Paper Mario 88528 225334545 2008-07-13T03:57:05Z 71.65.104.86 /* Development */ {{Infobox VG |title=Paper Mario |image=[[Image:papermario.jpg|250px]] |caption=North American box art |developer=[[Intelligent Systems]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |released={{vgrelease|JP=[[August 11]] [[2000]]|NA=[[February 5]] [[2001]]|PAL=[[October 5]] [[2001]]}}'''Virtual Console'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=[[July 10]] [[2007]]|PAL=[[July 13]] [[2007]]}}{{vgrelease|NA=[[July 16]] [[2007]]}} |genre=[[Console role-playing game|Role-playing game]] |modes=[[Single-player]] |ratings=[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: E (Everyone)<br />[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association|ELSPA]]: 3+<br />[[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]]: 3+ ([[Wii]])<br />[[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]]: G |platforms=[[Nintendo 64]]<br />[[iQue Player]]<br />[[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]])<br /> |media=320 [[Megabit|Mbit]] (40 [[Megabyte|MB]])<br /> N64 [[cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]] |input=[[Nintendo 64 controller]], [[Nintendo GameCube#Controller|GameCube controller]] (Wii), [[Wii Remote#Classic Controller|Classic controller]] (Wii) }} {{otheruses4|the Nintendo 64 game|the series|Paper Mario (series)}} '''''Paper Mario''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Mario Story'''''|マリオストーリー|Mario Sutōrī}} is a [[console role-playing game|role-playing]] (RPG) [[video game]] developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo 64]]. It was first released in [[Japan]] on [[August 11]] [[2000]], in [[North America]] on [[February 5]] [[2001]], and in [[Europe]] on [[October 5]] [[2001]]. ''Paper Mario'' was a [[spiritual sequel]] to ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], hence it was orignaly supposed to be named Super Mario RPG 2{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. It is the first game in the [[Paper Mario (series)|''Paper Mario'' series]] of video games. It has had two sequels released; the first, for the [[Nintendo GameCube]] entitled ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', and a second for the [[Wii]] entitled ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', which is designed as a platformer with role-playing elements. The game's English title comes from its unique [[graphic design|graphical]] style, reminiscent of older ''Mario'' titles, which features [[two-dimensional|2D]] looking characters resembling [[paper]] cutouts contained within [[3D computer graphics|3D]] environments, with a full range of 3D movement. The game was re-released on [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] on [[July 13]] [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.vc-reviews.com/news/129/us-vc-releases-16th-july-paper-mario.php US VC Releases - 16th July - Paper Mario / Wii Virtual Console News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The game has been in the Top 20 Most Popular Downloads on the North American Virtual Console since its release and was the Number 1 download when the Wii Shop Channel Updated on August 6, 2007. It was displaced by ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ==Gameplay== The second of Mario's role playing adventures, Paper Mario, was one of a kind. Known as Mario Story in Japan, Paper Mario combines RPG elements such as turn-based battles and item storage with a classic Mario feel. The game is one of the first Mario games to show formerly enemy exclusive species as capable of being civilized, bringing you through areas where it is possible to help or seek help from characters such as goombas and koopa troopas. In fact, as you progress though the game, you gather a party filled with such characters, each possessing special abilities to aid you both in and out of battle. Paper Mario tests players' strategic skills by forcing them to tread through different lands, each containing new enemies with different strengths and weaknesses that must be uncovered. Once you enter a battle at the start of the game, there are two different basic attack methods: jump and hammer. Through finding or purchasing items called badges, you are able to add different types of jump and hammer attacks to your arsenal. Paper Mario also tests your puzzle solving skills, as you must use your party members' abilities to your advantage, often unveiling secrets and making your way through otherwise impossible areas. Aside from playing as Mario, you also make your way through Peach's castle as the captive Toadstool herself. During your time as Peach, you uncover pieces of Bowser's plans, initiating cutscenes in which you dictate helpful messages to your new found ally, a living star named Twink, so that he may fly out of the castle and give them to Mario. [[Image:Peach'sCastle.