Before you dive into the whimsical world of Super Mario RPG, there are key secrets and strategies that can transform your adventure from a simple romp into a masterful quest. From mastering the timing-based combat system to exploring hidden treasures by jumping like Mario himself, these seven essential tips will prepare you to face quirky bosses, optimize your party’s unique abilities, and uncover every secret the game has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG player or a newcomer, knowing these will give you a decisive edge in this charming blend of platforming and role-playing action.
Below, we list out some beginners tips we wish we knew when starting the Super Mario RPG.
This isn’t the Mario & Luigi or Paper Mario series, even if it feels similar
Super Mario RPG stands apart from both the Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario series, even though it shares some similarities with them. Unlike the Mario & Luigi games, which feature a more cartoonish and expressive style with involved turn-based combat relying heavily on timed button presses, and Paper Mario, known for its distinctive paper-themed aesthetics and a mix of RPG and puzzle elements, Super Mario RPG combines traditional RPG mechanics with a unique blend of humor and storytelling that feels distinct. It is the original Mario RPG that inspired the later series but remains its own experience, blending turn-based battles and exploration in a way that doesn’t fully align with either successor series.
If you’ve played the other Mario RPGs a lot, you have a few habits to unlearn when it comes to Super Mario RPG. For one, enemies won’t take damage from getting preemptive strikes outside of battle, so don’t bother trying to jump on them. All of your characters will dodge and strike with the A button, too, which brings us to the next tip.
Keep your thumb on the A button during combat
In Super Mario RPG, keeping your thumb on the A button during combat is crucial for mastering the game’s Action Commands. By pressing A at the precise moment-right before your attack lands or just as an enemy’s attack is about to hit-you can increase your damage output or successfully block incoming damage. Perfect timing can even cause splash damage to multiple enemies or completely negate an attack with a shield. This real-time element adds depth to the turn-based system and rewards players who stay attentive and ready to press A at the right time throughout battles.
You’ll need to react quickly to block incoming damage, so there’s no use in lollygagging around by taking your thumb off the A button. Since you’ll also be using the A button to nail down timing with attacks, you may as well leave it there.
(This might seem like a silly tip, but I personally had to unlearn swapping between A and B – a habit I picked up from Mario & Luigi.)
Don’t forget to use your Flower-increasing items
In Super Mario RPG, don’t forget to use your Flower-increasing items such as Flower Tabs, Flower Jars, and Flower Boxes to permanently raise your maximum Flower Points (FP). FP is crucial for executing special attacks, and increasing your max FP allows you to use these powerful moves more often in battles. These items not only boost your FP capacity but also fully restore your FP when used, making them invaluable for maintaining your offensive capabilities throughout the game. Collecting and wisely using these Flower items will give you a significant advantage in combat and help you progress more smoothly.
Flower Tabs and the like can only be used outside of battle and they increase your maximum Flower Points. Using these items will also restore your Flower Points to full, so you can use them strategically (out of battle, again) in a pinch.
Buy healing items, but keep item limits in mind
Healing items like Mushrooms and Syrups are essential for keeping your party in fighting shape, but Super Mario RPG enforces strict item limits-typically, you can only carry up to ten of each healing item at a time. This means you should use your items liberally to avoid wasting pickups, as any extras you find will be sent to your Storage Box instead of your inventory. Shops sell healing items cheaply, and you’ll frequently find more during your adventure, so don’t be afraid to use them to stay healthy rather than hoarding them for later. Just remember to manage your inventory and use what you have before picking up new items, so you’re always prepared for the next tough battle.
You should be stocked up on healing items, but keep in mind that you can only carry a certain number of each item. Extras will be sent to the chest in Mario’s house.
Yes, just buy the better equips at the shops
When you visit new towns in Super Mario RPG, don’t hesitate to buy the better equipment available at the shops. Upgrading your weapons and armor as soon as they become available is one of the simplest ways to keep your party strong and make battles much easier, especially early on when the stat boosts from shop gear are significant. While some of the absolute best equipment in the game is hidden or requires special tasks to obtain, the majority of your upgrades will come from simply purchasing new gear as it appears in each shop. Don’t worry too much about saving coins for later-just keep your team outfitted with the latest gear, and you’ll have a much smoother journey through the Mushroom Kingdom.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading your equips because you’re afraid that the incoming dungeon will have better equips inside, just buy the ones at the shop. Super Mario RPG doesn’t really make you outgrow your equips in a way that you need to budget your coins. You’ll have tons of coins and dungeons only reward a few different weapons, so you don’t have to worry too much about your new equipment going to waste quickly.
