You finally did it. Smithy is a pile of scrap metal, the Seven Stars are back where they belong, and the credits have rolled on one of the most charming adventures in Nintendo history. But if you’re playing the Nintendo Switch remake of Super Mario RPG, you’re actually just getting started.
Wait. Did you think you were done?
Most players assume the Super Mario RPG post game is just a victory lap. They think it’s about finding a few missed Frog Coins or finally beating that annoying 100-jump challenge with the Super Jumper. Honestly, that’s not it at all. The 2023 remake fundamentally changed the endgame by introducing a gauntlet of boss rematches that make the original SNES version look like a casual stroll through Mushroom Way. These aren't just "harder" versions of the bosses you already beat. They are mechanical overhauls that require a genuine understanding of the game's combat engine—something you can usually ignore during the main story by just over-leveling.
The Rematch Cycle: It Starts at Mario's Pad
The game doesn't explicitly hold your hand to show you how to start the Super Mario RPG post game loop. After you reload your cleared save file (marked with a star), you'll find yourself back at Mario’s Pad. Talk to Toad. He’ll hand over a Stay Voucher for the inn at Marrymore. This is the trigger.
Going to Marrymore and staying in the "Special Suite" leads to a scene where Geno notices something strange at Star Hill. If you head there, you’ll see pink Wishes that weren't there before. These wishes belong to the bosses you’ve already defeated. They want a second round. And trust me, they’ve been practicing.
Why the Scratchy-Throat Belome is a Nightmare
The first stop for many is the Belome Temple. Remember Belome? The hungry dog-thing that creates clones of your party members? In the post game, he’s much more technical. He creates clones that are significantly tankier and more aggressive. If you don't manage the clones quickly, you get overwhelmed. This isn't just about spamming Lazy Shell attacks. You have to balance crowd control with single-target DPS. It’s a wake-up call. It tells the player: "Hey, remember those status effects you ignored for 15 hours? You need them now."
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Culex 3D: The Final Wall
We have to talk about Culex. In the 1996 original, Culex was the legendary 2D "Final Fantasy" style secret boss hidden behind a locked door in Monstro Town. He was tough, sure. But in the Super Mario RPG post game on Switch, he gets a 3D glow-up that is genuinely terrifying.
To even fight him, you first have to defeat all the other boss rematches: Punchinello, Booster, Bundt, and Johnny. Once you’ve cleared the board, you return to the door in Monstro Town with an Extra-Shiny Stone.
The Mechanics of Pain
Culex 3D has a massive health pool—we’re talking 9,999 HP for the main body and high-level HP for the four elemental crystals. But the real kicker is the "Final Countdown." If you don’t play efficiently, he will literally end the fight on his own terms. It’s a DPS check mixed with a survival challenge.
- The Crystals: Each crystal (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind) has its own turn.
- The Meteor Move: He uses moves that can reduce your party to 1 HP instantly.
- The Solution: You absolutely must master the "Perfect Timed Hit" system. If you aren't hitting your blocks, you aren't winning. Period.
Most people get wrong the idea that you can just grind to Level 30 and win. You can't. Level 30 is the cap, and even at the cap, Culex 3D can wipe you in two turns if you don't utilize the Triple Move system effectively. Specifically, using the Star Rider or Clown Car Barrage at the exact right moment to mitigate incoming damage is the only way to stay upright.
The Forgotten Art of the Triple Move
One of the most nuanced additions to the Super Mario RPG post game is how it forces you to rethink party composition. During the main game, most people stick with Mario, Geno, and Peach. Why wouldn't you? Peach is a walking healing station, and Geno provides the best buffs.
But in the rematches, Bowser actually becomes relevant again. His high defense and specific Triple Move contributions become vital when you're facing bosses like the upgraded Punchinello, who spams high-damage bombs that can one-shot Geno.
Bowser’s "Star Rider" move or even Mallow’s "Star Rain" (which you probably stopped using halfway through the game) become essential for clearing adds or surviving "unblockable" attacks. It's a layer of strategy that the original game lacked. It makes the post game feel like a true tactical RPG rather than a simple timing mini-game.
Johnny and the Duel of Honor
Perhaps the most interesting part of the Super Mario RPG post game isn't the flashy magic of Culex, but the one-on-one duel with Jonathan Jones (Johnny).
When you go back to the Sunken Ship, Johnny doesn't want to fight your whole team. He wants a 1v1 with Mario. No items allowed. This is the ultimate test of your timing. If you can’t time your Super Jump or your blocks with the Lazy Shell equipment, Johnny will poke you to death in minutes. It’s a "git gud" moment that feels incredibly rewarding because it relies entirely on the player's physical skill with the controller rather than stats.
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It's also worth noting that the rewards for these fights aren't just bragging rights. You get powerful items like the Sage Stick for Mallow or the Wonder Chomp for Bowser. These items are technically "best in slot," but the irony is you only get them after you've already beaten the hardest content. They are trophies.
Handling the Monster List Completion
If you’re a completionist, the post game is where you live. The Monster List (the Bestiary) requires you to "Thought Peek" every enemy. If you missed Mallow’s Thought Peek on a boss that no longer exists, don't panic. You can go to the back of the Monster List and "buy" the entries you missed using Frog Coins.
Speaking of Frog Coins, you’re going to need a lot of them. The post game challenges often require specific accessories like the Safety Ring or the Jinx Belt to mitigate status effects like Sleep or Scarecrow. If you sold those earlier in the game—which, honestly, why would you?—you're going to have a rough time.
Real World Nuance: Is it actually "Hard"?
Let's be real for a second. Is the Super Mario RPG post game hard compared to a FromSoftware game? No. But for a Mario game? It’s surprisingly steep. The jump in difficulty from Smithy to Culex 3D is a vertical wall.
The biggest limitation for players is often their own muscle memory. If you played the original 1996 game, the timing for blocks in the Switch remake is slightly different. There’s a visual "!" indicator now, but in the post game rematches, that indicator often disappears. You have to rely on the animation cues. This is where most long-time fans struggle; they are trying to play based on 20-year-old habits instead of watching the new 3D models.
Expert Tactics for the Final Stretch
- Prioritize the Lazy Shell Armor: Put this on Peach. She becomes nearly invincible. If Peach stays alive, the party stays alive.
- The Geno Flash Hack: Use Geno’s speed to your advantage. He should always be the one using items or buffs before the boss can move.
- Don't Ignore Mallow: His "Shocker" spell is surprisingly effective against several post game bosses that have specific elemental weaknesses people tend to forget.
- The Red Essence Strategy: If you're truly stuck on Culex 3D, stock up on Red Essence from the Toad in Nimbus Land. It gives you three turns of invincibility. It feels a bit like cheating, but a win is a win.
Actionable Next Steps
To conquer the Super Mario RPG post game, stop grinding levels and start gathering gear.
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- Go to Monstro Town immediately after the credits and talk to the NPC who gives you the combat records. This tracks your progress and tells you what’s left.
- Visit the Toad in the Inn at Marrymore to kick off the "Stay Voucher" quest line.
- Hunt down the Lazy Shell weapon and armor if you haven't already; they are located via the Gardener in Rose Town and are non-negotiable for the Culex rematch.
- Practice your Perfect Blocks on lower-level enemies in the Forest Maze until you can hit them 10 times in a row without looking at the "!" prompt.
The end of the game is just the beginning of the actual challenge. Clear your schedule, grab your controller, and go show Johnny who the real captain is.