On paper, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is a recreation that in all probability shouldn’t exist. It introduced collectively Nintendo’s platforming icon with RPG big Square in a manner that appeared inconceivable, imbuing the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom (and past) with bucketloads of persona past the hops, jumps, and yelps they had been beforehand identified for. It’s acquired humour in spades, from tongue-in-cheek jokes to characters pantomiming occasions every time they retell them. It’s bizarre and hilarious, and it is aware of it — and that’s why individuals like it.
So it’s a darn good factor that Super Mario RPG, the Switch remake of 1996’s turn-based favorite, retains the weirdness that gave the SNES authentic a particular appeal. Not a hair is misplaced on this remake. We mentioned in our preview that this is without doubt one of the most trustworthy HD diversifications we’ve ever performed, and now that we’ve seen all the things the sport has to supply, we stand by that assertion, and it’s all the higher for it. This is a magical expertise reworked to close perfection with high-definition readability.
That’s true proper from the second you first look and listen to the sport. Nintendo has completed an incredible job updating the visuals in a manner that continues to be trustworthy to the clay-doll model of the 16-bit model whereas additionally giving it a brand new lease of life. It looks like you may attain into the display screen and contact the fluffy clouds of Nimbus Land, and you’re feeling the warmth of the lava in Pipe Plaza because it glows and sizzles. All of that is accompanied by a rearranged soundtrack – supervised by authentic composer Yoko Shimomura, simply as she did with 2022’s Live A Live remake – that’s as dreamy and catchy as the unique.
It’s exceptional to see all the cities, dungeons, and maps get this glow-up – grassy, blurry plains are remodeled and now you can see particular person leaves and specks of filth on the bottom. The new visuals additionally permit facial expressions to get much more inventive. Every time Mallow smiles is irresistible, Bowser’s seen sobbing is funnier than ever, and the animation carries over into beautiful cutscenes peppered all through the story (each Triple Move additionally will get one among these). And, true to the unique, there is no voice appearing both, with solely Bowser’s grunts being vocalised. This initially feels a bit awkward throughout CGI scenes, however we’re unsure we might need full voice appearing, even from Geno and Mallow.
The recreation goals for 60fps all through, and for probably the most half, it hits that, aside from some pretty noticeable body drops in sure areas. This occurred in areas with a number of water such because the Kero Sewers, Tadpole Pond, and the Sea. It additionally momentarily happens throughout Triple Moves proper as the sport transitions from the CG cutscenes again to the battle. This is barely a small blemish on what’s in any other case a beautiful remake, nevertheless it’s a bit stunning, nonetheless.
What isn’t stunning is the story. Super Mario RPG’s narrative isn’t going for something deep, however depth isn’t actually the purpose. The recreation is aware of precisely what it’s – a enjoyable journey that includes everybody’s favorite platforming plumber. And ‘enjoyable’ actually is the key phrase right here; Mario’s expedition to avoid wasting the Princess would possibly lead right into a world-spanning quest, however the pleasure is within the journey and the small print. We’ve talked about appeal in spades, however the cutscenes and the dialogue on this recreation are riotous, and it’s exhilarating to go round each city and discuss to all people every time you progress to a brand new location.
Quite a lot of the dialogue is precisely because it was on the Super NES, although a number of popular culture nods have been swapped out (RIP Bruce Lee reference). Plus, we’re unsure we will forgive Frogfucius being modified to Frog Sage. Come on now. Though Mack to Claymorton would possibly make up for it. Almost.
The easy story, abundance of humour, and visuals apart, the gameplay is the place many of the smaller tweaks to Super Mario RPG are available, though the fight isn’t bringing something new to the desk when it comes to the style. At the time, the timing-based fight was a novelty, however the recreation isn’t a lot of a problem even on the usual problem, although it is nonetheless a pleasure to play.
The timing-based button presses, which grew to become a staple of Mario’s subsequent RPG adventures, can take some time to excellent, even with the added exclamation level help. If you do begin to get higher, the exclamation will finally cease showing, that means you may’t use it as a crutch. Plus, the timing is completely different for each single character, weapon, and assault, so there’s a good quantity of ability concerned. You don’t want to nail them to get via the bottom recreation, however you have to them for lots of the non-obligatory quests and executives.
The new options like splash harm, Triple Attacks, and the exclamation mark can’t be turned off, which suggests the Switch remake is even simpler than the Super Nintendo authentic for probably the most half. But there’s a brand new wrinkle within the type of Special Enemies — stronger variants of enemies that may randomly seem in battle. These hit more durable, have higher stats generally, and require a bit extra thought than common encounters. They’re nonetheless manageable, however they do randomly add a bit extra flavour for many who are in search of a little bit further problem. Oh, and if it is a problem you need, then making an attempt to do 100 jumps in a row is nonetheless arduous.
In phrases of problem, followers of the SNES recreation and RPG veterans do have one thing new to stay up for after the credit roll that is a huge step up from the bottom recreation. While it does not present something near the hardest the style has to supply, it does add a number of further hours and one other layer of pleasure for many who really fall in love with Super Mario RPG.
And we reckon that’ll be lots of individuals with this Switch remake. The 27 years between the Super NES model and its reincarnation have been very form to Super Mario RPG. This is a timeless online game with easy controls, a vibrant forged, and a boatload of humour that’ll have you ever grinning from ear to ear the entire manner via. This remake has been dealt with with love and care which shines via within the attractive new visuals, lovely rearrangements, and simply how shut it’s to the beloved authentic.
Conclusion
Super Mario RPG is right here in all of its bizarre, fantastic glory for a brand new technology to expertise, and units a brand new commonplace for the best way to do a trustworthy remake proper. Delivering a fantastically preserved, pure expertise for followers of the unique and an accessible entry-point for style newcomers, the sport’s infectious appeal, writing, and polished gameplay accomplish that a lot to raise this past what might need been merely a easy RPG starring Mario.
