Graphics

I've just got to say that the graphics and animations for this game are awesome and It's even clearer in progressive scan. The animations are incredibly fluid. They really did an amazing job on Super Paper Mario from a graphical standpoint. Even the giant pixelated retro versions of the characters look great. The detail in the environment is fantastic and I love the 3D flip views pop-up book look of everything.

Sound/Music

The music is adorable and I find myself humming the theme that plays every time you find a pixel. ...and the main theme that has cues from Super Mario World is just great. So far, the soundtrack is proving to be very memorable and all the sound effects are highly Mario-esque. One very nice touch is when you get a rig of retro Marios around Mario and when they jump, the classic Mario jump sound effect comes echoing out. Very nice touch! Overall, the soundtrack and the game's sound effects suit the game perfectly.

Gameplay

The gameplay, from a control standpoint, is extremely simple. In fact, the side grip you assume with the Wii-mote brings back memories of good times with the NES. You move and perform actions (such as opening doors, chests, etc.) with the d-pad. With the 1 and 2 buttons, you use your Pixls and jump, respectively…plus move along text conversations. If you press both 1 and 2 simultaneously, you are presented with a more simplified menu from which you can switch characters, Pixls and consume items. You can also point the Wiimote at the screen to shine a spotlight of sorts. With that spotlight you can have Tippi give you information about objects and even find things that are invisible to the naked eye.

Speaking of Tippi, he/she is a Pixl. Each Pixl has a different ability from the other. For example, Tippi can see things that we cannot, Slim turns you side ways and has a ‘slimming effect’ on you. Boomer can be used as a bomb to blow shit up and Thoreau can, well, throw things (clever name for him, if you ask me).

Also integral to the gameplay, besides the interface, is the ability to ‘flip.’ Flipping is the act of switching into 3D by pressing the ‘A button. Unfortunately, Mario cannot stay in that dimension for very long as he belongs to the 2nd dimension. However, while you are in 3D, Mario and co. can see things that would otherwise be hidden from view. This can include enemies, doors, holes in walls, warp pipes obstructed by blocks, ways around seemingly impassable barriers, things like that. …and you know what I think? I think it’s fabulous! Sometimes, flipping becomes integral to fighting boss…like the Frackdragon (hmmm Frack, sounds dirty if you’re a BSG fan). Speaking of bosses, wait until you see how O’Chunks exits the screen upon defeat, it’s a gas.

At any rate, it’s fun and you’ll have a blast. Though I do have one minor issue. I wish that I could see the other direction. That's about the only thing I don't like about flipping...but I got over it fairly quickly. Oh, before I forget, You may notice that there is a DS Lite on the wall of Saffron's Kitchen. I'm looking forward to seeing how this might be used in the future as I've not had a use for it in the game, yet. Though don't get too excited, it doesn't have anything to do with DS/Wii compatibility to my knowledge.

The chapters are divided into 4 parts, with the fourth being where you will encounter Count Bleck’s minions and take you from grassy plains, mountainsides, small towns and even a creepy house, and, of course, other locales. Each chapter/area is unique and well designed. In one level, you have a whole bunch of spiked thwomps barreling towards you. All this is going on above a door that before you could not reach because there is a massive hole underneath it. So, what’s a Mario to do? Well you jump on that giant red switch, which opens a trap door for those hundreds of nasty spiked thwomps to fall down in, thus filling in that hole and allowing you to enter that previously unaccessible area. It’s things like this that make me very happy with a video game, and it only gets better as you go long.

As for the characters, each character has his/her own ability. Peach can float, Luigi jumps extremely high, Bowser burninates anything in his path and Mario does his thing. That rounds out your character list, but let me add one more thing. You can obtain different items, just like an RPG, and use them whenever you please to increase health, use enemy cards to best another enemy, warp back to Flipside, or use a star to turn into a screen-filling render of your character’s retro self…which is totally awesome. As I said, you’re going to have a blast. How do these characters come together? Well let me explain using the story.

Story

The story is both cute and well written. It also seems geared to appeal towards adults, which is very nice, too. Once again, Princess Peach is captured, though not by Bowser. This time, it’s the abominable Count Bleck who is trying to use her and the Dark Prognosticus to destroy all worlds. Toad comes to alert the brothers Mario that Peach is missing. Of course, the duo automatically assumes it’s Bowser, only the find out from him that it’s simply not the case. Enter Count Bleck as he explains his evil scheme. After banishing everyone to his world and having his smartass assistant brainwash those who refuse to be assimilated, Mario is left by himself to rescue his friends…though they do a good job of escaping Bleck’s clutches on their own while you play them. Along the way, you encounter an ancient named Merlon (my personal favorite, so far, is Merlee). He instructs you to find his fellow ancients to seek out Pure Hearts. There is one for each area/chapter, bringing the total to 8. Each Pure Heart opens up the doorway to a new chapter. Upon returning to the main city of Flipside (when you flip, there is so much more to explore there), you have to find the Pure Heart Columns. You insert the Pure Heart and the next chapter opens. But I have digressed from the story, though I think you get the idea. Defeat Count Bleck and save all worlds!! It’s a great, fun story, just ask anyone who’s played it.

Final Thoughts

Super Paper Mario is the best game to come out of Nintendo since Twilight Princess. Any game lover should totally check out this gem…if you can find it! High production values and that high level of polish that we’ve all come to expect. It’s got a fantastic and well-written story, coupled with amazing visuals and a soundtrack that’s as memorable as your favorite album. It also gives one that old-school feeling in the handling of the controller while introducing new ways to do things, such as pointing to the screen for information on objects. Super Paper Mario refreshes the Mario series that is much needed for this aging franchise while blending both the platformer and RPG genres together, seamlessly. Perhaps we can see more games like this in the future of the series. So, in the end, what do I recommend that you do? Well I suggest you go to your local store and buy it…immediately.