How Is Your SNES Gaming Going?

[alienjesus]

IIRC, you can get more than 100% in each game.

10x%, where x is the number of the game.

You can actually get 105% (or maybe 106%) if you play harder modes using the HARDR and TUFST cheat codes on the main menu.

[MyNameIsVince]

The third game is far more logical in the placement of secrets. It was the most fun for me. I really didn't enjoy the arbitrary placement of secrets in the first game. After I finished the series, I checked a FAQ for one level in the first game that I just couldn't find the secret for. Turns out there is a secret room in a secret room. Yeah, screw that game.

In the first game, there was no real visual indicator that you even found a bonus level. The only clue was that little jingle you heard when you broke a wall open (and that was for those types of bonus areas only, the others gave you almost no indicators whatsoever). The 2nd and 3rd games made it easier because the barrels are clearly marked with a "B" on them and the ones off the beaten path or found in walls mostly had some sort of indicator to help you out, like bananas shaped into an arrow pointing to a wall.

As for that secret room in the secret room, I know that one. In Fear Factory, 2nd bonus area (I think) where you have to match 3 in a row. To access the bonus area in THAT bonus area, you have to match 3 single bananas to get a barrel to break open the right wall and play it. My question is, how the hell was anyone supposed to know that MATCHING 3 SINGLE BANANAS GIVES YOU A BARREL?!?! If you didn't have a strategy guide, you would never have known that until years later reading a Gamefaqs on it. Also, you can access that bonus area ONLY ONCE, and after that, NEVER AGAIN.

[BoneSnapDeez]

^ Nintendo Power mentioned that bonus area shortly after the game launched. That's the only way I ever knew about it.

[ExedExes]

Having the guides for DKC and DKC2 really helped me out

[MyNameIsVince]

I don't remember ever seeing it in Nintendo Power. I only found out that secret via the strategy guide. And yes, having the strategy guides to all 3 DKC games was beneficial, not to mention great reading material.

[ZeroAX]

Got some secrets in DKC3 and I'm slowly moving towards a 103% game file. I am really enjoying it. No matter how many times I replay the levels I don't get bored .

I also started Super Mario RPG, and I have to say I forgot just how much fun this game is. I like its combat system more than the Mario and Luigi series, probably because it resembles more an actual JRPG. Also Mallow and Geno rock as characters (haven't gotten to the part you get Geno yet though)

I also really like the 90s anime humor. Reminds me of my childhood. And the scenes where Mario "explains" what has happened, by putting on a small play, and him morphing into the characters he is talking about, is hilarious.

[Wispmage]

I also started Super Mario RPG, and I have to say I forgot just how much fun this game is. I like its combat system more than the Mario and Luigi series, probably because it resembles more an actual JRPG. Also Mallow and Geno rock as characters (haven't gotten to the part you get Geno yet though)

I also really like the 90s anime humor. Reminds me of my childhood. And the scenes where Mario "explains" what has happened, by putting on a small play, and him morphing into the characters he is talking about, is hilarious.

Yeah, the combat system is definitely one of my favorite parts of the game. It's simple, yet engages you with the timed hits and offers some variety with the special abilities for each character. And the nostalgia factor is there for me in spades. I can specifically remember borrowing my neighbors copy and getting up an hour before I had to just so I could squeeze some play time in before going to school.

I can't really compare it to the newer Mario RPG titles like Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi, having never played them, but I think part of the reason I've never been too drawn to them is because they seem to lack that certain Square element from Super Mario RPG. As you said, it feels a bit like a JRPG because of that. I'm curious, from fans of the newer Mario RPG games, which ones are worth playing / the best of the series'?

[prfsnl_gmr]

I can't really compare it to the newer Mario RPG titles like Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi, having never played them...

If you like Super Mario RPG, then you owe it to yourself to play the Paper Maro and Mario & Luigi games. IMO, the battle systems in those series is better, and the writing is top-notch. Personally, I prefer the Mario & Luigi series - especially the first game, Superstar Saga - but you can't go wrong with any of them.

[alienjesus]

I'm curious, from fans of the newer Mario RPG games, which ones are worth playing / the best of the series'?

I'd rank the Mario RPGs I've played like this, from best to worst:

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Paper Mario
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Super Paper Mario
Super Mario RPG

Super Paper Mario loses a lot of the RPG elements, but it's still enjoyable and funny. Partners in Time is good, but the enemies have too much health and the game is overly long. The first 3 games on the list are must plays in my opinion, absolutely excellent and hilarious RPGs. The new Mario & Luigi on 3DS is good from what I've played so far, probably above Sticker Star on the list, but I'm only a small ways in so I didn't count it yet.

I feel that the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games are much better written than Mario RPG. They also have more options in battle, and dial the timed hits mechanic of Mario RPG up to 11 - every attack has specific timed commands to increase damage, and they're often a little more intricate than pressing A once. Mario and Luigi even uses timed dodges in it's battle system in order to successfully avoid damage and counter attack.

Whether or not you agree with my opinion of Mario RPG (it's definitely not a favourite of mine), I'd definitely give the later Mario RPGs a go. They're brilliant, and have some talented teams behind them.

[Wispmage]

Whether or not you agree with my opinion of Mario RPG (it's definitely not a favourite of mine), I'd definitely give the later Mario RPGs a go. They're brilliant, and have some talented teams behind them.

Fair enough. Thanks for the list, I'll have to check out the new 3DS Mario & Luigi game as I just got a 3DS and am on the look out for new titles. And I wasn't aware of it, but it came bundled with Paper Mario Sticker Star which my girlfriend has been enjoying so far, being a long time fan of the Paper Mario games. I'll also be on the lookout for Superstar Saga since you're the second person to so highly recommend it.