Geno
- Not to be confused with Gene.
| Geno | |
|---|---|
.png) Artwork from Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch) | |
| Full name | ♡♪！？ |
| Species | Star |
| First appearance | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch) (2023) |
- “I serve… a higher authority…”
- —Geno, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Geno (real name: ♡♪!? in the original or ♡♪！？ in the remake) is a warrior from the Star Road and one of Mario's partners in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and its remake. He is sent by "a higher authority" to restore peace to Mario's world by inhabiting a wooden doll. During the events of Super Mario RPG, he teams up with Mario's team, which consists of Mario, Mallow, Princess Peach, and Bowser, and helps them out on their quest to defeat Smithy. In battle, he has high attack, but lower defense.
Geno was designed by Yuka Miyamoto and Hideo Minaba, with Kazuyuki Kurashima having provided concept work.[1][2] Prior to the release of Super Mario RPG, Nintendo Power wrote that Geno was described by Square as "Pinocchio".[3]
History[edit]
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]
When the Smithy Gang launch their attack on Mario's world, Exor crashes into Bowser's Keep and occupies it. As Exor fell from the sky, he shattered the Star Road, and as a result, seven Star Pieces are scattered throughout the world, and wishes are unable to be granted. Because of this, Geno is sent to retrieve the Star Pieces and restore the power of wishes to the world.
Some time later, Rose Town is besieged by the Smithy Gang. Bowyer is launching arrows into the town and paralyzing people. Many people in Rose Town fear leaving their homes out of potentially being paralyzed by one of Bowyer's arrows.
During this time of crisis, Mario and Mallow arrive in Rose Town. The pair enters the Town Inn, and while inside, Mario sees a young boy named Gaz playing with his dolls of Mario, Peach, and Bowser. Gaz's mom asks Mario to play with her son, which he agrees to. Mario pretends to be Bowser, and Gaz pretends to be his favorite of the dolls, Geno. Gaz ends up playing too rough however, and activates Geno's "Super Star Shot". Instead of hitting the Bowser doll, the blast accidentally hits Mario, knocking him out.
That night, a single star being enters the Inn. Seeing the four dolls on the floor, the star decides to inhabit the Geno doll. Now possessing the doll, the star has problems with walking, and slams into the wall before leaving the inn. Later, Geno admits he chose that particular doll because it appeared to be the strongest of the four.
The next morning, Gaz tells his mom that he saw the living Geno walk into the Forest Maze. His mom does not believe this, while Mario goes and enters the woods to find the animated doll. Geno enters the forest to challenge Bowyer, and retrieve the Star Piece that Bowyer's minions had found. Mario and Mallow decide to help Geno, and together, the three defeat Bowyer and acquire the Star Piece.
After defeating Bowyer, Geno reveals to the heroes that he is a warrior from Star Road and that he has assumed the form of the Geno doll to fight the Smithy Gang. Additionally, he states that wishes can never come true again until all the Star Pieces are recovered. He also reveals his real name, ♡♪！？. However, this is impossible to pronounce, so the star warrior assumes the name of the doll: Geno. After explaining everything, Geno decides to join forces with Mario and Mallow to find the remaining Star Pieces.
Eventually, Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach collect the remaining Star Pieces and defeat Smithy. With Smithy destroyed, Geno decides to leave the doll's wooden body, returning to the form of a star and bringing the Star Pieces to Star Road. Repairing the celestial road, the power of wishes return to the world. The lifeless Geno doll can be seen sitting behind Mario and company on Vista Hill while they witness Exor disintegrate.
Geno also has a clone version of himself that Belome can create during his fight in his temple at Land's End named "Geno Clone".
