Super Paper Mario

About Super Paper Mario

Super Paper Mario dropped on April 9, 2007 for the Nintendo Wii and later appeared on the Wii U. Intelligent Systems developed this title while Nintendo handled publishing. It blends adventure, role-playing, and platforming into one package. The story starts when Mario and Luigi hear Princess Peach was kidnapped. They head to Bowser's castle only to find Bowser just as confused. A top-hatted villain named Count Bleck arrives and abducts everyone except Mario. He forces a marriage between Peach and Bowser to create a dark rift threatening the whole universe. This dimension-shifting adventure lets you flip from 2D side-scrollers into 3D depth to solve puzzles. It feels like a cartoon come to life where paper characters move through multiple planes of existence.

Gameplay

You control Mario as he flips between two-dimensional and three-dimensional perspectives to navigate the world. One moment you run left or right on a flat plane, then flip your character sideways to walk up walls or cross gaps that were impossible in 2D. Combat involves using the Wii Remote to throw items like flowers and bombs at enemies. You can also pair Mario with partners who have their own abilities to help solve environmental puzzles. Each partner adds a specific skill set like flying over obstacles or digging through dirt. A typical session involves exploring colorful worlds, talking to quirky NPCs, and fighting bosses that require you to switch dimensions constantly. The controls are tight enough that flipping mid-jump feels natural rather than clunky. You collect badges to boost stats and unlock new moves as you progress through the story.

What Players Think

Critics and players have mixed but generally positive feelings about this title. IGDB shows a score of 78.1 out of 100 based on 186 ratings. Most community moods suggest a strong appreciation for the art style and humor despite some frustration with difficulty spikes. Average playtime hovers around 12 hours for a standard run, though completionists spend significantly longer hunting for all badges. Review snippets frequently mention the unique mechanic of flipping dimensions as the standout feature that keeps things fresh. Some users note the story is funny but slightly convoluted compared to other Mario games. The game holds up well over time because of its creative level design and charming characters. Players who enjoy puzzle-platformers tend to rate it higher than those expecting a traditional action experience.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth playing if you like platformers that experiment with perspective and have humor. The price on the Wii U eShop varies but remains affordable for a standalone title. There are no significant achievements listed for this version, so completionism relies on finding all secrets yourself. Intelligent Systems made something special here even if the story gets a bit weird near the end. It is not for people who want fast-paced action without thinking. You will spend time figuring out when to flip between 2D and 3D to progress. The final boss fight is memorable and requires mastering all your partners' abilities. Grab this one if you have a Wii or Wii U handy.

Storyline

Mario and Luigi are enjoying a lazy afternoon at their house when they hear the terrible news: Princess Peach has been kidnapped. The two Mario brothers head straight for Bowser's castle to get her back, but Bowser is just as surprised about Peach's kidnapping as they are. At that moment, a strange top-hatted villain warps in and abducts everyone but Mario. The mysterious villain then forces Peach and Bowser to get married, creating a rift of dark energy that threatens to tear the universe apart. Only Mario can save the day, but he can't do it alone.