Super Mario RPG 2

At first glance, it looks as if Nintendo has turned Super Mario RPG 2 into a kiddie, simplistic version of the 16-Bit original. Nothing could be further from the truth. Intelligent Systems--whose credits include Tetris Attack, Fire Emblem (a Super Famicom RPG never released in the U.S.), Metal Combat and Battle Clash (both Super Scope games)--take hold of the reigns for the sequel from Square, who developed the first. Bowser is again wreaking havoc upon the land and, as he has always done in the past, Mario is the only one who can stop him. Mario and the other characters in the game are paper-thin sprites set in a 3D world. When they turn around or lie down, they flip over, just as they would if they'd been drawn onto a card. Nintendo describes it as a "comic strip/puppet show" style.

As you explore the game's overworld, you'll run into familiar friends and enemies from the Mario universe. You can attack enemies early without having to get into a full-fledged battle, but if they hit you, the scene changes into a close-up battle with one or more enemies. You now choose attacks from a pop-up menu, and charge them up by holding the analog stick in one direction and releasing when your power bar is charged. You can also "invent" equipment for Mario to use in battle for more power.

New to the game is the ability to make enemies your ally. When you need a special ability, such as bombing a wall or flying over a pit, you can call upon that ally, which pops out of your pocket, to perform the necessary task. We'll have more on Super Mario RPG2 (Super Mario Adventure in the U.S.) as news filters in.