Mario RPG: A Primer

Released in 1996 Super Mario RPG might be the best game to ever come out for the SNES. I'd argue its the second best but we dont have time to talk about Mario World 2 right now. RPG was created by both Nintendo and Square as a combination of the famous Nintendo characters and the gameplay and style made famous by Square in such games as Chrono Trigger and the early Final Fantasies.

It was a complete overhaul of the Mario franchise: gone were the days of sidescrolling mario saving 2D Toadstool, now there was possibly the first ever 3D rendered Mario going through an up and down world, talking to townspeople, teaming up with Bowser and saving Princess Peach. Luigi was presumably MIA.

Like any other RPG the player could form his or her party to battle against foes in turn based combat. Bowser and Peach (or maybe it was still Toadstool) along with two new characters (probably Square characters) called Geno and Mallow. The first looks like an odd Italian magician while the other looks like a marshmallow or a cloud. Honestly it's kinda complicated. I'm sure there was a lot of thinking being done and a lot of weed being smoked. It should be noted that this is probably the first time Bowser is portrayed as a charismatic, if flawed, figure instead of an all out villain, this theme would continue in later games.

The bad guy is some crazy sword or something who runs the "Smithy Gang". I have no idea what this means but its definitely a poor choice of words. It reminds me of a smodcast. The group then walks around solving numerous puzzles, playing multiple mini games, gaining experience, talking to townspeople, gathering items and fighting enemies. You know like in those other RPG's of the time.

The graphics were fucking 3D renders! the gameplay smooth, the story innovative. In short it was a nice effort by both companies. The game did not have a sequel but there were numerous Mario RPG games released afterwards. Though they may be more imaginative and better graphically Super Mario RPG is still a worthy predecessor.

So what is all this about? well I wanted to get a copy of the game to review and reminisce. I have very special memories of this game and was curious to see if these memories were romanticized or justified. The problem is a copy for the SNES can run you about $50 on eBay, or more. So what's the alternative? the Wii virtual console. For about $8 the game is now ready to go on the
Wii, I've started playing it and will have a report up some day. But this was part 1, the primer if you will, hopefully the second part will be up soon.