Super Mario RPG

Super Mario RPG is a delightful remake of an underappreciated classic that will thrill new and old fans alike. It’s filled with wonder, whimsy, and wit, and respects its origins while easily carving a new place in Nintendo’s current line-up

Fans of the original are sure to enjoy this excellent, faithful update with quality additions and improvements. Yet, I’m even more excited for those who’ve never played this one. Beyond the notable balance and pacing successes, this game excels with characters, locales, and plot developments. With little to complain about and much to celebrate, Super Mario RPG is a delight, one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played on the Switch. Not to be missed.

Super Mario RPG is a new example of how to represent old classics in a new way. Nintendo just nailed it, presenting gorgeous graphics and music, and making the right choice on how to make better things such as gameplay mechanics and quality of life improvements.

Super Mario RPG gets on Nintendo Switch an extremely faithful remake that gives new life to a legendary game that now new generations will be able to enjoy with new HD visuals, an incredible soundtrack, a few improvements and a nostalgic touch hard to forget.

Super Mario RPG is made in reverence to the original, bringing it to a new audience while also reminding returning players what was so great about it in the first place.

While the general simplicity might hold back some, Super Mario RPG still excels at what it intends to do: wax nostalgia and provide a gentle RPG experience. It’s a gorgeous adventure with tons of personality and a combat system that is often imitated but never fully duplicated. Even with Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi succeeding this game, they truly don’t make them like this wacky, bizarre game anymore. The playful vibe fits so well with the slightly off-brand Mario world that makes this game, with the grimy Wario-like Booster, goofy Axem Rangers, and evil wedding cake, unforgettable. Your mileage may vary with how much the straightforward adventure and unique brand of basic RPG works for you, but I walked away from this remake feeling like Super Mario RPG is solidly one of my favorite games ever.

At its heart Super Mario RPG: Remake is a hilarious, beautiful and excellently written 12 to 14 hour RPG experience. Its beautiful music and art style just ooze a unique charm that most Mario games can only dream of. It would be amazing to see a new collab with Square Enix coming from this but as that is definitely a pipedream (pun intended), what we have here is an absolute highlight of 2023.

I think Super Mario RPG is a really good remake of a classic game. It makes a lot of improvements while staying true to the core of the original, and that’s all you can really hope for from something like this. Just keep in mind that its faithfulness extends to the game’s length, with the whole thing taking around fifteen to twenty hours to bring to a close. For some that will be a negative, and others a positive. At least for my part, I really appreciate a quick-paced RPG that feels like all killer and no filler. Something I can actually replay without setting aside a ton of time. If that sounds appealing to you too, then you’ll want to add this to your library.

Back in June, after the initial excitement of this announcement had faded, I worried that the game wouldn't translate well to the current era of gaming. Thanks to beautifully updated visuals, a few choice additions, and a wonderful soundtrack, I was proven wrong. Super Mario RPG absolutely still has a place among Nintendo's elite, and this remake removes any doubt.

Super Mario RPG has officially taken Super Mario Wonder’s spot for being the most lighthearted and delightfully quirky game I’ve played this year. The lovely characters, goofy villains, and vibrant world offer so much fun to be had. It’s also frequently funny, a testament to how enjoyable and unserious the writing is. As someone playing the game for the first time, I felt nostalgic for a time when games felt as light as laughter and as warm as a good hug. Overall, it holds up today, which I think would be true even without the updated visuals, since at its core, Super Mario RPG is simply timeless.

Super Mario RPG is an outstanding remake of the 1996 classic, remaining remarkably faithful to its predecessor while introducing changes to welcome new players to the RPG genre and Mario’s first foray into it. It also adds new elements for returning players to explore, all of which they are sure to enjoy. For players seeking their next RPG adventure, Super Mario RPG delivers, making it another great Mario game to play as the Christmas season approaches.

With completely overhauled visuals, a reworking of the original game’s iconic Yoko Shimomura soundtrack, and some welcome quality-of-life updates, now is the perfect time to experience this beloved slice of Nintendo history with a fresh perspective.

