Super Mario RPGis an amazing starting point for those who have never played a turn-based RPG before, and a refreshing return to basics for veterans of the genre. The game is also a great bridge for fans of Mario to try games in this genre, with it feeling similar to many RPGs of the era it originally released in.
With how many different games have similar elements to Super Mario RPG, there are plenty of different options when it comes to similar games. However, there are some amazing recommendations if you loved Super Mario RPG, so what should you play next?
8Chrono Trigger
When it comes to the mosticonic turn-based RPGsever launched, Chrono Trigger will likely come up as one of the best of all time. It is a high-quality entry into the genre, and while it is a few years older than the original Super Mario RPG, it still feels fresh when playing it today, with its engaging story, and interesting combat.
Why You Should Play Chrono Trigger After Super Mario RPG
If you loved the retro feel that is retained when playing through the Super Mario RPG remake, then moving onward to Chrono Trigger will feel like a natural progression. The gameplay is a bit more challenging than Super Mario RPG, with a more involved story, but it will be a great step up after the more basic Super Mario RPG.
7Super Mario Odyssey
While there are some common elements between Mario games, there have been so many that games with Mario’s name on them can often feel very different. However, an element shared between Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario RPG is the loveable NPCs and varied environments that all feel unique.
Why You Should Play Super Mario Odyssey After Super Mario RPG
Exploring the 3D platforming environments of Mario Odyssey will feel different from Super Mario RPG, but the way Mario interacts with the unique environments and befriends the unique characters feels incredibly reminiscent of the RPG’s narrative.
6Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
One of the most beloved modern turn-based RPGs is Dragon Quest 11, and it is lucky that the best version of the game is on Switch, just like Super Mario RPG. The narrative is a lot more fleshed out and longer than Mario’s adventure, and the combat has more complexity, but it retains the modern aesthetic that the Super Mario RPG has.
Why You Should Play Dragon Quest 11 S Echoes Of An Elusive Age After Super Mario RPG
Dragon Quest 11 is a much longer RPG than Super Mario RPG, so if you’ve reached the credits of Super Mario RPG andfeel like you want more, then moving onto the more in-depth narrative and gameplay of Dragon Quest 11 will be incredibly rewarding.
5Super Mario Wonder
One of the clear stand-outs when it comes to Mario titles launched in the Switch era is Super Mario Wonder, for how it reinvented 2D Mario gameplay. Like its RPG counterpart, it features unconventional, mind-twisting situations that throw the famous plumber into unique interactions and keep you on your toes.
Why You Should Play Super Mario Wonder After Super Mario RPG
If you love playing as Mario in worlds that will keep throwing you in new directions that you can never predict then, going from Super Mario RPG to Super Mario Wonder will be a lot of fun. The gameplay is very different, but this will be a refreshing change after a whole journey of turn-based combat.
4Toem
Part of what makes Super Mario RPG such a charming experience are the different characters you will meet and the fun interactions you will have with them. This is something that can be felt when playing through Toem. The much shorter adventure focuses on using photography to progress throughlinear isometric environments.
Why You Should Play Toem After Super Mario RPG
The photography mechanic and monochromatic look of Toem might throw you off when compared to the vibrant look of Super Mario RPG, but the charm it has is very similar to the feeling you get when chatting with all the different characters in Mario’s title.
3Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door
The original Super Mario RPG is known for being the first RPG to star the plumber, but it was by no means the last. One of the most popular spin-offs of Mario is Paper Mario, a subseries that has been consistently launching new entries since the N64 generation, with the most popular entry being Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door originally on Game Cube and in 2024 on Switch.
Why You Should Play Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door After Super Mario RPG
While it is not the first Paper Mario game, The Thousand-Year Door fulfills Mario RPG traditions with its large cast of unique NPCs that can join Mario on his adventure and add extra depth to the setting of the Mushroom Kingdom.
2Ni No Kuni
While it is occasionally overlooked, one of the most beautiful and unique RPGs launched in the 21st Century is Ni No Kuni, with the developers working with Studio Ghibli to add their unique flair to the world and characters. The story is a lot more sincere than Super Mario RPG, but it is perfect if you want to try a different style of RPG.
Why You Should Play Ni No Kuni After Super Mario RPG
Both Ni No Kuni and its sequel are very different RPGs, but both retain the same charm and loveable characters featured in Super Mario RPG. The two games have some overlapping elements, but the stories are separate, so you can play the duology in either order.
1Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
One of the more forgotten Mario subseries in recent years, especially by Nintendo, is the Mario & Luigi games. The series got some remakes on the 3DS, but no new entries have been released on the Switch. However, if you have Nintendo Switch Online, you will be able to access the first game in the series; Superstar Saga.
Why You Should Play Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga After Super Mario RPG
Any game in the Mario & Luigi subseries will be a perfect fit since there is little in the way of an overarching narrative, but with how Super Mario RPG clearly inspired the first game in the series, it is a perfect place to pick up after finishing the original adventure of the plumber.
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