Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Japanese: スーパーマリオRPG Sūpāmario RPG) (スーパーマリオＲＰＧ Sūpā Mario Āru Pī Jī) is the first role-playing game of the Mario franchise. The game was developed by Square, known for being the creators of Final Fantasy, and published by Nintendo. The game was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996. The game was originally not released in Europe, although when the game was ported to the Wii's Virtual Console in 2008, it received its first release in Europe.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is the final Mario game released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is also Square's last game to release on a Nintendo console in the 1990s before they developed only exclusive titles for a while, an era that kicked off with the release of Final Fantasy VII.
On June 21, 2023, it was announced in a Nintendo Direct that Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars would be receiving a remake for the Nintendo Switch, simply titled Super Mario RPG.
==Story==
=== Synopsis ===
Bowser's Keep is taken over by a strange, extraterrestrial force known as the Smithy Gang. In the process of invading the Mushroom Kingdom, the Smithy Gang, led by Smithy himself, destroys the Star Road, a mystical pathway where wishes are granted. Mario has to travel around the Mushroom Kingdom to collect stars, rebuild the Star Road, and defeat the Smithy Gang with the help of Geno, Mallow, Bowser, and Princess Toadstool.
==Gameplay==
The game contains token similarities to several other Squaresoft-developed games from the same era, including the Final Fantasy series and Chrono Trigger, but with a story and action-based gameplay based on the . Mario is the main playable character, and a few others join his party along his journey, including Bowser, Princess Toadstool, Mallow, and Geno.
In the field, the game plays much like an isometric platformer, featuring traditional Super Mario mechanics and new ones. Enemies are encountered in the field, and a battle ensues if Mario comes into contact with one. As such, most battles can be avoided, but boss battles are necessary to progress. Avoiding battles also means acquiring fewer Experience Points, slowing the process of leveling up and potentially making unavoidable battles more difficult.
===Battle system===
The combat uses a traditional turn-based system without active time elements or speed contributing extra attacks. One of the more innovative features of the combat was the inclusion of timed button press sequences which became a mainstay of every Mario-role playing game. As well as selecting attacks, the player is usually required to perform action commands to increase the damage done. These consist of timed button presses and other movements to determine the power of the character's attack, a concept that was carried over to some later role-playing games such as Final Fantasy VIII. As with many other role-playing games, items are an important tool in battles. The need to perform action commands in between navigating menus requires the player to be engaged in the battle the whole time.
Each character has a unique set of attacks and techniques. For example, Mallow and Peach have access to healing abilities whereas Geno and Bowser have offensive attacks dealing high damage. Mario is always in the player's party and he is the most balanced, whereas the other two characters can be switched before battles. Mallow also has the most elements in his magic and also has access to electric and ice attacks. Geno on the other hand, boasts more destructive magic. 
==Party members==
There are a total of five party members.
*Mario is the main protagonist, and the other four party members gradually join him over the course of his journey. During battle, he uses hammers, Turtle Shells, and his fists (when gloves are equipped) while in battle, and his special attacks involve jumping and throwing fireballs.
*Mallow is a humanoid cloud from Nimbus Land. Early on, he is convinced that he is a tadpole, having been raised by Frogfucius, the elder of Tadpole Pond, for as long as he can remember. He is notable for being a crybaby. He uses sticks, cymbals, and his fists (when gloves are equipped) in combat, and he uses weather-based special attacks, such as lightning bolts or rain.
*Geno is a wooden puppet brought to life by a star. Because his real name (♥♪!?) is unpronounceable in Mario's language, he decides to go by the doll's name, "Geno". His weapons are gun-like attachments for his arms, and his special attacks involve various kinds of energy blasts. 
*Bowser, Mario's archnemesis in previous games, has been exiled from his castle, and joins forces with Mario in order to reclaim it and defeat the villains who have upstaged him. He uses his claws or Chain Chomps in combat, and his special attacks involve summoning his minions to perform various effects in battle. 
*Princess Toadstool, normally just a helpless prisoner, joins Mario after he rescues her from Booster. Princess Toadstool fights with umbrellas and fans, and her special attacks mainly involve healing.
== Reception ==
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,Owsen, Dan; Pelland, Scott (March 1997). "1996 Nintendo Power Award Nominations". Nintendo Power. No. 94. pp. 76, 77, 79–82. though Super Mario 64 won "Best Graphics".Pelland, Scott (May 1997). "1996 Nintendo Power Awards Winners". Nintendo Power. No. 96. pp. 88, 89, 92, 93. Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the graphics, stating that they are "the best seen on the Super NES".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. 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."Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". GamePro. No. 92. IDG. May 1996. pp. 84–85.
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","Super Mario RPG Review from SNES, Wii". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015. and Electronic Gaming Monthly commented that the visuals are "typical of Nintendo, using clean and colorful graphics along with nice animation". RPGamer editor Derek Cavin called the backgrounds "beautiful" and stated that they "perfectly bring the Mushroom Kingdom and surrounding areas into 3D".Cavin, Derek (March 13, 2004). "Mario Gets HP". RPGamer. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2008. 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".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. 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".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.
Cavin said that most of the battle system mechanics "aren't very original" and also criticized the "lack of a unified storyline". 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."Plumbing Depth". Next Generation. No. 18. Imagine Media. June 1996. p. 126. 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. 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". While 1UP.com wrote that the characters were "too childish for older gamers","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. Next Generation said the game is "held together by the strength of its characters and well-developed world".
In 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine ranked the game 34th on a list of greatest Nintendo games.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. 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)."The Best of '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 92. Ziff Davis. March 1997. pp. 86, 88. In 2018, Complex ranked the game 8th on their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time."Knight, Rich (April 30, 2018). "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". Complex. Retrieved February 16, 2022. In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their "Best JRPGs of All Time" list.Bell, Lowell (February 25, 2023). "Best JRPGs Of All Time". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
==Flavor text==
==Trivia==
*Culex, a creature inspired by the Final Fantasy games, appears in this game as a secret boss battle. However, he does not have anything to do with the plot of the game.
*In Princess Toadstool's bed after beating Yaridovich at the beginning of the game, Mario can find Samus Aran sleeping there.
**Link of the Legend of Zelda series also makes a cameo where he can be found sleeping in an Inn of Rose Town.
*Similar Mario RPGs were inspired by this game, such as the and .
*This is the first Mario game to portray Bowser as a hero since he aids Mario and the others for the majority of the game. The other games will include Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Super Paper Mario. Incidentally, all three of these games are RPGs.
*In a Nintendo Power magazine, it is revealed that Luigi was supposed to appear in the game before being ultimately removed.
==Gallery==
Fan-made Gameplay & Walkthrough Videos
==External links==
*Title at MobyGames
*Title at GameFAQs
===Other wikis===
*Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on Nintendo Wiki
*Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on Final Fantasy Wiki
*Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on Squarewiki
==References==
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Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Role-playing games
Category:Virtual Console games
Category:1990s games
Category:1996 games