The gaming world is abuzz with the announced return of an SNES classic. Super Mario RPG is getting a remake, but will the original be on Nintendo Switch Online? Read on to recap everything we know so far and our theories on the matter.
What We Already Know
No Official Announcement of Inclusion to Nintendo Switch Online
At the time of writing, there is no confirmation whether or not the original Super Mario RPG is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. Official announcements are limited to trailers for its remake, none of which make any indication of its inclusion in the roster. All the buzz seems to be about the new game in town, not leaving much room for discourse towards the original.
Original Super Mario RPG Not Included in SNES Game List for Nintendo Switch Online
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is hardly the only SNES title to receive a remake. Other notable titles from that era that ended up getting remakes include Final Fantasy games and a few titles from the Dragon Quest series. For SNES titles that ended up getting remakes that are also available for the Nintendo Switch, the list is much shorter, comprising Romancing SaGa, Trials of Mana, ActRaiser, The Ninja Warriors, Wild Guns, and Star Ocean.
Despite appearing unrelated, these games share a commonality: none of them, except Wild Guns, are available on Nintendo Switch Online for either their original SNES version or their remakes. It seems that SNES titles with remakes are excluded from Nintendo Switch Online.
This pattern might not have any significance whatsoever. It could be a coincidence due to the large number of SNES and Nintendo Switch titles. The selection process for Nintendo Switch Online is exclusive, and games may have been overlooked for no specific reason. However, if the pattern holds, the original Super Mario RPG won't be on Nintendo Switch Online.
Nintendo Has History With Re-releasing Super Mario RPG
Nintendo has re-released the original Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars before, as it was previously available on the WiiU store and the NES Classic Edition console.
That being said, ever since the beginning of the Nintendo Switch era, Nintendo has shown increasing reservations about providing access to its classic titles on new-gen consoles. The greatest example of this would be the Pokemon games, specifically Pokemon Red and Blue and Pokemon Gold and Silver, which were available for the 3DS store but have not yet made their way to newer consoles.
Tactical Decisions Made By Nintendo
Nintendo isn’t above making tactical decisions to capitalize on its game releases. With that in mind, it’s possible that the original Super Mario RPG’s exclusion from the SNES catalog could be a tactical decision made by Nintendo.
Instead of providing the original game for free, the remake would be given the limelight. In addition to boosting sales, it would also build excitement for older games that easily accessible games couldn’t generate.
So What's The Final Verdict?
Probably Not, At Least Not Right Now
With all the above points in mind, it’s a safe bet that the original Super Mario RPG isn’t going to be part of Nintendo Switch Online. Apart from the alleged pattern that SNES titles with remakes seem to be exhibiting, the game lacks any multiplayer capability and Nintendo has been completely quiet about its inclusion.
As it stands, there just isn’t a reason to include it at all. On the contrary, it seems advantageous for the company to exclude it completely, at least for the time being. Perhaps in the future, the original game might make an appearance in the SNES classics catalog once the hype for the remake has died down.
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