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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Super Mario RPG

Super Mario RPG is a role-playing video game first released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Super Mario RPG is a role-playing video game first released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996. Developed by Square and published by Nintendo, it is the first role-playing game in the Mario franchise. The game was remade for Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Gameplay

The game combines traditional Mario platforming elements with role-playing mechanics. Battles are turn-based and feature timed button inputs, with a party of up to three characters.

Story

Mario and his allies confront the Smithy Gang after they crash into the Mushroom Kingdom and scatter the seven Star Pieces of Star Road. The story includes playable and supporting roles for characters such as Bowser, Princess Toadstool, Mallow, and Geno.

Release and re-releases

The original game launched in 1996 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It later appeared on Wii Virtual Console in 2008, Wii U Virtual Console in 2015, and as part of the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017.

Legacy

Super Mario RPG was well received and became influential within the Mario role-playing subseries. Its design helped shape later series such as Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi.

Key facts

  • It is the first RPG in the Mario franchise.
  • The original game uses turn-based combat with a party of up to three characters.
  • Its story follows Mario and allies as they try to stop the Smithy Gang and restore the scattered Star Road pieces.
  • The game introduced original characters including Mallow and Geno.
  • A Nintendo Switch remake was released in 2023.
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Canadian context

The original game was not first released in Canada, but later re-releases on Nintendo Virtual Console and the Nintendo Switch made it widely available to Canadian players.

Frequently asked questions

What is Super Mario RPG?
It is a role-playing video game in the Mario franchise, originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996.
Who developed Super Mario RPG?
The original game was developed by Square and published by Nintendo.
Is Super Mario RPG the first Mario RPG?
Yes. It is widely identified as the first role-playing game in the Mario franchise.
What is the story of Super Mario RPG?
Mario and his allies try to defeat the Smithy Gang and recover the seven Star Pieces of Star Road.
Was Super Mario RPG remade?
Yes. A remake titled Super Mario RPG was released for Nintendo Switch in 2023.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_RPG
    Supports: Original release year, gameplay style, story premise, reception, re-releases, remake, and legacy.
  2. MarioWiki — https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_RPG:_Legend_of_the_Seven_Stars
    Supports: Developer, original platform, first RPG in the Mario franchise, and remake details.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mario_role-playing_games
    Supports: Placement as the first Mario role-playing game and influence on later Mario RPG subseries.
  4. Japanese Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AARPG
    Supports: 1996 release date, Mario franchise first computer RPG, and story summary.