Retro Uprising - Super Mario RPG

Intro

Like any other Mario Bros. adventure, you start off saving Princess Peach from the chronic kidnapper known as Bowser. During the fight for the right to party with the princess, a giant sword breaks through the Star Road and crashes into Bowser’s castle, sending everyone flying out in different directions and scattering the Star into seven pieces. Now it's up to Mario to save the Princess, yet again, and to find out what the heck is up with that giant sword.

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[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeibGYhvNws"]YouTube- Super Mario RPG - intro[/ame]

Characters

As you go thru the game you'll team up with Princess Peach, two brand spanking new characters Mallow and Geno, and even your old arch enemy Bowser. You'll fight many familiar enemies like the Koopas and the Hammer Brothers, along with new enemies never before seen in the Mario world.

This game had everything except for one thing.....where the hell is Luigi?!

Mario

http://www.galbadiax.com/mariorpg/mario.jpg This mustached hero needs no introduction. It's a me, ah MARIO! The world's most famous plumber is the main protagonist of the story and your main character. Along with his classic jump and stomp attack, Mario can also use weapons such as hammers, fireballs and koopa shells.

Mallow
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2429/mallowoh2.png Making his big debut, this soft looking fellow is the first to join your crew. Mallow is not very strong in physical attacks, but his magic is nothing to laugh at. He has great attack power with decent healing spells in his arsenal.

Princess Toadstool
http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-...work-small.jpg Ah Princess Toadstool, Mario really needs to get her a taser. In this adventure you get to use the princess in battle. She is by far the weakest in attack power and has only one magic based attack. The rest of her magic is dedicated to health recovery and status attacks.

Geno
http://www.galbadiax.com/mariorpg/geno.jpgThe other new character added to the Mario world roster is the mysterious Geno. He's a type of Star Road Protector, who has taken shape as a doll that he found. Geno has good physical attack strength and powerful magic attacks aswel as status boosting spells. He is a very offensive character and is worth having in your team once you get him.

King Bowser
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thum...owsersmrpg.png The most evil turtle in the Mushroom Kingdom, King Bowser. Bowser is no stranger to the Mario series and was expected to be in the game. What was a real surprise is that he is actually a playable character who teams up with Mario. That's right, a peace treaty is made. Bowser is by far the strongest when it comes to a good ol' fashioned beat down. He also has magic attacks with decent damage and status affecting magic.

Gameplay

The feel of the game is very much like "Chrono Trigger" plus the ability to jump around. You've got free movement while exploring large areas and only go into a battle if you touch an enemy that's walking around.

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The battle system is turn based and has animation to every action. Attacks also have a timing system kind of like "Legend of Dragoon" to lengthen your attack and pile up the damage inflicted.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PlGQYHnDs&feature=related"]YouTube- 100 super jumps[/ame]

And what RPG would be complete without items and an arsenal of weapons and armor to choose from? You get all sorts of stuff that you can pick up from defeated foes from life giving energy drinks. At the shop you can purchase your weapons and armor along with explosives and other helpful items that are not dropped by your free roaming koopas.

Ratings

Graphics- (5/5)

Great graphics for its time that still hold up today. It was smooth and colorful with lots of action. Spells and attacks are animated and really help to get you into the game.

Sound- (5/5)

This game had great music that changed from place to place and keeping the classic jumping sounds and coin clings. The battle music kept you going with those tough enemies and the boss music was more epic. I loved the music, you even get to make some of your own music during the game.

Replay Value- (4/5)

Since you have 5 characters to choose from to make a three character team, there are different combinations that you can make. Depending on who you choose, it could change the difficulty of the game. Also who doesn't play a finished RPG again just to see if they can find something new? I know I do.

Challenge- (3/5)

The thing about RPGs is that if you get stuck on a boss because he's too powerful for you, you could always just farm a bunch of experience and become so strong the bosses are no longer a challenge. Since the game lacks in the puzzle department, how challenging the game gets is really depends on the player.

Tilt- (5/5)

Overall, this was and still is a great game to own. I'll play this over again multiple times and still have a blast with it. This is without a doubt one of the best Mario game ever.