Mario RPG Discussion Thread

[LiveStudioAudience]

As far as Mario RPG changes, I've generally got my thoughts in hopes and predictions:

Hopes:
New Game Plus - Long shot, but a 2nd Quest with remixed elements and other changes (playing as Luigi?) would be fantastic.
Optional Bosses - The chance to have some new major battles would really shake things up, especially in unexpected places like Star Hill or Grate Guy Casino.
Armor Contrasts - Seeing the various armors actually be different (Geno's Fire Cape vs Star Cape) would be enjoyable, even if they only visible on the menu.
Inventory Fix - Basically either an expansion of inventory slots, or an allowance of some item stacking.

Predictions:
Character Buffing/Nerfing - Character changes to rebalance the party a bit & make the likes of Bowser & Mallow stronger vs Peach & Geno being a bit weaker
Difficulty Options - Either from the start or an unlockable mode, but there will be a harder version of the game in some way (at least a pit of 100 Trials equivalent)
Bigger Level Cap - 30 seemed low even for the time, so an increased level cap feels likely, especially if the aforementioned increased difficulty is included.
New Hidden Chests - Just an easy addition that could add some fun exploration to the towns/locations.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

One more thing about Geno's possible chances for Smash I want to ask everyone: Anyone worried that another character from Square Enix, particularly, but not limited to an old one like, for example Chrono from Chrono Trigger, or any newer character from the company altogether will get a new game or remake as well during the time between the Super Mario RPG remake and the next Smash Bros. and that it will affect Geno's chances? Also, in case of newer characters from Square Enix, anyone worried such characters will become popular and wanted in Smash Bros. and may be wanted instead of Geno?

Kinda feels hard for me to worry about such things when not in the thick of Smash speculation time. They are possibilities, but it feels weird to try to account for them when SMRPG being remade is still fresh.

I don't know about anyone else, but for me, getting Geno (or really any other RPG character like Fawful) in Smash has been kind of secondary to, you know, actually getting another RPG.

It's been 8 years since Paper Jam and that game had tons of issues. The last really good one was Dream Team, which at this point is over a decade old.

Obviously Smash Bros. would be amazing because it's the video game Hall of Fame, but if this remake paves the way for more RPGs like the ones of old, like we're all hoping it will, then I wouldn't even be bothered by Geno being a no-show again.
Also, Crono in Smash would be sick as hell. If any Square character was going to "steal a slot" I'd want it to be him.

 

[EarlTamm]

I don't know about anyone else, but for me, getting Geno (or really any other RPG character like Fawful) in Smash has been kind of secondary to, you know, actually getting another RPG.

It's been 8 years since Paper Jam and that game had tons of issues. The last really good one was Dream Team, which at this point is over a decade old.

Obviously Smash Bros. would be amazing because it's the video game Hall of Fame, but if this remake paves the way for more RPGs like the ones of old, like we're all hoping it will, then I wouldn't even be bothered by Geno being a no-show again.
Also, Crono in Smash would be sick as hell. If any Square character was going to "steal a slot" I'd want it to be him.

Oh, I totally understand. I can't say anything form personal experience about the foundation of this entire "Geno for Smash" movement, but I have generally understood that a big part of its purpose was to give SMRPG and its characters a chance at coming back. We may not have gotten Geno for Ultimate, but SMRPG has come back, be it by our loud outpouring of support or not.

This doesn't mean the end of Geno for Smash, of course, but it does shift the goal to trying to be supportive of the game in any way we can. We all certainly know that Mario RPGs aren't guaranteed to continue as we would want them.

 

[Dukefire]

For the remake, I know Grate Guy's Casino might not return since it is associated with gambling.

 

[CannonStreak]

Could see them giving a bit more to do in

Oh, I totally understand. I can't say anything form personal experience about the foundation of this entire movement "Geno for Smash" movement, but I have generally understood that a big part of its purpose was to give SMRPG and its characters a chance at coming back. We may not have gotten Geno for Ultimate, but SMRPG has come back, be it by our loud outpouring of support or not.

This doesn't mean the end of Geno for Smash, of course, but it does shift the goal to trying to be supportive of the game in any way we can. We all certainly know that Mario RPGs aren't guaranteed to continue as we would want them.

