With the release of 2001’s Paper Mario on Virtual Console during E3 week, Nintendo crossed over a line. Here’s a game that really doesn’t feel particularly “retro”. Here’s a game that… wow, I actually have my original review for, right on my computer.
Since I don’t think that Animerica really minds anymore, I’ll go ahead and print the whole thing after the jump. Plus a bonus review of the soundtrack! Bear in mind that, uh, it was six years ago and I didn’t know how to write. Hey, I can deal with it if you can.
AV Interface
Paper Mario
Nintendo 64
RPG
Nintendo/Intelligent Systems
Available Now (Japan, US)
US$49.99
Copyright 2001 Nintendo
Chris Kohler
Rating: 3 [out of 4]
Nintendo either has amazingly strict quality control or a twisted sense of humor, because they just love to announce and preview games four or five years before they come out. Recent cases in point: Kirby 64, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, and Paper Mario. Earlier in its life, PM was known as “Super Mario RPG 2,” but, perhaps because Nintendo wanted to distance this game from its predecessor, the name was changed. It was probably a good idea, because PM bears little resemblance to the original – or, for that matter, many other RPGs.
The first thing you’ll notice are the unique graphics, with characters that look like paper cutouts imposed on full 3D backgrounds. This is probably appropriate for the N64, a system whose raw polygon processing power is notoriously low anyway. Stylistically, it is done well. The characters all look like cute little drawings in a pop-up picture book, and their emotions and facial expressions are all animated nicely. My only quibble with the paper motif is that it has little to do with the rest of the game; replace the graphics with a standard 3D look and none of the gameplay would seem out of place.
Not that PM’s gameplay is “standard” by any means. For starters, during battle you use only Mario and one partner, like Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, etc. (In case you’re wondering, your partners are explained as being monsters that are no longer loyal to Koopa. Or somesuch.) Your main powerhouse is Mario, of course, since he has all the attacks, magic spells, and items. Key to battling is not only strategy but timing. You must use timed button presses and joystick movements in battle to maximize the effect of attacks. This was one of the best features in the original, and it’s nice to see it not only back but improved on.
Most other major Mario characters (excluding, thank goodness, the God-awful original characters from Super Mario RPG) make appearances. The long-neglected Luigi has to stay at home during Mario’s adventure, but you can go there and talk to him throughout the game. Princess Toadstool, appropriately, has been kidnapped by Bowser, but she still makes herself useful by sneaking around the castle Metal Gear Solid-style (under your control, of course) to find helpful items.