Super Mario RPG 📽 Through the Lens

📢 THE BEST RPG OF ALL TIME GOT A REMAKE! 📢

The best? Or just my favorite? Let me ask you this - is there a difference? 🤨

What better way to get this series back on the map than to talk about one of my favorite games of all time? Cirmustantionally. Said favorite game got a polished remake this past Fall. And while Nintendo is not known for their remakes. They hit this one out of the park.

Also! The remake is a very faithful remake. So this article will cover both the original game and the new Nintendo Switch version.

And so❗️ In this edition of Through the Lens 🎞, we'll be taking a look at Square's successful collaboration with Nintendo from 1996 and 2023: Super Mario RPG. ◀️

(the original game had the title Legend of the Seven Stars, but they wisely dropped that name for the remake)

Roll it! 📽

🔷 UP TOP 🔶

So. The soundtrack situation with this game is pretty unique. You see, the original soundtrack was legendary. Very well made and one of the best soundtracks on the SNES. However, like most OSTs from that time - it was limited. Naturally for the remake, they would have to remake the soundtrack.

What makes this extra special is that the original composer is doing the remade soundtrack. With a full orchestral score and all the trappings of modern technology. Yes, some of the older tracks were harder to recreate than others. And there are some pieces that are better on the SNES than the Switch. But the effort and thought behind it is still appreciated.

Nintendo also did a boss move by allowing us to switch from the modern tracks to the old at the flip of a button. This is a great feature I wish more remakes incorporated. 💯

_{Composed by the amazing Yoko Shimomura}

The original Super Mario RPG is in my Top 3 favorite games of all time. It came with the SNES my mom and pop bought for me and shaped my gaming taste ever since. It is an amazing game with lots of charm. I played it so much that I found I think every secret and interaction you could find. I am glad this remake is a faithful adaptation through and through. Allowing for modern audiences to experience this absolute gem. 💎

🔷 TITANS 🔶

A collaboration of this scale has not been seen since. Square actually partnering with Nintendo? Madness. But it happened, and the results speak for themselves.

Nintendo brought the IP and Nintendoness, while Square brought their storied RPG experience. A match made in heaven if you ask me. And one of the reasons I never thought this would be remade. I'm glad I was wrong.

While this game never garnered the sales it deserved, its influence is clearly felt throughout the industry's history. What with Geno being a fan-favorite character even to this day. And more importantly, all the subsequent Mario RPG games take heavy cues from it. Games like Super Mario Galaxy would never exist if not for Super Mario RPG.

A classic if there ever was one, and a game worth remaking. 👏

🔷 REMADE 🔶

There was very little rough about the original. It's a solid experience through and through, and one that didn't require many alterations to make it palatable for modern audiences. However, they did end up making some changes that I don't quite agree with. But I don't hate either. 🤷‍♂️

The remake is much easier than the original. Not that the original was a hard game even. Although try telling that to 7-year-old Grocko. 😅

The game's combat plays out in a traditional JRPG turn-based fashion. What makes this interaction different,t is that there are timed hits where you can have a little extra damage to your attacks. In the remake, if you get a frame-perfect timed attack, your attack will splash among the other enemies.

There is also the Battle Guage which is a whole new feature added. Basically allowing you to do a super-duper attack with your party once the gauge is full.

Now did the game really need all these safety breaks? Probably not. Does it affect the game in any meaningful way? Probably not. I think people made a bigger deal out of it than is required. This game is now 'Baby's first JRPG'. And I think that title and purpose is pretty cool. 😁

🔷 LEGACY 🔶

One of the best JRPGs and RPGs of all time. Period, point blank. You might think I am being biased here. But no! I am speaking facts ordained by divine providence. No 🧢 required or intended.

And yes, with the remake, this has become the first JRPG many kids play. And what an introduction. Imagine wanting to play Chrono Trigger (one of the best games of all time period) because you fell in love with the genre through Super Mario RPG. That's a very cool place to be as a game.

An amazing introduction and one I still cannot believe they remade. I am gitty just thinking about it, even now. 😁 I highly recommend you give this a shot if possible. It is a stress-free experience that can only bring you joy.

And yes, there are some very difficult end-game bosses for those of you who want a challenge. But nothing too tough even still. Regardless, it's there, and it's amazing.

A legacy of a JRPG giant. The training wheels of all JRPGs. 😀

Thank you for reading, you rock! (and maybe roll) 👏👏👏

🖼️ Image Sources: 01, 02, 03, 04 🖼️

Shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙

Hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. This game has so many secrets that it has to be played to be enjoyed and appreciated fully. I hope at least one person gives this one a try because of this column. I'll tell you this much, when I have a kid, and they turn 5 - we are playing this game. 😁

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I hope you are having an amazing week! 🙌