Introduction:

Paper Mario is hands down my favorite video game of all time (once Twilight Princess comes out I have my doubts about it still being my favorite :P). It came out on the N64 in 2001 on February 5th (US). It's sequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, came out October 11th, 2004 (US) on the Gamecube. It was the hardest wait of my life. Paper Mario is still to this day an RPG a lot of people talk about. But enough rambling, lets see the review:

Story:

The story starts out when Bowser and his right hand minion, Kammy Koopa, invade the place known as Star Haven. Star Haven is where the Star Rod rests. The Star Rod is the thing that grants people's wishes. Now Bowser's wishes hadn't ever been granted (because they were ones like "I want Peach to like me") so he has come to take the Star Rod and use the it's power to grant his own wishes. The seven star spirits who inhabit Star Haven and use the Star Rod try to stop Bowser, but they cannot and Bowser snatches the rod. He captures each of the seven star spirits and imprisons them in places all over the Mushroom Kingdom guarded by his strongest followers.

When the game actually starts, Mario has been invited to a party at Peach's Castle. He is enjoying the festivities when all of a sudden the castle is lifted off the ground, by Bowser's castle. Bowser comes in and makes his attempt to capture the princess, but good old Mario is there to stop him. Using the Star Rod, Bowser makes himself invincible and easily defeats Mario. Mario is flung out the castle and falls to the earth.

So now, Princess Peach and her castle are miles up in the sky captured by and invincible Bowser. How will Mario stop them? He embarks on a quest to find all seven star spirits. He must get their combined power to create the Star Beam, which will stop the Star Rod's effects. Can Mario save all seven spirits? Or is the Mushroom Kingdom doomed? Play through and find out!

Gameplay:

The gameplay is simple, but so genius. Anyone who plays this game will be hooked. On the field you can jump, use your hammer, or use your partner. Your partners are people who join your quest and help you complete it. They all have unique abilities, such as one might blow up cracked walls, while another will let you ride on his back and he will fly over spikes. You can use your hammer and jump abilities to solve puzzles as you work through the game, and over time you will gain new jump and hammer abilities.

The battle system is very cool in my opinion. It has you constantly on the move, whether you are attacking or defending. Depending on how well you hit buttons, your attacks will become more powerful and your defense will be stronger. It's not like you are left clueless about which buttons to hit though, when you attack it will clearly show on the screen what buttons you need to hit. The badges in the game give you ton of extra abilities that make each battle different.

I really love the gameplay, simple as it is. After playing the second game though, there are SOME things I noticed that were better in the second one.

I give the gameplay: 9/10

Graphics:

Paper Mario has very...different graphics. Why? Because everything in the game is made out of paper! Its not bad though, it is actually a very neat art style. You will NEVER see these graphics in another game (besides sequels) because of how unique they are. They aren't wicked flashy, but they're nice.

I give the graphics: 8/10

Sound:

This game has very awesome music, all the sound blends in with everywhere and it runs smooth and really enhances the gameplay.

I give the sound: 10/10

Replayability:

So, after you beat this game, you gonna play it again in the next decade?

Definitely, this game has so much replayability it's crazy. I have played through this so many times and every time it is still wicked fun. It can be a challenging and rewarding experience to go around after you beat the game and try to get all the things in it. There are a lot of sidequests you could totally miss playing the game once.

I give the replayability: 10/10

Challenge:

The challenge in Paper Mario is easy, though a few parts in it can be tough. Some battles will take you more than 2 times to win, such as fighting the dojo master in his most powerful form (took me once though, one very long tough battle). The puzzles can get a few people confused, but I have like memorized the whole game so playing it now they are a breeze.

I give the challenge: 7/10

Frustration:

Frustration? What frustration? There is none, I'll tell you that right now. I never got frustrated playing this game, and its a good thing.

I give the frustration: 0/10

Value:

If you can find this game, you are a very lucky person. Since years ago, this game is nearly impossible to find, except on e-bay. Don't pay more than $50 for it, because that is what it's worth.

So, the normal price $50 is definitely a great price.

I give the value: 10/10

Overall:

If you have never played this game, you are NOT a true Mario RPG fan. This is right under Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars in the category of must play Mario RPG's, the other 3 coming after. This game is so classic, and I highly encourage you to get it.

It's my favorite game ever, what do you think I am going to give it?

I give Paper Mario: 10/10

Conclusion:

Hope you enjoyed the review, if you are thinking of getting the game PM me and ask me any questions ya might have, but until then here is the bottom line:

Loved this game, it will always be a must have for Mario RPG fans.

Written By: Prince Peasley
Date Submitted: March 7th, 2006

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