Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3337 in Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo of America
• Released on: 2001-02-05
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo 64

Amazon.com Review
Nintendo 64 owners have been patiently waiting for a decent role-playing game, and, at long last, one has arrived in the form of the perplexing Paper Mario. World-famous video game icon Mario stars in this unconventional RPG, which was originally announced as Super Mario RPG 2. Don't be fooled by the cutesy visual exterior of this game, which borrows heavily from the well-established Mario universe. Yep... it's the same lovable Mario who dons his familiar red overalls and unkempt moustache. However, the catch is that Mario now stubbornly appears as a two-dimensional character--despite the largely 3-D exterior gaming environments that surround him. When our flat-headed friend turns around, his paper-thin presence becomes immediately apparent. It's a cool gimmick, but fortunately Paper Mario is far from a cut-and-paste cartoon caper.

As with most RPG titles, players must battle with several menacing enemies as they travel from place to place on their quest. Each encounter requires gamers to strategically choose between various modes of attack. For example, Mario is particularly handy with the hammer--thus you might opt to select his hangover-inducing hammer attack. As the adventure progresses, additional characters will join your quest. Your ever-growing posse gives you more fighting power, as each team member brings new attack moves and powers worth mastering. To advance within the game, you'll need to pay close attention to your health meter, enemy hit points, and your ever-expanding attack options. The game starts with enemies that are easy to defeat, but it quickly becomes quite difficult to survive subsequent attacks without careful planning.

Unlike most RPG games, each attack sequence is enhanced by a special action function. Instead of passively sitting back and watching each attack move occur, the player can enhance your attack by pressing a button or moving the directional controller at precisely the right time. As someone who has racked up several hours (and more than a few snoozes) during repetitious RPG attack sequences, the action feature is a welcome addition to break up the monotony of multiple attacks.

Fans of the traditional Mario games will appreciate the return of familiar characters, such as Princess Peach and Luigi. Perpetual baddie Bowser even plays a key role in this addictive adventure. Best of all, there are plenty of hidden areas and extras to uncover. Paper Mario may boast elements of the classic platform gaming genre, as well as the traditional RPG--but it ultimately cuts through all expectations to deliver an experience that appeals to both casual and hard-core gamers. --Brett Atwood

Pros:

• Weeks of gaming due to expansive environments
• Hidden goodies to uncover
• Classic Mario gameplay mixed with traditional RPG action

• Highly addictive (prepare to lose some sleep)
• Cartoon exterior may not appeal to some hard-core gamers

Amazon.com Product Description
Paper Mario has a 2-D look in a 3-D game world--an aesthetic designed to make players feel as if they've entered an animated pop-up book. A stationary camera helps reinforce this storybook illusion. The game's title is taken from the paper-thin characters inhabiting the Mushroom Kingdom. For example, when Mario is sleeping, he flips and flutters through the air like a leaf falling from a tree.

Paper Mario is the sequel to the classic Super NES role-playing game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Like the original, it contains a mix of turn-based battles and intricate puzzles, as well as timed attacks. Players time their attacks by moving the D-pad and pressing the A button at exactly the right moment to inflict maximum damage. This seasons Paper Mario with a little action/adventure flavor. Classic characters, such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Toad, are joined by the likes of Goombario and Kammy Koopa.

Customer Reviews

Gamers Rejoice
Gamers everywhere rejoice as Mario the most popular character in video game history-returns in Paper Mario, a brand-new adventure for your N64.

Paper Mario is filled to the brim with familiar faces, places and items, all presented in a fresh new light. As you guide the plucky plumber on his journey, you'll encounter such Mario mainstays as Boos, Bob-ombs, Koopas and Goombas. Most of them are enemies, but sometimes one will break ranks and fight by Mario's side. You'll also meet up with a rogue's gallery of old friends and foes, whom may include Bowser, Goombario, Kooper Koopa, Princess Peach, and Kammy Koopa.

Paper Mario is a game that has something for everyone. It's simple to learn and fun for younger gamers, yet complex enough to keep even battle-hardened joystick jockeys playing for weeks. Followers of the Mario craze will be pleased with the recognizable faces and worlds, while RPG fans can rejoice at the thought of one of the deepest and most customizable RPG's to come along for any system in a very long time. Add a gigantic world, hundreds of special moves, dozens of items, and some very funny dialogue and sight gags--the result is the Mario game we've all been eagerly awaiting.

This isn't 5 stars - it's 7 star spirits!!!
This is a GREAT game! I don't have it for my N64 yet, but I've rented it. While you try to beat the game, you'll find several friends who will help you a lot during your journey. The object of the game is to save seven Star Spirits and defeat Bowser (again, fans of previous Mario games will sigh). I liked it so much I rented it again after I had to return it! It is a great challenge. If you're a fan of Pokemon and/or Zelda, I'd try this game out! I'm sure all the girls who are Mario fans will like the fact that their are several girl characters like Bombette (my personal favorite) and Sushie. If you've played the original Mario, then you'll recognize Goombas right away, and if you've played Mario 2, then you'll find that Watt carries a resemblance to the annoying sun in a desert level. Mario 3 and Mario 64 players will immediately know the Bob-ombs (though I'm sure you'll agree that Bombette and her friends are nicer than the annoying exploders of Mario 3). There's even some of those not-well-known characters like the Shy Guys from Yoshi's World (a cute N64 game I've rented). There's everything you could ever want in a Mario, Pokemon, or Zelda game - hidden blocks, tricky-to-defeat bad guys, expensive and cheap items, plenty of coins, and even those seemingly useless places that have a secret meaning. Overall, a great game!

Not Only A Sequel But An Excellent Game
Mario is back. The worlds most reconizable computer character is back in yet another fantastic game. Paper Mario is the second in the series (first being Super Mario RPG) of one the best fun games. There is an introduction of two new characters (Gommbario and Kammy Koopa) which is introducing new life into the mario series. The game will appeal to all as it starts off easy for everyone to grasp and then it gets progressive harder so those who have good gaming skill will still find it a challenge. This game is worth buying as it is so fun and after all its MARIO