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[edit]
Geno's doll form makes a cameo in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. He appears as the mechanical host of the Star 'Stache Smash arcade game in Little Fungitown, explaining the rules of the minigame. The end credits state that Geno is an intellectual property of Square Enix: "Regardless of the above-mentioned, the copyright of Character "Geno", reserved by SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD." However, he does not return in the remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Bowser's Minions, where text bubbles replace his role.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Director of the Super Smash Bros. series Masahiro Sakurai has stated that Geno was considered for an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but was not followed up on for unexplained reasons.[4]
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]
Though not available as a fighter, a costume based on Geno was released as DLC for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Although the hat can be worn by any Mii Fighters, the costume is exclusive to Mii Gunners, with the Geno Beam arm cannon mounted on the right hand. The DLC was released during December 2015, alongside the Chocobo hat, Cloud Strife, and the Midgar stage. This is fitting as the character of Cloud is owned by Square Enix, who also developed Super Mario RPG, and owns the rights to Geno.
Nintendo also released a QR code for those who wish to have the exact Mii used in the costume's advertising.[5]
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
Geno appears as a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He is also a selectable icon for use in the online modes. In his spirit battle, he is represented by Sheik armed with a Super Scope, and is joined by Mario, Peach, Bowser, and a gray Kirby, who represents Mallow. These five fighters represent the main cast of Super Mario RPG. His Mii Gunner costume from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U returns as DLC, and was released in December 2020, alongside a series of Final Fantasy-themed costumes, in parallel with Challenger Pack 8 which introduced Sephiroth.
Super Mario-kun[edit]
Geno appears in volumes 50 and 51 of the Super Mario-kun manga. Geno is actually absent for the majority of the volumes, having been forced by Princess Peach to switch places with him and leaving him at her castle to take her place in the form of a disguise. It is not until the battle against Smithy that he shows up again in the story.
Tetris 99[edit]
Tetris 99 featured an event with Super Mario RPG from November 9th, 11 PM PT to November 13th, 10:59 PM PT to promote the upcoming release of Super Mario RPG. The event includes a new theme for the game which changes the music to themes from Super Mario RPG. It also features frog coins replacing the normal KO indicator and the tetriminos having stars emblazoned on them. Geno appears alongside Mario, Princess Peach, Bowser, and Mallow in the background.
Description[edit]
Geno acts as a sage-like figure to Mario and his allies. Consequently, Geno offers the heroes advice about matters the others may not understand. For instance, after Mario and his allies liberate Bowser's Keep, Bowser decides to quit the team and return to the castle. However, Geno points out that until Smithy and his factory are destroyed, Bowser's Keep is still at risk. Thus Bowser decides to continue the fight.
Geno has a variety of attacks which use a mix of physical and energy projectiles. His regular attack involves shooting physical projectiles from his arms. His special attacks typically involve powerful energy blasts. Additionally, Geno is the fastest of Mario's allies.
Personality[edit]
Geno's personality is strongly based on his confidence and attitude. Geno has more of a defiant, heroic attitude. His eagerness to confront the villain may be due to his status as an authority figure from Star Road. He also tends to show more enthusiasm than any other party member.
Geno comes off as very powerful from his first appearance as a doll when Gaz attacks using Geno and accidentally hits Mario and knocks him out. However, when Geno tries to fight Bowyer, upon striking Bowyer says, "Strong you are, but stronger am I!" He also has access to the most powerful attack in the game, Geno Whirl, which deals 9,999 points of damage if timed right.
Although powerful, Geno is quite amiable, quick to make friends with Mario and Mallow. He has a strong sense of duty and responsibility, and his role on Star Road may be analogous to Mario's role in the Mushroom Kingdom. He even worries over the "ownership" of his physical form, and promises to return the body to the home from whence it came.
