Most people picture Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario Odyssey when they first think about Super Mario. However, I picture a different game in my mind. I typically think about Super Mario: Legend of the Seven Stars when I think about Super Mario. The plumber from Nintendo jumped into the world of RPGs on the SNES and many RPGs followed the success of the plumber’s first RPG.
The plumber and his friends have appeared in many RPGs. These games expand the world of the Mushroom Kingdom with unique characters and lands. These games have a core of mechanics and each game has unique mechanics for battle systems.
I am listing the best Super Mario RPGs. This list only includes official games on Nintendo’s consoles. All of these games are RPGs with the traditional turn-based battle systems.
1. Super Mario: Legend of the Seven Stars
Console: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release Date: March 9, 1996
Super Mario: Legend of the Seven Stars is the best RPG of Mario, and this game is one of the best games on the SNES. It truly embodies Mario in a RPG. Square Enix developed this video game. Square Enix with years of experience with Final Fantasy developed a game of the same style for Mario in the Mushroom Kingdom.
The developers tell an excellent story of action and adventure. Super Mario: Legend of the Seven Stars expands the lore of the Mushroom Kingdom. You travel to many cities with a variety of environments and characters. Mario meets moles in Moleville, Nimbus in Nimbus Land, and unique Toads with a different pattern on their mushrooms in Rose Town
Furthermore, you have an epic party of characters. Mario, Princess Peach, Bowser, Mallow, and Geno are an awesome team. You have three members of the party in battle. Each character has unique weapons and special abilities.
In addition, the game introduces staples in the battle system. This RPG battle system has timed hits. Party members inflict additional damage if you press the correct button for the attack at the right time. Party members may also reduce damage if they defend themselves at the right time with the press of a button.
2. Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door
Console: Nintendo Gamecube
Release Date: July 22nd, 2004
A sequel should always make improvements from the original game. Nintendo took all of the amazing features from Paper Mario and enhanced them in Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door. This game is one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo Gamecube.
The unique story is one of the best things about Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door. Mario goes on another journey to save Princess Peach and stopping the X-Nauts with the evil plan to revive the Shadow Queen. It is a nice change of the usual plot about Mario battling Bowser.
In addition, Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door introduces new party members. All of your party members now have HP. They play a major role in combat like in the first title.
One of the biggest additions from Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door is battles on the stage. You have interaction with the audience. Characters from the series may assist Mario or enemies from the audience may throw harmful objects at the plumber.
3. Paper Mario
Console: N64
Release Date: August 11th, 2000
Paper Mario is the second RPG with the famous plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom. This game takes many concepts from Super Mario: Legend of The Seven Stars, and the game enhances some mechanics. You have a party of many allies with unique backstories. Mario is on another journey to collect stars and these stars are the Star Sprites.
Furthermore, Paper Mario adds new dynamics to the battle system. You play as Mario and one ally at all times. You may use items, weapons, and special moves in combat. Mario’s special moves are powerful jumps and strikes from your hammer. Your allies have powerful abilities for attacks and defensive strategies.
In addition, Paper Mario introduces First Strike to the franchise. Mario can strike enemies in the world and enemies can attack Mario too! Mario gets the first attack at the start of the battle if he hits an enemy in the overworld. In contrast, enemies get the first attack in battle if they hit him in the overworld! Nintendo uses the mechanic in every RPG released after Paper Mario.
Paper Mario extends the world of Mario, and a good element of every RPG is its world of different characters. Mario’s world is not limited to the Mushroom Kingdom. The game as many towns for you to explore. It introduces good goombas and Koopa Troopas from their towns.
Paper Mario has also aged really well unlike most games on the Nintendo 64. The graphics in 2.5 with characters of paper look good on today’s televisions. The graphics are bright and colorful designs with personality. The characters have simple details and have good expressions.
4. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Consoles: Game Boy Advance & Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: November 17, 2003
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is the first Mario RPG game on a handheld console. It is a great game with a fun battle system and a new adventure for our heroes. It is also the first RPG to feature Luigi in the party! The game is mostly set in the Beanbean Kingdom. Mario and Luigi set on an adventure to retrieve Princes Peach’s voice from the evil Cackletta.
The battle system introduces a new mechanic and it is Bros. Attacks! This new mechanic challenges your ability with timed hits. Players unleash powerful attacks with Mario and Luigi. Players cooperate moves with Mario and Luigi. Good timing increases the amount of damage from Bros. Attacks.
One of the best additions from is Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions the is puzzles. These puzzles emphasize the theme of teamwork. You need to control Mario and Luigi to solve each puzzle and interact with the environment.
Furthermore, I recommend playing the version on the Nintendo 3DS. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions has updated graphics and music. The additional game mode of Bowser’s Minions adds more story to the game’s plot.
5. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
Console: Nintendo DS & Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: February 11, 2009
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo DS. The game’s success led to a remake of Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story on the Nintendo 3DS. The game expands the lore of the Mushroom King like all of the RPGs in the series. It allows you to play as Mario, Luigi, and Bowser.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey has two settings, and one of these unique settings is the inside of Bowser. You may play Mario and Luigi inside Bowser and you play as Bowser in the Mushroom Kingdom.
The gameplay introduces Bowser in the series’ battle system. The battle system properly portrays his aggressive and brutal power in combat. Browser’s offense specializes in punches and breathing fire.
In addition, a new feature in the game is the Bros. Badge. This enables a gauge during Mario’s and Luigi’s battles. Mario and Luigi may perform perform a Bros. Badge move wen the gauge of both brother’s meet in the middle. The effects of the Bros. Badge move defends on the current badges equipped to Mario and Luigi.
The Final Word:
All in all, this is my list of the best Super Mario RPGs. All of these games have a special place in my collection of video games. They are stellar role playing games and are among of the top games in the genre. It is always fun to pound enemies with Mario’s hammer and unleash combos with the dynamic duo of Mario and Luigi.
What are your top RPGs with Super Mario? Post your list in the comments below! I am looking forward to everyone’s opinions.
