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Wii | Adventure | Super Paper Mario

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Release Date: 04/10/2007
Genre: Adventure
Number of Players:
ESRB Rating: R/P
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42 screen shots

GRAPHICS: 4.00
SOUND: 4.50
CONTROL: 4.50
FUN FACTOR 4.50
AVG USER SCORE 4.6
AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.2

Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

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Hands-On: Super Paper Mario

Hands-On by Wes Nihei | 04/03/2007 | 11:19:47 AM PST

Super Paper Mario prepares to turn its ultra-thin visuals to into a full-bodied Mario adventure for the Wii.

Super Paper Mario took a less-than-super two-year hiatus when Nintendo developer Intelligent Systems decided to shift gears and make the then GameCube-bound adventure platformer for the yet-to-be-launched Wii. Previously, Paper Mario had successfully flipped the Mario series on its ear with a stunning, paper-like 2D presentation at a time when game developers were falling over themselves to show off 3D modeling skills.

See the trailer here.

Now the designers were faced with another challenge: how do you make a game that revels in its flat, 2D pomposity a compelling adventure for a next generation console? How about adding that third dimension now?

Flat-Land Finesse

Like its predecessor, Super Paper Mario will feature a glorious 2D world in classic Mario style that looks like it's composed entirely of paper cutouts. The basic gameplay's in the classic mold, too, since you'll play most of the time by holding the Wii Remote sideways, where it becomes a near-perfect mimic of the classic two-action-button-plus-directional-pad Nintendo controller. Super Paper Mario will offer up only the merest nod to its Wii-ness by enabling you to use the Remote in "flashlight" fashion to reveal invisible doors and objects and, from time to time, shake it to bust certain special moves.

The gameplay twist will be the ability to flip into a 3D perspective with a single button press. Switching from a side view to a behind-Mario look makes it seems as if the game camera has just swung around behind him. 2D landscape that looked like objects and characters from the side can be opened up to reveal a wealth of previously hidden places, creatures, and potential power-ups.

Peach Picked

Spoiler Alert: Princess Peach gets kidnapped! Yes, Super Paper Mario isn't going to do much in the way of breaking out of the typical Mario set up story. Mario and Luigi seek out the purloined Peach and sure enough run into Bowser along the way. Bowser and Peach are both playable, but judging by the preview, Luigi is unfortunately just a spectator. The new villain, Count Blech, and his wacky band of hench-persons appear to display a humorous flair for self-aggrandizement and just the right desire to mash Mario.

Thin Is In

Super Paper Mario already looks as if it would have been a great addition the Mario legacy whether for the GameCube or the Wii. In fact, it's too bad it couldn't have come out sooner for the 'Cube because that would probably have meant that this Wii game would be a brand new, third installment of the series for gamers everywhere to enjoy.