Super Mario RPG Review by XCommander
SNES Reviews
Background3.jpg
Super Mario RPG Review

Super Mario RPG, in theory this sounds like a wacky and radical idea.

I mean come on, we have the platforming plumber in, of all things, an RPG. But, when you see the developer, Square, you doubts should be gone, because this is a great game.

Believe it or not, Square actually had a great relationship with Nintendo back in the day. This relationship flourished on the SNES with Square creating the Final Fantasies, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and many other titles. Super Mario RPG represents the apex (and climax) of their relationship. Nintendo actually let Square use their main mascot (Mario), and do what Square did best, create an RPG.

Super Mario RPG, is in essence, a beginner's RPG. In fact, it was my first RPG. In a quick history, I saw the game (more importantly the words ''Super Mario'') when I was about 7 and really wanted, mistakenly taking it for the next Mario platformer. I honestly had no clue what the abbreviation RPG stood for (role-playing game). The battles aren't like the SNES Final Fantasies, which have an active time battle system, but are straight up turn based (much like the NES FF's, or the SaGa series). It has a simple, light-hearted plot, that doesnt get really serious until the absolute end. Actually, simple and light-hearted are two words you could use to describe many parts of the game.

A group artwork featuring Mallow, Mario and Geno

The plot of Super Mario RPG, is not like a Final Fantasy game, nor does it try to be. It all starts with Mario rescuing the Princess from the clutches of the evil Bowser as usual. However, as Mario finally triumphs over Bowser, a strange turn of events take place. A large sword, named Exor, crashes down on Bowser's Keep. It sends Mario, the Princess, and Bowser flying in different directions. From there, Mario's adventure begins. Along the way Mario teams up with Mallow, the fluffy ''frog,'' and Geno, the doll turned real. Mario also, strangely, teams up with his arch-nemesis, Bowser, to get his keep back. There is also a secret character not mentioned in the manual, but I won't spoil who it is for you. The plot involves collecting Star Pieces, fighting the Smithy Gang, going through sewers, fighting Shark pirates, and going to a village filled with monsters. The plot is funny, enjoyable, but still not the main part of the game. However, Square and Nintendo did an excellent job.

Visually, the game shows how excellent the hardware of the SNES can produce graphics. These are quite possibly the greatest graphics on the SNES (along with the Donkey Kong Country series). Although it certainly looks it, I don't believe this is 3D. The characters are just highly detailed sprites. However, that doesn't ruin any of the quality the developers put into these graphics. The graphics are colorful, bright, and just what you'd think Nintendo would make. At the end, in a Factory Area, Square's expertise with dark, gritty graphics comes into play. This blend of contrasts is unique. The backgrounds are photo realistic; the large leaves look real, as does the caves, and town graphics. In battle the graphics look just the same as outside, which is cool. The enemies are animated and look just as nice as the characters. Plus there are some areas of subtle mode-7 effects.

The sound is pretty good in this game with lots of blends of instruments, along with reggae and rock undertones. All the music in the game sounds at least OK, but nowhere as great as some other of Square's SNES works, namely Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger. Though, most of the songs still stick in my head. The ending part sounds excellent, and is easily the best song in the game (notice how I keep describing this end part). The Smithy-Boss Music, Axem Ranger Theme, and the ''mysterious town'' theme are all done excellently. However, some music like Star Hill's theme, the Sunken Ship theme, and the underground theme are long, draining, and quite boring. For sound effects, they have done a great job. Mario's 'boing' sound is excellent. The battle sounds are good, like the Hammer and Jump effects. You can't really ask more for the sound effects, but the music could have been a little better.

Now we get to the ''meat'' of the game, the gameplay, which Square and Nintendo do not disappoint. The walking gameplay is an RPG/Platformer hybrid stlye. You move Mario around, and you can jump with the B button. With the jump, there are platformer elements that cancel out the usually monotonous RPG walking controls.

A Group artwork featuring Exor, Princess Peach and Bowser

To get into a battle, you run into an enemy like the games, Earthbound and Chrono Trigger. There are no random encounters, which is a great benefit considering how they have wrecked games like 7th Saga. In battle, the player has a cross around him with the four face buttons surrounding him. A is attack, X is item, Y is special, and B is other. This also gives a unique feel to this game. As I said before, the game employs a simple, turn-based system. It works, for this game and I have no complaints with the battle.

As in most Square games, there are several mini games thrown in. One example is the mine cart race, which uses the mode-7 graphics effect. The beetle chasing game, which is extremely fun and can get addicting. Their are some minor ones like a river/waterfall one, and a Sky Troopa Race.

I only have a few miscellaneous gripes. For one, the world map is very linear using a map very similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, and well, Super Mario World. However, there are several secret areas, which definitely help it become less linear. Also, it's quite short, but the replay factor is quite big because of secret places and items. But when you beat it all, there's nothing much to come back to. Mallow, the elite of sidekicks!

In conclusion, Super Mario RPG is a great RPG, and an excellent game overall. Some minor gripes with music and others bring the grade down a bit, but this game is definitely deserving of its eight out of ten grade.

Join our free mailing list

Signup for our newsletter to receive updates, game news and information.