With the release of Dream Team I figured a fun thing to do might be for all of us to look at all the Mario RPGs of the past and rank out personal favorites.
I'm going to do a top 5 but if some of you want to rank them all that's fine. Also it's up to you if you want to count Super Paper Mario on this as it is more of a platformer, it has RPG elements and still has the look and feel of a Paper Mario game.
Also I've never played Partners in Time and I don't feel I've played enough of Dream Team to put it on the list just yet. Ok.
#5. Super Paper Mario
This was the first "regular" Wii game I played aside from Wii Sports and Wii Play I got to mess around with. Though it's more of a platformer, it has RPG elements. Also it has a decent story and who doesn't love chapter 3 with Francis the super nerd which is Nintendo probably taking a shot at it audience. Plus it was nice to have Peach be playable along with Bowser and Luigi. And this really was a game where Luigi was given even more depth of character with his dark side "Mr. L." Please bring back Mr. L Nintendo!
#4. Paper Mario
I missed this one the first time around and only recently finished it when I got it as a free download with Club Nintendo points. Originally meant to be Super Mario RPG 2, Square leaving to work with the Playstation meant Nintendo had to hand off their next Mario RPG game to Intellegent systems who, for the most part seem pretty good at writing fun, clever stories for the Mario universe often poking fun at it's tropes and clichés. Though this one has some annoyances namely partners not being able to use items and the final boss fight is unnesscarily long because Bowser can heal himself 30hp whenever.
#3. Bowser's Inside Story
The Bros. third team up proved hilarious and in all actuality was really Bowser's adventure and he really was sort of the star here. Meanwhile Mario and Luigi have an adventure inside his bowels playing little mini games to make him stronger and even going into his crotch to turn him into Godzilla if he gets smashed. Fawful gets to go from sidekick to star baddie taking over Bowser's castle and giving Bowser a magic mushroom to suck up everyone. I also like the ending. SPOILERS After Bowser, defeats the boss, Mario and Luigi escape from inside him. Bowser realizes they're there and they get ready to fight, only to have the credits roll because we know how this turns out. Yet the end scene is Bowser is sitting at home in bed, all beat up and Peach sends him a cake for once. :)
#2. Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door
This one improved on the original in so many ways. It had a better and, somewhat, darker story. It had some unique level concepts like the Glitz Pit, an area where Mario participated in a spoof of the WWE. It also made much more use of Mario's paper abilities namely being able to fold himself into an airplane or boat. Also when people complain about Mario games not having deep stories, this is a good one to point out. Bowser in fact, seems to be there for comic relief following Mario around but just missing him and only showing up at the end to let Grodus get away. Peach this time is kidnapped by aliens wanting to resurrect an ancient demon. Uh Grodus. You might want to ask Dr. Eggman about how well releasing ancient demons works out.
#1. Super Mario RPG
For nostalgia purposes, I had to put this one at the top. The SNES had so many great JRPGs in a time when they still were not a mainstream thing in the US. This is up there with Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy III er VI. My cousin got a booklet in the mail advertising this game and we were impressed at seeing a Mario game use the DKC graphics along with seeing a game where Peach and Bowser fought alongside Mario. SMRPG was innovative because it was the first to introduce the "timed hits" system where a second tap would increase damage as well as help you defend better. For some, this felt more immersive than simply selecting an attack, then waiting and hoping the next move didn't kill you. Part of me wishes that Square and Nintendo would team up for another Mario RPG but given the state of FF games, I don't know if I want to play a Mario game where you just walk down halls waiting for the next cut scene.
Your turn.
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