Here we go! 

Super Mario RPG is one of those games that are so perfect you're afraid they'll be remakes. Luckily and happily for us, this time we've been given an even more polished gem, that recaptures the past with great quality, fidelity, and beauty. 

Produced and published by Nintendo, the RPG story of our charming plumber was released on November 17, 2023, and is available for Switch. 



On the mushroom trail, there is a giant sword

Originally released in 1996 for the Super Nintendo, Super Mario RPG was one of those collaborations that worked. In a partnership between Nintendo and Square Enix (then Square Soft), the game that marked the first RPG in the Mario series was born.

The story begins with Princess Peach being kidnapped (again) by Bowser. But this time, a new threat arises to shake the foundations of the Mushroom Kingdom.  Smithy, our new villain, falls from the sky and destroys the Star Road, a great star that kept peace in the kingdom (and released a few secret paths for us from time to time). With his arrival, pieces of the star are scattered all over the world, so Mario once again sets off on a journey to collect these fragments and stop Smithy from carrying out his plans.

Throughout the game, Mario is accompanied by a team of playable characters, such as Mallow, a little cloud creature who believes he's a frog; Geno, a star-throwing doll possessed by a star and even a famous boss from the franchise who I won't name because of spoilers (although you already know who I'm talking about). Together, they face various enemies and challenges in order to gather the stars and defeat Smithy.

The plot also involves uncovering the secrets behind Geno and Smithy, revealing the crucial role they both play in the story. The narrative explores Geno's past and his connection to the star he possesses, adding important emotional layers to the story but keeping it relatively simple. The simplicity of the narrative, in my opinion, manages to maintain accessibility for players of all ages, which is fundamental to the Mario franchise. 



A more skillful Super Mario

Leaving 2D logic behind and venturing into a world of discovery, Super Mario RPG uses 3D exploration as a mechanic, an innovative feat for the time. For the first time, players could traverse various environments while discovering enemies, scenarios, and challenges all the time. And with a wide variety of terrain, the game is always fresh, which makes the gameplay always exciting and stimulating. Your gameplay sessions will certainly be longer than you thought. Don't be surprised, it's Super Mario.

In this version, the game features a battle system that combines RPG elements with a timing-based approach. During battles, we have the opportunity to improve our attacks and blocks by performing actions at the right time. By pressing the right button, we can, for example, hit critical hits that give splash damage, improve the skill damage, and more. These mechanics add a layer of strategy and coordination to confrontations, providing a more "action" combat experience than traditional RPGs.

In Super Mario RPG, we have a diverse party, with each character having unique abilities and their own talent trees, which allows for more original and personalized strategies that adapt to the player's needs.

Another point to consider is the presence of puzzles and minigames. How about climbing down a waterfall, and collecting coins? Or perhaps experience a thrilling journey on train tracks? These challenges not only break up the monotony but also encourage players to explore and experiment.

As in traditional RPGs, character progression takes place via a system of experience points, coins, and items. Defeating enemies grants experience points which, as they accumulate, level up the characters, unlocking new skills and improving statuses. Coins are used to buy items, equipment, and upgrades, while items restore health, and magical energy and grant permanent bonuses.



The bosses are also quite unique, requiring strategy, as they have unique attack patterns that need to be understood. 

One of the most striking features is the presence of the Seven Stars, which serve as a key element in both the narrative and the gameplay. Throughout the journey, players collect fragments of the stars, which unlock new areas, skills, and events in the story. 

Despite its intense experience, Super Mario RPG is a short game that can frustrate those looking for a deeper experience. We hope that with this remake, Super Mario RPG will have new chapters to keep us intrigued and motivated to explore the mushroom kingdom.

Another important detail is that in terms of pace, Super Mario RPG hasn't aged so well, since it's a game with slower timing than current games, and that can be a bit tedious for those frantic kids out there addicted to Fortnite. 

Some solutions could be made, especially with regard to the pace of combat, dialog, and the behavior of the creatures in the setting. In addition, the game has some instabilities and frame drops that can become tedious for more demanding players like me.

But for younger children, accompanied by nit-picking parents, you can forget everything I've said: Super Mario RPG is still a great game that deserves your full attention. 



Mama, Mia! Look at those graphics!

Visually speaking, the remake of Super Mario RPG is phenomenal. The game manages to stay true to the original style but updates it with a lot of quality. The visual effects and scenery are very pleasant and inviting to experience. Somehow, this remake reminded me of the latest Super Mario Wonder which for me is a sure-fire win. 

In addition to the settings, the characters remain more than captivating and are always the best part of the Mario experience. They are expressive, and hilarious and manage to convey their emotions very well, even without words, which makes all the difference to the experience, especially for children.

Super Mario RPG's soundtrack enriches the gaming experience in an extraordinary way. It stands out for its diversity of styles and its ability to capture the essence of each environment and character. The main themes, such as the opening and battle songs, are stimulating, and keep players immersed at all times. 

The soundtrack not only accompanies the narrative but also intensifies it, providing key moments The narrative impact is reinforced in the music associated with encounters with the main antagonist, Smithy, which is majestic and threatening, underlining the gravity of the final confrontation. 



The soundtrack not only accompanies the narrative but also intensifies it, providing key moments The narrative impact is reinforced in the music associated with encounters with the main antagonist, Smithy, which is majestic and threatening, underlining the gravity of the final confrontation. 

For this review, Super Mario RPG was played on Switch.

Translated and reviewed by: Diego Lourenço