The Long-Awaited Return: Unleashing Super Mario RPG 2!
Super Mario RPG's long-awaited sequel is primed to capitalize on the original's success, rejuvenating the beloved series with enhanced gameplay mechanics and a captivating storyline The time is ripe for Super Mario RPG 2 to once again captivate gamers of all ages
Highlights
The announcement of a Super Mario RPG remake shocked Nintendo RPG fans, especially since it was followed by Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
The writing, visuals, music, and mechanics of Super Mario RPG garnered high praise, making it a standout. A direct sequel has the potential to revive its traditional approach and strengths. Given the decline in other Mario RPG series, creating a new installment could motivate Nintendo to revisit the classic JRPG tropes that originally sparked their inspiration.
Nintendo RPG fans were in for a surprise earlier this year when Fire Emblem Engage and Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp were released, alongside the announcement of a remake for Super Mario RPG. The excitement didn't stop there, as a remake for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was also announced in the September 2023 Nintendo Direct. While many fans would have been satisfied with just a Super Mario RPG remake, it's hard to resist another one of Nintendo's renowned first-party RPGs.
Super Mario RPG stood out for several reasons, which is why it gained popularity and paved the way for decades of acclaimed Mario JRPGs. Not only did it take the platformer franchise in a fresh direction, but the game was developed by Square, now known as Square Enix, during the peak of its 16-bit RPG fame. This meant the game boasted exceptional writing, visuals, music, mechanics, and even translation, comparable to Square's other successful titles. Although subsequent Mario RPGs carried these strengths forward, they deviated from the more traditional approach of Super Mario RPG. While the Mario RPG successors may not have maintained the same level of dominance, perhaps now is the perfect time to give their common ancestor a direct sequel.
Super Mario RPG 2 Could Reinforce The Original's Strengths
Super Mario RPG introduced many elements that would later become staples in other Mario RPGs. In addition to its high production values, the game made an innovative attempt to blend turn-based and action mechanics without using the Active-Time Battle system found in contemporary Final Fantasy games. While Mario and Luigi or the Paper Mario games may have executed the timed hits better, the remake of Super Mario RPG has included some of their polish, and a true sequel could bring back the accessible and flexible battle setup of the original.
Not only did the gameplay take an experimental approach, but the setting did as well. Super Mario RPG deviated the most from the standard Mario aesthetic since the conversion of Doki Doki Panic into the American Super Mario Bros. 2. The bosses in Super Mario RPG were often unusual creatures that were just cartoony enough to fit alongside the familiar Mario characters. Even Mario races like Toad's had extra touches added to their designs to make them stand out.
The Path To Another Super Mario RPG Is Clear
: Despite its reputation for innovative portrayals of Mario characters, The Thousand-Year Door falls short of Super Mario RPG in terms of pushing the boundaries. A sequel would provide an opportunity to explore and expand upon the open-ended depiction of the Mario universe found in Super Mario RPG.
There are currently no major obstacles standing in the way of another Super Mario RPG. Apart from the upcoming Thousand-Year Door remake, the Mario RPGs have been experiencing a decline. AlphaDream, the developer of the Mario and Luigi series, recently filed for bankruptcy, leaving the future of this beloved franchise uncertain. A less critical, yet still contentious issue lies with the Paper Mario games of late, which have veered away from RPG conventions since the release of Thousand-Year Door in 2004.
A new Super Mario RPG sequel has the potential to make a significant impact on the Mario RPG franchise, just like its predecessor. Super Mario RPG 2 could serve as an inspiration for Nintendo to revive other Mario RPG series while staying true to the beloved JRPG elements that initially sparked their creativity. Throughout its history, Nintendo has always aimed to innovate with each new game, but even back in the '90s, Super Mario RPG successfully followed the mindset of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." After all these years, the world might be ready once again for the refreshing simplicity that Super Mario RPG offers, and many longtime fans would be thrilled if Nintendo capitalized on this opportunity. You can look forward to the release of Super Mario RPG on November 17 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch console.