Super Mario RPG is a classic for a reason, and its remake stands just as tall as the original. The visuals and sound are both top notch, and while some new features make the already easy battles even easier, this is still an excellent game that will have you grinning from ear to ear the whole way through.

Super Mario RPG is a delightful remake of one of Square Enix and Nintendo's most quirky and charming games. It takes a light hand with the changes, but just about every change it makes is for the better while still allowing the charm of the original to shine through. Most importantly, it is faithful to the original where it counts and retains the same basic fun throughout. Super Mario RPG is probably the best "beginner's" RPG on the market, but it's also a darn fun time.

Super Mario RPG was one of the best titles of its era, and based on the Switch remake, is just as good today. The remade graphics maintain all the charm of the original while transforming a decades-old game into one of the better-looking titles on Switch. The quality-of-life improvements such as splash damage from timed hits are fun additions, though some may criticize that this makes a game with a rather low challenge level even easier. Aside from those additions talked about earlier, this is the same game players loved back in 1996 with a fresh coat of paint. Super Mario RPG succeeds at invoking feelings of nostalgia for the 16-bit era while looking good enough to pass for a modern game. It’s short and simple compared to many RPGs, but while the time with it may brief, there are no wasted hours.

With entirely updated stunning visuals and various quality of life enhancements, Nintendo effectively brings back to life a classic title that few people in Europe had the opportunity to play when it was new. Super Mario RPG remake feels like a brand new game that players today will be able to appreciate and enjoy.

Even if I grumbled a bit every time I had to race Yoshis or catch beetles, that didn’t stop Super Mario RPG from becoming one of my favourite Mario games of all time. Its wonderfully charming world, great sense of humour, and engaging combat are all somehow just as good as everyone’s been saying for the past two decades, and I can’t believe it took me this long to finally give it a shot.

Super Mario RPG may not offer the lengthiest or most challenging quest that you will ever face, but it is a game with tremendous heart that never fails to raise a smile. Modernised for a new generation, it bookends what has been a stratospheric year for Mushroom Kingdom adventures.

This new version of Super Mario RPG still feels fresh. It's another win for Nintendo's approach to remaking their cult classics; as faithful as Metroid Prime Remastered, but updated just enough to entice new players.

The Super Mario RPG remake delivers a finely tuned reimagining of the incredible original with welcome updates to the turn-based battle mechanics. If the 1996 version was the best Mario RPG game to date, this remake goes one better.

ArtePiazza understood what elements needed to be improved to deliver a remake that went beyond better graphics. This is Super Mario RPG for a new era and a new audience, with improvements that bring it closer to modern standards. It's hard to say that the remake will replace the gem that is the original, but it's another jewel that deserves to sit alongside it.

Nintendo recaptures the magic of Super Mario RPG, where nostalgia and brilliance go hand to hand thanks to a gameplay with subtle changes that really works.

Super Mario RPG is an all-time classic game that both RPG lovers and Mario fans alike owe it to themselves to play. This Switch remake brilliantly preserves the spirit of the original SNES game, with some great quality-of-life enhancements and a phenomenally redone soundtrack. Longtime fans looking for a more transformative remake may feel disappointed, but when the core game itself has aged this well, it doesn’t suffer in the ways a lesser title would. If you’ve never played Super Mario RPG, or if you simply want an excuse to revisit it, this remake is for you.

Super Mario RPG is a superb remake that perfectly captures the essence of the SNES original. This is not always to its credit, as elements of its platforming in particular have not aged as well as they could have, and the ability to block enemy attacks with Action Commands serves to make the times you can’t feel far more punishing. However, these are minor frustrations that do not tarnish the overall experience in any significant or lasting fashion. Its beautifully remastered visuals and soundtrack, witty dialogue, and engaging combat make Super Mario RPG a modern classic that is more than worth your time.

Super Mario RPG is as good today as it was 27 years ago, and this remake simply brings it into the modern day.

