Super Mario RPG

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
North American box art, depicting (from left to right) Exor, Bowser, Princess Toadstool, and Mario
Developer(s)Square
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)
Producer(s)Shigeru Miyamoto
Programmer(s)Fumiaki Fukaya
Artist(s)
  • Hideo Minaba
  • Kiyofumi Kato
  • Yuko Hatae
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura
SeriesMario
Platform(s)Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release
  • JP: March 9, 1996
  • NA: May 13, 1996
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[a] is a 1996 role-playing game developed by Square and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).[b] It was the final Mario game published for the SNES. The game was directed by Chihiro Fujioka and Yoshihiko Maekawa, produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, and scored by Yoko Shimomura.

Super Mario RPG's story focuses on Mario and his friends as they seek to defeat the Smithy Gang, who have crashed into their world and scattered the seven star pieces of Star Road. It is the first RPG in the Mario franchise, drawing from major elements of Square's RPG franchises such as Final Fantasy. The main form of fighting enemies is turn-based combat with a party of up to three characters. It is also the first game in the Mario franchise to have gameplay within an isometric 3D environment, allowing for a new variety of the exploration and platforming elements reminiscent of the Super Mario series.

Super Mario RPG was critically acclaimed, and particularly praised for its humor and 3D-rendered graphics. It was the inspiration for Nintendo's other role-playing series, Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, and both are spiritual successors which retain some gameplay elements.

The game was released on the Wii Virtual Console service in 2008, marking its debut in Europe and Australia, and later for the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2015. It was also included with the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017.

A remake developed by ArtePiazza for the Nintendo Switch was released worldwide on November 17, 2023, and received positive reviews from critics.

Gameplay[edit]

Horizontal
Mario in a battle against enemy Terrapins in the Bowser's Keep level

Super Mario RPG contains token similarities to other Square-developed video games, such as the Final Fantasy series, along with a story and gameplay based on the Super Mario Bros. series of platform games.[1] Like most traditional JRPGs, the two main sections of the game are adventuring and turn-based battle sequences. Much of Super Mario RPG's gameplay is outside monster battles and plays like an isometric 3D platformer, in which traditional Mario elements such as punching floating question blocks from below are prominent. There are no random encounters and as such enemies are visible in the field; a battle ensues only if Mario comes in contact with one. This allows the player to evade unnecessary battles.[2]

The player's party initially begins with only Mario and grows to five characters. Mario and up to two other members participate in battles, who can be swapped in and out while the player explores the overworld. Each of the five characters has a unique set of attacks and techniques. For example, Princess Toadstool's abilities are primarily healing techniques, whereas Geno and Bowser have offensive attacks that deal high amounts of damage. The combat is based on a traditional turn-based battle system with the addition of action commands that amplify a move's effects. The player starts each turn by choosing to attack, defend, run, use an item, or perform magic from the combat menu.[3] The action command consists of timed button presses during an attack, special move, defense, or item usage, which became a mainstay of later Mario RPGs.[2]

Story[edit]

Characters and setting[edit]

The game world is set in a geographically diverse land, which includes mountains, forests, and bodies of water. Each region has distinct characteristics held by its inhabitants; Mushroom Kingdom is inhabited by Toads, Moleville is inhabited by moles, Monstro Town is populated by reformed monsters, Yo'ster Isle is where Yoshi and his eponymous species reside, and Nimbus Land is an area inhabited by cloud people. Bowser's Castle is another prominent location in the game, as it holds the portal to the Smithy Gang's homeworld.

As in most Super Mario games, the main protagonist is Mario, whose initial goal is to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. Soon after the start of his journey, the Smithy Gang, the main antagonists of the game, invades Mario's world. While attempting to stop the group, Mario is joined by Mallow, a cloud boy who thinks he is a tadpole; Geno, a doll possessed by a celestial spirit from the Star Road; Bowser, whose armies have deserted him out of fear of the Smithy Gang; and Princess Toadstool, who was lost in the turmoil that occurred when the Smithy Gang arrived. The Smithy Gang is led by Smithy, a robotic blacksmith from another world with aspirations of world domination.[4]

Plot[edit]