Battle[edit]
Geno is a very potent offensive character overall, having the highest speed of any party member (30), comparable attack stats to Bowser, and high magic attack stats and potent special moves primarily revolving around single and multiple enemy attacks. His one support move, Geno Boost, bolsters attack (and defense if timed properly) stats even further. When equipped with the Feather or Troopa Medal, Geno is the only character capable of defeating a Shy Ranger (provided Mario does not have the Super Suit Attack Scarf combination). However, his HP growth begins to stall after level 20 and his special equipment is subpar at best, with his ultimate weapon, the Star Gun, not being as powerful as that of others, such as Mario's Lazy Shell, while his ultimate armor, the Star Cape is the second worst in the game, making him relatively weaker in both attack and defense power later in the game despite his high base stats. Still, Geno Boost and Geno Flash, one of the strongest special moves in the game that strikes all enemies, make Geno useful to have on any team.
Special moves[edit]
- Geno Beam - Charging up his energy, Geno shoots a deadly energy beam at one enemy. Holding
until three stars appears deals more damage. - Geno Boost - Using magic, Geno boosts an ally's attack. After all the arrows disappear, pressing boosts the ally's defense as well.
- Geno Whirl - Geno throws a disk of light at one enemy. If timed correctly, the attack does 9,999 damage. This does not work for boss characters (except Exor and Speardovich copies).
- Geno Blast - Geno summons light energy from the sky, damaging all enemies. Holding until three stars appears deals more damage.
- Geno Flash - Geno transforms into a large cannon, then shoots a large ball of energy, damaging all enemies. Holding until three stars appears deals more damage.
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]
- Instruction booklet description:
- Player's Guide: After taking a quick glance at all the troublemakers patrolling Mario's world, this stranger from a strange place decides to lay low until he can get some help. Using his supernatural powers, he transforms himself into the humblest of household items: a doll. But baddies know that fighting Geno isn't child's play![8]
- Who's Who: The blue battler cleverly disguised himself as a doll, but in reality he's a visitor from on high. When someone makes a wish upon a star, piece[sic] of the Star Road falls to earth. But Smithy's headlong plunge through the skies has shattered the Star Road, scattering its seven pieces to the winds. No wish will come true ever again unless the missing pieces can be recovered. Mario and Mallow have found only one so far. With Geno joining their bold little band, they'll have to find the six lost pieces. For the time being, Mario would be satified[sic] if they could find more recruits as their quest continues.[9]
Initial stats[edit]
- Level - 6
- HP - 45
- Speed - 30
- Attack - 60
- Defense - 23
- Magic Attack - 25
- Magic Defense - 17
- Experience Level - 234 (254 after defeating Bowyer)
- Special Attacks -
- Geno Beam -
- FP Required - 3
- Magic Power - 40
- Description - Geno shoots an energy beam at one enemy. Hold Y until three stars appear.
- Geno Beam -
Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)[edit]
- Website description:
- English (American):
A powerful protector of Star Road taking the form of a humble doll. Geno puppeteers his own style of moves, like Geno Beam and Geno Boost.[10] - English (British):
Confident, stoic and wise, he has been sent by a higher authority to restore peace to the world.[11] - Other languages:
- Japanese:
散らばったスターピースを集めるため、はるか高い空からやってきた天空の使者。人形の体を借りて、マリオといっしょに冒険の旅に出ます。[12]
(Translation: The skies' emissary who came from above to collect the scattered Star Pieces. Borrowing a doll's body, he sets off on an adventurous journey together with Mario.) - Spanish:
Seguro de sí mismo, estoico y muy sabio. Lo ha enviado cierta gran autoridad para devolverle la paz al mundo.[13]
(Translation: Self-confident, stoic and very wise. He has been sent by a certain great authority to restore peace to the world.)
- Japanese:
- English (American):
- Character Highlight (November 9, 2023 article on nintendo.com):
- English (American):
A guardian of Star Road sworn to protect the world’s wishes with his advanced firepower. He’s also a doll (kinda).[14][15] - Other languages:
- French (Canada):
Un gardien de la Route des Étoiles qui a juré de protéger les vœux du monde avec sa puissance de feu supérieure. Il est aussi une sorte de poupée.[16] - Portuguese (Brazil):
Guardião da Star Road que jurou proteger os desejos do mundo com seu poder de fogo avançado. Ele também é (meio que) um boneco.[17] - Spanish (Latin America):
Un guardián de la Vía Estelar que a jurado proteger los deseos del mundo con sus poderes de fuego. Además es un muñeco (o algo así).[18]
- French (Canada):
- English (American):
Scrapbook entries[edit]
- The Second Star Piece
We recovered a Star Piece from the formidable Bowyer. I hate to leave Gaz behind, but I'll need this body so my allies and I can find the Star Pieces. With five left, there's a long way to go. 
