Super Mario RPG

Remakes can be hit or miss, but this one gets it right. Super Mario RPG preserves what players loved about the original game, while updating mechanics and graphics to appeal to a wider array of players decades later. It feels at times almost like a scene-for-scene recreation of the 1996 SNES classic, which will likely appeal to the nostalgia of gamer parents can now share a beloved experience from their childhood with their kids. But the much improved 3D graphics, updated interface, and introduction of new systems, help give the game a contemporary vibe that ought to satisfy the sensibilities of current gamers.

This game truly does prove that what's old can be new again. The Mushroom Kingdom is chock full of hidden blocks to find, simple puzzles to solve, interesting ways to get from one spot to another (trampoline flowers, moving platforms, etc.), and funny characters to chat with. The turn-based battles rely on the same kind of strategy and decision making that has engaged players since the dawn of RPGs, requiring them to exploit weaknesses by taking the time to understand enemy types and the nature of the various attacks at their disposal. It makes for a satisfying challenge, regardless of the quality of the graphics. Modern RPGs may be bigger and have more bells and whistles, but Super Mario RPG for Switch proves that there's still plenty of delight to be wrung from a retro adventure.