One day, Mario sets out once again to rescue Princess Toadstool from King Bowser at his castle.[2] During their battle, a giant living sword named Exor falls from the sky, breaks through the Star Road (a pathway that helps grant people's wishes), and crashes into Bowser's castle,[2] sending Mario, Princess Toadstool, and Bowser flying in different directions, as well as scattering the seven-star fragments. Mario lands back at his pad and meets up with Toad, who tells him he has to rescue Toadstool. Mario returns to Bowser's castle, but Exor destroys the bridge, preventing him from entering.[5] Mario makes his way to the Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario encounters a "tadpole" named Mallow who has set out to retrieve a frog coin taken by the local thief Croco.[6] After Mario helps him retrieve the frog coin, they return to the Mushroom Kingdom to find that it is overrun by the Smithy Gang, followers of the evil robotic blacksmith king named Smithy. Mario and Mallow enter the castle to defeat their lieutenant, Mack,[7] and subsequently find a mysterious Star Piece. Mallow accompanies Mario to Tadpole Pond so they can get advice from Frogfucius, Mallow's grandfather. He reveals that Mallow is not really a tadpole, and says Mallow should join Mario on a quest to find the seven Star Pieces as well as Mallow's real parents.

The duo travel to Rose Town where they meet a star spirit who has animated and taken control of a wooden doll named Geno. After battling the bow-like creature Bowyer, who is immobilizing residents of Rose Town with his arrows, they retrieve another Star Piece. Geno joins Mario and reveals to him the Star Piece is a part of the shattered Star Road, where he normally resides. Geno has been tasked with repairing the Star Road and defeating Smithy, so that the world's wishes may again be heard.[8] The trio retrieve the third star piece then head to Booster Tower, the home of the eccentric amusement-venue owner, Booster, where they encounter Bowser, whose minions have all deserted him. Bowser reluctantly asks Mario to help him to reclaim his castle; Mario agrees, allowing Bowser to save face by pretending he is joining the Koopa Troop, and Bowser joins the party. The new team intercepts Princess Toadstool just before she is forcibly married to Booster, but it turns out that the wedding wasn't real; Booster, having no idea what a marriage actually is, just thought it was a fun party and abruptly returns home after devouring the cake.[9]

After her rescue, the princess returns home to Mushroom Kingdom only to then decide to join the party while her grandmother takes her place in disguise.[10] After recovering two more star pieces, they search Nimbus Land. A statue maker, Gazzo, informs them that Valentina has the rulers of Nimbus Land being held captive, and her sidekick Dodo is impersonating the prince so he can make Valentina queen. Gazzo recognizes Mallow as the true prince, then disguises Mario as a statue to infiltrate the castle. There they defeat Valentina and Dodo and liberate Mallow’s parents, the King and Queen.

After traveling to Barrel Volcano to obtain the sixth Star Piece, Mario's party learns that the final piece must be held by Smithy in Bowser's castle.[11] They battle their way through the assembled enemies to enter the castle, where they discover that Exor is actually a gateway to Smithy's factory, the place where Smithy mass-produces his army.[12] Mario and company cross over, find the heart of the factory, and defeat Smithy, thereby stopping his army creation and causing Exor to disappear. The collected Star Pieces are used to repair the Star Road, Geno returns to the Star Road, Bowser rebuilds his castle with his newly reformed army, Mallow regains his rightful title as prince of Nimbus Land, and Mario and Princess Toadstool return to the Mushroom Kingdom to celebrate their victory.[13]

Development[edit]

According to Yoshio Hongo of Nintendo, Super Mario RPG came out of Shigeru Miyamoto's desire to make an RPG game using Mario, plus Square's desire to develop an RPG that could do better outside of Japan than their previous games.[14] Development began in early 1994 after a business meeting between Nintendo and Square. The first phase was spent on deciding a basic system, while the isometric view was chosen to help bring the world to life. To help the game fit with the Mario series, it was made to be more action- and movement-focused compared to Square's other RPGs. Development began in earnest during the second quarter of 1995, when the programming, story events, and graphics data were being implemented.[15][16]

