Super Mario RPGis considered to a classic of the SNES era. The collaboration between Nintendo and Square was seemingly a match made in heaven, and the game was memorable for many reasons. One such reason was the introduction of fan-favorite character Geno, a character fans have been dying to see inSmash Bros. for years. The best fans have gotten thus far isGeno as a Mii Fighter costume,but to celebrate the announcement of this costume coming toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,Super Mario RPGdesigner Kazuyuki Kurashima gives fans a peek at Geno’s concept artwork.
Square was firing on all cylinders during the 90s, with the company’s output unmatched critically by many studios. For example,Chrono Triggeris still a much-discussed RPGto this day, for good reason. Nintendo felt safe letting Square tinker with the Mario franchise, and the result produced another hit game with a classic Mario narrative, memorable tunes, and characters that fans still discuss.
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Geno is the character that leads that conversation, as the warrior from Star Road who inhabits Gaz’s Geno doll in order to joinMarioon his quest to retrieve the star pieces scattered around the world. Kurashima’s design is one that evokes Pinocchio, the wooden boy brought to life. However, some of Kurashima’s earlier designs for the character give a different vibe.
Some of the concept pieces keep the mechanical elements of the character intact, keeping with the idea of Geno as a toy brought to life. Another design gives Geno more of a knightly appearance, with a seemingly Sonic-inspired hairstyle. Sega recently shared someSonic the Hedgehogconcept art, and at the time ofSuper Mario RPG, there was still very much a battle for which mascot was superior.
Kurashima’s concept designs show fans that Geno could have felt like a completely different character, with the art ranging from a more friendly and open look to a more stoic, serious version. What fans got was perhaps somewhere in the middle, a bit more whimsy, but still plenty of mystery. Regardless, fans have come to love Geno, and they show it often withamazing fan art of Genomaking the rounds online.
While news that the latestDLC fighter forSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateis Sephiroth, and not Geno, was a blow toSuper Mario RPGfans everywhere, Nintendo at least recognizes the strong fan support for Geno. The little wooden warrior is far from forgotten, andSmash Bros.players can take him along in Mii form.
