Editing Super Mario RPG (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Super Mario RPG battle.png|thumb|left|alt=Horizontal| Mario in a battle against enemy Terrapins in the Bowser's Keep level]]

''Super Mario RPG'' contains token similarities to other Square-developed video games, such as the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series, along with a story and gameplay based on the ''Super Mario Bros.'' series of [[platform game]]s.<ref name="Fans">{{Cite magazine|first1=Scott|last1=Pelland|first2=Kent |last2=Miller |first3=Terry |last3=Munson |first4=Paul |last4=Shinoda |date=October 1996|title=Epic Center|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|publisher=[[Minoru Arakawa|M. Arakawa]], [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America, Inc.]]|issue=89|page=60}}</ref> Like most traditional JRPGs, the two main sections of the game are adventuring and turn-based battle sequences. Much of ''Super Mario RPG''{{'}}s gameplay is outside monster battles and plays like an [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric 3D]] [[platformer]], in which traditional ''Mario'' elements such as punching floating question blocks from below are prominent. There are no [[Random encounter|random encounters]] and as such enemies are visible in the field; a battle ensues only if Mario comes in contact with one. This allows the player to evade unnecessary battles.<ref name="ignthomas" />

The player's [[Party (role-playing games)|party]] initially begins with only [[Mario]] and grows to five characters. Mario and up to two other members participate in battles, who can be swapped in and out while the player explores the overworld. Each of the five characters has a unique set of attacks and techniques. For example, Princess Toadstool's abilities are primarily healing techniques, whereas [[Geno (Super Mario RPG)|Geno]] and [[Bowser]] have offensive attacks that deal high amounts of damage. The combat is based on a traditional [[Time-keeping systems in games#Turn-based|turn-based battle system]] with the addition of action commands that amplify a move's effects. The player starts each turn by choosing to attack, defend, run, use an item, or perform magic from the combat menu.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ogasawara |first=Nob |title=Super Mario RPG |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=91 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1996|page=47}}</ref> The action command consists of timed button presses during an attack, special move, defense, or item usage, which became a mainstay of later ''Mario'' RPGs.<ref name="ignthomas">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas|title=Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Review|website=IGN|date=September 2, 2008|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/02/super-mario-rpg-legend-of-the-seven-stars-review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903163233/http://wii.ign.com/articles/906/906945p1.html|archive-date=September 3, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>