Super Paper Mario

About Super Paper Mario

Super Paper Mario is a 2D/3D hybrid adventure RPG developed by Intelligent Systems for the Wii. Released in 2007, it follows Mario as he battles a top-hatted villain who forces Peach and Bowser into a chaotic marriage, creating a rift in reality. The game blends side-scrolling platforming with grid-based combat, letting players switch between 2D and 3D perspectives to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. It’s a sequel to Paper Mario 64 and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, but its chaotic tone and experimental design make it stand apart. Nintendo’s quirky charm is on full display here, think origami-style visuals and a script that leans into absurd humor. If you’re curious how Mario would handle a reality-bending wedding crisis, this is your answer.

Gameplay

The core loop alternates between 2D platforming and 3D grid-based battles. You control Mario manually in levels, flipping between flat and 3D modes to access hidden paths or attack enemies from unexpected angles. Combat is turn-based but layered with strategy: each character has a grid of moves that change based on your positioning. For example, a Hammer attack might smash a block in 2D but knock an enemy off a ledge in 3D. Between fights, you collect items like Power Stars to unlock shortcuts. The story unfolds through over-the-top dialogue and cutscenes that mix slapstick and surrealism. Sessions often feel like solving a puzzle box, every level is a maze of dimension shifts, and fights require rethinking enemy weaknesses. It’s less about combat mastery and more about experimenting with how the 2D/3D toggle reshapes the world.

What Players Think

Super Paper Mario holds an IGDB score of 78.1/100 (186 ratings), reflecting a polarized reception. Critics praise its creativity but often call it “crazy” in a way that divides players. Completion rates are moderate, most who start finish it in 20-30 hours, though some struggle with the pacing. The game’s “confusing” and “unconventional” vibes dominate community discussions, with players either enamored by its wildness or frustrated by its janky controls. One review calls it “a fever dream of Mario weirdness,” while another calls it “the most Nintendo game ever made.” It’s not a traditional RPG or platformer, which makes it a cult favorite. Its 2007 release on the Wii also meant it was ahead of its time in some ways but limited by the console’s lifespan.

PlayPile's Take

This game is a niche must-play for fans of experimental design and paper-thin comedy. It’s not as polished as later Mario RPGs, but its dimension-hopping mechanics and chaotic charm justify the price of admission if you own a Wii or Wii U. The grid combat can feel clunky, and the story’s absurdity may not land for everyone. That said, it’s a bold, imperfect sequel that feels like a prototype for future hybrid games. If you’re tired of linear adventures and want something that feels like a Mario version of a David Lynch film, give it a shot. It’s not for everyone, but it’s undeniably Nintendo.

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.