Super Mario RPG
Basic Game Info
![]() | This little game begins at what seems like the ending battle of a typical Mario game--you guide Mario through Bowser's castle to confront him and save Princess Toadstool. But, just as you're about to defeat Bowser and win the game, the battle is interrupted by a giant sword, stabbing down into Bowser's Castle and claiming it in the name of a mysterious entity named "Smithy." |
In the ensuing explosion, Mario, Princess Toadstool, and Bowser are scattered to the far corners of the map...and the real game begins. Mario must now go out into the world to find Princess Toadstool and defeat this new challenger, who has even thrown Bowser out of his castle! There begins the quest, and as Mario goes along, he will gather more and more friends to help him--including an unexpected one!--as members of his party, whom he fights alongside in turn-based combat style. (As the only existing collaboration between Nintendo and SquareEnix [known then as Squaresoft], it combines Nintendo's lore and characters with Final Fantasy-esque RPG combat and gameplay to make a totally new adventure for Mario and company.) |
Character List
Heroes
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Major Villains
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Why I Like the Game So Much
This is a permanent gem in my gaming collection for many reasons:
- I love the fact that Princess Toadstool is a viable, playable character--AND she's the healer of the group! Before 1996, if you wanted to play Princess Toadstool in any Nintendo game, you had to play Super Mario Bros. 2 or Super Mario Kart.
- Humor and special cameos from other Nintendo games really set SMRPG apart. The dialogue between characters cracks me up, and the various Easter eggs hidden throughout the game make it a new experience every time. (Look for Link, Samus Aran, and even a hidden boss from the Final Fantasy series!)
- The side quests are awesome--they can sometimes give you a great new item to use in battle, or just help expand the story. Either way, the player wins!
Personal Tips and Tricks
- Fight every monster you can (yes, I said every one), especially in the beginning. You'll thank yourself later because of all the experience and extra points you gained! It may feel like you're grinding through levels a little (and you are), but you'll be better off when you face Smithy at last.
- Also, fight everything because you can get major money that way. Fight everything and you should never want for coins to buy things.
- Upgrade weapons and armor whenever you can, but make sure before you sell off the old weapons and armor that you're really getting an upgrade. Just because an item is offered in the newest shop you've reached doesn't make it automatically better!
- Try all the side quests, like racing Yoshi at Yoshi's Island, spending a night in the deluxe suite at Marrymore Hotel, and even going back to Mushroom Kingdom occasionally to see who might be visiting. Don't try to speed-play this game--it's much more enjoyable (and actually important) to stop and smell the 16-bit roses!
Links
SMRPG Walkthroughs
GameFAQs.com
MarioWiki.com
Nintendo Wikia
n4g.com: SMRPG Article
SMRPG Secrets
SMRPG Fansites/Fan Content
SMRPGLegacy.com
RPGClassics.com
Silla's Super Mario RPG
TVTropes.com
NintendoCity.com Review of SMRPG
IcyBrian.com