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of Peach's castle]] As previously stated, Paper Mario remains true to its classic Mario roots while giving a new spin on things. A perfect display of this quality is the game's story. Once again, Peach has fell victim to the villainous Bowser, but this time he didn't only take her, he took her castle, and all the way to the sky! After seizing the mysterious star rod, Bowser is now granted the power of invincibility. During the beginning of the game, you must face Bowser while he possesses this new found power, only to find that you are no match. After a suffering a quick defeat at the hands of the Koopa King, you are greeted by an astral projection of what is called a "star spirit." As it turns out, this star spirit is one of seven similar beings, all of which were assigned to protect the star rod that Bowser stole, and currently imprisoned by Bowser after their apparent defeat. Furthermore, you find out that gathering these beings is the only way to counter the power of the star rod. Thus, you go out on your quest far and wide across the Mushroom Kingdom, defeating boss enemies that Bowser has ordered to guard the star spirits, unlocking a new spirit and gaining a new party member each chapter. ==Plot== [[Image:Bowser and Peach's Castles.jpg|thumb|left|Bowser's fortress with Princess Peach's castle perched atop it]] The story of Paper Mario begins with an introduction to Star Haven, a place where the seven Star Spirits reside and, using the Star Rod, an item with the power to grant any wish, grant the requests of those who wish upon the stars. The story's conflict begins when Bowser and his assistant Kammy Koopa invade Star Haven, steal the Star Rod and transform the seven Star Spirits into cards. Meanwhile, Mario and Luigi, unaware of what has taken place, receive an invitation from Princess Peach to a party at her castle. Upon arrival, Mario retires from the guests to the back of the castle to pay a visit to Peach in private. Peach greets Mario and asks him to accompany her to her balcony. Before Mario and Princess Peach reach the balcony, a loud rumbling noise is heard. The Princess' castle is then lifted into the sky by a fortress that had been located underneath the ground below the castle. Bowser then enters the castle and reveals that he is once again attempting to kidnap Princess Peach. Mario does battle with Bowser, but fails because of the Star Rod's ability to make Bowser invincible. Bowser then knocks Mario out of the castle window. [[Image:PaperMario.jpg|thumb|An injured Mario is healed by the Star Spirits]] Mario lands injured and unconscious in a grassy clearing. Projections of the seven Star Spirits appear above Mario and with the strength that remains within them, the Star Spirits give the wounded Mario the strength to survive via these projections. Soon after, a Goomba girl, named Goombaria, encounters Mario still unconscious and takes him to her village to heal. During his unconscious state in the village, Mario receives a vision from Eldstar, one of the Star Spirits, telling him to come to Shooting Star Summit as soon as possible, as the Star Spirits will be better able to communicate with him there. After arriving at Shooting Star Summit, the seven Star Spirits reveal to Mario what Bowser has done and tell him that the only way he will be able to defeat Bowser is to rescue all seven of them, each of whom has been placed under the care of Bowser's minions in a particular area of the Mushroom Kingdom, for only their combined power will be able to overcome that of the Star Rod. Throughout his quest, Mario makes many friends and succeeds in rescuing the seven Star Spirits, who then open up a portal atop Shooting Star Summit providing access to Star Haven. Upon arriving there, the Star Spirits combine their power and grant Mario an ability called the Star Beam, which can negate the effects of the Star Rod, and also provide Mario with a flying machine for him to use to gain access to Bowser's flying fortress. Mario enters the fortress and confronts Bowser again, revealing to Bowser that he is now able to counter the Star Rod. Bowser, however, lures Mario to an area where a machine is kept that he uses to amplify his power to such an extent that he becomes resistant to the Star Beam. Princess Peach upon seeing this makes a desperate wish upon the stars in Mario's favor. As the Star Spirits gain their power from people's wishes, this wish provides them with enough power to increase that of the Star Beam, now called the Peach Beam (with a little help from Twink), allowing Mario to defeat Bowser and recover the Princess and the Star Rod. Bowser's castle and his device that was used to increase his power is destroyed causing him and Kammy Koopa to fall off the castle. The Star Spirits carefully put Peach's castle back in its original place. Twink says a tearful goodbye to Princess Peach before leaving to Star Haven. Back at home, Mario has finished telling Luigi the story, when Parakarry arrives with a letter to Peach's castle. All of the party members that had joined Mario on his quest are also invited as the guests of honor. Upon entering the castle, Peach emerges, congratulating Mario and his friends for retrieving the Star Rod and defeating Bowser. After a parade through the credits (led by Luigi), Mario takes Peach to his house to watch the fireworks, with the intro music playing lullaby-style. ==Development== ''Paper Mario'' was developed by [[Intelligent Systems]]. The directors were Toshitaka Muramatsu, Takahiro Ohgi, and Hironobu Suzuki. Kumiko Takeda and Kaori Aoki wrote the game's script and Naohiko Aoyama was the art director responsible for the game's distinctive graphical style.