Super Mario RPG Remake Review: A Magical Adventure Carefully Reimagined

In 2023, the Super Mario Bros. franchise experienced a remarkable year, characterized by the release of an animated film and a new highly praised 2D video game, proving that the beloved plumber continues producing endless entertainment. Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch returned a favorite piece to complement the old-school hype of the movie and the Super Mario Wonder excitement, resulting in the ambitious Super Mario RPG remake. Overall, this renewed adventure blends the timeless elements of the Mushroom Kingdom with the cherished role-playing game formula from Square Enix. Yet, amidst the modern gaming landscape of 2023, many retro gamers wonder if revisiting this time-honored gem holds its worth.

After all, nearly three decades have flown since Squaresoft (now Square Enix) and Nintendo collaborated, birthing a tale and characters that captured thousands of players’ hearts on the SNES. In the past, this cherished title was left dormant in the archives, and following the split with Square Enix, Nintendo decided to craft spiritual sequels like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, trying to take the whole torch in the realm of role-playing games. However, this new Super Mario RPG remake gives the younger players (and those who missed out on the original release) an outstanding chance to immerse in a completely different Mushroom Kingdom, taking advantage of Nintendo Switch’s console for some critical changes but preserving the unique essence that characterized the original game in 1996.

Super Mario RPG is available on the Nintendo Switch for $59.99.

Story: Simple but Engaging

The tale of Super Mario RPG begins with the well-known quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser’s claws. Yet, under unexpected circumstances, a sinister force known as the Smithy Gang disrupts the usual rescue mission and invades Bowser’s Castle.

Depicted by a colossal sword with a threatening face, Smithy Gang concludes the attack by fracturing the celestial Star Road into seven shards. Then, at the end of this whirlwind of chaos, Mario, Peach, and even Bowser are flung in separate and mysterious directions.

As soon as Mario recovers, he learns that rescuing Peach might not be the only challenge this time; after all, he seems to be the only hope to mend the Star Road, which is basically a celestial pathway that holds the power to fulfill people’s deepest desires. Failure to restore it promptly could lead to massive catastrophes and despair.

Therefore, our protagonist embarks on his quest, accompanied by a promising cast of allies, including fresh new faces like Mallow and Geno, alongside unanticipated old-school colleagues like Bowser and even Princess Peach.

In the end, this eclectic group embraces the collective missions of retrieving the scattered star fragments and stopping the Smithy Gang’s machinations.

The prologue in the game rivals the epicness of the original

Spanning approximately 15 hours to traverse its main storyline, the game brims with humor, unforeseen partnerships, and occasional last-minute twists that keep players engaged.

Overall, the whole plot for the remake remains faithful to the 90s story. However, the improved alterations allow nostalgic players to delve into the narrative they hold dear.

The visual story unfolds through stunning cinematics, intricately complemented by subtitles to refine the players’ imagined scenarios from the classic SNES piece.

By itself, this remake boasts a straightforward yet engaging storyline that sets a clear objective immediately. While it does not rely heavily on unexpected twists to impress, its compelling simplicity provides a steady narrative throughout the gameplay hours.

Also, as a loyal reminder of the original game, the Super Mario RPG remake maintains diverse mini-games revived to offer valuable rewards during the adventure.

Gameplay: The Precise Addiction of Combat in Super Mario RPG

Since its first appearance on the SNES console, Super Mario RPG has long been recognized for its turn-based combat system, which features the freedom to select two different companions for Mario in each battle. Then, victory relies on your strategy to use the characters and their distinctive abilities, frequently attached to magic points for execution.

Of course, this 2023 remake enhances these core aspects and introduces further elements for upgraded enjoyment. One such addition is a progressing bar during battles, and when it reaches its peak, it unlocks a special move for the three characters during the combat.

However, mastering this combo demands dedication and practice, hinging on the player’s finesse during each encounter. Success depends on two crucial factors: executing attacks skillfully and precise timing for defense or offense.

In other words, preemptively pressing certain buttons before landing a strike or shielding against an enemy’s attack significantly alters the power of the damage, offering the chance for more devastating or mitigated outcomes.

Accurate timing is crucial for winning boss battles

Also, while post-completion challenges exist—such as the option to face tougher versions of certain bosses—there is a shortage of fresh or additional content beyond that scope.

Unfortunately, after a certain level of mastery is reached on these implementations, the game’s difficulty might turn plain, causing it to be relatively easy to beat.

The Super Mario RPG remake also introduces a new map navigation method, seamlessly connecting all the levels for a more cohesive experience. So, instead of dividing them by regions, this approach allows players to appreciate levels fully.

Even while exploring a particular stage, you can swiftly exit the map by accessing the corresponding menu section, eliminating the need to backtrack through the entire route.

In addition, a new album section records details of every enemy encountered. This diary-style feature allows players to revisit crucial moments of their adventure, listen to the game’s music, and review gameplay statistics. It is an excellent addition for those seeking a soothing break and casual distraction.

Graphics & Audio: Revamped Visual Splendor and Harmonized Melodies

Without question, the outstanding transformation in this remake lies in its enhanced yet familiar 3D modeling. At this point, Nintendo and Square Enix wisely decided to retain the charming “chibi” appearance of the characters as seen in the 90s game, now seamlessly integrated with more natural motions for Mario and his friends.

Overall, the environments and stages also had a special treatment, maintaining the appearance of a miniature diorama with 3D and 2D elements mixed smoothly for the player to enjoy and explore different paths properly.

Regrettably, there are occasional framerate drops in various areas. While this issue does not significantly affect the gaming experience, these drops are noticeable in different battle scenarios. For the most demanding players, the problem could stand out in particular boss encounters when focusing is significant, considering the game does not demand high graphical power.

Finally, the classic soundtrack and the musical elements remain a true delight. Yoko Shimomura’s original compositions for the 90s game receive an extraordinary reinterpretation in this remake that beautifully accompanies Mario’s adventure.

As a fun fact for those who prefer the classic tunes, a dedicated section allows the player to seamlessly switch between the original music and the remastered tracks at any moment during gameplay.