The game was officially unveiled by both Mario creator and producer Shigeru Miyamoto and co-director Chihiro Fujioka at the 1995 V-Jump Festival event in Japan. Miyamoto led teams at Nintendo and Square, who spent over a year developing the graphics.[17] The story takes place in a newly rendered Mushroom Kingdom based on the Super Mario Bros. series. Square reported that the game was about 70% complete in October 1995. The developers created the interior elements such as columns, stairways, and exterior elements with advanced computer modeling techniques. Special lighting effects were used to create shadows and reflections that were meant to improve the 3D elements.[18][19] Shinya Takahashi, who would later become head of Nintendo SPD and Nintendo EPD, designed the game's CG models.[20] With guidance from Miyamoto, Square developed the game, combining role-playing aspects of previous Square games like Final Fantasy VI with the platforming elements of Nintendo's games. Square's Final Fantasy series was the model for the battle sequences, while the tradition of Super Mario Bros. games demanded a lot of action. Mario's ability to jog in eight directions and jump up or down in a three–quarter perspective gave him a (comparatively) large range of motion. At 70% completion, the mix of adventure and action gameplay elements placed it in a category closer to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.[19]

When Nintendo of America received a 60% complete version in November, the staff were surprised at the inclusion of an RPG battle system. The battle screens, using pre-rendered sprites as in the rest of the game, included attack animations of equipped weapons.[21] In December, further development and improvements to the gameplay delayed the translation of the game.[22] For example, the Chancellor, who was named the Mushroom Retainer in Japan,[19] was called the "Minister" in North America.[22] Plans continued through February for the North American version,[22] changing the release date forecast from winter to spring.[19][23][24]

The game's soundtrack was composed by Yoko Shimomura, who incorporated arrangements of music by Koji Kondo from Super Mario Bros., and three tracks by Nobuo Uematsu from Final Fantasy IV. She regards the Super Mario RPG score as one of the turning points in her career.[25] On March 25, 1996, NTT Publishing released a two-disc soundtrack album, Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version.[26]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is one of only seven SNES games released outside Japan to use the Nintendo SA-1 chip. Compared with standard SNES games, the additional microprocessor allows these features: higher clock speeds; faster access to the random-access memory (RAM); greater memory mapping capabilities, data storage, and compression; new direct memory access (DMA) modes, such as bitmap to bit plane transfer; and built-in CIC lockout for piracy protection and regional marketing control.[27] It was not released in the PAL region; Nintendo representatives cited the need to optimize the game for PAL televisions and translate it into multiple languages.[14]

Release[edit]

In Japan, Super Mario RPG sold 1.47 million copies, making it the third highest-selling game in Japan in 1996.[28] Its sales in the United States surpassed Nintendo's expectations. For the release in the middle of May 1996, Nintendo shipped 300,000 copies to retailers; Nintendo estimated sell-through of more than 200,000 units within one month on shelves. A company representative said that it was "on track to easily exceed our 500,000 target, and it may easily become a one million seller by the end of this calendar year".[29] By August 24, it had been the most-rented game in the United States for 14 weeks straight.[30] It became the sixth-best-selling game of 1996 in the United States.[31]

Super Mario RPG was the last SNES game released by Square in America, with Treasure of the Rudras and Treasure Hunter G as the last games released in Japan.[32] Super Mario RPG was released on Virtual Console for Wii in Japan on June 24, 2008.[33] It was released for the first time in Europe and Australia on August 22, 2008 on Virtual Console for Wii, as part of the third Hanabi Festival[34][35] (a period in which several games not previously available in Europe are released on the Wii's Virtual Console).[36] It was released on Virtual Console for Wii in North America on September 1, 2008, with the distinction of being the 250th Virtual Console game released in that region.[37] Super Mario RPG was released on Virtual Console for Wii U in Japan on August 5, 2015,[38] in Europe and Australia on December 24, 2015, and in North America on June 30, 2016.[39][40][41] It was also packed into the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017.[42] A remake for Nintendo Switch was released worldwide on November 17, 2023.

Remake[edit]

Super Mario RPG
Developer(s)ArtePiazza
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Ayako Moriwaki
Producer(s)
  • Hiroyuki Miura
  • Toyokazu Nonaka
  • Shinya Saito
Designer(s)Sachiko Sugimura
Programmer(s)Kaoru Koga
Artist(s)
  • Shintaro Majima
  • Takeshi Tateishi
Writer(s)Taro Kudo
Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
ReleaseNovember 17, 2023
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

A remake of Super Mario RPG was announced for the Nintendo Switch in June 2023 and released on November 17, 2023.[43] It was developed in the Unity engine by ArtePiazza, which had previously worked on games in Square Enix's Dragon Quest series.[44] It features full 3D graphics, updated character and enemy names, with Princess Toadstool being called Princess Peach to reflect her modern nomenclature and Frogfucius being renamed Frog Sage, and the option to switch between the original music and a newly arranged soundtrack by Shimomura.[45][46][47] New battle mechanics include the ability to damage all enemies when performing perfect action commands, and powerful team-specific "triple moves" performed after building a gauge using successful action commands.[48] Other additions include an easier difficulty setting, a bestiary to view enemies the player has encountered, and post-game content, including a sound player and more difficult boss rematches.[46][49]

