Super Mario RPG Remake’s release is just around the corner and everyone’s preparing for its arrival. With the remake’s promise of new features, should you play the original first? Read on to hear our take on the matter.
A Few Reasons to Play the Original
The release of Super Mario RPG Remake has had fans of the original at the edge of their seats since its announcement earlier this year. With said release cresting the horizon and the promise of more Super Mario RPG fun just around the corner, both veterans and beginners alike are wondering if they’re equipped to fight the Smithy Gang this time around. We've compiled a list of answers to the question: "Should you play the original Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars before you play the remake?"
Take A Nostalgia Trip Before The Remake’s Release
Nothing reignites the joy of gaming like a nostalgia trip. Before you head out to beat up Smithy’s lieutenants and rebuild the Star Road in glorious HD, why don’t you hop on your old SNES and do it there first? Relive the agony of losing to Yaridovich the first time you face him because you didn’t get rid of his clones fast enough, or the unrivaled fun of dying to the Axem Rangers’ "Breaker Beam" because you didn’t expect it to do that much damage.
Whether or not you managed to beat Culex (or even find him, for that matter) in your old SNES save, another run-through should get you the nostalgia fuel you need to whip his interdimensional behind in the remake. One thing’s for certain, you won’t regret experiencing the fun of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars one more time.
Brush Up Your Skills Before Playing the Remake
Speaking of beating Culex, you’re gonna need more than just nostalgia fuel to get past his elemental crystals, especially with the new features the remake will implement. Sure, the new "Triple Move" should give you an edge against most enemies, but Nintendo would be remiss to not balance the boss fights with it in mind. Chances are you’re going to need to, as the gamers say, "git gud" if you’re to have any hope of winning against the Remake's potential host of difficult bosses.
If you’re a speedrunner of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, you’re gonna need some honing as well, lest your skills get rusty. It’s likely that some of the exploits and glitches from the original won’t be included in the remake, but it pays to be prepared in case they are. Either way, any excuse to replay one of the best SNES games in history is a good one.
Newbies Can Still Experience The Glory of the Original
Not all fans of the Mario franchise have been exposed to the glory of their first Super Mario RPG run due to the game’s age and relative rarity. Legendary as it is among Mario fans, the game was released in 1996 for the SNES, a console that’s been discontinued since 1999 in the US and 2003 in Japan. For a while, the game was simply inaccessible to many Mario fans, depriving them of the unbridled joy that comes with their first Super Mario RPG run.
The game is much more accessible now with the advent of the Super NES Classic Edition console, which was released in late 2017 and discontinued in late 2018 (though stock is still available in select areas). This console includes the original Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars among its 21 pre-installed SNES titles and reintroduced the classic to the modern gaming sphere.
Emulators have served as the preferred medium for many speedrunners, including those on the top of the leaderboards, meaning it's a good option as any to play game on one. Be careful however, as emulators live in a sort of legal gray area for most countries, so always check your local laws before using one. The bottom line is that now’s as good a time as any to experience the original game, especially if you’ve never done so before.
So, What’s the Final Verdict?
You Should Definitely Play The Original First
What can I say? It’s a good game that deserves as much love and attention as its upcoming remake. Depending on how well the remake performs, the original might eventually fall into obscurity. Or, it might become much more appreciated than it is now. In either case, there are plenty of good reasons to fire up the old SNES, or find other places to play it. Go ahead and try your hand at getting past Smithy and his gang either for the first time or for one more time.
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