Keep practicing the Mario special jump
Mastering the Mario special jump, known as the Super Jump, is essential for unlocking powerful rewards in Super Mario RPG. Once Mario reaches level 6, he gains the Super Jump ability, which allows him to jump multiple times consecutively on an enemy by pressing the A button precisely each time he lands. The timing window becomes increasingly strict after about the 15th jump, requiring sharp focus and practice to maintain the chain up to 100 jumps. Practicing on Spiny enemies, which take no damage from jumps, is recommended since it lets you build your combo without interruption. Using headphones to catch audio cues and plugging in your controller to reduce input lag can significantly improve your timing. Achieving 100 Super Jumps rewards you with the coveted Super Suit, which boosts all stats and prevents instant death, making the effort worthwhile for tackling tougher postgame challenges.
The best end-game equips for Mario involve landing consecutive Super Jumps. For the accessory, you’ll need to land 30 in a row, and for the armor, you’ll need a whopping 100 in a row. It’s better to start practicing that timing as soon as you can.
Use the menu to fast travel rather than the world map (when you can)
Fast travel in Super Mario RPG is a huge time-saver, and using the menu is the most efficient way to get around. Instead of moving between areas on the overworld map, you can press the “+” button to open the menu, select “Map,” and instantly choose any region or area you’ve already visited-no need to backtrack through old locations or navigate the world map manually. This method works almost anywhere, including towns, buildings, and even dungeons, letting you quickly revisit shops, quest locations, or side objectives without extra hassle. Whenever possible, use the menu-based fast travel to streamline your adventure and keep the pace brisk as you explore the Mushroom Kingdom.
Rather than using the overworld map to travel to previous locations, just open the menu and travel from that map instead. This map offers more specific locations to travel to. For example, rather than just placing you at the beginning of Land’s End, you have the option to head to the Land’s End entrance, the Tall Cliff, or Belome’s Temple. This will save you from having to backtrack through lengthy areas to get to where you’re trying to go.
What hidden secrets can I discover before starting Super Mario RPG
Before starting Super Mario RPG, you can uncover a variety of hidden secrets that enrich the gameplay and add charm to the adventure:
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Frog Coins and Secret Chests: Collecting Frog Coins and finding secret chests is a key part of exploration. Some chests were missable in the original game but are now accessible in the remake, so you don’t have to rush.
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Super Jumps: Mastering the timing of Mario’s jumps can unlock special moves and interactions, including a challenging 100-jump combo that rewards you with the powerful Super Suit armor.
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Peach’s Mystery Item: In Peach’s room, examining the mantelpiece reveals a mysterious object called “Peach’s ???”. Interacting with it triggers amusing reactions and adds to the game’s quirky humor.
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Nintendo Cameos: Look out for cameos from iconic characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda, who can be found sleeping in Rose Town’s inn, and Samus from Metroid, who appears in the Mushroom Kingdom after certain events.
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Secret Boss Fight: The game features a hidden Final Fantasy-inspired boss named Culex. To fight him, you must complete a side quest involving fireworks and a Shiny Stone, leading to a challenging and memorable battle.
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Lazy Shell Weapon: Mario’s best weapon, the Lazy Shell, is obtained through a multi-step side quest involving the Seed and Fertilizer items, which require exploration and defeating specific bosses.
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Secret Code: There is a playful secret code you can enter on the pause menu that triggers a humorous interaction with Toad, though it has no actual effect on gameplay.
These secrets highlight the game’s depth and playful design, making exploration and experimentation highly rewarding before and during your journey.
What are the most valuable secrets like the Lazy Shell or Culex boss
The most valuable secrets in Super Mario RPG include the Lazy Shell equipment and the Culex secret boss, both offering significant gameplay impact and challenge.
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Lazy Shell Weapon and Armor: The Lazy Shell is arguably the best weapon for Mario, greatly enhancing his attack power. The armor version provides immunity to most status effects and elemental attacks, making it invaluable for surviving tough battles. To obtain these, you must collect a Seed from Megasmilax in Bean Valley and Fertilizer from a Beezo in Nimbus Land after defeating Valentina, then deliver both to the gardener in Rose Town.
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Culex Secret Boss: Culex is a challenging optional boss inspired by Final Fantasy, accessible by unlocking a sealed door in Monstro Town using a Shiny Stone obtained through a side quest involving fireworks and a mole girl in Moleville. The fight requires strategic use of the Lazy Shell and other top-tier equipment. Recommended party members for this battle are Mario, Peach, and Geno, with Mario equipped with the Lazy Shell weapon and Peach with the Lazy Shell armor for survivability. The battle is tough, with Culex supported by powerful elemental crystals and moves that can remove buffs, so constant healing and buff reapplication are key.
These secrets are prized for their rarity, difficulty, and the significant advantage they provide, making them must-know for serious players aiming to master Super Mario RPG.
