Summary
As the years have gone by, players have had to watch as turn-based RPGs have fallen into obscurity. While some titles of the sub-genre are still releasing, most of the more prominent RPGs have either adopted gimmicks that alter the formula as seen in thePaper Marioseries, or have adapted to being more about real-time action than turn-based gameplay. However,Super Mario RPGhas a brand-new Switch remake out now that’s proving that the back-and-forth strategy still has its fans. Despite how long it’s been, plenty of loyal players are enjoying the return ofSuper Mario RPG.
Super Mario RPG, like other turn-based adventures before it, has plenty of enemies to fight in Mushroom Way,Land’s End, and beyond. The Switch remake even adds a bestiary featuring all the monsters, allowing most of the entries to be revealed once players beat the game. Amid Mario enemies and more standard RPG monsters, a classic enemy makes its appearance inSMRPGin a way that may make players frustrated, but will then cause them to stop and laugh. These foes would be the Mimics, whose names are jokes about the very mechanic of their enemy archetype.
How the Mimics in Super Mario RPG Perfectly Represent Player Frustration
The Nature of Mimics in Role-Playing Games
Mimics in RPGs are typically seen in the form of fake treasure chests, aiming to lure unsuspecting victims into their grasp by making them think they’ll get a rare item to help them out on their journey, only for it to spring out and attack them instead. If one isn’t prepared for a Mimic in place of the chest, players could easily end up losing the fight because they tried their luck. Because of this, finding a Mimic is often more frustrating than not, but they’re so important to the genre that they’re found all over in games likeDragon Quest,Dark Souls,Shovel Knight, and more.
Super Mario RPG Lets the Names of the Mimic Speak For Itself
While playerslevel up throughoutSuper Mario RPG, it won’t be long until one of the game’s many treasure chests turns out to be a Mimic in disguise. Truthfully, Mimics inSMRPGare very rare. However, their names will likely stay with players for a long time as the Mimic jumps out and starts a battle to only reveal themselves with the names “Huhwhat,” “Whuhoh,” “Pleaseno,” and “Comeon.” Each name fits the general reaction that players have to Mimics, which most likely will make fans laugh once the name is read.
In the original SNES game, these Mimics were known as Pandorite, Hidon, Box Boy, and Chester. The new names are made to match the original Japanese names for these monsters, which are different variations of the phrase “nandaro”, meaning “what is this.” In Japanese, “nandaro” can be meant curiously, like a question, but can also be yelled in surprise when something isn’t as it seems, befitting the nature of Mimics.
These cleverly named enemies are truly surpriseencounters inSuper Mario RPG, as three of the four Mimics can only be fought a few times and then never again, with the other being the last part of one of the six trial doors in Bowser’s Keep. Luckily for those who enjoySMRPG’sFinal Fantasyelements, this would be Comeon; the very fake treasure chest that apparently holds Bahamutt, a parody version ofFF’s Bahamut dragon, inside of it. After helping themselves to a difficult battle, they sadly won’t get any drops for their efforts, but at the very least, if a player manages to shout the same name of one of these monsters before the fight starts, it’s certain to make them laugh and smile despite the lack of proper treasure.
Super Mario RPG
WHERE TO PLAY
Set out on a classic Mario adventure: Enter—or revisit—a world of whimsy with Mario on a quest to repair Star Road and defeat the troublemaking Smithy Gang. Team up with a party of unlikely allies, like the monstrous Bowser and a mysterious doll named Geno, in a story-rich RPG packed with laughs and quirky characters.A strange party unites to save Star Road: Meet the team of oddballs setting out to thwart the troublesome Smithy Gang and protect everyone’s wishes. Even Bowser is lending a claw!Take it easy with Breezy Difficulty Mode: Players new to RPGs or who want a story-focused experience can use the new Breezy difficulty, which makes battles easier and leveling up faster. you’re able to set the difficulty at any time if you change your mind.Adventure, battle, and traverse across a colorful world: Jump towards your next goal and continue the story. Run into monsters to enter turn-based battles with your party of three. Master the new Chain and Triple Moves system to claim victory.A delightfully reimagined world: Enjoy familiar sights with colorfully enhanced graphics and spiffy upgrades.
