If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of “Chaotic Neutral,” allow me to explain. In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, every character and entity possesses an alignment that determines their behavior and characteristics. This alignment is determined by two opposing forces: law vs. chaos and good vs. evil. However, there is also a neutral option for both, resulting in a grid of various personality types. As someone who has played Dungeons & Dragons extensively, I’ve noticed that Chaotic Neutral is often misunderstood. While people comprehend the distinction between law and chaos—whether to adhere strictly to rules or break them—many individuals who believe they are playing Chaotic Neutral characters are actually behaving in a Chaotic Evil manner.
Now, when I say evil, I’m not referring to mustache-twirling villains or psychopathic extremists (although those types certainly exist within the D&D community). Instead, I’m describing individuals who prioritize their personal gains above all else. In contrast, true neutrality involves striking a balance between selfishness and altruism. When combined with the devil-may-care attitude of “Chaotic,” this alignment produces incredibly captivating characters. One prime example of this is Booster from Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars, and his portrayal is nothing short of fantastic.
In case you haven’t heard, this cult classic SNES game from 1996, which saw iconic RPG developer Square (now Square Enix) collaborating with Nintendo to bring their beloved characters to life in a turn-based adventure, is receiving a revival this fall. Watching the trailer during the recent Nintendo Direct, I was filled with nostalgia at the sight of the scruffy-bearded barbarian with a childlike heart (and IQ). In the original game, while Booster isn’t the main antagonist of the story, he is undoubtedly the most intriguing character.
But let’s rewind a bit to set the scene. As is customary in the series, Bowser, the series-standard villain, has once again kidnapped Princess Toadstool (known as Peach at the time). Naturally, Mario embarks on a mission to rescue her. However, before they can resolve this familiar scenario, a colossal sentient sword descends from the heavens, casting our beloved trio in different directions across the Mushroom Kingdom. While Mario battles their newfound enemies, Bowser wallows in misery, and Princess Peach finds herself in Booster Tower, ruled by none other than Booster.
In an unlikely turn of events, Mario and Bowser, alongside their new allies, burst into Booster Tower to mount an assault on its chief resident. However, instead of the heartless barbarian one might expect, Booster merely desires to provide Princess Peach with a good time. Entering on a miniature choo-choo train, he explains that he cannot entertain his guests in the usual manner because a girl fell from the sky and landed in his lap. He is determined to keep her happy and satisfied.
Eventually, we witness Booster and his inept Snifit cronies deciding to throw a party for the first time. Although they have no understanding of what a party entails, they know it involves cake, and they eagerly dive in. They even decide to turn it into a wedding, just for the fun of it. While this scheme seems reminiscent of Bowser’s usual tactics, the wedding isn’t for Booster himself; it is his misguided attempt to bring joy to the princess. I must admit, critical thinking doesn’t seem to be Booster’s strong suit, as he keeps the princess locked away on a balcony. Nevertheless, his actions demonstrate both selflessness and selfishness, as he indulges in cake in return.
Surprisingly, it is not Booster who acts as the final boss of this whimsical arc, but his wedding cake, which mysteriously comes to life. The tower is filled with unexpected twists and amusing gags, such as a chest that requires a convoluted jump onto a seesaw to reach and a room that temporarily reverts Mario to his 8-bit form. Even Bowser experiences a moment of Chaotic Neutral behavior, liberating a shy, tied-up chain chomp to assist in overcoming an obstacle, before transforming her into a personal weapon of choice.
As the chaos mounts, Mario and Bowser accidentally stumble upon the princess while she is losing her belongings. Despite their advantage, they remain mysteriously offscreen for an extended period (possibly taking a union break?), while Booster and his cronies discover the concept of crying and its salty taste. If Mario manages to retrieve all four lost items in time, he is rewarded with a kiss from the princess. However, if he takes too long, she passes him by, and hilarity ensues. All the while, the princess giggles obliviously, seemingly unaware that her boyfriend’s head is dangerously close to the jaws of a fire-breathing dinosaur turtle—an unconventional situation for anyone held captive and on the verge of forced marriage.
In the end, the final boss of this eccentric arc is not Booster himself but his wedding cake, which unexpectedly springs to life, much to the confusion of the two irate Koopa Troopa chefs with exaggerated German accents. This battle presented a genuine challenge for me, and after depleting its health while consuming a multitude of HP items to stay alive, I was astonished when Booster himself stepped in to save the day. His cronies seized the killer cake, hurling it into the air, while Booster unhinged his jaw and devoured it whole (though he did ask if he could boil the cake before devouring it).
And so, the wedding comes to an end. Everyone emerges victorious. The princess is rescued, and Booster eats a cake that suspiciously resembles a frosted jack-o-lantern with random protruding pieces of candy. However, Booster’s jubilation is short-lived, as he realizes he is now being suffocated by the sentient cake within his own digestive system. Mario, who had been gleefully jumping on the cake, doesn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. Yet, despite the absurdity, everyone is content—except for the two turtle chefs. Frankly, those fellows are undoubtedly Chaotic Evil.
In conclusion, this portrayal of Chaotic Neutrality in Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars is infectious. The concept permeates the entire cast, injecting an extra dose of entertainment into the game. As the player, you witness the intriguing dynamics between characters while navigating a world filled with unexpected surprises. Whether it’s Booster’s hilarious attempts to please the princess or Mario and Bowser’s unpredictable encounters, the chaotic nature of these interactions makes for a truly captivating experience.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
