Fans of SNES classic Super Mario RPG were elated when a remake was announced during Nintendo Direct a couple of weeks ago. Individuals who worked on the original Super Mario RPG are confirmed to be working on this new installment, like composer Yoko Shimomura. However, one of the original game’s developers won’t be involved in this highly anticipated title.

Chihiro Fujioka, director of the original Super Mario RPG, announced that he wouldn’t be developing the remake. Although recently covered by media outlets like Eurogamer, Fujioka made this known when replying to a fan on Twitter a couple weeks ago. Additionally, Fujioka commented that he was “very surprised” by the Super Mario RPG announcement; he also expressed his delight about the upcoming project.

I am not involved in the remake.
But I am very surprised and pleased with the news!

— chihiro fujioka (@ChihiroFujioka) June 22, 2023

This news is unexpected considering Fujioka expressed his desire to produce a Super Mario RPG sequel during an interview with MinnMax last February. On this matter, Fujioka commented how he’d make a Super Mario RPG sequel his final work if possible, wishing to focus solely on Mario rather than have him share the spotlight with Luigi. Whether this project will still come to fruition is currently unknown.

As Eurogamer reported, Fujioka developed the original Super Mario RPG game with Square Enix (then known as Square). Although Square Enix is named as a publisher on Super Mario RPG‘s Nintendo Store page, their exact role in the remake is unspecified.

Super Mario RPG follows iconic Mario characters such as Mario, Princess Peach, and Bowser. This “oddball group of heroes” will come together to save Star Road and defeat the troublesome Smithy Gang. Along this journey, the trio teams up with original characters Mallow and Geno. This remake features updated graphics and cinematics which accentuate the original game’s soul and unique RPG elements.

The Super Mario RPG remake is scheduled to launch on November 17th for Nintendo Switch.