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game Credits for Paper Mario|publisher=Moby Games|url= http://www.mobygames.com/game/n64/paper-mario/credits|accessdate=2006-03-18}}</ref> The game was initially called '''''Super Mario RPG 2'''''. The game was first revealed at [[Nintendo Space World]] '97, a video game [[trade fair|trade show]] hosted by Nintendo. Initially called ''Super Mario RPG 2'', critics compared the game's 2D character style to ''[[PaRappa the Rapper]]''. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], who consulted on the project, stated that the game was being developed with beginning and amateur gamers in mind.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mario RPG is for the Kids |date=1997-11-21|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061492p1.html|accessdate=2006-03-18}}</ref> He had earlier revealed at [[E3]] that around twenty developers were actively involved with the project.<ref name="npinterview">{{Cite book|year=1997|author=Takao Imamura, Shigeru Miyamoto|title=Nintendo Power August, 1997 - Pak Watch E3 Report "The Game Masters"|pages=104-105|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[Yuka Tsujiyoko]] composed the game's musical score. The song in the beginning of the game (in which the story about the Star Spirits is told) and the song by the Pop Diva are two very recognizable songs among gamers. They are heard at the end of the game, as well, when Mario and Peach are watching the fireworks. Her goal was to reflect the comical and lively sound of [[Koji Kondo]]'s original Mario music in new ways. Tsujiyoko has also stated that the nature of her personality and the influences of her composing partner, Taishi Senda, were reflected in the finished music for the game.<ref>{{cite web | title=RocketBaby's interview w/Yuka Tsujiyoko|date=2001|author=Yuko Takahashi|publisher=Neo Cosmic/Hyper Solid Industries| url=http://www.rocketbaby.net/interviews_tsujiyoko_yuka_1.html| accessdate=2006-03-18}}</ref> ==Reception== ''Paper Mario'' immediately met with critical acclaim from a number of reviewers.<ref>{{cite web|title=GameSpot Paper Mario reviews average|date=2005|publisher=CNET| url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/rpg/papermario/review.html?mode=web|accessdate=2006-03-15}}</ref> Although the game's release at the end of the Nintendo 64's lifespan affected sales, it was still the 8th best selling game for the period from January to June of 2001.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=NPD Group|date=2001-07-26|title= NPD reports U.S. video game industry continues to show substantial growth in first half 2001|url= http://www.npd.com/dynamic/releases/press_010726.htm}}</ref> It was also the top selling game in Japan the week of its release, despite the availability of several games for [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Dreamcast]], which were then "next-generation" consoles. It was voted one of the top 100 games of all time, by ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''. On GameSpot, the N64 score is 9.5 and the Wii score is 9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Dominates Japanese Charts|date=2000-08-18|publisher=IGN|url= http://ign64.ign.com/articles/083/083746p1.html|accessdate=2006-03-14}}</ref> It was rated the 63rd best game made on a Nintendo System in ''[[Nintendo Power]]''{{'}}s Top 200 Games list.<ref name="NP Top 200">{{Citation|year=February 2006| title=NP Top 200|periodical=Nintendo Power|volume=200|pages=58-66}}.</ref> <!--NOTE: INFORMATION ON SEQUELS ARE PROVIDED IN THE TEMPLATE BELOW.--> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/n64/papermario/ RPGClassics' ''Paper Mario'' Shrine] *[http://www.mariowiki.com/Paper_Mario Paper Mario at the Super Mario Wiki] *{{StrategyWiki}} {{Mario RPG series}} [[Category:2000 video games]] [[Category:Cancelled 64DD games]] [[Category:Intelligent Systems games]] [[Category:iQue games]] [[Category:Mario role-playing games]] [[Category:Nintendo 64 games]] [[Category:Role-playing video games]] [[Category:Virtual Console games]] [[de:Mario RPG]] [[es:Paper Mario]] [[it:Paper Mario]] [[nl:Paper Mario (spel)|Paper Mario]] [[ja:マリオストーリー]] [[no:Paper Mario]] [[pl:Paper Mario]] [[pt:Paper Mario]] [[ro:Paper Mario]] [[fi:Paper Mario]] [[sv:Paper Mario]]