Summary
No one really expectedSuper Mario RPGto be as big as it was when it first launched back in 1996. Mario was known for platformers, so taking him to the RPG genre seemed like an extremely risky endeavor. Luckily, it seemed to have paid off immensely for the studio as it was met with critical acclaim and would go on to spawn even more RPG adventures. That success is why fans had been clamoring forSuper Mario RPGto return for years, and now that it has, it has once again reminded players why the RPG model works.
Not only didSuper Mario RPGshow audiences that a Mario RPG works, but also that the character could fit into almost any genre. Even though he may have been a platforming mascot, he was not tied down by what came before, and Nintendo has tossed him into all sorts of unfamiliar genres ever since. One of the most notable recent ones came in the form of the turn-based strategy gameMario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. What seemed like an odd idea at first ended up being a massive hit, but withoutSuper Mario RPGit might never have happened.
Super Mario RPG Showed Audiences Mario Can Work In Anything
Super Mario RPG Broke New Ground
WhileSuper Mario RPGmay not have been the first non-platformer that Mario starred in, it may have been one of the riskiest ones. At first glance, it really does not seem like Mario would fit inaFinal Fantasy-like game. His cast of characters may work well in platformers and various other sports games. However, that does not mean they necessarily fit into an RPG model. But Nintendo showed audiences just why it was the perfect genre for the character,
Super Mario RPGhas brought players on another fun-filled adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom that fans of the franchise will not soon forget. There is a reason that fans had been clamoring for it to return for years, and now that it has, players are falling in love with it all over again. It just feels like the perfect match, which is also why Nintendo released similar experiences withPaper MarioandMario & Luigi. And without it, the studio might never have tried molding them into another unique genre.
Mario + Rabbids Broke it Even Further
WhenMario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battlewas first announced, fans were a bit skeptical that it could work. Mario did not reallyseem like theXCOMtypeand crossing him over with the Rabbids seemed like a strange idea. What made it even stranger was the fact that Nintendo was actually giving Mario a gun, which was unheard of. However, it also seemed to have paid off as it kick-started a brand-new subseries for the studio.
While Nintendo seems to have mostlyplayed it safe with the Mario brandin the last couple of years,Mario + Rabbidsfelt like a massive departure for the studio. It came out of nowhere and delivered an experience that fans really did not expect. Just like withSuper Mario RPGbefore it, it showed just how flexible the Mario cast is. Because both experiments paid off, there will likely be even more games like that.
SinceSuper Mario RPGshowed audiences that Mario can fit into almost anything, it did not seem out-of-this-world for the studio to attemptMario + Rabbidsas well. And since both games seemed to be successful, there will likely be even more unlikely combinations like it. This approach has led to an extremely unique and diverse franchise, which has definitely helped it become as big as it is.
Super Mario RPG
WHERE TO PLAY
Set out on a classic Mario adventure: Enter—or revisit—a world of whimsy with Mario on a quest to repair Star Road and defeat the troublemaking Smithy Gang. Team up with a party of unlikely allies, like the monstrous Bowser and a mysterious doll named Geno, in a story-rich RPG packed with laughs and quirky characters.A strange party unites to save Star Road: Meet the team of oddballs setting out to thwart the troublesome Smithy Gang and protect everyone’s wishes. Even Bowser is lending a claw!Take it easy with Breezy Difficulty Mode: Players new to RPGs or who want a story-focused experience can use the new Breezy difficulty, which makes battles easier and leveling up faster. You can set the difficulty at any time if you change your mind.Adventure, battle, and traverse across a colorful world: Jump towards your next goal and continue the story. Run into monsters to enter turn-based battles with your party of three. Master the new Chain and Triple Moves system to claim victory.A delightfully reimagined world: Enjoy familiar sights with colorfully enhanced graphics and spiffy upgrades.