According to the review aggregrator Metacritic, it received "generally favorable reviews",[50] and 96% of critics recommend it on OpenCritic.[51]

Reception[edit]

Super Mario RPG received positive reviews. Though its battle system and characters were criticized by a few critics, it garnered praise for its graphics and for humor in particular. Nintendo Power's review commented that the "excellent" 3D graphics helped the game appeal to a much wider audience than most traditional RPGs. In March 1997, Nintendo Power nominated the game for several awards, including "Best Graphics", in a player's choice contest,[65] though Super Mario 64 won "Best Graphics".[66] Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the graphics, stating that they are "the best seen on the Super NES".[67] Scary Larry of GamePro gave the game a perfect 5/5 in all four categories (graphics, sound, control, and fun factor), and praised the rendered enemies, cinematics, and spell animations.[68]

1UP.com stated that the graphic element is "strong enough to resemble a Mario title but still retains the role-playing theme at the same time",[53] and Electronic Gaming Monthly commented that the visuals are "typical of Nintendo, using clean and colorful graphics along with nice animation".[67] RPGamer editor Derek Cavin called the backgrounds "beautiful" and stated that they "perfectly bring the Mushroom Kingdom and surrounding areas into 3D".[61] Skyler Miller from Allgame stated that the graphics are "absolutely outstanding, with colorful, 3D rendered visuals that once seemed impossible on the Super NES. This is definitely the high watermark for 3D graphics on any 16-bit system". The editor also called the music "quite extraordinary" and that the songs "match the mood of the surrounding environment".[54] In the Virtual Console re-release, IGN's Lucas Thomas's review of Super Mario RPG stated that the game's experience "completes itself with a compelling story, a humorous attitude and a variety of interspersed mini-games that break up the adventuring action". The publication also stated that the soundtrack is "spectacular and a joy to listen to" and the graphics "took full advantage of the system's 16-bit technology and looks great".[2]

Cavin said that most of the battle system mechanics "aren't very original" and also criticized the "lack of a unified storyline".[61] In contrast, a reviewer for Next Generation found that the battle system refreshingly differed from tradition, and was pleased that "the elements that stand out from the traditional formula are those that make this a recognizable Mario game." He wrote that the gameplay was complex enough to challenge even veteran RPG gamers, yet simple enough to not alienate newcomers to the genre.[60] Scary Larry similarly said the game "should please diehard RPG fans as well as novice players", as it is genuinely tough and offers considerable replay value in the form of sidequests and bonus features such as Toadofsky's music levels. He also found Squaresoft's signature humor and puzzle-solving to be as exceptional as usual.[68] Miller commented that after engaging in many battles, "the battle music becomes monotonous" and that after the game is beaten, "There aren't any surprises to be discovered the second time around".[54] While 1UP.com wrote that the characters were "too childish for older gamers",[69] Next Generation said the game is "held together by the strength of its characters and well-developed world".[60]

In 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine ranked the game 34th on a list of greatest Nintendo games.[70] Electronic Gaming Monthly editors named Super Mario RPG a runner-up for both Super NES Game of the Year (behind Tetris Attack) and Role-Playing Game of the Year (behind Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain).[71] In 2018, Complex ranked the game 8th on their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time."[72] In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their "Best JRPGs of All Time" list.[73]

Legacy[edit]

Super Mario RPG appeared on reader-selected "best game of all time" lists, such as 30th at IGN,[74] and critic-selected "best games of all time" lists, such as 26th in Electronic Gaming Monthly.[75]

Super Mario RPG does not have a direct sequel but it established conventions for its thematic and spiritual successors, the Paper Mario series and Mario & Luigi series. Nintendo originally announced a game titled Super Mario RPG 2 for 64DD, which was renamed Paper Mario before its release on the Nintendo 64.[76][77] Themes shared with the original include the use of Flower Points as a shared party resource instead of each character having their own pool of Magic Points, timed action commands during battles, and the collection of seven stars.

