Geno's legal status?

[MissingNo_1231]

Ever since I played Super Mario RPG on the good old SNES I've been wondering why Geno never made another appearance.

I've heard that Nintendo can't use him because Square Enix owns the rights to the character.

But then why hasn't he had a cameo in any Square Enix games?

Sorry if this is an old topic or well known info, it's just something that's been bugging me, since he's really cool.

[Dr. Dib]

I'm pretty sure that Geno and all original Super Mario RPG characters are owned by Square Enix. Geno did make a cameo in Mario And Luigi Super Star Saga as doll. In the credits, Nintendo notes at the end that Geno is copyright of Square Enix.

As for why he hasn't appeared in any Square titles, well who really knows. I could just be that they don't really feel the need to use him.

[tubeway]

The thread title made me think this was somehow about immigration.

[fahlim003]

The thread title made me think this was somehow about immigration.

Unintentional it may have been, but god damn I haven't had a good laugh in a while. Thanks!

[Baloo]

Square Enix owns those characters? Gah, what bullshit. I had no idea they actually made that game, thought it was Nintendo-developed.

There goes those characters then.

[Superman]

The thread title made me think this was somehow about immigration.

I thought along similar lines. I was thinking he was in jail waiting for an appeal or something.

[skaar]

I thought along similar lines. I was thinking he was in jail waiting for an appeal or something.

FREE GENO!

[TheChristoph]

I'm coming from complete ignorance here, but the subject of intellectual property in Japanese games has always seemed really strange to me. In the States, generally speaking, if you come up with something for the company you work for, it belongs to the company. It doesn't seem to work that way in Japan. Recently it was stated that there's no hope for a Rival Schools rerelease because the various people who worked on it aren't with Capcom anymore. Why wouldn't it be Capcom's intellectual property? There are probably many layers I just don't understand.

[JSoup]

I'm coming from complete ignorance here, but the subject of intellectual property in Japanese games has always seemed really strange to me. In the States, generally speaking, if you come up with something for the company you work for, it belongs to the company. It doesn't seem to work that way in Japan. Recently it was stated that there's no hope for a Rival Schools rerelease because the various people who worked on it aren't with Capcom anymore. Why wouldn't it be Capcom's intellectual property? There are probably many layers I just don't understand.

You should see the bullshit around all the old Sonic characters. The only real reason you don't see them anymore is because the original creators either don't work with the company any more or (in one case) the creator is being a dick to Sega.

[kupomogli]

It say Squaresoft when opening and also the battle with Culex looks like something you'd see from Final Fantasy. Looks similar to Kefka as the last boss in FF6 but with four crystals which are also a Final Fantasy staple. Also the music is the normal boss music from FF4.

Btw. Why does everyone care about Geno anyways. He's really got no storyline on him in the game. What is there to really get attached too. The character is overrated and people see someone else saying they want to see Geno and I'm sure that's why they also chime in about it. Just like Super Mario RPG, Geno will never return, as well as Mallow who actually has a bit of background and story about him.

[CelticJobber]

You should see the bullshit around all the old Sonic characters. The only real reason you don't see them anymore is because the original creators either don't work with the company any more or (in one case) the creator is being a dick to Sega.

Which old Sonic characters are you talking about? The only old ones I can think of are Tails, Amy, Eggman/Dr. Robotnik, and Knuckles. And so far as I know, they're still in the most recent games.

[JSoup]

Which old Sonic characters are you talking about? The only old ones I can think of are Tails, Amy, Eggman/Dr. Robotnik, and Knuckles. And so far as I know, they're still in the most recent games.

Heavy, Bomb, Mighty (this is the one where the owner is being a dick), Ray, Nack, Bean, Bark and a handful of lesser characters who I can't name off the top of my head.

[Ro-J]

Geno made a cameo as part of a mini-game in Superstar Saga. He's not playable, but he's there.

[AB Positive]

America is one of the few countries where the companies get the legal IP. I know that in the UK, the person creator gets the rights, meaning for quite some time the legal owner of the Daleks was up in the air, making using them in Dr. Who dicey for a few years early on.

Dunno if this is the same in Japan but it's what came to my mind immediately.

[Icarus Moonsight]

FREE GENO!

Well, they eventually let Kevin Mitnick go...

[MissingNo_1231]

The thread title made me think this was somehow about immigration.

haha, that didn't occur to me, but now that you mention it, that's hilarious.


And it's not that I'm crazy about Geno, but I loved Super Mario RPG, and he was a cool character that I'd like to see again.

And I forgot about the cameo in Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga. My little brother showed me that one a while back.

[Famidrive-16]

Heavy, Bomb, Mighty (this is the one where the owner is being a dick), Ray, Nack, Bean, Bark and a handful of lesser characters who I can't name off the top of my head.

Got any articles or websites about the situation? It sounds interesting.

If Geno makes a comeback I hope they buff the hell out of him, he was the weakest character in SMRPG.

[Aussie2B]

Mallow 4 Life

You know what's really bullshit? That even though just about every semi-popular Squaresoft soundtrack has been reprinted, Super Mario RPG likely never will because of the legal issues behind it. I don't know about the non-Mario characters, but I'm fairly certain there's joint ownership on the soundtrack. And now the damn thing costs a couple hundred dollars. Nintendo has never truly seen the value in soundtracks, so they've barely reprinted anything over their history. When they even sanction a soundtrack in the first place. Even Smash Bros. Brawl didn't get one, despite that it's gotta be the most epic gathering of video game composers ever.

[adam_devry]

What about mallow has he been in anygames since mario rpg. I would also like to fight the ninja power rangers again or the evil clock