E3 2004: Paper Mario 2 Hands-On

Mario returns in a game with 'flat' written all over it, although the gameplay's anything but.

Update: Video coverage added.

Mario's first role-playing adventure was entitled Super Mario RPG and released for the SNES from the folks at Squaresoft. Back then Mario's RP adventure was made to be a traditional 3/4 overhead view to separate the game from Mario's other adventures. At some point Intelligent Systems came along and introduced the best of both worlds, role-playing elements with side-scrolling action. To separate this game from Mario's action adventures, they made Mario paper thin, giving the game a humorous and clever slant.

Now Paper Mario is back for the Gamecube and looking better than ever. The game is extremely similar to the first in terms of style and gameplay, but adds even more of what we liked about the first. The quasi-3D side-scrolling levels offer sharper visuals than the N64 version, but the simplified look of the characters and surroundings remain intact. Also intact is the combat system from the original, with some brand new attacks added in for good measure.

The appeal of Paper Mario is strongest for veteran Nintendo gamers, with most of the items in the game taken from various other Mario games. Mushrooms to make you big, coins to collect, fireballs for shooting, and even Shines from Super Mario Sunshine make an appearance. The game is also fun for non-RPG gamers, with turn-based battles being avoided simply by walking away from the enemy, and attacks being implemented in real-time while in a turn-based scenario. This gives action-oriented gamers some interaction during an otherwise slow battle.

Paper Mario 2 also utilizes the 'paper' theme to great affect. In Mario's quest he can fold himself into a paper airplane or slide under his bed sheets. Gamecube's horsepower allows for hundreds of enemies on screen at once, something that looks incredibly cool and is bound to make for innovative gameplay. Something else incredibly cool is the ability to play as Bowser in classic Mario Bros. Style levels in bonus rounds, just one of the many selling point of the Gamecube sequel.

But perhaps the strongest selling point of Paper Mario 2 is its personality. The game is absolutely overflowing with good humor and pleasant environments that make you want to smile. Spending time with Paper Mario 2 never feels like work, and much like the first one, makes you want to move on to the next segment without delay. Already an absolute must-buy for fans of the original, we can't wait to get our hands on a finalized version.

Carl Johnson
Staff Writer, Kikizo.com