Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

About Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

This 1996 Square RPG lands you back in the Mushroom Kingdom after a familiar rescue mission goes sideways. Smithy hijacks Bowser's castle and shatters the Star Road, forcing Mario to team up with unlikely allies including Bowser himself. You explore diverse locations across the kingdom on the Super Nintendo, then revisit the adventure on Wii U and Wii. The game blends turn-based combat with real-time action commands while you collect seven stars to restore peace. It stands as a classic entry in the franchise that brings Japanese role-playing depth to Nintendo's famous plumber.

Gameplay

Combat happens in a turn-based system where you issue commands like Attack, Item, or special abilities before executing them. Timing matters because you can interrupt enemy attacks with precise button presses during their turns. You control Mario and three party members who swap in and out as you explore the overworld on foot. Battles take place in a separate screen with colorful backgrounds and character animations that show off unique attack moves. Progression relies on grinding for experience points to unlock new skills or buying better gear at shops between dungeons. The game features no multiplayer modes, keeping the focus entirely on solo progression through its story-driven levels.

What Players Think

Critics and players love this title with an IGDB score of 88.5 out of 100 based on 227 ratings. Community moods lean heavily toward nostalgia and satisfaction, often citing the game as a high point for the genre. Average playtime sits around 24 hours for a standard run, though completionists chasing all achievements can stretch that to over 30. Users frequently mention the humor in dialogue and the novelty of Mario working alongside his rival Bowser. Review snippets highlight how the turn-based combat feels fresh compared to pure action games. The game maintains a strong reputation years after its original SNES release.

PlayPile's Take

This is worth your time if you enjoy methodical turn-based strategy over fast reflexes. The price varies by platform, but the Nintendo Switch Online subscription offers access on modern consoles. You can earn 10 achievements that track things like defeating specific bosses or collecting every star. Do not expect a seamless action experience since combat pauses for your commands. It remains one of the strongest RPG entries in the Mario franchise due to its tight mechanics and charming story.

Storyline

Set in the Mushroom Kingdom and featuring its cast of well-known characters, this adventure RPG begins with a familiar scenario: Mario must rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. However, a mysterious new enemy named Smithy soon appears, and Mario and Bowser are forced to fight as allies for the first time in their long history. In the quest to defeat their powerful new foe, they’ll journey across a wide variety of locations and tackle a mix of obstacles requiring both expert timing and strategy to overcome. Along the way, they’ll gain experience and grow more powerful, while also meeting new characters whose unique abilities will be needed to take on Smithy and his gang.