Super Mario RPG is so faithful to the original that calling it a remake feels disingenuous. The game is more of a top-to-bottom remaster. Every scrap of it had been re-built, polished, and reborn for the modern era. The visuals, the music, and the controls all feel crisp and clean. The writing holds up quite well. And there are a few pleasant surprises for fans of the original release. Since I'm so familiar with the game, I wish there was more new content, but I'm at peace with this. It's better that the game be preserved for a new audience. But whether this is your first time playing or your fifteenth, you're gonna love Super Mario RPG for the Switch.

We could argue back-and forth about whether Nintendo should have simply released the original Super Mario RPG on the SNES app that online subscribers already have access to. The visual update is delightful, but outside of that Nintendo has changed so little that you could play the two games side-by-side and barely notice the difference in the experience. And yet, it’s also one of the all-time great games from the SNES era, and so whimsical and playful that, ultimately, Super Mario RPG is a worthwhile for no other reason than it’s an excuse to play it again.

Super Mario RPG is the perfect remake of one of Nintendo’s very finest games, and I’m so very glad it’s about to find a whole new audience. This is an adventure that’s fizzing with invention, unforgettable characters, and sharp writing. One final, joyous surprise for Switch owners in 2023.

You’ve got to handle a beloved game remake with kid gloves, and that’s exactly what Nintendo has done with Super Mario RPG. This is a careful remake, adding goodies like a monster list, or the option to play with the original music, rather than taking anything away. If nothing else, it’s a remarkable testimony to the ability of designers from 1996 to make a game this good that still feels as brilliant today, and it bodes incredibly well for the 2024 re-release of Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door.

Super Mario RPG is here in all of its weird, wonderful glory for a new generation to experience, and sets a new standard for how to do a faithful remake right. Delivering a beautifully preserved, pure experience for fans of the original and an accessible entry-point for genre newcomers, the game's infectious charm, writing, and polished gameplay do so much to elevate this beyond what might have been merely a simple RPG starring Mario.

Nintendo and Square Enix have turned Super Mario RPG into a very accessible and enjoyable contemporary game for all players. Its dynamic combat and world exploration create an awesome combo, resulting in one of the best and most original JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch.

The Super Mario RPG was an excellent game at the time and nothing has changed. Even now it is a delightful title to play and even more enjoyable thanks to the audiovisual improvements. In terms of remake, when it comes to new features, the title plays a bit on the safe side, but in return is a wonderful adventure that won't bore you for a second.

Super Mario RPG is a really direct and loving update of an old classic - with lovely battles and some really funny little twists. It's not exactly a deep story, of course, but there's a reason it still has so many fans. This is now the best way to play it.

Super Mario RPG is a strong remake of an already stellar game. It successfully focuses on improving the original in all the right places: a faster and snappier battle system, strong quality of life improvements and more difficult optional content. All of these improvements combine with the game’s already quirky charm to offer up an experience that easily eclipses the original. While it’s overly simplistic compared to other RPGs, that’s ostensibly the point. Super Mario RPG is an oddball piece of Nintendo’s history like no other, and that alone makes it worth experiencing.

Super Mario RPG Switch fulfills most expected obligations and even surprises with a few new features, making it a predictable crowd-pleaser.

Super Mario RPG is a beautiful reimagining of an all-time classic. For as many jumps as Mario has made in the RPG world in the decades since his Super Nintendo days, this game is proof that there's still no adventure quite like the first.

Super Mario RPG breathes new life into an SNES classic, allowing players to re-experience one of Mario's most unique and adventurous titles on the Switch.

Playing Super Mario RPG is a clear example of wanting to return to the places or moments where you were happy. The dream fans idealized so much in their minds is finally a reality, which turns out to be very pleasant. The music is remarkable, the game mechanics do not require significant adjustments, and the overall experience fulfills its purpose. Sure, perhaps it is a game that is too simple for this gaming generation, but at the time, it was the gateway for many people to a genre that millions enjoy today.

Super Mario RPG is a lovingly-crafted remake that retains the original’s peculiar off-brand charm, appealing combat, and varied level design while subtly tinkering with numerous elements to make the game more palatable for modern players. The game can still be a bit too old-school for its own good at times, but any twinges of frustration pass quickly amid a steady stream of smile-inducing set pieces. Whether you’re new to Super Mario RPG or still own your original SNES cart, this experience will level up your Switch library.

