If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
“But I am very surprised and pleased with the news!”
The original director for Super Mario RPG on the SNES isn’t returning for the forthcoming Switch remake.
Announced at last month’s Nintendo Direct event, the remake is a faithful recreation of the original 1996 game that was never physically released in Europe.
Original director Chihiro Fujioka is not involved, however.
Responding to a fan on Twitter, Fujioka responded: “I am not involved in the remake”.
He then added: “But I am very surprised and pleased with the news!”
I am not involved in the remake.
But I am very surprised and pleased with the news!— chihiro fujioka (@ChihiroFujioka) June 22, 2023
Fujioka worked at Square (now Square Enix), which originally developed the game with Nintendo publishing.
Fans have wondered what Square Enix’s involvement would be in this remake, if any. Indeed, the game’s store page simply lists Nintendo as the publisher.
The game’s original composer Yoko Shimomura will return for the remake, however.
“I put all my heart into arranging all the songs, hoping that both the fans of the original and those playing for the first time can enjoy it!” she previously said on Twitter.
Last February, Fujioka was interviewed by MinnMax and expressed his interest in creating a sequel to Super Mario RPG as his final project.
“In my career I’ve been involved with a lot of games, and I would really like my final one to be another Mario RPG game if possible,” he said.
“I think Mario & Luigi is cool, but I would like to go back and create a Mario RPG where you’re only controlling Mario.”
The remake of Super Mario RPG is set for release on 17th November.
