Super Mario Adventure comes into focus

[08.28.99] » Space World reveals new details on Super Mario Adventure's battle system and more.

   With Super Mario Adventure (known as Super Mario RPG 2 in Japan) seemingly owing more to Yoshi's Story than it does Super Mario RPG, many gamers don't have their expectations high for the title. Unfortunately, the title's showing at Nintendo's Space World show is only a mixed bag, though it certainly isn't without its strong points.

   Lest you be worried that Mario Adventure isn't really an RPG, the game includes all the necessary elements: money, experience ("Star Points"), statistics, new abilities gained with levels, and a turn-based battle system. You don't seem to have any magic; your choices in battle are limited to using an item or selecting an attack from the movie projector-like menu. As in the original Super Mario RPG, most (if not all) attacks include a special "Action Command" that can be performed for added damage. For example, when Mario kicks a Koopa shell at a foe, you hold left on the control stick to draw back for a kick, then tap right at the correct moment to kick the shell. Proper timing is rewarded with added damage.

   Super Mario Adventure also introduces the "Friend System," which will add a puzzle element to the game. From time to time, Mario will need to call on some allies with the aid of a "Friend" menu. For example, a blocked door could be cleared by summoning a Bob-omb, while a wide canyon could be crossed with the aid of a Koopa Paratroopa. How Mario will earn these Friends is unknown.

   What may be the biggest flaw for many, however, is the graphics. While not necessarily bad, they're decidedly simplistic and cartoonish, consisting of PaRappa-style "paper thin" 2-D sprites atop polygonal backgrounds. The game does contain a wide range of environments, however: forests, fields, beaches, the castle, even a train station and a roving whale.