Review
Played on: Switch
Released: 2023
Original release: 1996 (SNES)
Back in the 90's, on the Super Nintendo, Squaresoft was a massive developer and publisher of RPGs. Behind critically awarded titles like Final Fantasy 5 & 6, Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana, they sought after appealing further outside the typical RPG customers and age groups.
Back in the 90's, on the Super Nintendo, Squaresoft was a massive developer and publisher of RPGs. Behind critically awarded titles like Final Fantasy 5 & 6, Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana, they sought after appealing further outside the typical RPG customers and age groups.
Nintendo and Squaresoft would team up to make Super Mario RPG. Made in classic Final Fantasy fashion, with turn-based battles and similar gameplay mechanics, while at the same time blending in Super Mario lore and characters.
Although it never made it further than a Japan and USA release in 1996, a late 16-bit release in a world addicted to 3D and 32-bit consoles, Super Mario RPG is regarded as a solid classic. Out of a large amount of possible remake candidates, little would I expect it to be remade and released last year! Super Mario RPG on the Switch is wonderful way to play the original in updated graphics on modern hardware.
Many a year back I tried beginning on the SNES original, but became distracted in other releases. However, this remake inspired me to go back and play its entirety on the Switch. Let’s take a look!
First off, if you’ve never play Super Mario RPG before, it's a friendly and casual approach to old-school Final Fantasy with familiar Mario faces. Surprisingly there’s a lot of Mario spirit blended in, with constant jokes about how good he is to jump, while at the same time they've added in a few characters that feel, without doubt, typical Squaresoft.
Although it never made it further than a Japan and USA release in 1996, a late 16-bit release in a world addicted to 3D and 32-bit consoles, Super Mario RPG is regarded as a solid classic. Out of a large amount of possible remake candidates, little would I expect it to be remade and released last year! Super Mario RPG on the Switch is wonderful way to play the original in updated graphics on modern hardware.
Many a year back I tried beginning on the SNES original, but became distracted in other releases. However, this remake inspired me to go back and play its entirety on the Switch. Let’s take a look!
First off, if you’ve never play Super Mario RPG before, it's a friendly and casual approach to old-school Final Fantasy with familiar Mario faces. Surprisingly there’s a lot of Mario spirit blended in, with constant jokes about how good he is to jump, while at the same time they've added in a few characters that feel, without doubt, typical Squaresoft.
The design of the overworld map and it’s various environment designs within levels ooze Mario lore. Yet, it's the lore from years gone by. Very much a mid-90's Mario vibe, down to the somewhat dwarfed and oddly shaped characters, which go hand in hand with the isometric viewpoint.
The Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Peach, Bowser, various Toad characters and most of the enemies will all bring nostalgic smiles to people's faces. While at the same time Final Fantasy fans will nod familiar to the typical Squaresoft designed characters, Mallow and Geno come to mind, and enemy designs.
What’s incredibly impressive about this remake is how perfectly Nintendo have kept the mid-90s, pre-rendered 3D aesthetic, although this is proper 3D rather than 2D in the original. Back then, this was a CGI inspired art style found in titles like Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct, Vectorman, Clockwork Knights and Sonic 3D Blast. It’s a design style which became popular right before gaming went completely 3D, a neat way of making 2D games look like 3D CGI. Somehow, they’ve translated this particular graphic style perfectly in this remake.
What’s incredibly impressive about this remake is how perfectly Nintendo have kept the mid-90s, pre-rendered 3D aesthetic, although this is proper 3D rather than 2D in the original. Back then, this was a CGI inspired art style found in titles like Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct, Vectorman, Clockwork Knights and Sonic 3D Blast. It’s a design style which became popular right before gaming went completely 3D, a neat way of making 2D games look like 3D CGI. Somehow, they’ve translated this particular graphic style perfectly in this remake.
The story is light-hearted, presented with charming, exciting and funny moments. It has a simple story presentation, with a mute Mario gesturing what he’s trying to explain, overreacting in typical anime fashion. Otherwise, the dialogue is text based with just sound effects filling in character noises here and there. The main plot centres around an evil entity from outer space, called Smithy, who's taken over Bowser's castle, threatening the whole Mushroom Kingdom. Typical friends and foes of the Mario lore need to cooperate to put a stop to Smithy's plans!