With that, in regards to the Super Mario RPG remake, everyone make sure to tell your friends to buy the game and spread the word on the internet as much as you can, so that way, the game will make lots of loot!...

...and with that, maybe they won't stop with just the RPG remake.

 

[EarlTamm]

With that, in regards to the Super Mario RPG remake, everyone make sure to tell your friends to buy the game and spread the word on the internet as much as you can, so that way, the game will make lots of loot!...

...and with that, maybe they won't stop with just the RPG remake.

I honestly think that the game is already pretty set for success (Being among the first new Mario games post the Mario Movie in a holiday slot, as well as its major hype), but spreading the word tastefully is a good idea.

Heck, I honestly fully expect there to be a SMRPG sequel when the remake proves a success. Kinda easy to imagine when Nintendo was already trying to make a sequel after the og release, the old director wanting it, and Mario + Rabbids getting one. Also, and this may be my own weird perspective on things, but the fact that it is just titled "Super Mario RPG" and has no indicator like "HD" or "Remake" to mark it as such gives off the vibe that they are treating this less like a one-off being brought back for a bit and more like a brand new start for the series.

 

[Dukefire]

Heads up, there is some new screenshots for SMRPG remake on the japanese website. Just in case, I'll place a spoiler tag with one of them.

Spoiler: Image

 

[CannonStreak]

I honestly think that the game is already pretty set for success (Being among the first new Mario games post the Mario Movie in a holiday slot, as well as its major hype), but spreading the word tastefully is a good idea.

Heck, I honestly fully expect there to be a SMRPG sequel when the remake proves a success. Kinda easy to imagine when Nintendo was already trying to make a sequel after the og release, the old director wanting it, and Mario + Rabbids getting one. Also, and this may be my own weird perspective on things, but the fact that it is just titled "Super Mario RPG" and has no indicator like "HD" or "Remake" to mark it as such gives off the vibe that they are treating this less like a one-off being brought back for a bit and more like a brand new start for the series.

I have to agree.

I am going to mention Smash Bros. Again, but this is not about Geno’s chances for the next game of that series. With how popular Geno is and how his Mii costume appeared twice in Smash, do you think that could help spark interest for Square Enix to make a Super Mario RPG remake aside from sales?

 

[EarlTamm]

I have to agree.

I am going to mention Smash Bros. Again, but this is not about Geno’s chances for the next game of that series. With how popular Geno is and how his Mii costume appeared twice in Smash, do you think that could help spark interest for Square Enix to make a Super Mario RPG remake aside from sales?

I wouldn't be shocked if Geno for Smash in caused the remake to happen in some small way. Stuff like Genos placement in the fighter ballot and/or sales of his mii costume could be statistics that nudged Nintendo and Square into consideration for making a remake of Super Mario RPG. Anything to prove demand is great for a pitch.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

I wouldn't be shocked if Geno for Smash in some way caused the remake to happen in some small way. Stuff like Genos placement in the fighter ballot or sales of his mii costume could be statistics that nudged Nintendo and Square into consideration for making a remake of Super Mario RPG. Anything to prove demand is great for a pitch.

I agree that it was at least a small factor.

As sad as it is though, probably the biggest factor was Alphadream's bankruptcy and Paper Mario... Being what it is. Left kind of a void that Square is now filling.

 

[EarlTamm]

I agree that it was at least a small factor.

As sad as it is though, probably the biggest factor was Alphadream's bankruptcy and Paper Mario... Being what it is. Left kind of a void that Square is now filling.

As mentioned before, the remake is now using Mario and Luigi battle aesthetics, so the possibility of replacement is there. Obviously all of these RPG series can coexist, but I vaguely recall some aspect of Nintendo not agreeing with that perspective in the past when it came to discussion of Paper Marios direction.

 

[Wunderwaft]

A bit late, but I'm really glad Mario RPGs as we know them aren't dead. I got pessimistic after AlphaDream died and Paper Mario seems to have fully abandoned its RPG roots in favor of Paper gimmicks. Never would I have expected the game to kickstart these spin-offs would also be the one reviving this sub-series again.

 

[EarlTamm]

So, another new image has appeared and I think its rather interesting.

