Super Mario RPG Review: Better Than The Original?

Who has not rescued Princess Peach in their childhood? All of us have killed an ungodly amount of turtles on our way to Bowser’s castle. Super Mario is a game every person has played. Another spinoff of the series was the Super Mario RPG. It was released in 1996 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Since its release, Super Mario RPG has been the game to play if you like Mario. Later, it was released for newer handheld consoles, but the game remained pretty much the same with a few minor compatibility updates. 

In June 2023, Nintendo announced that they would be releasing a remake of the original Super Mario RPG for the Nintendo Switch console. Now, the remake is here and people around the world have played the game and everyone is giving their feedback. So the question remains: How is the new Super Mario RPG? We will answer this question in this Super Mario RPG review. 

Story, Plot And Characters

Super Mario RPG starts when Mario sets out to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s castle. Unlike several times before, this time, a giant live sword named Exor falls from the sky and enters Bowser’s castle, breaking the star road, a road that grants wishes. As soon as the sword enters the castle, Bowser, Mario and Peach are scattered in different directions by the blow of the crash. After this, Mario revisits Bowser’s castle only to find out that the bridge has been destroyed by the sword Exor. The only way is to gather all the stars from Star Road and wish to enter the castle. This mission forces Mario to wander through unknown territories and meet new people. All in all, it was a good storyline that was a bit different than what we were used to seeing. The gameplay is also not very long. A person can finish the whole game in about 12 hours, which is nothing compared to other titles from different publishers. 

Graphics

At the time when the original game was launched, computer graphics weren't as advanced as they are now. Still, the old Super Mario RPG was way ahead of its time. The same is the case with the latest instalment. The Super Mario RPG remake also has good graphics, and on top of that, it has better game mechanics. The Nintendo Switch console is one of the best gaming consoles out there and offers high graphics. Along with game graphics and game mechanics, the characters are also remodelled with even more details than before. In short, you won’t be able to tell that Super Mario RPG was originally released in 1996. These new and crisp graphics make the game feel alive. The atmosphere looks gorgeous with better graphics. The shadows are picture-perfect, which, along with good graphics, allows you to indulge in the game and enjoy it to the fullest. 

Gameplay

This is one of the best facets of the game. The gameplay is where this game shines, as every game should. Super Mario RPG comes under the category of turn-based combat game. This makes this game a lot of fun, as the fights are straightforward. While playing, you can use well-timed combos to get rid of many enemies in a single blow. This is something that was not present in the previous game. Previously, you could only press a button and perform individual attacks. The game also features a lot of jumping. You can jump while moving, you can jump while in a battle, and you have to jump when facing obstacles in the path. Jumping makes this game feel like essentially a Super Mario original. The jumping also makes a ton of difference by improving your gameplay and making it a bit easier. 

When it comes to combat, this might very well be one of the best games ever. The combat here is well thought out and incentivises you for your skills. If you have great timing, you can complete the whole game without shedding a drop of blood. The interesting thing, however, is that the definition of good timing differs from one character to another. It is based on the type of enemy you are facing, which forces the player to keep a close eye on everything happening in the game. For instance, if you are facing Goombas, the timing will be different when compared to other enemies like Mastodon and others. This makes this game super interesting and engaging. The gameplay is aimed towards being fun and hilarious rather than tough, which allows more and more people to play this game, even casual gamers. 

Music

Music has always been a robust part of the Super Mario RPG gaming experience, and the new game didn't disappoint. The game features some of the best music you will ever listen to. The interesting feature here is that the music of this game remake has been made from scratch, so it's completely fresh. Along with this, you have the option to change between the old music and the new one, which makes Super Mario RPG a treat to play. The music changes based on where you are on the map and the kind of enemy you’re facing. 

Our Final Verdict

Mario series is a cult classic and there isn’t any gamer on this planet who hasn’t played Mario. The latest Super Mario RPG also continues this trend. Previously, Nintendo had released some of their Mario games, which was also received quite well by the gaming community, and became some of the best games for Nintendo Switch. Now, the new Super Mario RPG has garnered the same reputation. The game is a joy to play. It's fun, hilarious, and serious at times, but mostly awesome. So we highly recommend you play this game with your friends and family and have a great time.