Nintendo launched the Super Mario RPG remake on November 17 to rave reviews. Since then, the title has maintained a stable Metacritic score of 83. But most importantly, even the creators of the original Super Mario RPG have attested to the quality of the remake.

The Super Mario RPG remake uses the system of the 1996 original as its base, building upon it with a just a dash of new elements and implementing fully renewed graphics and music (although the original music is also left as an option). The remake preserves the atmosphere and appeal of the original entirely while giving it a modern glow.

The development of the Super Mario RPG remake was led by Nintendo and ArtePiazza, a Japanese game studio known for its long-term involvement with the Dragon Quest series and the original title Opoona. ArtePiazza has a proven track record with remakes and is well known for the quality of its work. The studio’s deep involvement in the Super Mario RPG remake is evident in the credits; with CEO Shintaro Majima as the Concept Art and Art Director, and Sachiko Sugimura (ArtePiazza’s game scenario designer) as the Planning Director.

Some of the staff responsible for the original Super Mario RPG also worked on the remake, such as Yoko Shimomura, who is well-known for the game’s iconic OST. Yoshihiko Maekawa, the co-director of the original title, was involved in the remake as a supervisor. Square Enix is also credited again, this time in the capacity of Producer/Project Manager. At the same time, there are many members of the original staff that did not participate in the remake, but they seem to have nothing but praise for the project.

For example, Chihiro Fujioka, who, like Maekawa, was co-director of the original Super Mario RPG, had previously indicated that he was not involved in the remake. However, he recently showed off his own copy of the game, while referring to it as the “perfect remake.”

To all Super Mario RPG fans around the world, my heartfelt thanks to you all!
I am so happy to have created an original game that you all love!
With the supervision of my best buddy, Taro Kudo, I think they have created the perfect remake.
I am not involved in the remake, but I… pic.twitter.com/3o9UOWgLYb
— chihiro fujioka (@ChihiroFujioka) November 17, 2023

Further adding to the enthusiasm is Kazuyuki Kurashima, who designed the monsters and supervised character design in the original Super Mario RPG. Upon clearing the remake, he shared his impressions on social media, admitting that he was touched by the game to the point of tears. He expressed gratitude to all of the staff involved in the remake.

〜マリオRPG進捗〜
ようやくクリアしました。
エンディングは色々な感情込み上げ
またしても落涙。
リメイクスタッフの皆様
ありがとうございました⭐︎
感動しました。 pic.twitter.com/8RXMOxyi51
— 倉島一幸 (@kurashimakaz) November 25, 2023

It seems that to both Fujioka and Kurashima, the involvement of one key member – Taro Kudo, was a deciding factor, as they both commented on the importance of his supervision. Taro Kudo was responsible for event design in the original Super Mario RPG. He was later involved in the development of Moon: Remix RPG Adventure and directed Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland after founding Vanpool. He came back to the Super Mario RPG remake in the capacity of event director and text writer, and his name appears early on in the credit roll, indicating that he was likely a key member.

With experience in both the original Super Mario RPG and the Paper Mario series that inherited its feel, it’s easy to see how Kudo was a key player in making sure the Super Mario RPG remake would preserve the identity of the original despite the big visual revamp.

Unfortunately, it is not unusual for the original creators to dismiss or criticize remakes of classic games. In Super Mario RPG’s case, however, even original members who weren’t involved in the remake have nothing but praise for it. It seems that the efforts of both veteran and new staff to keep the remake true to the spirit of the original have paid off.