GENRE
	Action RPG
	DEVELOPER
	Intelligent Systems
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	No
	DS COMPATIBLE
	No
	BUY NOW AT

Super Paper Mario marks a convergence of two historic franchises. On one side you have the side-scrolling Mario games of legend, stretching back to the original NES classics and extending through Super Mario World (SNES) and New Super Mario Bros. (DS). On the other side you have the cult-favorite Mario RPG series which began with Square’s Super Mario RPG: Secret of the Seven Stars (SNES) and continued with Paper Mario (N64) and Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (GCN). Super Paper Mario effectively blends both lineages, successfully creating one of the best titles currently available on Wii.

visuals

Super Paper Mario probably could run in its current state on the GameCube without any trouble. That said, it still looks great, carrying on the excellent visual tradition set by previous Paper Mario games. All the character sprites look solid, and each of them sports a classic paper-thin style that bends and folds as the situation warrants. Buildings, likewise, fold open like storybooks when entered and flip closed when departed. Level design is also outstanding, with worlds that change dynamically as they shift between 2D and 3D perspectives. Some nice splash effects add some modern polish to the mix.

audio

While Mario soundtracks are always decent, the soundtrack in Super Paper Mario stands out as one of the best. Some of the tracks are of the manner one would come to expect -- light, airy pieces that incorporate hooks from past Mario titles. But other tracks prove more atmospheric, even epic, in their implementation. From the bold space anthem to the forboding underground theme, the music is beautifully immersive and stands favorably among the best Mario game soundtracks.

The rest of the sound work gets the job done nicely. Fans expect a general continuity of sound effects throughout the franchise and Super Paper Mario doesn’t disappoint, giving players all the jump, power-up and fireball sounds that longtime gamers have come to expect. As with previous Paper Mario games, there is no voicework in the game other than a few isolated grunts and exclamations; but by now fans are more or less accustomed to this, and it does not seriously detract from the game experience.

gameplay

In terms of length, Super Paper Mario is closer to the Mario platformers than the Mario RPGs. A gamer who takes his or her time will reap about 20-25 hours or so of gameplay across eight chapters. The use of real-time combat and a convenient travel system -- both changes from the turn-based Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door -- are partially responsible for the shorter length, although Super Paper Mario also seems to lack both the volume and variety of side-quests offered by previous Paper Mario titles, such as the Trouble Center quests. But the game does makes up for some of these shortcomings in other ways: the main quest of Super Paper Mario is engaging, the game's levels are large and varied and the endgame is rewarding.Super Paper Mario also follows in the footsteps of The Thousand Year Door by allowing the player to continue playing after beating the final boss, even serving up a side-quest that cannot be tackled until after the credits have rolled.

The plot may be the best yet seen in a Mario title. From the opening cinematic, the game ventures into territory unexplored by previous plumber titles, serving up intriguing flashbacks, unexpected plot twists and a surprising amount of moral complexity. Longtime Nintendo fans will be pleased to know that the game is full of references to previous Nintendo properties, and fans of the Paper Mario series in particular will be pleased to know that the clever scripting and hilarious dialogue of past games is also here. Character development is surprisingly good, and the player really attaches to the various personalities that emerge through the adventure. There are some derivative elements to the story (a quest to collect the eight pieces of the Pure Heart sounds awfully familiar), but much of the story’s finer details feel fresh, which is impressive considering how many Mario titles have been released over the last twenty years.

The action pans out more or less like a platformer with RPG elements as opposed to an RPG with platforming elements. It is clear that Intelligent Systems was looking to make the game more accessible than previous Paper Mario games, as some of the customization from those games (such as the freedom to choose what abilities are affected by a level-up or the ability to equip badges) is not to be found here. Super Paper Mario also seems generally aimed toward a broad audience in the sense that most of the game is pretty easy -- rarely during the first six or seven chapters will a veteran gamer be in any serious danger. The last chapter amps up the difficulty somewhat, and the Pit of 100 Trials side-quest can be brutal; but for the most part, an experienced gamer will plow through the main game without much trouble. This is a minor liability in some respects, but it also means that the game remains fun without ever being overly frustrating.

Unique to this iteration of the Mario franchise is the ability to flip between 2D and 3D. In practice the 2D view looks essentially like a side-scrolling Mario title, while the 3D views appears something like the locations in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Flipping into 3D can allows Mario to avoid enemies, uncover secret objects and pipes and circumvent seemingly impassable barriers. Because the game only allows a player to flip into 3D for short periods of time before Mario takes damage, both the 2D and 3D environments figure prominently into the game.

In a nod to Super Mario Bros. 2, there are four playable characters in the game: Mario, Peach, Bowser and a fourth character who is revealed later in the game. (Unlike the NES title, however, these characters can be swapped on the fly at any time.) This may be the best lineup of playable characters ever to grace a Mario title, as each of the four characters has unique abilities and is an absolute blast to play. Bowser, for example, can mow down opponents with a spout of fire, while Princess Peach’s parasol allows her to float or shield herself from enemies. Mario winds up receiving most of the play time because he is the lone character capable of flipping into 3D.

The Wii remote controls the action by being held sideways, and the scheme works well. The d-pad control is smooth and feels like Mario games of old; and the 1 and 2 buttons do due diligence to jumping and other actions. Flipping from 2D to 3D is accomplished using the A button, and the + button brings up the main menu. Pressing 1 and 2 simultaneously brings up a basic quick menu that allows for seamless character-swapping and item-switching during the game.

The Wii remote’s unique capabilities also find a place in the game, and the implementation is so smooth that it feels as if the game was built from the ground up for the console. The remote’s pointer functionality, for example, can be used to reveal hidden secrets and gather information about objects enemies. Shaking the Wii remote after an attack can generate style points that can garner an experience bonus. Many items require tilting, shaking or pointing the remote to achieve maximum effect. One of the game’s arcade room side-quests even offers up some nice shooter sequences for those craving a little point-and-shoot action.

multiplayer

N/A

overall

Intelligent Systems has once again demonstrated why it may be Nintendo’s best in-house developer, crafting a solid game that combines the best elements of the Mario franchise. Super Paper Mario is an intriguing mix of platforming and RPG, offering a entertaining and satisfying gaming experience even if the endgame comes too soon. Boasting solid production values and one of the best storylines of a Mario title, it feels like a made-for-Wii experience despite its GameCube origins. Super Paper Mario is a welcome addition to the system’s library and is well worth the purchase.

9.0/10