Introduction
Paper Mario is a series of role playing games, starring a 2-D Mario in 3-D worlds, featuring varying degrees of action, adventure, and platforming elements. The original Paper Mario was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000, just 4 years after the success of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the Super Nintendo. The game was developed by Intelligent Systems, following Square (developer of Super Mario RPG) severing ties with Nintendo. Intelligent Systems was tasked with following in Square’s footsteps to create a jumping plumber based role-playing game.
Let me say at the top that Intelligent Systems unquestionably succeeded in this endeavor.
My introduction to the Paper Mario Series was actually with the second installment, Thousand Year Door. I’ve also played some of the sequels to varying degrees of enjoyment. I plan to do a ranking post of this series at some point, once I have played all of them enough to give a fair opinion. I only just now decided to return to the series’ roots and play the original title.
Gameplay
Despite being released over 2 decades ago, Paper Mario still holds up extremely in the gameplay department.
As an adventure RPG, it has many features one would expect. Levels/experience, turn based combat, and heavy emphasis on dialogue/storytelling, just to name the big ones. With turn-based combat and minimal platforming, players don’t need to be precise with controls. This makes it a very approachable experience to new players, or to people who have never played on the N64 before. That being said, it still allows for some depth in gameplay by rewarding players who can execute precise controls with combat advantages.
In addition to this, the RPG aspects of the gameplay are very simple and accessible. There are only 3 statistics to keep track of (health, magic points, and “Badge points”). This give the feel and satisfaction of playing an RPG, without having to get bogged down by the numbers. The available attacks and combat moves are also simple and easy to understand.
Though this all makes for a “lite” RPG experience, it also allows the game to excel at what it set out to accomplish.
Story
Regardless of the praises sung above, the storytelling of Paper Mario leaves the gameplay in the dust.
The story itself is nothing to write home about. Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach, and you need to find the seven macguffins to fix the world and put a stop to his plans.
Beyond this, however, are unforgettable character interactions and dialogue sequences. The original Paper Mario set a standard for emotive character designs and humorous dialogue that has made me actually laugh out loud at every turn. Better yet, the sequels would continue to deliver on this standard for years to come, making the rib-tickling moments a standout piece of what makes the game so great.
Other considerations (Originality, graphics, etc.)
I’ve been holding my tongue on this only because I know I have a dedicated section for it. The graphics for this game are ENCHANTING! Now, the “crispness” of the graphics has not aged too well, even by N64 standards. The style is what is great though.
The whole world is made out of paper, as the title would imply. This one basic concept spawned a whole series of extraordinary worlds that each have a near indescribable and unique charm. It’s exactly what I find to be really great about the Paper Mario series over the Mario & Luigi series. “Paper” is integral to everything, and the concept of everything being made out of paper gets explored in so many funny and interesting ways both in this game alone, and across the series as a whole.
Concluding thoughts
After all that, would you believe me if I said this was a bad game? Of course not! Paper Mario has quickly shot up towards the top of my favorite games of all time. One blog post does not give me enough space to sing all the praises I have for this game. I would strongly recommend anyone with the means to play it to give it a try if you haven’t already.
Disagree, or have something you want to add? Feel free to drop a comment!