The first Mario RPG is still damn fun. Even almost 30 years after its original release, it offers a fun, fresh adventure full of many little surprises. A difficulty level that is not particularly high allows it to be playable even by an audience not particularly accustomed to the genre, but veterans may find it a little too forgiving.

Much of what has changed about Super Mario RPG for the remake beyond the visuals is behind the scenes. The pace is brisker, and my hour count (even after beating the big optional boss) came in lower than the average playtime of the original. The game has been tweaked only slightly to add some new mechanics and make the adventure even more welcoming than it already was. The result is an experience that only shows its age slightly and rewards longtime fans and newcomers alike.

All in all, Super Mario RPG is a great remake that nearly perfectly replicates the experience of playing the SNES original. From the story and the world to the battles and music, the game will make you feel like a kid again. I do wish the combat was a little harder, and some players may be a tad disappointed by the lack of meaningful new content, but the game is so charming and fun that it’s easy to overlook issues like this and have a good time with it. After almost three decades, we finally have a modern version of the game that introduced many players to RPGs, and with luck it may introduce many more to come.

Super Mario RPG, with its faithful remake, is a vintage yet iconic game that defined the SNES era, offering a fresh and playful adventure that continues to inspire generations.

Super Mario RPG is almost an ideal remake. It polishes a few flaws of the original but manages to preserve the core experience. It screams with all the retro colors, which makes it unbelievably refreshing for the modern age of gaming.

The Super Mario RPG remake goes beyond nostalgia and captivates the player from the first playthrough. Overflowing with humor yet masterful in every aspect, the game reaffirms its status as a cult classic among the best SNES JRPGs, showcasing the genuine Mario spirit beyond platforming. Its triumph is not solely in updating the original's visuals and gameplay but in unequivocally bringing these features to Nintendo Switch players. Nintendo not just remade the game for aesthetics; it made it accessible to everyone: new Mario fans, long-time players, and even those wary about the "RPG" label could find an exciting gaming piece this time.

This new version of Super Mario RPG is a by the numbers remake that follows to the dot the content of the original. Its updated visuals are very nicely done while also it provides some welcoming QoL improvements. However, fans of the original can hardly expect any surprises. Be that as it may it still provides a nice excuse for a trip down the memory lane.

It may not shake things up too much, but the shining force behind Super Mario RPG is that it showcases all the great aspects of the original and now lets a whole new audience enjoy it for themselves.

Super Mario RPG is such a nice rarity - it retains the gameplay and quality of an honest-to-goodness RPG from the 90s, and gets a new visual coat and nice controls. Although it will take some getting used to in the first few hours, you'll get the hang of it and then you won't put the game down so easily.

Super Mario RPG is a faithful and super-cute remake that takes an already great game and simply makes it better. As you're jamming out to the new tunes, discovering secrets, and appreciating the new mechanics and visuals, you're bound to have an excellent time.

Super Mario RPG is the perfect combination of the role of the classic Final Fantasy and the wealth of originality and sense of humor of the Mario games. As a remake it falls somewhat short, but for us, who were not able to play it in its original version, it is quite a gift.

Ultimately, the remake of Super Mario RPG presents itself to fans in an exceptional graphic format that covers the same gameplay that had projected the original Legend of the Seven Stars into the Olympus of the best JRPGs in the history of the medium. Although we understand how someone can turn up their nose at a gaming system that has essentially stopped thirty years ago, in our opinion it was essential that a game so important for Super Mario's 'career' reach a new audience in the most faithful form possible to the one that appeared on SNES in 1996. After all, Mario RPG is a very important piece in the evolutionary mosaic of the modern age of video games, one of those works of art that should be handed down to posterity and which deserve to be preserved for as long as possible. This is the best opportunity to fill any gap in your cultural background as a gamer.

A deserved tribute to one of the most special SNES games. A classic that returns in the best possible way.

