Level Up: Paper Mario

Really, what can I say this week but “Paper Mario” for the Nintendo 64. Let’s dive right into this.

Oddly enough, I’m going to start with the graphics this time, since its PAPER Mario. The look of the game is similar to a paper diorama in a box, with flat sprites in a 3D area (both of great visual quality). This is actually really well done, with the flat sides of the characters even visible when they turn. You can also tell the game developers, Intelligent Systems, had fun with this during moments like when Mario goes to sleep; he flies through the air and gently slips under the covers like a letter being slid under a door.

The design of the characters are also really well pulled off, with most of the cast staying true to the Super Mario Brothers 3 or Super Mario World looks, with little tweaks here and there to both compensate for the game’s unique look, and the modernization of the series. There’s also this more cartoonish twist added to the mix: most people seem to have shrunk, but now have bigger heads with dot eyes and no legs, just feet. This further cements the look of the game making it really unique, leading to turning it into a series.

The game starts off like most Mario adventures; Peach sends a letter to Mario asking him to come over with the hinted promise of cake. However, once Mario gets there, Bowser lifts Peach’s castle into the sky from underneath by using his castle. Bowser confronts Mario with a “I’ve been beaten before, but this time it’s different” speech before engaging him in battle. But, despite breathing fire, Bowser wasn’t just full of a hot air *rim shot*; he’s stolen the Star Rod, a magical object from the Kirby games- er, I mean Star Heaven that grants Bowser almost any wish he wants (there must be limits though, or else why wouldn’t he just wish to kill Mario or have Peach fall in love with him?). He uses the Star Rod to easily pummel Mario then toss him out the window. While unconscious on the ground, Mario is visited by the astral projections of the Star Spirits. They tell him that he needs to free them if he stands any chance of beating Bowser, but they’re each guarded by 7 different powerful minions. This causes Mario to venture from the standard fortress, to haunted forests, to jungle areas and even above the clouds and heavens. (I always love variety in locations.)

The story is pretty good. It has that classic element of Mario saving Peach, but with added twists to the nostalgia, namely Bowser learning from his past mistakes and actually getting a huge upper hand in this case. It gives the game a fantasy overtone, which, when mixed with the cartoon atmosphere the game already had, makes for an all-around enjoyable feel.

Now it’s the time to talk about the game play, and this being a turn based battle combat RPG, I could start off by talking about the battle system. But I would much rather not talk about it at all. This isn’t because I don’t like the battle system; as a matter of fact, I think it’s clever how you can’t jump or use your hammer on some enemies. No, the reason I don’t want to talk about it is because I think it has little impact on the game. Unlike some RPGs like Pokemon, Dragon Warrior or Final Fantasy, I never found grinding or strength to be the main aspect of this game. In reality, the battle system is pretty much the only thing preventing this from being one of those puzzle solving mystery games. You go around towns, dungeons and other similar areas to talk the right people, solve small riddles and make events happen to get to your goal. THAT is the main aspect of the game, and it is done so smoothly and feels so natural that it wouldn’t surprise me if people think the battle system is the main attraction; it is necessary at some points and, unlike the puzzles, the game makes you aware of them. But even your partners, who say they’re there to fight with you, are more useful in the puzzle solving aspect with their unique skills, and let’s not forget peach’s parts, which are probably the most intriguing and never involve fighting.

The maps and level layout attribute a lot to the great puzzles in the game. There are some places where there is so much to explore that it’s exciting to go down a new pipe. And don’t forget about the side-quests, which there is no lack of in Paper Mario. Unlike some games though, these never over power the main story line, and there’s a variety of things to do with some of the tasks quite similar to the main adventure jobs, so they should never get on your nerves.

Paper Mario is, first and foremost, a very charming game. It sucks you in with its “personality” (for lack of a better term) quickly set with its unique look. The gameplay then gets you hooked with a whole world to figure out, explore and save. Plus; it’s Mario, I don’t think I need to explain more than that. Though I do have my complaints, like Paper Mario’s slow walking speed or that it takes a bit for the game to actually get started, I still think this is one of the must own titles for the N64, or at the very least, should be played on the Wii Virtual Console. I give Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 9.5 levels out of 10.