My order of preference for "Mario RPGs".

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I'm playing Paper Mario right now for the first time, and for no apparent reason, here's the order I'd place the various Mario RPGs, from my favorite to least favorite:

1) Super Mario RPG-the original and still my favorite. I like everything about it more than every other "Mario RPG", from the gameplay to the graphics. It's basically an honorary Sakaguchi RPG though, so that makes sense

2) Mario & Luigi 2 (DS)-I think it has some other subtitle, but anyway this is easily my second favorite. It's more streamlined than the first Mario & Luigi, with less exploration, and more fun Mushroom Kingdom environments, battles, and graphics.

3) Mario & Luigi 1 (GBA)/Paper Mario-I think these are about tied. The graphics in Mario & Luigi 1 are better, but I also like the more streamlined Paper Mario (I have a harder time figuring out where to go next in M&L 1). I don't like the bean kingdom in M&L as much as the Mushroom Kingdom (though I suppose it's nice they gave us a new location).

4) Paper Mario 2 (Gamecube)-I don't like this as well as the first one. I love the female Goomba character more than her male counterpart in the first game, but generally I think this game is harder and less streamlined. Just less fun. I was never able to beat the final battle either, way too hard.

5) Super Paper Mario (Wii)-In theory I was excited about this, but in practice I gave up half way through. I found myself getting more and more frustrated by it, and having less and less fun as I went along. I had to consult walk throughs to get anywhere half the time too.

Weirdly, I like the games almost in reverse order of how much power the system they're running on has. I also think the games running on the lower end systems LOOK better too. Super Mario RPG and Mario & Luigi 1 & 2 all look fantastic compared to the Paper Mario series.

I'd love to see "Magical Vacation" or whatever the developer of Mario & Luigi's first GBA game was get a U.S. release, as it looked similarly fun, with similarly fun graphics.

Oh, and I don't like how Luigi doesn't get a real part in the Paper Mario games either

I hope Nintendo release Super Mario RPG here via the Virtual Console. We're still waiting for it to be released in this country. And Chrono Trigger too. We didn't get the PlayStation release of that in the UK either.

They haven't released Super Mario RPG over here either.

I really, REALLY hope they switch the Virtual Console to an iTunes style system that allows you to deactivate a console so a new one can be activated (so that we can move our games around as needed, if we get a new Wii or whatever).

I HATE the DRM that currently ties a game to a specific piece of hardware permanently. Makes it basically just an extended rental Stinks because there are so many great games on there.

My ranking goes like this:

1. Super Mario RPG
-This game was a fun experience. I've played through it a few times.

2. Paper Mario 2
-This felt more streamlined than the first Paper Mario game, and felt a bit more original.

3. Mario & Luigi
-I can get lost in this game sometimes, but it's a funny and entertaining game.

4. Paper Mario
-This was good, but it wasn't my favorite.

5. Super Paper Mario
-I borrowed this from a friend, but I didn't play it for too long. It just didn't have the same punch as the other mario RPGs.

And I've never played Mario & Luigi 2.

unfortunately all those games are currently owned or co-owned by Square, so they'd have to give Square a portion of the profits if they were to do it which would mean a higher price on the download.

Square has shown they aren't exactly the best at re-releases. Final Fantasy VII is easily their most popular game ever and they've LONG let it go out of print...but man the floodgates would open if they worked out a deal, huh? the original Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy VI for the Super Nintendo, Chrono Trigger, maybe even the Soul Blazer series! I'd cry tears of happiness if Illusion of Gaia was made available, and Terranigma could finally get a US release!

in the case of Mario RPG's, the original is still my favorite. i like the Paper Mario series though. Super Paper Mario isn't the best but i thought Chapter 3-4 (the Nerd chapter) was freaking hilarious.

I do remember that one

Personally I think Square's been pretty good about keeping stuff in print. They've rereleased a lot of their best games in recent years, including Chrono Trigger (and in a much better form than the DRM encrusted Virtual Console ).

The first three Saga/Final Fantasy Legend games could use a rerelease. The first Mana game (Final Fantasy Adventure) was the very best IMO, and it did get a remake a few years back (I should have bout it, but I just kept thinking "well, I already own the original).

i agree but at the same time, i love it in the sense that it's a nice challenge and you have to be constantly thinking about things in about a million different ways. well...i find that fun, anyways.

i agree some of the stuff is a little too hidden in how to beat it and i've had to hit up the walk-throughs too. but if they did the same thing with regards to the flat vs 3d aspect of the game...i think that'd be awesome.

so...i guess what i mean is i really loved the powerups for it.

I'm getting SOOOO tempted by Super Paper Mario since I've found it for $40! Not really much of a bargain, but I love Mario, darn it!

I've been meaning to mention Sonic Chronicles. Most of you guys probably know about it, but if not, it's basically the Sonic version of these Mario RPGs.

It's launching this fall for the DS, and best of all it's been developed by Bioware, which is one of the most well respected RPG developers in the west. I really can't wait for it. I love the colorful screen shots I've seen so far.

It's about time someone does justice to Sonic too!

Last edited by Wolfpup on 19 Apr 2008, 2:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

i don't mean to be rude on this but do you mean bioware?


i liked jade empire a lot (bioware also did JE).


i'm kinda sketch on the sonic rpg.....i'm not sure i like the art direction. i liked the old art style back with the classic series.

Yep! Good grief, that must be some kind of Freudian slip Well I love Irrational too (or 2K Boston, or...)

I really am looking forward to that game, although a preview I just read tonight made it sound like you'd have to use the touch screen for some attacks, and I am NOT a fan of that touch screen. Even still, I love these cute (er) RPGs