Even if the last parts of the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series managed to push the madness even further, these games would never have seen the light of day if Super Mario RPG had not pioneered the concept in 1996. This remake allows us to understand the keys to this improbable fusion between the world of the plumber and the codes of Japanese role-playing games. Reworked to make it more modern and accessible to all audiences, it constitutes an excellent gateway to a genre that still repels some players.

Super Mario RPG is a remake that follows pretty closely the original game from SNES, with its core actually holding up really well. What's interesting is that Nintendo has not only pumped up the visual aspect, but it has also introduced new elements so that it measures up to today's standards. On the not so good side of things is that some players may find Super Mario RPG exceedingly easy and kind of repetitive, but even so it remains a funny and joyful experience, and you'll love the artistic side as well as the OST.

Super Mario RPG is a loving and timeless new edition for the Nintendo Switch. One that shows what a hit we had to do without in Europe in 1996.

We’ve been pleasantly surprised with how well this game has aged. Yes, it’s short and simple, but it’s also very charming, well-designed and really well paced, leaving us with a smile when the credits roll.

Beautifully polished classic that offers an entertaining adventure for Mario fans and RPG beginners. Experienced gamers shouldn't stumble over the low level of difficulty.

In some ways the developers could have been more courageous concerning innovations, because beside graphics and new arranged score there is not much really new stuff. But playing it safe is fine, because with that Super Mario RPG is a beautiful looking role playing game with a great mixture of round based combat and action elements.

Nintendo's formula of bringing its past archive to the present day has once again yielded successful results, resulting in a role-playing game that tastes like sweet, sweet strawberry ice cream.

This globally available remake is a great success and cannot be criticized for anything. It was never a blockbuster, but the basic design influenced a lot of other Nintendo RPGs, and that counts. [Issue#332]

Super Mario RPG on the Nintendo Switch does an irreprehensible job at bringing back a 16-bit era gem and gives the source material a modern treatment that's able to delight any Mario fan. While it does not revolutionize the RPG genre, and its relative ease and short length fall short of the expectations of hardcore RPG enthusiasts, Super Mario RPG is a marvelous experience for those with a soft spot for the Mario universe, and its adaptation is brilliant, from the improved mechanics to the new challenges.

Super Mario RPG Remake is a classic, must-play RPG designed for casual RPGamers and hardcore fans alike. Even those who know the Italian plumber through his platforming antics should give this game a chance. The charming story is a heartwarming journey, and the gameplay is fun and captivating. The new art makes it feel modern while keeping its essence. While there was a missed opportunity to expand the story, Super Mario RPG Remake is still a fantastic experience worth playing.

While the combat is a bit dated and a bit on the easy side - it's still fun and it complements how great the story, characters, and music are. Couple all those with one of the best-looking games on the platform and you get one hell of a remake.

A polished and pleasingly accessible remake, Super Mario RPG is a lovely refurbishment of a nearly 30 year-old game managing to balance classic gameplay with new refinements that do nothing but improve the core Mario RPG experience.

Taken altogether, it adds up to a Mario game that doesn’t really feel like a Mario game. It’s an interesting look at a neat experiment, and it’s fun to get a chance to discover – or rediscover – a game that finds Nintendo breaking out of their comfort zone. It may not be a perfect game, but it’s an interesting one, and that’s enough to make it worth checking out.

Short but intense, Super Mario RPG Remake is a new entry point for players wishing to discover the world of the famous plumber in a way other than a platform game. This new version features a number of welcome improvements to modernize what was already a revolution in the JRPG world.

Despite the relative simplicity of each of the game’s individual elements, the pace at which it doles out its considerable variety makes the sizable RPG uncommonly light and breezy.

A game that faithfully reproduces the emotions and sentiment of the original released on the Super Famicom. For old fans, it is a source of great excitement. However, there is a slight sense of regret due to its close-to-remaster approach, leaving some longing for a more comprehensive remake tailored for old fans.

Super Mario RPG is a small piece of game history that offers many hours of wonderful entertainment.