Spoiler: Image and Speculation

This seems to be right after Bowser busts down the front door of Booster Tower, but the thing that catches my eye is that Mallow and Geno are out. We saw them in the cinematic of Bowser breaking down the door, but it has extended to out of cutscene as well . Seems like the whole party will be witness to joining the Koopa Troop (Or so they're pretending), with them maybe being out before the cutscene too. Makes me hopeful that there will be more added moments where the party comes out and interact with each other.

 

[Dukefire]

I wonder how this scene would look like when getting the Chomp?

Edit: I hope they won't spoil too much content before the game is released 5 months later.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

So, another new image has appeared and I think its rather interesting.

Spoiler: Image and Speculation

This seems to be right after Bowser busts down the front door of Booster Tower, but the thing that catches my eye is that Mallow and Geno are out. We saw them in the cinematic of Bowser breaking down the door, but it has extended to out of cutscene as well . Seems like the whole party will be witness to joining the Koopa Troop (Or so they're pretending), with them maybe being out before the cutscene too. Makes me hopeful that there will be more added moments where the party comes out and interact with each other.

Since they'll likely end up changing the old Ted Woolsey script like they've done for other Square remakes and remasters, I hope they do add more frequent dialogue from party members.

On that note, I don't know if it's been mentioned here but I've seen people on Twitter point out how Geno's mouth seems to be moving at 1:26 in the trailer:

This might mean we're getting at least a little bit of voiced dialogue.

Or it might mean Gaz installed a pair of chatter teeth. Who can say.

 

[EarlTamm]

Since they'll likely end up changing the old Ted Woolsey script like they've done for other Square remakes and remasters, I hope they do add more frequent dialogue from party members.

On that note, I don't know if it's been mentioned here but I've seen people on Twitter point out how Geno's mouth seems to be moving at 1:26 in the trailer:

This might mean we're getting at least a little bit of voiced dialogue.

Or it might mean Gaz installed a pair of chatter teeth. Who can say.

Sad to likely see the og dialogue, but I hope at least a few nods to the old script is thrown in. I can see a lot of the names staying the same though.

As for the Geno mouth thing, the way it is animated makes me think its something more skin to his body reacting to a lot of power going through him, but I could be wrong.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

Sad to likely see the og dialogue, but I hope at least a few nods to the old script is thrown in. I can see a lot of the names staying the same though.

As for the Geno mouth thing, the way it is animated makes me think its something more skin to his body reacting to a lot of power going through him, but I could be wrong.

I remember Chrono Trigger on DS being totally devoid of it's old script, but iirc more recent remakes have kept some of the more iconic lines intact.

And I dunno, I've watched that clip in normal and slow motion and the movement doesn't really make sense to me in any other context.

 

[EarlTamm]

I remember Chrono Trigger on DS being totally devoid of it's old script, but iirc more recent remakes have kept some of the more iconic lines intact.

And I dunno, I've watched that clip in normal and slow motion and the movement doesn't really make sense to me in any other context.

I can see that, especially since one of the big things I had ever heard about his work is how his translation of Kefka was the reason the villain got so popular and really influenced future interpretations of the character. It wouldn't surprise me if some elements are kept if they are charming and/or iconic enough.
Edit: Also, SMRPG was the last game Ted Woolsey translated. Probably doesn't matter in a practical sense when it comes to determining things for the remakes translation, but there is a certain sentimentality to that aspect.

Maybe, but I just can't visualize what he would be saying with those laps. The mouth flaps are probably synced to match Japanese if he is saying something though, so I am probably fighting a loosing battle trying to determine things that way.

Side note, do we know who is making this remake? I have seen several people online claim that Square isn't involved with the development itself, yet I don't see where that idea is coming from.

 

[StrangeKitten]

I really hope we'll have the freedom to switch Mario out of our party. I've always wanted to run a Bowser/Peach/Geno team!

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Honestly a long term collaboration between SE and Nintendo on a Mario RPG series would make a lot of sense. Even with split profits, the former would get a reliably selling series (especially in Japan) without being too costly to develop and the latter would have a very competent/creative studio to work on their RPG's that's in no danger of going out of business like AlphaDream did.

