Summary
This article contains spoilers for Super Mario RPG.One of the bigger surprise releases in 2023 was the return ofSuper Mario RPGwith an incredibly faithful Switch remake. Princess Peach fans were given an extra surprise with theannouncement ofPrincess Peach Showtime, due for release on March 22 next year. With the remaster ofPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris due for release sometime next year, with its dedicated Peach segments as well, fans of the princess have a lot to look forward to.
While the idea of playing as the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom isn’t entirely a new concept, it’s been quite a while sincePrincess Peach had her own solo game, and the wayMarioRPGs never fail to give the heroine her own time to shine is also rather welcome. In terms of how many games give Peach her own spotlight compared to just allowing her to be playable, there’s a surprisingly low number, which can be found below:
This list is of games where Peach has her own dedicated story mode or path, possibly with her own unique ending. This is why games likeSuper Mario Strikers,where she may have special animations that showcase her personality, aren’t included, as every playable character in those games has special shots.
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What Super Mario RPG Does That Other Peach Stories Don’t
Among the small number of games that give Peach her own unique story path,Super Mario RPGstill stands outamong the rest. AsSMRPGreleased the same yearSuper Mario 64did, there are a number of newer (at least at the time) conventions that the turn-based role-playing game breaks thatSM64introduces. One of which is how many games that followed the iconic platformer decided to write Peach. In many games, even the ones that focus on her, she’s written as a calm, dainty, and delicate ruler.Super Mario RPG, however, presents a different princess.
InSuper Mario RPG, Peach is portrayed as a lot more spunky and bubbly and seems to have a taste for adventure just as the rest of the party does. When she’s advised to stay safe in the Mushroom Kingdom Castle after spending most of the game missing or held against her will, she ends up sneaking out with the help of her Granny. However,Super Mario RPGalso showcases how she cares about her people, as when a Toad follows her to the game’s final dungeon, she apologizes for worrying everyone, but says she had to do what she felt was right.
Future Princess Peach Adventures Could Take Important Notes From Super Mario RPG
While there is nothing inherently wrong with how Peach is portrayed currently, with an argument to be had that her calmer demeanor helps separate her from being exactly likePrincess Daisy, there seems to be a problem with letting Peach be herself outside of her regal atmosphere, whichSuper Mario RPGdirectly avoids. As players search for the seven Star Pieces to fix Star Road, Peach is almost allowed to be just a girl rather than a princess.
There’s a balance that most certainly needs to be found when it comes to Peach’s personality. After many years of being included in Mario’s adventures, she has almost slid into being a silent protagonist herself, with not much depth to her personality outside of being polite and calm. However, on the other side of the coin, many fans have already expressed that they don’t want Peach to turn too much into an “action girl"likeThe Super Mario Bros. Moviemakes her out to be. In that sense,Super Mario RPGprovides a great mix that other Peach stories could certainly learn from.
Super Mario RPG
WHERE TO PLAY
Set out on a classic Mario adventure: Enter—or revisit—a world of whimsy with Mario on a quest to repair Star Road and defeat the troublemaking Smithy Gang. Team up with a party of unlikely allies, like the monstrous Bowser and a mysterious doll named Geno, in a story-rich RPG packed with laughs and quirky characters.A strange party unites to save Star Road: Meet the team of oddballs setting out to thwart the troublesome Smithy Gang and protect everyone’s wishes. Even Bowser is lending a claw!Take it easy with Breezy Difficulty Mode: Players new to RPGs or who want a story-focused experience can use the new Breezy difficulty, which makes battles easier and leveling up faster. you may set the difficulty at any time if you change your mind.Adventure, battle, and traverse across a colorful world: Jump towards your next goal and continue the story. Run into monsters to enter turn-based battles with your party of three. Master the new Chain and Triple Moves system to claim victory.A delightfully reimagined world: Enjoy familiar sights with colorfully enhanced graphics and spiffy upgrades.
