After almost three decades, Super Mario RPG is finally getting the spotlight it deserves with an HD remake on the Nintendo Switch. After a handful of hours with the RPG, I got to relive the adventure again.
I was just nine years old the first time I played Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES in 1996. At the time, I considered myself a veteran of the side-scroller series. So, imagine my shock when I realized the Nintendo plumber was in an actual RPG with turn-based combat. While the novelty of a role-playing Mario game isn’t as surprising today, with the countless Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi spin-offs, Super Mario RPG was mind-blowing for many players when it was released over a decade ago.
So when Nintendo revealed they were doing a top-to-bottom remake of the SNES title during their 2023 Direct conference, I lost it. However, the one question that has been on my mind ever since is whether the game still holds up today. After putting a handful of hours into Super Mario RPG, I can say with confidence that it not only holds up, but I actually think the overlooked classic is even better than many people remember.
Right off the bat, the thing that really stands out to me is just how hilarious the game is. From the exaggerated animations to the fast-paced visual gags, this is one of the funniest Mario games ever made. That sharp humor is on full display with the game’s graphics in the early hours. Even more impressive is just how painstakingly Nintendo has gone to keep the original art style intact. Nothing in the game feels overly modern or out of place, and they did a fantastic job lovingly respecting the original game’s vision.
As someone who has spent hundreds of hours getting lost in the original game, it’s an absolute treat to re-experience these pixel-style levels and characters as they were always intended to be seen. I played Super Mario RPG on a Nintendo Switch OLED, and the vibrant colors really burst off the screen.
For those who have never played Super Mario RPG, the game has the traditional turn-based combat that was featured in many Square RPGs in the 1990s. Mario and his friends have an attack move, magical spells, and a special attack. One thing I forgot about was the unique nature of the game’s battle mechanics are. For example, certain battles will end with a minigame that gives you a chance to score double XP or coins. Or during combat, you have a chance of getting to attack a second time or have your HP filled if you time your moves correctly.
Before every attack, you can press the A Button to do boosted damage against enemies. Additionally, you can also protect yourself from all incoming damage if you press the action button right before an enemy lands a hit on you. The battle system constantly rewards you and keeps you engaged. And even in the overworld, the are some quirky features such as Hidden Chests and power-ups that are a lot of fun to interact with.
Super Mario RPG also has an addicting progression system, as you mainly level up your character’s attack damage by unlocking new weapons and armor. While you can purchase new attire in each new town, the game rewards you for finding secret chests or solving side puzzles to get unique loot. This creates a rewarding gameplay loop during which your party feels like it’s getting stronger with each section of the game.
Where Super Mario RPG can stand out, even after all these years, is with the script. Besides being incredibly funny, Super Mario RPG gets incredibly weird at times. Because the game was a collaboration with Square, the project has a lot of influences from the Final Fantasy franchise. You especially see this with the “out there” villain designs and the unique locations.
So far, Super Mario RPG seems like a promising remake of a classic. Because the writing and combat systems still seem to hold up today, Nintendo’s graphical reimagining could give new players a chance to finally experience this gem. I’m curious to see how it continues to hold up.
Super Mario RPG will be released on the Nintendo Switch on November 17, 2023.
