Mallow : le prince nuage de Super Mario RPG

Mallow: Super Mario RPG's Cloud Prince

1320 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

Mallow is Mario's very first companion in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, released in Japan on March 9, 1996. A small, round, cotton-like creature, he believed himself to be a tadpole throughout his childhood before discovering that he is actually the lost prince of Nimbus Land, the kingdom of clouds. Emotional, whiny but loyal, he embodies the group's healer-mage thanks to his weather spells.

Long confidential in Europe due to no official release before 2008, Mallow returned to the spotlight with the Super Mario RPG remake on Nintendo Switch, released on November 17, 2023. This is a look back at this big-hearted hero, one of the most requested characters by Mario RPG fans.

Table of Contents

A Tadpole Unaware: Mallow's Origins

Mallow's story begins with a touching misunderstanding. One stormy night, the wise frog Frogfucius discovers a baby adrift on a river, near the Tadpole Pond. Moved, he takes in the infant and raises him as his own grandson, convinced that he is a rather peculiar tadpole.

Mallow therefore grows up under the illusion of being a frog, despite his cotton-like, white appearance that deceives no one. It is only as the adventure progresses that he learns the truth about his true origins. This narrative device makes him one of the few Mario characters with a genuine coming-of-age arc: the quest for his identity.

Meeting Mario and Joining the Adventure

Mario meets Mallow in the Mushroom Kingdom, in tears: the thief Croco has just stolen a precious item from him, the rare Frog Coin. Mario decides to help him, and together, they pursue the bandit to Bandit's Way to retrieve the treasure.

  • Mallow thus becomes Mario's first partner in the game, even before Geno, Bowser, or Peach.
  • Back at Tadpole Pond, Frogfucius reveals to him that he is not a tadpole.
  • The sage encourages him to go with Mario, both to find the seven Stars and to discover his true parents.

His personal motivation thus naturally aligns with the main quest, which strengthens his connection with the player.

The Lost Prince of Nimbus Land

Mallow's great secret is revealed when the group reaches Nimbus Land, a floating kingdom perched above the clouds, whose name evokes the Latin nimbus ("cloud"). There, all the inhabitants share the same appearance as Mallow: he actually belongs to the Nimbus species.

The truth comes out: Mallow is the son of King Nimbus and Queen Nimbus, and therefore the authentic prince of the kingdom. But the usurper Valentina has seized power and tries to pass off the bird Dodo as the lost prince. It is the sculptor Garro who recognizes the real Mallow and exposes the imposture. After Valentina's defeat, order is restored and Mallow finally reunites with his parents.

The Weather Mage: Mallow in Combat

Physically fragile, Mallow compensates with a remarkable mastery of magic. He is the group's designated healer and spellcaster, essential in difficult battles. His particularity: all his special spells are inspired by the weather.

  • Thunderbolt: his devastating initial attack.
  • HP Rain: a welcome area-of-effect heal.
  • Thought Peek: reveals enemies' HP and weaknesses.
  • Shocker and Snowy: powerful elemental attacks.
  • Star Rain: his most devastating spell, learned at the highest level.

His weapons also evolve in a playful way, from the Froggy Stick to the Sonic Cymbals, his ultimate weapon.

The Cult Trio: Mario, Mallow, and Geno

Super Mario RPG introduced two entirely new companions exclusive to this game: Mallow and Geno. This duo, associated with Mario, forms a trio that has become cult among fans, to the point of being regularly requested for appearances in other Nintendo titles.

Developed by Square (Squaresoft) in collaboration with Nintendo, the game combined Mario's colorful universe with the RPG expertise of the Final Fantasy publisher. Mallow represented the emotional heart of the group, complementing the mysterious Geno. Mallow can now be found as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

The Grand Return in the Switch Remake (2023)

Long reserved for Japanese and North American players — the original title was never released physically in Europe in 1996, only arriving in 2008 on the Virtual Console — Mallow experienced a second youth with the Super Mario RPG remake, released worldwide on November 17, 2023 on Nintendo Switch.

This modernized version faithfully retains the story, weather spells, and lost prince arc, while offering 3D graphics, re-orchestrated music, and revisited combat. For many European players, it was an opportunity to finally discover Mallow and his story, almost three decades after his creation.

Summary Sheet

Name Mallow
Species Nimbus (cloud people)
True parents King Nimbus and Queen Nimbus
Adoptive father Frogfucius, the Frog Sage
Combat role Mage-healer with weather spells
First appearance Super Mario RPG (Japan, March 9, 1996)
Remake Nintendo Switch, November 17, 2023

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FAQ

  • Who is Mallow really in Super Mario RPG?
    Mallow is the lost prince of Nimbus Land, the kingdom of clouds, son of King Nimbus and Queen Nimbus. Adopted as a baby by the wise Frogfucius, he grows up believing himself to be a tadpole before discovering his true origins during the adventure.
  • Why does Mallow cry so much?
    Mallow is the most emotional character in the group: Mario meets him in tears after the thief Croco stole a coin from him. This sensitive temperament is part of his charm, even if he swears not to cry anymore when joining the adventure.
  • What are Mallow's powers in combat?
    Physically weak, Mallow is the healer and mage of the group. All his special spells are weather-related: Thunderbolt, HP Rain to heal, Shocker, Snowy, and his devastating Star Rain at the highest level.
  • Is Mallow Mario's first companion?
    Yes. In Super Mario RPG, Mallow is the very first partner to join Mario, before Geno, Bowser, and Princess Peach. His personal quest to find his parents intertwines with the search for the seven Stars.
  • Can Mallow be played on Nintendo Switch?
    Yes. Mallow is playable in the Super Mario RPG remake, released on November 17, 2023, on Nintendo Switch. This modernized version faithfully retains his story, weather spells, and the arc of the prince of Nimbus Land.
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