HP - Life points, health points, etc...

SP - Spell point, magic points, etc...

The the formula above has been tried and true in RPG. But, can't there be something new and fresh? Are devs too afraid to try something totally different?

There's no problem with HP/SP formula, but it's so common... 

i have no problem with it

i know almost all rpgs use that i think most are afraid to try somthing new,or just dont want to waste their time of thinking for somthing new

right...i have no problem with it too

What else would they use? HP is fine with me.

even FPS have HP and SP, except that SP turns into ammo

I'm happy and not bored with it.

What about a rehash? Rehashes are almost as good as actually coming up with original ideas, aren't they?

...

I'm thinking, "Flower Points" for SP, to appeal to the casual audience who have no clue about these things anyway.

I'm thinking, "Heart Points" for HP, to make it happier and smiley.

Now, we take a much-loved video game character, let's say Mario for example, and take the emotional dimension out of his character.

...

I know! We can take a real dimension out of his character too, to avoid expenses on 3D modelling!

Now all we need are 2D rehashed enemies, 2D rehashed locations and a good RPG battle system with the tactics removed so it isn't too hard.

...

I'll call it (it's clever, right?), "Thin Mario"!

@ Game_boy: Mario had/has "emotional dimension" in the first place? News to me. Also, most of the locations in Paper Mario were original, and those that weren't (say, Dry Dry Desert) were given a new look befitting an RPG.

Finally, Paper Mario's combat kicks the ass of most other PS1/N64-generation JRPGs.

Oh, and you forgot Badge Points and the Star Meter. =P