4/5 ★ – jackohdee's review of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.

Bizarre. This unholy marriage bares some strange fruit, but I have to admit Square does a great job cosplaying as Nintendo. So great, in fact, it actually makes me wonder how much of the quirky Mushroom Kingdom we're familiar with is largely a product of this unique partnership. This one has been on my bucket list for a LONG time. The posters and cut-outs for this game lingered in game stores (like my local Microplay) long after it's 1996 release. It grabbed my attention immediately - that oddly squat 3D rendition of Mario working alongside Bowser, presented as a feckless foil. I knew Geno from years of people calling for his inclusion in Smash, but I would never had guessed how much I would come to adore this laser-toting, star-kissed puppet. The world delivers on the promise of those posters. Every corner of the land is filled with fun little diversions - composing with Toadofsky, racing Boshi - it's delightful. The combat left me a little cold (I've actually never played an FF game) but it's a world full of colourful characters, where the bosses are often the most charming of the bunch. I was particularly won over by the Power Ranger-esque Axems, and the chaotic railfan Booster. Bring these guys back! It's a long game, and I probably didn't put as much into it as I could have. There is clearly so much side content I didn't even touch. Maybe one day I'll be back - but for now, I am so glad to have finally played Super Mario RPG.