In the era of remakes and remasters, Nintendo has been leading the charge with their Switch console. From beloved classics like Link’s Awakening to reimagined versions of Wii U titles, they have been bringing older games to a new audience. However, one remake that took me by surprise was Super Mario RPG, a cult favorite from the SNES era. As a fan of the original, I was cautiously optimistic about this remaster. Would it live up to my childhood memories? Would Nintendo make significant changes after almost three decades? As it turns out, very little has changed, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Super Mario RPG is a unique blend of Square Enix’s 90s RPG style and the world of Mario. In this game, Mario embarks on a quest to save the princess, not from Bowser, but from a sentient otherworldly sword. Along the way, he teams up with a colorful cast of characters to take on the greater evil. Unlike traditional Mario platformers, Super Mario RPG features time-based battles where players must choose attacks and spells to defeat enemies and gain experience points. Leveling up grants access to new moves, stat increases, and the ability to face tougher bosses. This rinse-and-repeat cycle continues until you are strong enough to take on the final boss.
What struck me the most during my playthrough of the remake was how faithful it was to the original game. The world, towns, story, and even hidden items were all in the same places, allowing those familiar with the original to breeze through the game. Muscle memory alone was often enough to progress through Super Mario RPG with relative ease. It was also a delight to see some of the most memorable moments from the original game preserved in the remake, such as the ability to defeat Exor with Geno Whirl or perform Mario’s near-infinite Super Jump.
However, there were also noticeable changes and additions that may catch long-time players off guard. Some dialogue has been altered, removing certain references and jokes that were beloved by fans. While these changes may have been necessary to avoid copyright issues or legal trouble, it still feels disappointing for those who cherished those moments. On the positive side, the remake introduces a new secret boss, stunning cutscenes, and new super moves that reward players for experimenting with different character combinations.
Ultimately, Super Mario RPG is a remake made with love and care. It retains the core essence of the original game while adding new elements to enhance the experience. The world feels more vibrant than ever, the charm remains intact, and the gameplay requires minimal grinding as long as you master the combat system. As a returning player, it was a nostalgic and gratifying journey to revisit Super Mario RPG from a more mature perspective. I can only imagine the joy it will bring to a new generation of fans, especially with the physical release in Europe for the first time since its initial launch in 1999. Regardless of your history with the game, this delightful RPG should be experienced and cherished.
| Time | Score |
|---|---|
| 10+ hours | Highly enjoyable |
Source: DOTESPORTS