Even after more than two decades of RPGs featuring Mario since, Super Mario RPG is still up there with the best of them, and this remake solidifies that. It’s simple, sure, but it’s great fun, and set the stage for every turn-based Mario game since. It’s been a brilliant year for Nintendo fans, and Super Mario RPG is the perfect send-off for the Switch in 2023.

Super Mario RPG is a great remake that manages to keep what made the original so memorable intact while refining it as well. Not only are the visuals and sound greatly improved, but the tweaked battle system makes it genuinely more fun to play. That being said, this is still fundamentally the same game, and Super Mario RPG does show its age at times.

Super Mario RPG is a wonderful nostalgia trip to a more unique RPG experience.

Super Mario RPG is unapologetically fun. While a simple combat system and lack of challenge may not appeal to hardcore RPG fans, brilliant writing, iconic characters, and a world bursting with charm make it a delight to experience all the way through, and a perfect example of a remake done right.

Super Mario RPG does a great job of mixing charming characters and fun, intuitive gameplay into an easy-to-enjoy package. Despite a few stumbles along the way, this classic journey largely lives up to its reputation, giving fans, new and old, something wonderful to experience.

Super Mario RPG is a strong remake from Nintendo thanks to the updated graphics, music and animations. It shows that the 1996-game is a timeless classic due to it's great story and memorable cast of characters.

A lovely remake that really captures what made the original Mario RPG so special in the first place. So much, in fact, that it can feel quite outdated sometimes. But if you really want the SNES experience with prettier presentation and some quality-of-life improvements, this is the best version yet.

Super Mario RPG is one of the most interesting remasters I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Returning to 1996 and joining Mario and pals on this zany adventure that contributed greatly to my love of turn-based RPGs was a nostalgic joyride.

The fanciful and memorable cast of characters, locations, and story are what made the original release so timeless and beloved by fans the world over, and Super Mario RPG recaptures that magic for a new generation. While some changes made to the game may not land for longtime fans of the game, myself included, we will always have the original. This Super Mario RPG remake easily stands on its own as a wonderful retelling of a classic that I can see serving as a gateway into the genre for younger players for years to come.

A great introduction to RPG games and offers a challenge as you push through the title. It’s got a lovely modern Switch sheen to it but still keeps all the core values of the original, classic game.

So, it’s a little on the easy side. But in the 90s, Mario RPG created a new generation of role-playing fans with a mix of whimsy, magic, and familiar characters that back then was incredibly uncommon. This remake retains all of that - all of the stuff that matters. At some point, I have to accept that us old’uns who remember it probably aren’t the primary audience for this remake - and that’s okay, too. It’s an easy recommendation, regardless.

Enjoyable, flashy remake of the first Mario RPG that makes up for its battle's lack of bite with buckets of charming nonsense and revives one of Bowser's best appearances.

Thanks to a gorgeous makeover and timeless characters, Super Mario RPG proves itself well worth revisiting. Though die-hard RPG fans may find this offering a little limited in scope, its blend of turn-based and real-time combat remain unique – and if you want to see Bowser hurl Mario like a weapon, you’ve come to the right place.

The developers behind Super Mario RPG Remake have done their job almost perfectly. New game effectively refreshes the visuals and improves the turn-based gameplay, although it doesn't quite cope with the archaic maze level design. In the end the pros prevail and any enthusiast of turn-based combat will have fun here.

Super Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch is a great-looking and faithful remake that brims with the original release's charm and wonder.

Being a fan of RPGs is not a prerequisite for enjoying a well-done remake of an unlikely cult classic. Super Mario RPG might not have the deep narrative or challenging combat that the genre is known for, but it does offer a very entertaining, epic and timeless journey of good versus evil, starring Mario and and his friends, which will delight any fan of the franchise.

Super Mario RPG is a faithful remake of an excellent game. With a fleshed-out battle system, enhanced visuals, and a stellar remastered soundtrack, this is the best way to find out why so many people wanted Geno in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Although lacking innovation, the Super Mario RPG remake is a great way to relive a classic, with little incentive for old-time fans but plenty to love for newcomers.