Given just how delightfully out there the original SMRPG was in its aesthetics, seeing the sort of mix of creative sensibilities between the two companies again just feels so long overdue.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

Side note, do we know who is making this remake? I have seen several people online claim that Square isn't involved with the development itself, yet I don't see where that idea is coming from.

Found a thread on another site discussing this:
https://famiboards.com/threads/whos-the-developer-of-the-super-mario-rpg-remake.6667/
Apparently the only remakes Square Enix have done in-house are the FFVII games. Everything else has been 3rd or 2nd party. Same goes for Nintendo and most of their spinoffs and remakes.

Did some Googling on the other companies mentioned as well.
One fairly likely developer is Grezzo, who have worked on both remakes and RPGs for Square and Nintendo in the past.
However, they made the Luigi's Mansion remake on 3DS and are probably also the ones doing the LM2 remake on Switch, so they may or may not have been too busy for this.

Another is Tose, who are essentially the video game equivalent of a ghost writer. They've worked on over a thousand games including ones for Square and Nintendo, but are rarely if ever credited.

There's ND Cube, the developers of Mario Party since 2010, although the company's made up of a lot of old Hudson Soft devs so it's more like they've worked on MP since the very first one.
A bit of a weird choice for this remake considering their output has been almost entirely party games for 2 decades, but I've seen people mention that the graphics and UI resemble the typical ND Cube game. I can see what they mean but I kind of hope it isn't the case.

A couple of rapid fire ones here;
Monolith Soft, the Xenoblade devs. Not much to say other than maybe.

Camelot, the Mario Sports and Golden Sun devs. It'd make a lot of sense, but let's be real, they're stuck in Sports Purgatory.

HAL Labs, makers of Kirby, pretty much exclusively. They helped make the Earthbound games once upon a time, but them doing a SMRPG remake would feel pretty random at this point.

Intelligent Systems. Uhh, probably not? I think they'd be busy working on the next WarioWare, Fire Emblem, or Paper Mario at any given time, but who knows.

And then there's Arzest.

Pray to God it's not Arzest.

 

[Dukefire]

Found a thread on another site discussing this:
https://famiboards.com/threads/whos-the-developer-of-the-super-mario-rpg-remake.6667/
Apparently the only remakes Square Enix have done in-house are the FFVII games. Everything else has been 3rd or 2nd party. Same goes for Nintendo and most of their spinoffs and remakes.

Did some Googling on the other companies mentioned as well.
One fairly likely developer is Grezzo, who have worked on both remakes and RPGs for Square and Nintendo in the past.
However, they made the Luigi's Mansion remake on 3DS and are probably also the ones doing the LM2 remake on Switch, so they may or may not have been too busy for this.

Another is Tose, who are essentially the video game equivalent of a ghost writer. They've worked on over a thousand games including ones for Square and Nintendo, but are rarely if ever credited.

There's ND Cube, the developers of Mario Party since 2010, although the company's made up of a lot of old Hudson Soft devs so it's more like they've worked on MP since the very first one.
A bit of a weird choice for this remake considering their output has been almost entirely party games for 2 decades, but I've seen people mention that the graphics and UI resemble the typical ND Cube game. I can see what they mean but I kind of hope it isn't the case.

A couple of rapid fire ones here;
Monolith Soft, the Xenoblade devs. Not much to say other than maybe.

Camelot, the Mario Sports and Golden Sun devs. It'd make a lot of sense, but let's be real, they're stuck in Sports Purgatory.

HAL Labs, makers of Kirby, pretty much exclusively. They helped make the Earthbound games once upon a time, but them doing a SMRPG remake would feel pretty random at this point.

Intelligent Systems. Uhh, probably not? I think they'd be busy working on the next WarioWare, Fire Emblem, or Paper Mario at any given time, but who knows.

And then there's Arzest.

Pray to God it's not Arzest.

What games did Arzest develop? Didn't know about them.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Amusingly enough, if Arzest is behind the remake, then that will mean they're responsible for both Mario and Sonic throwback games coming out in Fall 2023 and both of which bring back long forgotten characters from the mid 90s (Fang in Sonic Superstars' case).

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

What games did Arzest develop? Didn't know about them.

It's a newer company that's been getting more and more infamous for making mediocre or downright boring games.

