RPGs were niche in 1996.
Today Square Enix games are considered pioneers for the RPG genre with gems like the early Final Fantasy games, Secret of Mana, or Chrono Trigger, but platformers and fighting games ruled the mid-90s with an iron fist.
What Makes the Gate So Great?
Let’s look at the game’s origins a little bit more.
Super Mario RPG was localized by the legendary Ted Woolsey, and it was the last game he would work as a translator on, unfortunately.
Ted Woolsey didn’t just translate the script, he localized it with the typical Ted Woolsey style. The game’s dialog has so much charm and character, that it was bursting at the seams.
Every time you see an NPC talk you might get a witty one-liner, a sarcastic comment, or some funny joke.
The translation pushed you to keep playing, and even when you looked deeper, the game made so many great choices to introduce new players.
The game has a full roster of Mario characters, and yet your first party member will be Mallow. A character that is original to this game.
He is weak, cries easily, can control the weather, and can’t jump. He is portrayed as the antithesis of Mario, and yet he is the first party member that joins you.
As the story progresses you will see him fall behind, cling to Mario, and have a hard time yet he keeps trying his best to do better. He tries to become like Mario, a hero, and when he finally finds his home he becomes like his hero.
He finds his way home, and his parents, and thanks to his adventure with Mario, he will become a great leader once Smithy is defeated.
On the other hand, you have Geno. A character veiled in mystery, guardian of the Star Road trying to get back the Star Pieces, and repair the damage Smithy’s gang has done.
He is portrayed as the strong and silent type trying to do everything to get his mission completed. He possesses the Geno doll because it looks the strongest, and joins your party as the second party member.
Both of these characters were new and exclusive to this game, yet they chose them for your first two party members.
Instead of going for the safe choice of Princess Peach or Bowser, they gave people these two newer characters the spotlight and allowed them to make the world feel lived in.
As you progress with the story and end up with a full party, both Bowser and Princess Peach will come to your aid rounding out your party with a mix of familiar and new characters.
Lastly, I wanted to touch on the gameplay and mention that, unlike other turn-based combat systems, the timed hits are a breath of fresh air.
They bring agency to any fight you will have to do, and at the same time, it makes grinding easier and more fun.
Thankfully, the remake has remained true to the legacy of the original and brought a spotlight again to what Mario RPGs can be, and how fun they can be.
This remake will bring back fans who played the original game, while at the same time introducing new players to fan-favorite characters such as Geno.
Hopefully, this resurgence will bring back the interest for more Mario RPGs in the future, along with the Thousand Years Door remake.
While playing through the game, if you want to know where to find specific enemies check out our complete monster list guide on where to find them in Super Mario RPG.
Final Thoughts
Super Mario RPG is an exceptional game that everyone should get and play. If the price tag as it stands seems high then wait for a price drop, but you are missing out by not getting the game.
Before closing if you want to know more about where to find specific equipment check out where to find the Frying Pan, and where to find the Lucky Hammer, and what stats it gives both for Super Mario RPG. This way you will always be ready, and equipped as best as you can.
These were all my thoughts behind the Legacy of Super Mario RPG. Share your thoughts in the comments about what you think about this remake.
With thousands of hours played on Nintendo systems since the original Gameboy, Nikiforos is happy to share his endless passion for Nintendo franchises and everything he can get his hands on.
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