System: Nintendo 64
Genre: Action/RPG
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Release date: December 26, 2000
ESRB rating: E
Players: 1
Save: Battery?
Memory size: ?
SRAM size: ?
Peripherals: Rumble Pak
PM screen shot

Overview

There has been much talk lately about how faithful this "sequel" will be to Super Mario RPG. Since Nintendo is not working with Squaresoft on this title, many assumed that any story or character elements that were present in the first would either be ignored by Nintendo, or removed for copyright reasons. However, as these screen shots show, this is not the case. In the first, we see Mario and his Goomba friend in what is undoubtedly Star Hill, a pivotal location from the first game. Next, we see Mario being comforted by seven stars. Even though they may have personalities now, these are clearly the same seven stars that Mario recovered in the original Mario RPG. In the last screenshot Mario is talking to a character that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Shamen from the first game. These screen shots should prove that Nintendo is not shying away from using story elements, settings or characters introduced in the first game, as had previously been believed. This might also mean we may see Mallow, Geno, or even Smithy making a return appearance.

The battle system seems to be the same as the original game. Mario still uses Hit Points for life, and Flower Points for special attacks. Here are some items that will be appearing (note: I could be totally wrong on some of the names. Plus, some names might change for the English game. At least you'll have a general idea of what Mario will be using):

  • Egg - recovers 5 HP
  • Fire Flower
  • Fresh Juice - recovers 5 FP?
  • Fortress Key
  • Honey Syrup - recovers 5 FP
  • Hot Soup - recovers 4 HP and 4 FP
  • Kamekame Tea (Turtle Tea?!) - recovers 7 FP
  • Lemon - recovers 1 HP and 2 FP
  • Lime - recovers 3 FP
  • Luigi Sign(?)
  • Maple Syrup - recovers 10 HP
  • Moon Stone
  • Mushroom - recovers 5 HP
  • Spaghetti - recovers 6 HP and 4 FP
  • Sparkling Stone
  • Spicy Pasta(?) - recovers 3 HP and 2 FP
  • Super Mushroom - recovers 10 HP
  • Star Stone
  • Stone Hat
  • Triangle Stone
  • POW Block
  • Worn-out Hammer

The timed button-pressing attacks that made the original game so unique will also be returning, as well as special attacks based on manipulating the Control Stick. Also, the characters that Mario befriends throughout the game can assist you during battles. And they are:

  • Kurio - a Goomba
  • Kameki - a Koopa Troopa
  • Pinky - a pink Bob-omb
  • Paretta - ???

(These names probably won't make it through the translation.)

As in the first game, many long forgotten Mario enemies will be returning in this game with more prominent roles. Some notables this time around include Fuzzies from Super Mario World, Pokey from Super Mario Bros. 2, and the long-ignored Buzzy Beetles from Super Mario Bros.

Screenshots