Their most notable games are Yoshi's New Island, Hey Pikmin, a Mario and Sonic Olympics game, and... Balan Wonderworld. Yeah.

Although in Balan's case it was more a problem with its director, Yuji Naka, who apparently has no clue how to design a video game despite being the co-creator of Sonic. Also he's gone and gotten himself arrested for insider trading at Square, because why not.

 

[EarlTamm]

It's a newer company that's been getting more and more infamous for making mediocre or downright boring games.

Their most notable games are Yoshi's New Island, Hey Pikmin, a Mario and Sonic Olympics game, and... Balan Wonderworld. Yeah.

Although in Balan's case it was more a problem with its director, Yuji Naka, who apparently has no clue how to design a video game despite being the co-creator of Sonic. Also he's gone and gotten himself arrested for insider trading at Square, because why not.

Well then.

Really hope Sonic Superstars breaks the streak they seem to be on right now.

 

[TheBeastHimself]

Long time no see Genobros and fellow Mario RPG fanatics alike. Big win.

I'm not gonna lie, when I heard about the Direct I didn't care for it because I assumed the Switch is at the point where it's basically done until the next console, but boy was a wrong. I haven't even been keeping up with rumors or anything like that. I just saw on Instagram or something they announced a SMRPG remake and I thought it was a fake until I actually saw for myself.

I thought Geno in Smash was plausible, but never in a million years did I ever think Nintendo would go back and remake that game.

(Also, does anyone have access to the Star Road discord?)

 

[ForsakenM]

Long time no see Genobros and fellow Mario RPG fanatics alike. Big win.

I'm not gonna lie, when I heard about the Direct I didn't care for it because I assumed the Switch is at the point where it's basically done until the next console, but boy was a wrong. I haven't even been keeping up with rumors or anything like that. I just saw on Instagram or something they announced a SMRPG remake and I thought it was a fake until I actually saw for myself.

I thought Geno in Smash was plausible, but never in a million years did I ever think Nintendo would go back and remake that game.

(Also, does anyone have access to the Star Road discord?)

Believe if or not, I do.

How can I help?

 

[Dukefire]

Guess the Mario RPG games may get a reboot with SMRPG returning to form. The only way to return back to RPG formula for Mario is to bring back the origin point that started it all. Things that die will eventually be reborn again like a Phoenix from the ashes.

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

So, if they do add a 6th Party member, who should it be?
I would like some more Final Fantasy stuff, building an original character off of a Moogle or Chocobo would be cool.

 

[KCCHIEFS27]

So, if they do add a 6th Party member, who should it be?
I would like some more Final Fantasy stuff, building an original character off of a Moogle or Chocobo would be cool.

Jonathan Jones. Final fantasy already gets more than what they deserve in video games nowadays.

 

[Dukefire]

Yoshi on the original boxart was actually a summon when you use a yoshi cookie. He can turn an enemy into an item if it can be KO. If not, he'll leave a yoshi candy that would heal 100 HP.

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

I guess it would be cool if Birdetta/Birdo was made a Party Member.

 

[S1itchey]

So, if they do add a 6th Party member, who should it be?
I would like some more Final Fantasy stuff, building an original character off of a Moogle or Chocobo would be cool.

Luigi seems like the obvious choice

 

[Dukefire]

We will be down to 4 months before getting the remake in November. I still wonder if we get an answer about "higher authority" Geno spoke about?

 

[CommanderZaktan]

So, if they do add a 6th Party member, who should it be?
I would like some more Final Fantasy stuff, building an original character off of a Moogle or Chocobo would be cool.

Most likely Luigi since he was in one of the images of one of the early builds.

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

Kefka as a secret boss but he looks like this.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Kefka as a secret boss would be entirely worth if after he was defeated he basically declared the Mario RPG world as too weird for him so he was getting out of there.

 

[Deleted member]

Geno evolution on the Switch

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

I cannot wait.

 

[Peepo T. Skeleton]

Just got wrapped up with my first playthrough of OG Paper Mario in 15 years!

Replaying games you have nostalgia for can end up not being as fun as you remembered, but I gotta say, I think I enjoyed it even more this time around.

Spoiler: Link to art:

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

I would have just linked to the Twitter mentioned in the title, but Elon shenanigans are preventing me from doing it.