Summary
AsSuper Mario RPGis set to be the nextMariogame receiving a fully-fledged remake, it couldn’t have come at a better time as it has been in need of a face-lift long since its days on the SNES. Released nearly three decades ago,Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starsestablished itself as an acclaimed fan-favorite spin-off earning a reputation comparable to the likes of thePaper MarioandMario Kartseries. In fact,Super Mario RPG’s popularity was arguably best showcased when one of its characters,Geno, was added toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateas a Mii Fighter after years of fan demand.
Super Mario RPGnever saw a direct sequel despite this reputation and only resurfaced in 2015 when it was made available via the Wii U’s Virtual Console. As a result,Super Mario RPGhas been gathering dust within the franchise’s history, its graphics and gameplay limited to the SNES and rendered otherwise inaccessible to players without the right consoles. The decision to bring this classic spin-off back on the Switch with updated visuals and controls has been a long time coming, but importantly theSuper Mario RPGremake could be a game-changeras it’s rightfully restored to its former glory.
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Revamping Super Mario RPG for New and Old Players
Given that it was among the first games to blend theMariofranchise with the RPG genre,Super Mario RPGtakes inspiration from games likeFinal Fantasyand other early RPGs. With the benefit ofMario’s family-friendly brand which was lensed through its humor and characters, it’s not surprising thatSuper Mario RPGwent on to shape and influence later RPGs within the series such asPaper MarioandMario & Luigi. But while these later games have received sequels and remakes of their own likeMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions,Super Mario RPGhasn’t been so fortunate.
In consideration ofSuper Mario RPGestablishing a lot of essential groundwork for Nintendo’s later RPG spin-offs, its own remake is both overdue and well deserved.Super Mario RPGwas a trailblazer for its time with many firsts for the series, from its RPG elements to its use of 3D isometric environments. Now that Nintendo has refined and improve its use of 3D with stronger hardware, the upcoming remake could introduce this foundational game to newer audiences while simultaneously tapping into nostalgia among older fans by revamping a childhood classic.
Super Mario RPG Could Get A Second Chance
BeyondSuper Mario RPG’s anticipated improvements in qualityand performance, theMarioseries has since evolved from its earliest 8-bit days between its characters and their relationships with one another. For example, due to initial localization by Nintendo of America,Super Mario RPGis old enough to still refer to Peach as “Princess Toadstool,” meaning that the remake will have the opportunity to update this and any other small discrepancies to bring it in line with modern games. The upcomingSuper Mario RPGremake could ultimately polish the game at a technical and narrative level to align with Nintendo’s current standard.
In addition to this, an overdue remake ofSuper Mario RPGcould revive interest in the spin-offenough to deliver on hopes of a direct sequel. Since the originalSuper Mario RPGcame with its own subtitle similar to the trendPaper Mariowould settle into, it seems Nintendo may have intended to create a sequel before transitioning to other concepts. AsSuper Mario RPGoffers an experience more akin to traditional JRPGs, it already differentiates itself from the other spin-offs in style and gameplay which could provide Nintendo with a new route of games to explore with Mario and friends.
Super Mario RPGwill be released in November 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
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