I’m glad I got to play this refined version of Super Mario RPG. It’s a game that garnered quite a bit of critical and fan acclaim back when it first released in 1996, and the 2023 remake is a loving recreation that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. While I wish it could’ve been just a little bit more streamlined, it’s hard to complain too much about a game that just makes you smile and feel good for playing it.

Super Mario RPG is legendary for a reason, and that's never been clearer than with this remake. It looks great and smartly evolves the original combat system to make it even more engaging. While the game can't fully escape the limitations of '90s JRPG storytelling, it still offers a zany quest well worth undertaking today.

I’m ultimately glad Super Mario RPG exists. I’m even glad it exists as it is here, a pitch-perfect remake that drags one of the stranger bits of Nintendo’s history into the light, allowing new audiences the chance to experience it, new RPG players a welcoming and family-friendly gateway into the genre, and fans of the original a lovingly restored version on modern hardware. It’s good, very good even. For my gold coins, a romantic ideal would have made it great, smoothing some of the edges for modern audiences while sharpening others to give the game the same impact it would have had nearly 30 years ago. Super Mario RPG is beautiful, entertaining, reverent and a little too effortless.

There is a lot to love in the Super Mario RPG remake. An adorable art style, deceptively deep combat, an excellent updated soundtrack, and genuinely funny skits and writing all make this game as much of a joy to play as the SNES original. If you can look past the simplicity of the game overall, and the occasionally frustrating experience that is the jumping puzzles, this is a stellar addition to the Switch’s already stacked library.

The game that kicked off Mario's RPG adventures retains its charm in this cheerful remake.

Super Mario RPG is a delightfully faithful remake — for better and for worse. It’s almost exactly the game it was 25 years ago, with some key improvements, adjustments, and feature additions to make it much more enjoyable for modern audiences. It’s not without its many frustrations – most of which stem from its SNES predecessor – but there’s no denying that what’s here is a wonderful experience from start to finish.

Super Mario RPG is one of the strangest Mario games in its history: with its world of characters seemingly drawn from an entirely different universe, its darker-than-usual graphic style and its turn-based gameplay, the late Squaresoft's game is one of the Super Famicom's diamonds in the rough that had never before made it to the Old Continent, with a proper localization. A mistake that has now been rectified, with a meticulous translation, a graphical overhaul that does justice to the 1996 game and gameplay adjustments that allow younger players to enjoy it.

Super Mario RPG is considered a classic for a reason, and this wonderfully faithful remake makes it easy for anyone who missed it in the SNES era to see why. It’s unabashedly odd, reveling in the unexpected with writing that constantly had me bursting out laughing at jokes I’d heard a dozen times before. Its turn-based combat is fairly simple outside of its very clever boss fights, but it’s also ultra satisfying to keep your timing string going even when you’re plowing through pushovers. And while the updated graphics are equal parts pretty and sort of unambitious when it comes to interpreting the original’s style (with some unfortunate menu lag), the new takes on its excellent music are truly exceptional. Super Mario RPG already held up pretty well if you didn’t mind a bit of dust on its different systems, but now there’s no excuse not to see why Mario’s most unexpected adventure is still so beloved.

Maintaining what made the original so special, Super Mario RPG provides a glow-up to an absolute classic RPG experience, with smart tweaks to combat bringing it firmly into the modern era. It’s an utterly charming experience that sucks you into its gorgeous, colourful world. Still, in sticking firmly to its roots, it just doesn’t provide the challenge or open-world gameplay to elevate it to the next level. If you’re keen on a breezy nostalgic RPG with simple yet satisfying combat, the iconic Italian in a red hat has you covered.

Super Mario RPG has aged fantastically well, with great gameplay, a terrific story, and some excellent characterization. Developer ArtePiazza has added just enough quality of life improvements to refine the experience, while still maintaining the elements that made it a classic in the first place. For those that have never played it before, Super Mario RPG is a very easy recommendation, but those that have played through it a number of times over the last 27 years might find that there isn't enough new content to rationalize the $60.

