The 30-Year-Old RPG Mechanic That Still Defines the Best Games Today

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Role-playing games have come a long way in recent decades. Older RPGs focused heavily on detailed planning, with turn-based battles and lots of number-crunching. As technology advanced, developers started trying new things like faster-paced combat, more immersive storytelling, and blending action with traditional turn-based mechanics. Whether it’s massive open worlds or smaller, carefully crafted games, RPGs are constantly changing to keep players engaged and innovate the genre.

Even with all the new ideas in game design, a recent game proves that a classic 30-year-old mechanic still works incredibly well. This mechanic – turn-based combat where players time their button presses – first appeared in Super Mario RPG and continues to be a hit with gamers. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, named Game of the Year in 2025, is a prime example, but it’s not the only great game using this system. No one predicted that simply pressing buttons at the right time would become so popular, but this simple addition has had a lasting impact on RPGs since Super Mario RPG.

Super Mario RPG Is One of the Most Revolutionary Games

Super Mario RPG is a landmark collaboration in gaming. It successfully combined Nintendo’s famous characters and creative style with Square’s skill in crafting deep role-playing games. Square was well-known for games like Final Fantasy, and Nintendo hadn’t yet created a major RPG starring Mario. The game that emerged was fresh and inviting, appealing to both RPG fans and newcomers without being simplistic.

The game’s combat system was key to its popularity. Battles were turn-based, but required players to press buttons at the right time, adding a layer of skill to every move. Landing an attack with good timing dealt more damage, and perfectly timed blocks minimized damage taken. This kept players actively involved in battles, rather than just choosing actions and watching them play out.

As a huge fan, I always loved how Super Mario RPG made RPG battles easy to get into, but still had a lot of depth if you wanted to really get good. Even as someone who’d played RPGs for years, I thought it struck a great balance – it added some real excitement and a sense of accomplishment without being overly complicated. It really set it apart from other amazing games like Final Fantasy VI. And let’s be real, Mario’s popularity definitely brought people to the game, but it was that unique battle system – where you had to time your button presses during turns – that kept us all hooked!

Turn-Based With Timed Action Inputs Still Dominates Today

The impact of Super Mario RPG was felt across the role-playing game landscape. Nintendo built on its ideas with Paper Mario, eventually creating a classic: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. This game took the timed-input combat system to the next level, adding engaging audience participation, visually impressive moves, and precise defensive timing, resulting in a system that was both fun and strategically complex.

Many other developers have successfully used similar combat systems. While the beautiful pixel art and nods to Chrono Trigger initially grabbed attention, Sea of Stars really stood out because of its engaging turn-based combat. It took inspiration from classic RPGs, creating battles that feel lively and reward players for paying close attention.

One of the best examples of this is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won Game of the Year. People often praise its story, music, and art style, but the combat system always comes up in discussions of why it was so successful. That system was heavily inspired by Super Mario RPG, perfectly capturing the engaging mix of turn-based strategy and quick-time action, and improving upon it in ways no game had before.

I think game developers are paying attention to what players enjoy. One game I’m especially excited about is Beast of Reincarnation by Game Freak. It’s an action RPG, not turn-based, but its combat system is unique. Instead of relying on simple button presses at the right time, it feels similar to the timing-based battles in Super Mario RPG. It’s great to see developers drawing inspiration from this well-loved system and finding new ways to improve upon it.

Why This Decades All Mechanic Still Works

Timed action inputs remain popular because they successfully blend strategy and skill – two things players really enjoy. Turn-based RPGs traditionally focus on planning and smart decision-making, while action games emphasize quick reactions and precise timing. Super Mario RPG was a great example of this combination, and many games since then have built upon that foundation.

Growing up with role-playing games, I was really struck by how unique the battles in Super Mario RPG felt. Even the random battles required your full attention – you couldn’t just mindlessly hit buttons. You had to pay attention to the animations and timing to succeed. This level of engagement made winning feel great and losing feel fair. Because of that, Paper Mario and its sequel quickly became some of my all-time favorite games.

Well-timed inputs give players control without being too difficult. They add a layer of complexity without needing complicated controls. New players can quickly grasp the idea, while experienced players enjoy the challenge of perfecting their timing. Importantly, many games that use this system don’t require perfect timing to win, creating a good balance. This is why you still see it in many highly-rated RPGs.

With games always striving for larger worlds and more spectacular action, it’s impressive that a game concept from 30 years ago still feels innovative. The use of precisely timed actions shows that excellent game design isn’t always about creating something completely new – sometimes it’s about perfecting something already brilliant. This technique will likely remain a key feature of the genre, inspiring developers to make even better games in the future.

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2026-01-25 20:18