Fujioka and Maekawa went on to work at AlphaDream and worked on the Mario & Luigi series. Yoko Shimomura returned, having composed the soundtrack for every game. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga features a cameo of Geno in one of the minigames, and the end credits mention Square Enix as the copyright holder of the character;[78] this cameo was removed for the game's Nintendo 3DS remake.

Various locations and characters from the game appear in the children's book Mario and the Incredible Rescue released by Scholastic in 2006.[79] Though his only starring role in a video game was in Super Mario RPG, Masahiro Sakurai added the fan-favorite character Geno as a Mii Fighter costume to the crossover fighting game series Super Smash Bros. as paid downloadable content, attributing his inclusion to his matching arm cannon.[80][81] Super Mario RPG is among the 21 preinstalled games on the Super NES Classic Edition in all regions, released in September 2017.[82]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Known in Japan as Super Mario RPG (Japanese: スーパーマリオRPG)
  2. ^ The game was originally not released in PAL regions such as Europe.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pelland, Scott; Miller, Kent; Munson, Terry; Shinoda, Paul (October 1996). "Epic Center". Nintendo Power. No. 89. M. Arakawa, Nintendo of America, Inc. p. 60.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Thomas, Lucas (September 2, 2008). "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Review". IGN. Archived from the original on September 3, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Ogasawara, Nob (April 1996). "Super Mario RPG". GamePro. No. 91. IDG. p. 47.
  4. ^ Smithy: "Hurrumph! Better yet... Why don't YOU give me YOUR stars. Why, then I could easily conquer this world! Then we could get rid of all wishes, and create a world filled with...WEAPONS!!" Square (1996). Super Mario RPG (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Square.
  5. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Chancellor: It will be up to you to enter the keep and rescue Princess Toadstool! / Mario...her life is in your hands. Please, save our dear Princess! / Mario! Forgive me. But I can't stop worrying about the Princess...
  6. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Mallow: Oh, no! That REPTILE stole my Grandpa's coin! / My Grandpa asked me to buy some things for him here. When I walked into town, that croc stopped me! Oh yeah! He took it from me! He stole my coin! I chased him, but he's way too fast... / I'm Mallow from Tadpole Pond. I'm a frog, but can you believe it? I can't jump. Embarrassing huh?
  7. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Mack: Listen up, gang! These guys are gonna put a stop to OUR party! Are we happy about this?!
  8. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Geno: But Mario and I must leave now to find... the missing Star Pieces... / Gaz: Star Pieces? You mean like shooting stars? What for? / Geno: No one's wishes will come true until the Star Pieces are found and the Star Road repaired. Which is why I have chosen to join these two in order to find the missing Star Pieces.
  9. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Booster: I'm Booster and this is my famous tower of amusement. Normally I welcome visitors to play with me and my Snifits. However, a girl fell out of the sky and into my lap, recently. Since then, I've been busy keeping her happy and entertained. I no longer have the time to play. So please enjoy yourself... at your own risk, that is! / My bride-to-be is chanting, "MARIOHELPMEMARIOHELPME". Is she showing her happiness?
  10. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Toadstool: Finally...let's get back. / I'm finally home! / We need to go and find those Star Pieces, NOW! / Chancellor: Princess! You CAN'T be serious! You're NOT thinking of joining them, ARE YOU? This is sheer madness... You're a Princess! What will people say?! / Toadstool: I don't care! Things seem so hopeless right now... / Mario! Please, Mario! Take me along with you, please! / So...let's go find us a star! Hmmm... But I wonder where it could be... I have absolutely no idea! Do you? / Okay then! Let's do it!
  11. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Queen Nimbus: The last star... Wait! The only place left to look is in Bowser's Keep!
  12. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Clerk: Production is on schedule? This, despite the fact that Mack, Bowyer, Yaridovich, and the Axem Rangers were defeated. At this rate, Smithy will have a new army in no time!
  13. ^ Square (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. Smithy: NOOOOOOOOOOOO...!!! / Guooooooo!!!!! My b...body and head are burning! It's not...possible...! I don't believe it...! I'm...finished...done for...! Guooooooooo...noooooo...! / Geno: Come on, Mario! Send the last one way up high!... Thank you, everyone! The Star Road is back to normal!
  14. ^ a b "Nintendo Ultra 64: The Launch of the Decade?". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (2). Emap International Limited: 107–8. November 1995.
  15. ^ "Super Mario RPG – 1995 Developer Interviews". Shmuplations. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  16. ^ "Future Fantasies". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. pp. 136–9.
  17. ^ Pelland, Scott; Miller, Kent; Munson, Terry; Shinoda, Paul (April 1996). "Epic Center". Nintendo Power. No. 83. Nintendo. p. 56.
  18. ^ Pelland, Scott; Miller, Kent; Munson, Terry; Shinoda, Paul (October 1995). "Special Features". Nintendo Power. No. 77. Nintendo. p. 29.
  19. ^ a b c d Pelland, Scott; Miller, Kent; Munson, Terry; Shinoda, Paul (October 1995). "Mario plays a new role". Nintendo Power. No. 77. M. Arakawa, Nintendo of America, Inc. pp. 26–29.
  20. ^ End credits: "C.G. Model Designer: Shinya Takahashi" Square (March 9, 1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Nintendo.
  21. ^ Pelland, Scott (November 1995). "Epic News". Nintendo Power. No. 77. p. 51.
  22. ^ a b c Pelland, Scott (December 1995). "Epic News". Nintendo Power. No. 77. p. 51.
  23. ^ Pelland, Scott (November 1995). "Release Forecast". Nintendo Power. No. 77. p. 113.
  24. ^ Pelland, Scott (December 1995). "Release Forecast". Nintendo Power. No. 77. p. 113.
  25. ^ Shimomura, Yoko (October 1, 2009). "Interview with Yoko Shimomura (September 2009)". Square Enix Music Online, GameMusic.pl. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  26. ^ Thomas, Damian (March 23, 2001). "Super Mario RPG OSV". RPGFan. Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  27. ^ "Games - ZSNES Documentation". ZSNES. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2013."IGN Top 100 Games 2008". IGN. Archived from the original on November 10, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  28. ^ The Magic Box (The Webmaster) (October 31, 2006). "The Magic Box: Platinum Game Chart, Japanese Console Games Sold Over One Million". The Magic Box: International Videogame News. The Magic Box. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  29. ^ Staff (June 20, 1996). "US RPG Demand Surprises Nintendo". Next Generation. Archived from the original on June 6, 1997. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  30. ^ Staff (August 24, 1996). "Mario RPG Tops Rentals Again". Next Generation. Archived from the original on April 19, 1997. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  31. ^ Famighetti, Robert (1997). "Top-Selling Video Games, 1996". The World Almanac and Book of Facts 1998. World Almanac Books. p. 259. ISBN 0886878217. Source: The NPD TRSTS Video Game Tracking Service, The NPD Group, Inc., Port Washington, NY; ranked by units sold
  32. ^ Mackey, Bob (May 13, 2016). "How an Unexpected Pairing Gave Super Mario RPG a 20-Year Legacy". USgamer. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  33. ^ "Japanese Virtual Console list - June 2008". nintendo.co.jp. Nintendo Japan. May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on July 22, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  34. ^ Anderson, Luke (August 26, 2008). "Super Mario RPG hits Europe VC". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  35. ^ Vuckovic, Daniel (August 21, 2008). "Hanabi Festival returns - Super Mario RPG arrives in Australia". Vooks. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  36. ^ White, Billy (August 22, 2008). "Hanabi Festival brings Super Mario RPG to Europe". Wii Love It. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  37. ^ "Wii-kly Update (September 1, 2008)". IGN. September 1, 2008. Archived from the original on September 3, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "『スーパーマリオRPG』と『ダウンタウン熱血物語』がWii Uバーチャルコンソールで8月5日配信開始". Famitsu (in Japanese). July 29, 2015. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  39. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (June 29, 2016). "Super Mario RPG Releasing for Wii U Virtual Console This Week". IGN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  40. ^ Skipper, Ben (December 21, 2015). "Super Mario RPG heading to Nintendo Wii U virtual console on Christmas Eve". International Business Times. IBT Media. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  41. ^ Wassenaar, Troy (December 23, 2015). "Aussie Nintendo Download Updates (24/12) - Holiday Special - eShop News from Vooks". Vooks. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  42. ^ Orry, Tom; Cryer, Hirun (November 23, 2018). "SNES Classic Edition Black Friday Deals - How to Buy a SNES Classic? SNES Classic Release Date, SNES Classic Reviews, What Games are Included?". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  43. ^ Watts, Steve (June 21, 2023). "Super Mario RPG Remake Revealed, Releasing November 17". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  44. ^ Blake, Vikki (November 11, 2023). "Super Mario RPG has been developed by Dragon Quest studio ArtePiazza". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  45. ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (June 22, 2023). "Original Super Mario RPG Composer Yoko Shimomura Returning for Remake". IGN. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  46. ^ a b Handley, Zoey (September 14, 2023). "The Super Mario RPG remake will let you swap back to the OG soundtrack". