It’s no secret to deny and confess that the Super Mario RPG landscape has always been one with which fans and general audiences have felt a sense of comfort and distinction. The question and value of the term ‘remake’ bear the value of whether the proposed title is worth the redevelopment of assigning a new team tasked with respecting the past while making timeless perfection feel unique in a modern-day landscape.

Fans Waited for Years

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Bringing back Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, a diamond in the rough among the legendary SNES(Super Nintendo) collection, is a testament to Nintendo’s continued excellence in the gaming landscape. The masterpiece was one that fans yearned for a remake and set out on countless petitions, fan speculations, and overwhelming rallies of support. And why you would ask?

It’s simple due to the impressive game design and availability rarity. For instance, before last year, the only way to play this Mario escapade was to find an emulator and pay a ludicrous amount. Still, like always, Nintendo listened as an official Switch HD remake dropped to the triumphant tune of $59.99 last year on November 17th, 2023. Super Mario RPG was officially back. 

Super Mario RPG Set the Foundation for what Came After

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The game’s unique features set it apart, from the turn-based style combat to the witty charm of the on-screen humor and the zany antics of the mushroom kingdom’s reality. From that point forward, Mario’s appeal to the general public drastically increased. Fans were at the nexus of deciding which variation and style of play they wanted to find comfort in. The plumber’s value never diminished, as the line between 2D and 3D platformers and the occasional Super Mario RPG adventure would start to appear within the legacy and guidance of Nintendo. 

Most notably, Paper Mario and Super Mario 64 arrived on the N64, both critical successes, which helped blossom ripe opportunities for subsequent titles began to manifest. Such as the magnum Opus Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door, which many still feel is the best of the franchise, and the late great Alpha Dream studio’s Mario and Luigi series, which resided the majority of its life among the plethora of Nintendo handhelds. All of these felt to be engraved and spiritual successors at the core of the Mario RPG. 

Each title brought something new to the RPG genre: fresh characters, unique battles, innovative AI, and creative avenues. Even though the execution and formula were a bit simple, the experience and Mario fanfare kept many coming back for each adventure. It wasn’t just the formulaic Bowser kidnaps Peach; instead, actual villains and tangible antagonists served a purpose to the plot.

It was a shocking confession for many who were glued and conditioned to the Mario standard. They were a bit confused when you got ‘flower points,’ which were used as unique ability points, actual turn-style battles, and the inclusion of badges, acting as equipment and accessory to help create the Mario the player wanted. This showed a variety of ingenuity that not every playthrough would be the same. 

Respect the Past, Embrace the Future

Now think back on the moment why Nintendo decided to remake such titles as Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, a gem hidden cast away to the Gameboy Advance, or Bowsers Inside Story. All serialized in the side chapter of the Mario lore, only to be resurrected on the 3DS, along with a new story with the highly anticipated Mario and Luigi: Brothership coming to the Switch later this year. Even better, Thousand Year Door was given quality-of-life updates and HD improvements on the Switch, which cement why the game is still a bonafide masterpiece. 

Of course, the question overall is centered around why reintroducing Super Mario RPG titles to a modern audience defines the legacy of taking a chance and examining what makes the Mario franchise work. In a way, the confession is simple: the genius of enjoyment and the reminder and familiarity of the euphoria we all possess. 

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