It’s hard to top Super Mario RPG. Like, really hard. Like, “There’s a reason why it’s Pike’s Favorite Game of All Time” hard.

But you know, Superstar Saga was far from a bad effort.

It’s actually been years since I’ve played this game, but off the top of my head, let me tell you what made this game so enchanting:

1.) Nods to classic Mario. At one point you are thrust into a minigame that is a variation on the original Super Mario Bros. Neat, no? But not content with stopping there, the game throws in one of my favorite renditions of an homage ever. You know how in World 1-2 of SMB, you can get to the top of the level and reach the warp pipes at the end?

Yeah. You can do that in the Superstar Saga homage level. I think you get some sort of bonus item. I can’t remember. All I know is that it made my day.

2.) Geno. The Greatest Video Game Character of All Time has appeared in exactly two games. Super Mario RPG… and Superstar Saga. Granted, it was a cameo. But I didn’t see it coming and I sort of flailed around in fangirl glee for a long time.

3.) Fawful. In the running with GLaDoS for my personal designation of “Most Hilarious VG Villain of All Time”. Choice Fawful quotes include, but are not limited to, the following:

“I HAVE FURY!”

“Princess Peach’s sweet voice will soon be the bread that makes the sandwich of Cackletta’s desires! And this battle shall be the delicious mustard on that bread! The mustard of your doom!”

“Your lives that I spit on are now but a caricature of a cartoon drawn by a kid who is stupid!”

“Rage dressing on a salad of evil!”

I mean, really. You can’t top that. “Rage dressing on a salad of evil”? Sign me up, please.

I also seem to remember this video game having above-average play value and some pretty addictive mini-games but as I said, it’s been too long.

I do need to look into this game again, though. It’s no Super Mario RPG, but dude. FAWFUL.