Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

SUPER MARIO RPG STIMULATES IMAGINATION BY COMBINING CLASSIC MARIO ACTION AND TRADITIONAL RPG STRATEGY

Mario Sports New Computer-Rendered Image; Provides More Involving, Long Lasting Game Play

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- Nintendo of America this month broadens the appeal of role-playing games (RPG) to a vast new consumer audience with the release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. In his first appearance in an RPG, Mario is brought to life as a completely rendered character for the first time using Nintendo's Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) technology. He serves as the game player's alter ego in this intellectually involving adventure that will take more than 100 hours to fully explore.

"For the past few years we've seen American video game players' interest in role-playing games increase," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "More and more players are continually discovering the unique, intrinsic entertainment values that RPGs provide. Super Mario RPG, featuring America's most celebrated video game character in familiar surroundings, combines these benefits with the playability of action/adventure games to bring RPGs to a wider audience in this country."

The 32-megabit, one-player game is available only for the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES) and will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $74.95.

THE WORLD OF RPGs BECOMES THE NEW WORLD OF MARIO

Featuring an involving story line from Nintendo's legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario RPG boasts the first use of stunningDonkey Kong Country-style, ACM graphics in both a Mario game and an RPG. As with most Nintendo games and as an added effort to broaden to appeal of the RPG genre, Super Mario RPG is user-friendly. For instance, in the style of the Super Mario World series, there is a walk-through during the beginning of the adventure to introduce players into the game play mechanics. Such features will greatly aid new RPG players in learning the new style of game play.

After several years of cult status due to the inherent elements involved in traditional RPGs, the RPG genre is beginning to grow into the mainstream U.S. gaming arena. Super Mario RPG breaks new ground by combining all of the fun and familiar elements of the Super Mario World action game series with the classic elements of the RPG genre, such as non-linear character movement, progressive character development, multiple characters joining the quest, menu-based battles and strategy-based game play.

Like other Mario games and RPGs, Super Mario RPG includes several fun and challenging bonus games and mazes -- for example, there is a stunning behind-the-head perspective mine cart ride. And, along with all of the usual Super Mario World characters, new characters have been added: new heroes Mallow and Geno; new enemy Smithy; and a wise frog named Frogfucius.

The game also takes the traditional RPG menu-based battle system one step further by incorporating an easy-to-use command selector and a move-within-a-move "Action Command" feature. With the new battle command selector, a player simply presses the corresponding button selection listed on the screen next to the character to enable the action. With the "Action Command" feature, a player can select to attack an enemy, then increase the power of the attack by pressing a button with the right timing.

Super Mario RPG also contains rotating Mode 7 effects, hidden Nintendo characters and a good dosage of humor. There is a battery-backed memory to save up to four different games.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is rated Kids to Adults, 6+ by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

Soon after the release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the editors of Nintendo Power Magazine will release a comprehensive player's guide for the game with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $11.00.

Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. Nintendo and its international subsidiaries have sold more than one billion video games worldwide. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere, where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo System.

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Press Release

An Incredible New Adventure Where Mystery and Mayhem Rule!

Mario returns in this incredible new role-playing adventure! His latest rival is Smithy, a menacing creature who causes fear and treachery in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario must recover seven stars and repair the Star Road before he can make his way to Bowser’s castle for a final confrontation with Smithy. Powerful weapons, sinister spells and other useful items help Mario to complete his harrowing journey. New friends and old allies support him along the way. Even Bowser lends a hand!

• **Stunning graphics with fully rendered characters and colorful backgrounds!

• Dimensional ¾ overhead view provides an incredible player perspective.

• A huge 32-meg program delivers powerful features and amazing environment!

• Battery-backed memory saves up to four games!**

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Back of Box (US)

Mario stars in his first RPG in this highly acclaimed role-playing adventure. Excellent 3-D graphics and a rich variety of game play will enthrall Mario and RPG fans alike!

In Super Mario RPG, Mario's beloved Mushroom Kingdom has been thrown into chaos by the appearance of an extraterrestrial villain. This evil and outer space menace, Smithy, brings fear and treachery to the once-pleasant Mushroom Kingdom. Once Smithy crashes into the Star Road, he causes seven stars to be scattered throughout the land.

Mario and his friends must recover the Seven Stars and repair the Star Road by making an epic journey to Bowser's castle to confront the dreaded Smithy. Princess Toadstool, Mallow, Geno, and -- believe it or not! -- Bowser help Mario restore tranquility and happiness to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Powerful weapons, sinister spells and other items help Mario complete his harrowing journey. Conflicts take place in animated battle screens. After you choose battle options, the game carries out your fighting commands and spells.

There are seven stages and 29 areas to navigate in Super Mario RPG. Integrating a traditional menu-driven RPG with action and puzzles, this pak offers a medley of playing excitement. The stunning graphics include fully rendered characters and gorgeous landscapes. For fans of Mario and role-playing games alike, Super Mario RPG shouldn't be missed.

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www.nintendo.com - SNES

This legendary role-playing game comes to PAL regions for the first time! Designed by the RPG experts at Square (now Square Enix), Super Mario RPG is satisfyingly deep yet easy to pick up and play.

Join Mario and friends (and even Bowser!) on a huge quest to defeat an all-new villain, Smithy, who threatens the entire Mushroom Kingdom!

Fight enemies, conjure magic spells and use items to advance your quest. Plus - look out for appearances from many other Nintendo characters along your way!

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www.nintendo.co.uk – Wii

Set in the Mushroom Kingdom and featuring its cast of well-known characters, this adventure RPG begins with a familiar scenario: Mario must rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. However, a mysterious new enemy named Smithy soon appears, and Mario and Bowser are forced to fight as allies for the first time in their long history. In the quest to defeat their powerful new foe, they’ll journey across a wide variety of locations (a town of mining moles, a tropical forest, a thundering waterfall—just to name a few) and tackle a mix of obstacles requiring both expert timing and strategy to overcome. Along the way, they’ll gain experience and grow more powerful, while also meeting new characters whose unique abilities will be needed to take on Smithy and his gang. Striking a perfect balance of traditional RPG elements and the action-packed game play Mario is famous for, it’s easy to see why this title has earned “legendary” status!

Virtual Console™

This classic game is part of the Virtual Console service, which brings you great games created for consoles such as NES™, Super NES™ and Game Boy™ Advance. See more Virtual Console games for Wii.

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www.nintendo.com - Wii Virtual Console

Recover the seven stars and repair Star Road in this original Mario RPG!

A mysterious enemy named Smithy has appeared, forcing Mario and Bowser to fight as allies. Journey across a wide variety of locations and tackle a mixture of obstacles that will require both timing and strategy to overcome. Gain experience, grow more powerful, and meet new characters to use their abilities in taking down Smithy and his gang!

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www.nintendo.com - Wii U (US)