Geno[19]
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
| Spirit #104 Geno | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Series/game | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 3 | |
| Class | Legend | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Attack | |
| How to obtain | World of Light (The Light Realm); Summoned with a Drake Redcrest, Super Star, and neutral-type core and two attack-type cores | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Sheik, Mario, Bowser, Kirby, Peach |
| Conditions |
| |
| Stage | Mario Galaxy (Battlefield) | |
| Song | Rainbow Road Medley |
List of appearances[edit]
| Title | Description | Release date | System/format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | Playable character after being found in Forest Maze | 1996 | Super Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | Cameo | 2003 | Game Boy Advance |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Downloadable Mii Fighter costume | 2015 | Nintendo 3DS |
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Downloadable Mii Fighter costume | 2015 | Wii U |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Spirit | 2018 | Nintendo Switch |
| Downloadable Mii Fighter costume | 2020 | ||
| Tetris 99 | Cameo | 2023 (36th Maximus Cup) | Nintendo Switch |
| Super Mario RPG | Playable character after being found in Forest Maze | 2023 | Nintendo Switch |
Gallery[edit]
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Geno.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars artwork
Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch) artwork
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga sprite
Two Miis in a Geno costume in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Original concept art of Geno
A 1,000-piece puzzle based on Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Illustrated by Takahiro Kanie
Names in other languages[edit]
Geno[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ジーノ[?] Jīno |
Geno | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 吉诺[?] Jínuò |
Geno | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 吉諾[20] Jínuò |
Geno | |
| Dutch | Geno[?] | - | |
| French | Geno[?] | - | |
| German | Geno[?] | - | |
| Italian | Geno[?] | - | |
| Korean | 지노[?] Jino |
Geno | |
| Portuguese | Geno[?] | - | |
| Russian | Джино[?] Dzhino |
Geno | |
| Spanish | Geno[?] | - |
♡♪！？[edit]
Geno's real name is different in the Japanese version of Super Mario RPG, using a one-time set of unpronounceable symbols derived from a fictional star language.[21]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese |  [21][22]
|
- | |
| Chinese | [23][24]
|
- | |
| Dutch | ♡♪！？[?] | - | |
| French | ♡♪！？[?] | - | |
| German | ♡♪！？[?] | - | |
| Italian | ♡♪！？[?] | - | |
| Korean | [25]
|
- | |
| Spanish | ♡♪！？[?] | - |
Trivia[edit]
- Not much is known about the original personage of "Geno" that the doll represents, but it is implied that he is not a living person in Mario's world like Gaz's other dolls, since the Rose Town innkeeper believes the possessed doll is only a person in a costume.
- The sprites of Geno's star form when possessing the Geno doll and those seen at the end of the game are vastly different, the former being a small, white, almost realistic star while the latter was a yellow, more traditional Super Mario star surrounded by yellow dots. Similarly, the sprites of the Geno doll when playing with Gaz and the one sitting pose of it seen at the end of the game are proportionally inaccurate to each other. These discrepancies are fixed in the Nintendo Switch remake.
- When Geno uses a Special Move in the SNES version, a symbol of a star is superimposed over his body. While the other characters' symbols are the four main playing card symbols, Geno's is the Joker's star.