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  47. ^ Bailey, Dustin (November 2, 2023). "The Super Mario RPG remake is absolutely faithful to the original Mario JRPG in every way, except the ways that are better left in the '90s". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  48. ^ Campbell, Evan (September 14, 2023). "Nintendo Shows New Battle Mechanics For Super Mario RPG Remake". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  49. ^ @NintendoAmerica (October 26, 2023). "Sound on! 🔊🎶 Swap between newly-arranged music and the original Super NES soundtrack in #SuperMarioRPG for #NintendoSwitch! After clearing the game, listen to your favorites freely in the Sound Player" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Super Mario RPG". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  51. ^ "Super Mario RPG Reviews". OpenCritic. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  52. ^ "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  53. ^ a b "Super Mario RPG Review from SNES, Wii". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  54. ^ a b c Miller, Skyler. "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - Review - allgame". AllGame. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  55. ^ Whitehead, Dan (August 26, 2008). "Virtual Console Roundup Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 25, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  56. ^ "スーパーマリオRPG [スーパーファミコン] / ファミ通.com". Famitsu. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  57. ^ "Legacy Review Archives". Game Informer. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  58. ^ Baggatta, Patrick; Chris (May 1996). "Super Mario RPG". Game Players. No. 84. pp. 56–57. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  59. ^ "Mario RPG Review". August 22, 2008. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  60. ^ a b c "Plumbing Depth". Next Generation. No. 18. Imagine Media. June 1996. p. 126.
  61. ^ a b c Cavin, Derek (March 13, 2004). "Mario Gets HP". RPGamer. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
  62. ^ Hansen, Sam (February 24, 2009). "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". RPGFan. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  63. ^ Oxford, Nadia (January 23, 2019). "Super NES Retro Review: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". USgamer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  64. ^ "Super Mario RPG". Video Games (in German). July 1996. pp. 98–99. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  65. ^ Owsen, Dan; Pelland, Scott (March 1997). "1996 Nintendo Power Award Nominations". Nintendo Power. No. 94. pp. 76, 77, 79–82.
  66. ^ Pelland, Scott (May 1997). "1996 Nintendo Power Awards Winners". Nintendo Power. No. 96. pp. 88, 89, 92, 93.
  67. ^ a b Baran, Andrew; Lefebvre, Mark; Desmond, Mike; Sushi X (July 1, 1996). "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (EGM 82)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on May 14, 2004. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  68. ^ a b "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". GamePro. No. 92. IDG. May 1996. pp. 84–85.
  69. ^ "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Reviews". 1UP.com. May 9, 2004. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  70. ^ East, Tom (February 24, 2009). "100 Best Nintendo Games: Part 4". Official Nintendo Magazine. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  71. ^ "The Best of '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 92. Ziff Davis. March 1997. pp. 86, 88.
  72. ^ Knight, Rich (April 30, 2018). "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". Complex. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  73. ^ Bell, Lowell (February 25, 2023). "Best JRPGs Of All Time". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  74. ^ "IGN Readers' Choice 2006 - The Top 100 Games Ever". GameFAQs. IGN. October 5, 2006. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  75. ^ "100 Best Games of All Time". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 141. Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article (on page 100) explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.
  76. ^ Kennedy, Sam (August 28, 1999). "First Impressions: Super Mario RPG 2". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  77. ^ Ahmed, Shahed (May 19, 2000). "Super Mario RPG 2 Japanese Release Date". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  78. ^ AlphaDream (November 17, 2003). Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Level/area: Little Fungitown / game credits.
  79. ^ West, Tracey (2006). Mario and the Incredible Rescue. Scholastic Corporation. ISBN 0-439-84366-9.
  80. ^ Sakurai, Masahiro (February 20, 2016). "Nintendo Dream". Nintendo Dream (Interview). Vol. 264. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  81. ^ McWhertor, Michael (December 17, 2020). "Smash Bros. Ultimate makes Geno a Mii Fighter, ending the dream". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  82. ^ "Super NES Classic Edition". Nintendo of America, Inc. September 29, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.