Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Axem Rangers is one of those weird, charming SNES gems that somehow blends Mario’s world with classic JRPG mechanics—and it totally works. You start off stomping Goombas like usual, but then suddenly you’re timing button presses for extra damage in turn-based battles, which feels oddly satisfying. The Axem Rangers are this ridiculous villain squad that shows up halfway through, and they’ve got this over-the-top anime energy that clashes perfectly with Mario’s usual vibe.

The sprite work still holds up, too—everything’s bright and bouncy, with little details like Toad’s wobbly run or Bowser’s dramatic battle poses. It’s not just a reskin of another RPG; the combat’s got its own quirks, like triple-attack combos if you time your party’s hits right. I remember getting stuck on the Axem Rangers’ boss fight the first time because I kept ignoring their weird gimmicks. (Pro tip: Don’t.)

If you missed this one back in the day, it’s worth digging up—it’s short by RPG standards, but packed with personality.