References[edit]
- ^ "Geno's finish design is by someone else." – @kurashimakaz. Kazuyuki Kurashima bio. X (English). Archived June 26, 2023, 19:47:35 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "The final design is by @yukasaba san & Minaba san" – @kurashimakaz. Kazuyuki Kurashima bio. X (English). Archived June 26, 2023, 19:49:24 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "The difference in the Super Mario RPG is that the clog warrior now takes the time to stop for a chat with Princess Toadstool or Toad the Mushroom Retainer, or visit a village full of Yoshies or nine other major characters including (according to Square) Pinocchio." – October 1995. Nintendo Power Volume 77. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 28.
- ^ "To tell the truth, it’s because I wanted Geno to be a playable character. He has a gun for a hand, and I think he fits in really well with Smash. During Brawl, I thought it would be great if I could add him, but in the end it didn’t become a reality." – February 21, 2016. Nintendo Dream Volume 264.[page number needed][better source needed]
- ^ qr_sample15.jpg (JPG). Smashbros.com (English). Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ 1996. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 38.
- ^ 「スーパーマリオRPG 取扱説明書」 (Super Mario RPG Toriatsukai Setsumeisho) (PDF). Nintendo (Japanese). Page 38.
- ^ Pelland, Scott, and Kent Miller (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 12.
- ^ Pelland, Scott, and Kent Miller (1996). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 35.
- ^ Super Mario RPG™ for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Official Site (American English). Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Super Mario RPG | Nintendo Switch games | Games | Nintendo. Nintendo of UK (British English). Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ スーパーマリオＲＰＧ | Nintendo Switch | 任天堂. nintendo.co.jp (Japanese). Retrieved September 14, 2023. (Archived September 14, 2023, 15:21:59 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Super Mario RPG | Juegos de Nintendo Switch | Juegos | Nintendo. Nintendo of Spain (European Spanish). Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ November 9, 2023. Super Mario RPG comes out next week! Until then, let’s meet the characters. nintendo.com (American English). Retrieved November 26, 2023. (Archived November 12, 2023, 13:44:38 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ November 9, 2023. Super Mario RPG comes out next week! Until then, let’s meet the characters. nintendo.com (Canadian English). Retrieved November 26, 2023. (Archived November 12, 2023, 20:00:02 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ November 9, 2023. Super Mario RPG sort la semaine prochaine! Avant cela, découvrons les personnages. nintendo.com (Canadian French). Retrieved November 26, 2023. (Archived November 25, 2023, 23:16:22 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ November 9, 2023. Super Mario RPG será lançado na próxima semana! Até lá, vamos conhecer os personagens. nintendo.com (Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 26, 2023. (Archived November 25, 2023, 23:21:55 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ November 9, 2023. ¡El juego Super Mario RPG será lanzado la próxima semana! Pero mientras tanto, conozcamos a los personajes. nintendo.com (Mexican Spanish). Retrieved November 26, 2023. (Archived November 13, 2023, 04:09:18 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Good Vibes Gaming (November 2, 2023). We Got a Demo of Super Mario RPG Remake - Here's What We Thought. YouTube (English). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ 《超級瑪利歐RPG》的最新資訊公開！ | TOPICS | 任天堂(香港)有限公司網站. Nintendo HK (Traditional Chinese). Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Mandelin, Clyde (January 26, 2014). How Does Geno Introduce Himself in Super Mario RPG?. Legends of Localization (English). Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ キヨ。 (November 25, 2023). 27年前に衝撃を与えた、マリオが大冒険する神ゲー『 スーパーマリオRPG 』#3 (0:53:15). YouTube (Japanese). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ OasTsaO (November 17, 2023). 超級瑪利歐RPG #11 花毛毛森林 第二顆星星入手 隱藏寶箱x6 (30:02). YouTube (Traditional Chinese). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ 潘多拉Pikiyo (November 18, 2023). 天空使者吉诺！NS【超级马力欧RPG】重制版通关流程直播实况02 (41:32). YouTube (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ 김용녀 (November 18, 2023). 슈퍼 마리오 RPG [3화] 드디어 등장! 멋있는 장난감 용사 지노! (41:19). YouTube (Korean). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
