Back in 1996, this little gem was released for the SNES, and quickly became one of my favorite games of all time.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (its full title) is the result of the only collaboration between Nintendo and Squaresoft (now known as SquareEnix, makers of the Final Fantasy series). And the game bears the marks of both its parent game companies; the rich lore and characters of Nintendo’s Mushroom Kingdom combine with Final Fantasy-style turn-based, RPG combat and mechanics to make a new type of challenge for Mario fans.
The Story in a Nutshell
The first few minutes of gameplay seem more like the end of a traditional Mario game–you fight Bowser to rescue Princess Toadstool. But, just as you’re about to rescue Toadstool, why, a giant sword comes crashing through the heavens (screwing up the Star Road in the process). It stabs down into Bowser’s castle, and the resulting explosion scatters Mario, Toadstool, and Bowser to various places in the world.
The new challenge: defeat Smithy, the bad guy who just threw Bowser out of his own castle with a larger-than-life sword.
Characters Old and New
Besides Mario and Princess Toadstool, there are some old familiar faces and completely new characters in SMRPG…but the story takes a few surprising turns concerning its characters.
For instance, Bowser actually becomes an ally in the fight against Smithy (a move that was revolutionary for its day).
Another ally comes all the way from the Star Road (as basically an angel) to help Mario and his friends. The spirit, ♥ ♪ !?, chooses to occupy the form of a little clown doll named “Geno,” and takes on the doll’s name since his real name is “hard to pronounce.” LOL!
Along with Bowser and Geno, you get Mallow, a little guy with weather powers who looks like a little puff of cloud (for good reason–you’ll find out why later in the game), and Princess Toadstool.
This was the first non-racing game I recall that had Toadstool as a playable character, which is one big reason this is a favorite game of mine. I love that she is the primary “healer” in this game, with her “Group Hug” group-healing power, and her resurrect power, “Come Back.” (I also love the fact that she can whack baddies with a Frying Pan if you know where to find it! :P)
Side Quests and Humor Galore
This game is both challenging and entertaining, rich with both non-essential content and story events that are downright funny. For example:
As part of the story, you have to rescue Toadstool from being forcibly married to Booster, who is pretty much a more playful, inept, and silly version of Bowser. This clip, showing part of the “wedding” ceremony, has some of the funniest dialogue and actions in the whole game.
Your forays into the second major area of the game, “Pond to Pipes,” take you down the Kero Sewers and out into a river course called the Midas River, so named because it can make you rich if you know how to play it right. Precise control over Mario (and good reflexes/timing) are key, but you don’t have to do the course perfectly to get through the area. (You can come back and play the Midas River course over and over again if you want, as well!)
One of the boss battles you’ll face is with a group called the Axem Rangers, who are thinly-veiled references to the Power Rangers. ’90s TV allusion, ahoy! This boss battle is fraught with snicker-worthy dialogue and posturing, even as it challenges you to think strategically.
The music nerd in me still delights in the musical side available in Tadpole Pond (just beyond Midas River). You can compose and play a melody using a still pond and tadpoles for the notes! (Also, if you gather certain melodies from around the game and play them here, the composer Toadofsky will gift you with various access cards to Tadpole Pond’s “Juice Bar,” which provides several team-boosting items.)
You can also visit Yoshi’s Island and hang out with Yoshi and all his pals. (Plus, you can compete with Yoshi in the island races to get Yoshi Cookies, which are great to use when you’re in combat and need an emergency boost!)
Don’t miss the fun cameos and references to other Nintendo games hidden within SMRPG. For instance, Link and Samus appear at various points in the game, as this video demonstrates. 🙂
A Few Special Areas Within the Game
The various towns and zones in SMRPG are well-crafted and provide rest and refueling opportunities, as well as furthering the main story and some side quests. (Seaside Town is a great one-stop shop, for instance, while Marrymore provides a luxury resort experience–try the Deluxe Suite in the Hotel to see what I mean!)
One of my favorite areas in the game, however, is Monstro Town, a town that’s literally a small group of reformed bad guys. I love the kitsch of this place–who would have thought that bad guys could reform, and that they’d make this cute little settlement?
Because the reformed baddies fear overly aggressive retribution for their crimes and want to live quietly, Monstro Town is quite difficult to get into; you have to solve a difficult desert puzzle to even get to the underground entrance. But it’s definitely worth the visit, as you’ll see!
Challenges and Puzzles for the Truly Fearless
SMRPG also has a few non-essential boss battles and puzzles, which are worth the look even if you choose not to complete them.
Jinx, who runs the dojo in Monstro Town, is a great side-quest boss to tackle. He’s difficult to defeat, but if you manage it, you’ll get the Jinx Belt–an accessory that prevents instant death. VERY handy for later battles!
This video shows you how to get the Lazy Shell Armor and Weapon, which are nearly essential for beating Smithy at the last. (By the way, the pair of items do not have to be used together; actually, you’re better off equipping Toadstool with the Armor to make her an almost unkillable healer!)
Also in Monstro Town, you can find a challenge hidden behind a sealed door–a monster only known as Culex. The resulting battle is easily the most difficult in the whole game (and I’m including Smithy’s battles in this estimation!).
Secrets, Hacks, and Amazing Stunts
This video covers a few secrets within the game (Forest Maze Treasure, how to get the Ghost Medal, what the B’Tub ring is for, and how to beat Culex).
An old favorite video of mine, this demonstrates the hilarious results of SMRPG ROM hacks. xD
And finally, for your viewing pleasure: soloing Smithy (the final boss) with Toadstool. Never thought this could be done till I saw this video. WOW.
To Play Super Mario RPG
The game is available through the Wii Virtual Console as well as through the SNES itself. It’s well worth the time to play through–it’s a wonderful, original storyline which takes our old favorite characters in new directions, and introduces us to Mario’s wider world, too.