The last game Square and Nintendo made together, before the N64's cartridge decision sent Square to PlayStation.
Super Mario RPG was released in March 1996 — the last Nintendo title developed by Square before the two companies' relationship ended. The split that followed was driven by Nintendo's decision to continue with cartridge format for the Nintendo 64, while Square needed the storage capacity of CDs for the cinematic production values they were planning for Final Fantasy VII. The two companies took different roads and would not work closely together again for years. What they made before that parting was genuinely unusual: a role-playing game built around Mario characters and physics, developed by Square's RPG expertise, set in a world that moved like Mario but played like Final Fantasy. Yoko Shimomura composed the score while simultaneously working on Street Fighter Alpha — a detail that speaks to the compressed timelines of mid-1990s game development. The collaboration between the two studios produced something that neither would likely have made alone. The game was also Shigeru Miyamoto's final producer credit on a core Mario RPG — a signal of how directly Nintendo was involved in its creation. The Mario characters behave with personalities built from decades of established canon; the RPG systems came from a studio that had refined them across multiple Final Fantasy entries. Super Mario RPG was the product of two distinct creative identities at the moment before they separated, each contributing what the other couldn't.
About this game
Released in 1996, Super Mario RPG was the unexpected result of a collaboration between Nintendo and Square — the studio behind Final Fantasy. Yoko Shimomura delivered one of the Super Famicom's most beloved soundtracks, and the game introduced isometric 3D visuals and turn-based combat to the Mario universe for the first time. With its playful writing, memorable original characters like Geno and Mallow, and action-command battle system, it became one of the most cherished RPGs of the 16-bit era.
Key Features
Action-command battle system rewarding timed button presses for bonus damage, an isometric world map with secrets hidden across dozens of locations, five-character party drawn from Mario, Peach, Bowser, Geno, and Mallow, and Yoko Shimomura's sweeping orchestral-style score.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Super Mario RPG was the last Nintendo game developed by Square before the two companies parted ways following Nintendo 64's cartridge format decision. It also marked the final major collaboration between Nintendo and Square until Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga in 2003. The game was remade and re-released as Super Mario RPG on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Tricks & Tales
Super Mario RPG was produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and directed by Chihiro Fujioka. Yoko Shimomura composed the score while simultaneously working on Street Fighter II at Capcom — she had just joined Square. The game introduced Geno and Mallow, two characters beloved by fans who have frequently appeared in fan polls for Smash Bros. but have never returned in a mainline Nintendo game.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Released in Japan and North America. Never officially released in Europe or Australia during the Super Famicom era. A 2023 Nintendo Switch remake brought it worldwide.
Maintenance Tips
The 72-pin cartridge connector is the most common maintenance point. Clean the gold-plated pins on cartridges with a cotton swab and 90%+ isopropyl alcohol; never use abrasive erasers on cartridge contacts. The connector slot on the console itself can be cleaned by inserting and removing a cartridge several times, or with a dedicated pin cleaner. For video output, S-Video provides significantly cleaner image quality than composite and uses the same multi-out port -- a passive adapter cable is all that is required. On early SHVC board revisions, a capacitor near the power LED can leak; inspect the board if the console shows instability. Use the original AC adapter or a verified equivalent: the SFC runs on 10V DC and is not compatible with Famicom or NES power supplies.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars copies regularly.
Will this Japanese Super Famicom cartridge work on a North American Super Nintendo (SNES)?
No, not directly. The Super Famicom and SNES are incompatible in two ways: the cartridge shape differs (the SFC cartridge has a different width and notch layout), and both consoles include a regional lockout chip (the CIC chip) that rejects foreign cartridges. Third-party adapters exist that address both issues simultaneously by bridging the physical shape and bypassing the lockout chip. Some collectors modify their SNES console to disable the CIC chip entirely. A Japanese Super Famicom cartridge is always best paired with a Japanese Super Famicom.
How should I clean a Super Famicom cartridge?
Apply 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab and gently wipe the gold-plated edge contacts visible inside the cartridge's connector slot. Never blow into the cartridge. If the shell needs to be opened for deeper cleaning, Super Famicom cartridges use 3.8mm security game bit screws — the same proprietary screw as the Famicom. Standard Phillips screwdrivers will not fit and will strip the screw heads. Clean gently and allow the contacts to dry fully before reinserting the cartridge.
How do I check whether a Super Famicom cartridge is authentic?
Several details distinguish authentic cartridges from reproductions. Authentic Super Famicom cartridges use proprietary security screws — visible Phillips head screws indicate the shell has been opened or replaced. The Nintendo logo on the back of an authentic cartridge is embossed (raised into the plastic), not printed or applied as a sticker. Natural UV yellowing of the gray plastic, consistent with the cartridge's age, is expected on genuine copies; uniformly pristine white plastic on a 30-year-old cartridge is a warning sign. The QA certification stamp on the back label of an authentic cartridge is a pressed indentation, typically absent on bootlegs. For high-value titles, cross-referencing PCB markings and chip date codes with verified collector databases is recommended.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
A short checklist for buying a used Super Famicom cartridge wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese Super Famicom cartridge; its shell is shaped differently from the North American SNES and will not fit without modification.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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If this title saves your progress, check the battery
Cartridges that save use a small coin-cell battery that fades over decades — a dead one wipes your save without warning.
Ask the seller whether the save function was tested. Replacing the battery is possible, but doing so erases any existing save.
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Check that the contacts are clean
Dirty edge contacts are the most common cause of startup and sound trouble in cartridges of this age.
Choose a seller who cleans the contacts before shipping. A note that it was tested and cleaned means the basics were handled.
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Confirm it is genuine, not a reproduction
Sought-after titles are targets for reproduction boards with replacement labels.
Ask for a photo of the circuit board and look for factory markings. Favour a shop with a licensed second-hand dealer permit (古物商) — by law its stock has a traceable origin, your simplest guard against fakes.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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