Like most old school gamers (yes, calling a game that came out in 1996 “old school” still feels wrong), I was pumped to hear today’s Nintendo Direct reveal of the Super Mario RPG remake for the Nintendo Switch.
Super Mario RPG was not only a team-up of mind-blowing proportions back in the ’90s between industry titans Nintendo and Squaresoft (what it was called at the time), with a cast of indelible new protagonists and equally memorable villains, but a commensurately amazing soundtrack. The Boss Battle, the symphonic Forest Maze and the Fight Against an Armed Boss themes are only a few of the in-game pieces still etched into my memory to this day.
Luckily, the Super Mario RPG Remake will be bringing back legendary composer Yoko Shimomura, who put together the soundtrack for the original version. Shimomura, a Japanese composer and pianist, has also written music for games such as Street Fighter II, Final Fight, the Kingdom Heart series, Final Fantasy XV, Parasite Eve and Streets of Rage 4.
“I am in charge of the music for the remake version of Super Mario RPG announced at the Nintendo Direct today,” Shimomura announced on Twitter this morning.
Super Mario RPG screenshot/Nintendo
“I put all my heart into arranging all the songs, hoping that both the fans of the original and those playing for the first time can enjoy it. Stay tuned for more news.”
The original Super Mario RPG saw Mario teaming up with Princess Toadstool, a cloud-puffed character with control over certain elements of the weather named Mallow, a mysterious, becowled wooden doll brought to life by a celestial star named Geno and a reluctant, but hilariously haughty Bowser. It’s not known at this time if the Super Mario RPG Remake will be a 1:1 recreation of the original Super Mario RPG, but the Nintendo Direct trailer did reveal that there will be updated graphics and all-new cut scenes to modernize the game, as well as a revamped combat system that will allow players to boost stats in accordance with chained, timed hits.
The Super Mario RPG Remake will be available on the Nintendo Switch on November 17th, 2023 and is currently available for preorders now.
What do you think of the original Super Mario RPG composer, Yoko Shimomura, being in charge of the Super Mario RPG Remake’s soundtrack? Let us know in the comments.
Oh, and let’s hope that they keep Luigi’s Wish from the original Super Mario RPG in the game — because it truly enriched my life for the better. And I’m sure it’ll do the same for many gamers out there playing Super Mario RPG for the first time as well.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login