Summary

  • Super Mario RPG remake has been well-received by fans, showcasing why the unique concept of Mario in an RPG works so well.
  • The success of Super Mario RPG should inspire Nintendo to further explore the RPG genre with other Mario franchises like Paper Mario and Mario and Luigi.
  • Fans are excited about the upcoming Paper Mario remake, but there is still potential for the Mario and Luigi series to be revisited and given the same treatment.

At first glance, it may seem strange for Mario to star in an RPG, but Super Mario RPG has shown that it works. That original game was critically acclaimed when it launched over 20 years ago, and this remake has put that experience front and center again. While it may not be as acclaimed as that original game, Nintendo fans seem to be loving it so far. And because of its popularity, the studio should go all in on the Super Mario RPG concept.

Super Mario RPG may have been a one-off, but the Mushroom Kingdom has had its fair share of RPG experiences over the years. Already, Nintendo has plans to revive the Paper Mario brand next year, which fans seem to be extremely excited about. But after that, the RPG hype train should not end its ride. Instead, Nintendo should really consider revisiting the Mario and Luigi franchise as well, so that players can be treated to even more Mario RPG goodness.

RELATED: Super Mario RPG and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

Super Mario RPG Has Brought RPGs Back to the Mushroom Kingdom

Fans Seem to Be Loving Super Mario RPG

When the original Super Mario RPG launched back in 1996, fans of the character really did not know what to expect. Taking a character who was known for platformers to the RPG genre seemed like a weird concept, but it paid off immensely. The game was released to critical acclaim and would go on to become fondly remembered by the fanbase. Now, 27 years later, Nintendo has once again shown audiences why a concept as unique as Super Mario RPG works extremely well.

After the release of the original Super Mario RPG, Nintendo would go on to make even more RPGs with the cast of the Mushroom Kingdom. Both the Paper Mario and Mario and Luigi franchises would serve as spiritual successors to that original title. While they both took vastly different forms, they also helped deliver that RPG fun that fans wanted. And just like with that original title, the Super Mario RPG remake should inspire even more RPGs to follow it.

The Mario and Luigi Game Deserves to Shine As Well

Next year, Nintendo is set to release a remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the Switch. Fans of that series are excited to see how the studio overhauls the game, especially after the success of Super Mario RPG. While it sounds like an interesting project, there is still one other Mario RPG series that has yet to be tapped, but hopefully that changes sometime in the future.

The Mario and Luigi franchise was a series of RPG games for handheld devices. It kicked off in 2003 with Superstar Saga and would go on to include five unique adventures as well as two remakes. Even though the gameplay was a bit different from other RPG titles, it was perhaps one of the closest things players had to Super Mario RPG. However, the studio behind the series went bankrupt in 2019, and there have been no further adventures with the titular crew since. But the release of Super Mario RPG could change that.

Now that Nintendo has revisited Super Mario RPG and plans to revisit Paper Mario, it feels only right that it would create more Mario and Luigi games as well. Not only would it seem strange to leave those RPGs out of the Mario RPG resurgence, but it would also just be a treat for fans if they got to explore these iconic games again. Even if they come in much smaller packages, giving these titles HD facelifts sounds like a recipe for success. While fans may have to wait for the Nintendo Switch's eventual successor, it feels like it would be well worth the wait.

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Super Mario RPG
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RPG
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
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Released
November 17, 2023
ESRB
E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
unity
Franchise
Super Mario
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Set out on a classic Mario adventure: Enter—or revisit—a world of whimsy with Mario on a quest to repair Star Road and defeat the troublemaking Smithy Gang. Team up with a party of unlikely allies, like the monstrous Bowser and a mysterious doll named Geno, in a story-rich RPG packed with laughs and quirky characters.

A strange party unites to save Star Road: Meet the team of oddballs setting out to thwart the troublesome Smithy Gang and protect everyone’s wishes. Even Bowser is lending a claw!

Take it easy with Breezy Difficulty Mode: Players new to RPGs or who want a story-focused experience can use the new Breezy difficulty, which makes battles easier and leveling up faster. You can set the difficulty at any time if you change your mind.

Adventure, battle, and traverse across a colorful world: Jump towards your next goal and continue the story. Run into monsters to enter turn-based battles with your party of three. Master the new Chain and Triple Moves system to claim victory.

A delightfully reimagined world: Enjoy familiar sights with colorfully enhanced graphics and spiffy upgrades.


 

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
11 Hours