The full alternative title for Super Mario RPG, identical in content. Nintendo and Square collaboration essential for JRPG fans.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player7+
Description
RPG developed by Square and Nintendo featuring Mario and allies, American version. Published by Nintendo, released in the USA in 1996. Mario in isometric RPG with Peach, Bowser, Mallow and Geno against Smithy and timed combat. American version of the Super Mario RPG masterpiece.
Super Mario RPG - Legend of the Seven Stars review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Pre-rendered CGI sprites, shimmering roundness and colourful isometric settings: the Square-Nintendo collaboration yields an RPG of unprecedented visual charm. The softness of the hues and the expressiveness of the characters overflow with tenderness. This art direction, polished and joyful, stands as a jewel of the console.
From the pen of Yoko Shimomura, the music deploys a score of rare inventiveness and charm, from the famous "Beware the Forest's Mushrooms" to the most moving themes. Each place is adorned with a melody full of wit and tenderness. This sonic elegance, joyful and refined, makes this RPG a treasure for connoisseurs.
When a giant blade splits the sky and shatters the road of stars, Mario teams up with unlikely companions to mend it. Blending Nintendo's humour with Square's writing, the tale overflows with endearing characters and inventive gags. This unexpected marriage, warm and mischievous, opened the way for the Mario RPGs.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Under its Western subtitle, this crossover between RPG and platformer makes every blow resonate thanks to well-judged button presses. Jumps, isometric exploration and puzzles air out a turn-based system that never stiffens. As clever as it is warm, it keeps a freshness of game design that makes it a delight to play through today.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Plunging Mario into a humour-filled role-playing game, where turn-based battles are spiced with timed actions and colourful characters: this bold blend charms from the first hours. The warm world, the 3D-rendered scenery and the tasty lines grip you for the long haul. Accessible, clever and bursting with charm, a unique RPG that delights as much as it surprises.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Blending playful exploration, timing-based battles and mini-games builds an RPG of a freshness that nudges you to push a little further. Hidden items, well-tucked secrets and inventive bosses constantly rekindle curiosity. Accessible and generous, this Mario-RPG crossover keeps a charm and a grip that stay remarkably intact.
A 1996 US SNES Square/Nintendo Super Mario RPG release, distributed under the 'Legend of the Seven Stars' subtitle specific to the US pressing. The US cart was one of the last big Square releases on US SNES and remains an identified piece for US Square/Nintendo collectors. Boxed CIB in an intact box with manual has become a structuring target, and the cote climbs hard, sustained by physical scarcity and by the 2023 Switch release bringing the spotlight back to the original.
Is Super Mario RPG - Legend of the Seven Stars still worth playing in 2026?
Super Mario RPG - Legend of the Seven Stars is the only 16 bit Square RPG starring Mario, namely a combat system with timed inputs that would inspire Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi. The pre rendered 3D presentation, the humor laden writing and the introduction of Geno and Mallow make this entry a one of a kind object. A modern version exists on Switch, but the original cartridge keeps its charm. Recommended to fans of accessible RPGs and to Mario enthusiasts seeking a refreshing universe variation.
