Even among the many standout titles in the Super Nintendo’s game library, the RPGs developed for the system by Squaresoft (now Square Enix) are special.

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI are probably the crown jewels, but Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy IV are nearly as revered and influential. Trials of Mana and Live A Live would only officially come to North America decades later in the form of remastered rereleases, but dedicated fans had already translated them unofficially, such was their desire to share these games with more people. Even lower-order releases like Final Fantasy Mystic Quest or the SaGa series have an appealing story idea or battle mechanic at their core.

But my most beloved Square game as a young pre-teen wasn’t any of those. It was 1996’s Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars.