Super Mario RPG Initial Concepts Revealed by Developer
With the release of the highly anticipated remake of Super Mario RPG, fans of the SNES classic are in for a treat. However, recent revelations from one of the original developers have shed light on the initial concepts that were considered for the game, showcasing a very different vision from the final product.
A Different Mario and the Appearance of Wario
Jiro Mifune, one of the developers who worked on the original Super Mario RPG for SNES, recently unveiled a series of initial concepts that were brainstormed for the game. These concepts included a version of Mario as one of the Three Musketeers and even the inclusion of Wario.
Mifune explained that the creative process for Super Mario RPG allowed everyone involved to share ideas, resulting in a wide range of concepts being considered, even those that challenged the game’s directors.
The Key Moment: Mario’s Weapons
According to Mifune, a crucial moment in the development of Super Mario RPG was deciding whether Mario should use weapons. Given the popularity of medieval RPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest at the time, there was a suggestion to equip Mario with armor and a sword. However, Mifune disagreed and instead proposed a Mario inspired by the Three Musketeers.
Once this decision was made, the development team had a clear vision for the game. It was also decided that Yoshi would not be a playable character but rather a form of transportation, although this idea was not fully implemented. Additionally, the sketches revealed that Wario was initially planned to be part of the Three Musketeers concept.
A Different Storyline
At one point, the developers considered a full-scale adventure where the Slug Kingdom would invade the Turtle Kingdom and kidnap Princess Peach. This would have led Mario to not only rescue Peach but also stop the war conflict between the two kingdoms.
However, as we all know, the final version of Super Mario RPG took a different direction. Mario, Peach, Bowser, Mallow, and Geno teamed up to stop Smithy, who had taken over King Koopa’s castle and destroyed the Star Road. The game follows their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom to collect special stars and defeat the new villain.
A Beloved Experience
Despite the gameplay not causing much excitement at Squaresoft, Super Mario RPG became one of the most beloved experiences on the SNES. It marked the beginning of a long history of RPG games featuring Mario and his companions.
Although the initial concepts were not used in Super Mario RPG, they have not been forgotten. The idea of visiting multiple kingdoms and Peach’s Three Musketeers outfit have been incorporated into other Mario RPGs, showcasing the lasting impact of this SNES title.
For more information, you can check out our review of Super Mario RPG here. Additionally, please note that the game has a serious bug.
Editor’s Note: Super Mario RPG is not only a spectacular game, but its initial concepts sound very interesting. The inclusion of a job system similar to Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy V would have been a wonderful addition.
Via: Jiro Mifune