Super Mario RPG Reviews
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.
It would be easy, and in some ways fair, to complain that this remake is a slightly disappointing half-measure—just a bit of new paint applied to a game that’s almost 30 years old. In many ways, though, the light touch taken with this updated version just serves to showcase how vibrant the original Super Mario RPG has always been. And in a year that brought no shortage of sprawling RPG behemoths, from Starfield to Baldur’s Gate 3 to Octopath Traveler II, this one’s spryness and wit stand in sharp, refreshing contrast.
Super Mario RPG for Switch is an excellent remake of the SNES original that reimagines the classic for today’s audiences. It does a great job of modernizing the game and adding new features to freshen things up for fans while keeping the feel and spirit of the original game. Parts of the Super Mario RPG remake can feel dated and it can also be short and linear like its source material. Overall, though, this is a wonderful homage to the original game that should please JRPG fans.
At the end of the day, 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.
Ultimately, the remake of Super Mario RPG presents itself to the appointment with fans in an exceptional graphic design that cloaks the same gameplay that had propelled the original Legend of the Seven Stars into the Olympus of the best JRPGs in the history of the medium.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Super Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch is a great-looking and faithful remake that brims with the original release's charm and wonder.
Super Mario RPG is a great remake. The game is atypical and very old school, but has enough quality to give it our full attention, especially since the improvements are numerous.
Review in French | Read full review
A loving and timeless new edition that shows what a banger we had to do without in Europe in 1996.
Review in German | Read full review
Super Mario RPG isn't necessarily an improvement over the 1996 version, but it's at least a more approachable experience for kids.
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.
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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Super Mario RPG is a gorgeous reimagining of the SNES classic. Those looking for a dose of nostalgia will be pleased that this is a faithful remake, with just enough tweaks to make it more accessible to a new generation of gamers without diluting the magic of the original.
A modern version of the SNES classic, Super Mario RPG for Switch is a fun and nostalgic experience.
The Super Mario RPG Remake is a good example of upgrading things while not going overboard with said upgrades. To that end, if you loved the original, you'll love the remake. But if you've learned to want "more from your RPGs," you might feel this one is lacking in certain areas.
This brand new remake of the 1996 classic recaptures a lot of what made the original game great while infusing it with modern updates that will be great for new players but may turn off fans of the original.
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. These improvements combine with the game's already quirky charm to offer 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 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.
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.