I enjoyed the slow, but lenient, difficulty progression. Easing the player into new abilities, areas and harder battles. For each battle you can have three characters active, but you can swap out for two substitutes at any time. All the characters receive XP from all battles, regardless of their participation. Each character has their set of magic attacks, in addition to regular physical hits. Bowser is a typical tank character, dealing lots of damage, same partially goes for Mario. While Peach and Mallow are typical healers, relying on magic attacks rather than physical ones.
Levelling up a character grants you not only more health and damage, but also the ability to choose either a physical, life or magic upgrade. Choosing what suits your characters abilities and usage in battles. Mostly the characters are useful in their own way, but just make sure you have one of the healers available.
During combat controls are menu based, choosing what type of attack you wish to use, with a turn-based system between your characters and the enemies. During actual exploration of areas though, there’s a simplistic movement to controlling Mario. There's a small portion of platforming thrown in and for entertainment value there are a handful of mini-games along the way. Like like barrel rolling down a river, riding a mine cart and running competitions.
Levels are usually on a flat, isometric plane with a little elevation and optional routes to secrets. Indoor locations have the typical black backdrops, instead of proper walls, to depict them. Much like a Final Fantasy title of the same era.
Mario is a simplistic in his movement, he can jump, but some of the rather cumbersome platform elements are a little weak. Luckily, there’s little platforming and the main focus here is interacting with characters, hidden objects and talking to NPCs to progress. Battle is where the main gameplay takes place and it's done in a relaxed turned-based pace.
Added to the remake is a critical hit option you can trigger by hitting the attack button at the exact moment Mario hits his hammer or Bowser swings his ball and chain for instance. Resulting in extra damage dealt. There's also a triple character special move, which relies on successful usage of these critical hits to power up. These special moves depend on which three characters are active in battle, there are a handful of different ones. They are helpful for boss battles to deal massive damage or add protection to your team.
Visually, its a sharp 1080p@60fps presentation with a fantastic, retro inspired, 90's CGI look. It does an excellent job at recreating the original visuals from the SNES release, while at the same time updating it with more colour, detail and effects. There's also some CGI cutscenes added to better illustrate the story and the triple character special moves. Adding visual spice that wasn't possible back in the 16-bit era.
Visually, its a sharp 1080p@60fps presentation with a fantastic, retro inspired, 90's CGI look. It does an excellent job at recreating the original visuals from the SNES release, while at the same time updating it with more colour, detail and effects. There's also some CGI cutscenes added to better illustrate the story and the triple character special moves. Adding visual spice that wasn't possible back in the 16-bit era.
As I never played the original properly I don't recall the music, but it's worth noting that the soundtrack has been reworked by the original composer. I enjoyed it as it sounds like a combination of old-school Mario and Final Fantasy in it's style. Fans of the original can switch the music over to the 16-bit original soundtrack if they prefer it!
I never found my playthrough particularly hard, although I have some experience with Final Fantasy to help me out. Overall, it’s a fairly easy experience on normal, with the exception of some bosses, especially towards the end. Which require tactics and special attacks to beat. If you’re struggling against hard enemies, a quick backtrack to an earlier level, grinding a level or two up, will help a lot. Money is plentiful, allowing you to buy new weapons and gear for your characters in villages as soon as they become available.
It’s been a relaxing and charming playthrough, suitable for the whole family to watch. A wonderful retro remake, much in the same vein as how great the remaster of Zelda: Link's awakening was done, review here.
I never found my playthrough particularly hard, although I have some experience with Final Fantasy to help me out. Overall, it’s a fairly easy experience on normal, with the exception of some bosses, especially towards the end. Which require tactics and special attacks to beat. If you’re struggling against hard enemies, a quick backtrack to an earlier level, grinding a level or two up, will help a lot. Money is plentiful, allowing you to buy new weapons and gear for your characters in villages as soon as they become available.
It’s been a relaxing and charming playthrough, suitable for the whole family to watch. A wonderful retro remake, much in the same vein as how great the remaster of Zelda: Link's awakening was done, review here.
Super Mario RPG offers a unique experience from years gone by, which I personally never thought I'd see a remake of. It’s a great way to play a Mario focused title in a completely different genre with updated graphics and music!