A new lick of paint and some enhanced accessibility improvements bring the Super Mario RPG remake into the 21st century. While the game was already a great outing back in 1996, new players should have no problem jumping into Mario’s first RPG title, hopefully opening the door for next year’s Paper Mario remake and potentially more RPGs later down the line.

When it was all said and done, and after 12-15 hours of playtime, I felt pretty good about Super Mario RPG as both finally getting to play the original adventure in full, and enjoying one of the finest remakes Nintendo has ever published.

While dated design means other parts of the tale don’t hold up quite as well as its biting comedy, Super Mario RPG remains a strong adventure with challenging combat, and plenty of unique quirks. By maintaining its spirit beneath a fresh lick of paint, Nintendo has created a welcome opportunity to experience or re-experience one of the most important games in Super Mario history.

Super Mario RPG is a gorgeous reimagining of the SNES classic thanks to the highly detailed 3D animations. Those looking for a dose of nostalgia will be pleased that this is an extremely faithful remake, with just enough tweaks to make it more accessible to a new generation of gamers without diluting the magic of the original.

Switch’s Mario RPG feel like a love letter to the original game. Fans of the 1996 version will be delighted by the care that’s gone into recreating the SNES title scene-for-scene. For everyone else, this remains a charming RPG adventure well worth discovering.

Super Mario RPG is a perfect remake of the SNES classic with just a few smart improvements. It's amazing how much of the game is still rock solid and it proves once again that Squaresoft was in its golden era at the time. However, the game is too short to belong among the elite Triple-A RPGs these days.

Super Mario RPG is a faithful adaptation of a beloved game which feels out of time, visual improvements notwithstanding. It is still a little wonderful RPG to approach the genre with but one can wish that Nintendo could have squeezed a bit more of it.

Consider Super Mario RPG as a textbook: if you want to know how Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi were born, you're in the right place. If you're looking for a great Mario RPG, you'll find an outdated game.

Super Mario RPG is a creative and very accessible take on the RPG formula. You’ll traverse many lands and fight tons of battles to save the kingdom, while enjoying a hefty dose of light humor. If you’re looking for unwavering positive vibes, you will definitely find them here.

By being exactly the same as the original, it's inevitable that the new Super Mario RPG is a good game, but it doesn't bring any new novelties that justifies its full price. The revised graphics are the only big draw. With very few changes in combat and narrative deviations that barely impact the story that we already knew, the game is more a remaster than a proper remake. The new Super Mario RPG is a good entry for newcomers that did not play the original.

Super Mario RPG provides an excellent way to introduce a remarkable classic to a modern audience. Unfortunately, it doesn't go the extra mile and, in its effort to be as 1:1 as possible, occasionally feels a bit dated. However, turn-based battles with rhythmic elements remain entertaining, and the new graphical touches suit the most famous plumber and his companions well.

Super Mario RPG is an excellent remake. The game is atypical and very old school, but has enough quality for us to give it our full attention, especially since the improvements are numerous. Graphic redesign, alignment of the artistic direction of the characters, adjustment of the quality of life... Super Mario RPG will be the perfect gateway for players who have never played an RPG in their life. Accessible and fun, it nevertheless remains interesting thanks to its combo system in combat and its small strategic dimension. Without being a real must-have, Super Mario RPG remains a very good vintage which will certainly have a place in the game library of lovers of the franchise and perhaps even in that of the curious.

I hesitate to call Super Mario RPG an improvement over the 1996 version. It’s still the same whimsical adventure that I’ll never tire of playing, but it loses a bit of what made the original special amid a stack of tweaks that go both too far and not far enough. I imagine that a lot of players will stick to the original on future replays, opting to soak in its dense pixels and dark landscapes.

Nintendo’s newly released remake is more of a 1:1 remaster than a true remake. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this new version of Super Mario RPG, but some of the game’s design flaws and problems are more apparent. While the brilliance of the original still shines through, I continuously found myself wishing more was changed and reimagined.

An excellent remake of a historically important game, that often gets forgotten. The price is off-putting but beyond that this is a breezy and charming adventure that’s perfect for RPG neophytes.