Quick Thoughts - Super Mario RPG Remake

I was able to snag a copy of the remake of Super Mario RPG for the Nintendo Switch that was on sale. I remember briefly playing the original Super Mario RPG on the SNES but I never came close to beating the game. I thought this was a good time to finally complete Super Mario RPG and give some thoughts on the experience.

The obvious biggest changes from the SNES version to the Switch version are the updated graphics and sound. The overall graphics and character animations look clean, with only a few little stutters here and there. The colours and visuals pop with vibrance and the Super Mario RPG remake is overall aesthetically pleasing to look at. I also enjoy the updated sounds; especially the re-worked soundtrack. The soundtrack was still the nostalgia of the original songs, but with a modern touch.

I can appreciate a simple RPG, and Super Mario RPG is probably the simplest RPGs I have ever played. Sometimes, you do not need complexity to be a great RPG. If there are simple concepts and gameplay elements that are easy to understand by the player, the player will generally have a great time playing the game. I can attack, use special moves, use items, and equip my characters, and that is all I need. Many of these gameplay elements from the original Super Mario RPG reappear in the later Mario RPGs; the Paper Mario series and the Mario & Luigi series.

The other thing I like about Super Mario RPG is the dialogue and writing. Super Mario RPG still feels like a Mario game, but with the tropes you would see in Square Enix RPGs. I found the dialogue to be inventive, and quite hilarious at times. Every character has their moments for laughs, and every character has their moment to shine. Although I found the overall story to be a bit unfocused, the writing and characters more than made up for it.

The Super Mario RPG remake is worth playing on the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario RPG is a great entry point for gamers wanting to try more RPGs, as well as the game being a treat for more experienced gamers. The gameplay itself is still solid with great action sequences, puzzles, and battles. The game is a bit too short for my liking, but there is much to enjoy in my short time with this game.