Super Mario RPG Remake is an upcoming remake of the classic SNES game, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. We’re already at the edge of our seats for its release, but what does the future hold? Is a sequel in the works? Read on to hear our thoughts and theories on the matter.
What We Already Know
No Official Statement From Nintendo About a Super Mario RPG Sequel
It should come as no surprise that there has yet to be an official statement from Nintendo regarding the possibility of a sequel to Super Mario RPG. Their hands are full with the Super Mario RPG Remake at the moment, and teasing a sequel before the remake’s release would be a questionable move.
Why? Because excitement for the sequel would surely compound with that of the remake. It would also undermine its grand entrance by dividing the fanbase’s anticipation. This doesn't confirm or deny the possibility of a sequel, but it suggests that if one were to happen, it wouldn't be in the near future.
What Prevented a Sequel the First Time
An interesting fact about the original Super Mario RPG is that it was a collaboration between Nintendo and Square Enix, a developer known for its specialty in RPG design. Shortly after the original Super Mario RPG’s release, Square Enix, then known as Squaresoft, cut ties with Nintendo and collaborated with Sony to develop Final Fantasy VII. Having lost their main collaborator, Nintendo shelved the idea of a direct sequel to Super Mario RPG and supposedly dedicated their resources to creating their own standalone RPG for the Mario franchise.
This rift prevented a sequel the first time, but what about now? Are the two companies on good enough terms to collaborate and make a sequel? Will Nintendo even bother to collaborate with Square Enix for the sequel?
Thankfully, Nintendo and Square Enix have since improved their relationship, as evidenced by their release collaborations during the Nintendo Switch era. The previous dispute, which centered on game storage capacities for the N64, is unlikely to resurface soon. While both companies are currently focused on their own projects, the possibility of a Super Mario RPG sequel is no longer out of the question.
Original Super Mario RPG Director Wants a Sequel
Chihiro Fujioka, Director of the original Super Mario RPG, expressed a desire to make a sequel to the SNES classic. This was in 2022 during an interview for MinnMax, where he also clarified that he’d want it to be his last game before retirement. This got many fans excited at the time, though it didn’t really build up to anything until 2023 came around.
Come 2023, the Super Mario RPG remake was announced in mid-June, and Chihiro Fujioka isn’t the director. While the hype for the remake was palpable, the idea of a direct sequel to the original game disintegrated overnight. Without Fujioka’s direction, many fans now think that if a sequel were to happen, it would be for the remake, not the original. Whether or not this matters will depend on how faithful the remake is to the original, as it may serve as the new baseline continuity for the sequel. There isn’t enough information to confirm or deny this, but the speculation remains.
So Will There Be a Super Mario RPG 2?
Too Early to Tell, But Certainly Possible
It’s too early to determine the likelihood of a direct sequel to Super Mario RPG. Nintendo's commitment remains uncertain, particularly with the remake's unproven performance under a new director. However, it's a possibility in the future, given their recently-improved relationship with Square Enix. Surely, many fans would welcome the idea in coming years, but it’s best we first see how the remake pans out before we start wishing for a sequel. Nintendo is probably waiting to see that before deciding as well.
Source:
Super Mario RPG 2: Why We Never Got A Sequel
Related Articles
Super Mario RPG Remake Review | Fan Reactions & Everything We Know So Far
Super Mario RPG Release Date and Time
Super Mario RPG Japan-Exclusive Pre-Order Bonuses and How to Get Them
Will The Original Super Mario RPG Come to Nintendo Switch Online?
Luigi's Hidden Appearance in Super Mario RPG
