Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
1066808
225840159
2008-07-15T17:20:47Z
Ashnard
3591053
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225835360 by [[Special:Contributions/71.161.192.142|71.161.192.142]] ([[User talk:71.161.192.142|talk]])Rv good-faith edit. The previous version is correct
{{Infobox VG
| title = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
| image = [[Image:ttydbox.jpg|250px]]
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Intelligent Systems]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP=[[July 22]], [[2004]]|NA=[[October 11]], [[2004]]|EU=[[November 12]], [[2004]]}}
| genre = [[Console role-playing game|Role-playing game]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: E (Everyone)<br />[[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]]: 3+<br />[[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: A (All ages)<br />[[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]]: G8+
| platforms = [[Nintendo GameCube]]
| media = 1 × [[Nintendo optical discs|GameCube Optical Disc]]
| input = [[Nintendo GameCube#Controller|Nintendo GameCube Controller]]
}}
'''''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''''', released in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Paper Mario RPG'''''|ペーパーマリオRPG|Pēpā Mario Ārupījī}}, is a [[console role-playing game|role-playing game]] developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. It was released in [[Japan]] on [[July 22]] [[2004]], in [[North America]] on [[October 11]] [[2004]], and in [[Europe]] on [[November 12]] [[2004]]. ''The Thousand-Year Door'' is the fourth game in the ''[[List of Mario games by genre#RPG series|Mario RPG]]'' series and the second in the ''[[Paper Mario (series)|Paper Mario]]'' series. The game's sequel, ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', was released for the [[Wii]] in [[2007 in video gaming|2007]].
''The Thousand-Year Door'' borrows many gameplay elements from its predecessor, the [[Nintendo 64]] game ''[[Paper Mario]]''. These elements include a turn-based battle system with an emphasis on action as well as a paper-themed universe.<ref name="Gamespot review"/> For the majority of the game the player controls [[Mario]], although [[Bowser (Nintendo)|Bowser]] and [[Princess Peach]] are playable at certain points.<ref name="IGN review"/> The plot follows Mario's quest as he tries to retrieve the seven Crystal Stars and rescue Peach from the X-Nauts, an alien species introduced in ''The Thousand-Year Door''.
The game was well received by critics, with an average score of 88 percent from [[Game Rankings]].<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings"/> In general, critics praised the game's engaging plot and gameplay, but criticised it for not being a big progression from its predecessor. ''The Thousand-Year Door'' won the "Console Role Playing Game of the Year" award at the 2005 [[Interactive Achievement Awards]].<ref name="Award"/>
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Paper-mario-thousand-year-door-2.jpg|left|thumb|Mario folds up into a paper airplane in order to glide across a large gap]]
''The Thousand-Year Door'' has some unique elements owing to its visual style. The graphics consist of a mixture of [[3D computer graphics|three-dimensional]] environments and [[2D computer graphics|two-dimensional]] characters who look as if they are made of [[paper]].<ref name="IGN review"/> At different points in the game, Mario is "cursed" with abilities that enable special moves in the overworld, all of which are based on the paper theme. Mario can fold into a boat or a paper airplane by standing on a special activation panel, and he can roll up into a scroll of paper or become paper thin.<ref name="Gamespot review"/> The game's environments also follow this theme; for example, illusory objects that conceal secret items or switches can be blown away by a gust of wind due to the environment's paper-like qualities. In certain parts of the game, the player controls Bowser in multiple side-scrolling levels based on ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''. Additionally, the player controls Peach in the X-Naut Fortress at the completion of most game chapters.<ref name="IGN review"/>
Battles in ''The Thousand-Year Door'' borrow elements from the original ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''.<ref name="Nintendo World Report review">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=4281|title=GC review: Paper Mario: the Thousand-Year Door|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report]]|last=Cole|first=Michael| date=2004-10-24|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> The turn-based system, in which players select an attack, defense, or item from a menu, is augmented by timed button presses that, when performed correctly, can result in substantial attack or defense bonuses.<ref name="IGN Guide">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_2.html|title='Guides: Paper Mario 2'|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Cole|first=Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> A similar system was also used in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''.<ref name="Well-timed presses">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/550433/index.html|title= Mario & Lugi: Superstar Saga Guide|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Sulpher|first=Brian P|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> In ''The Thousand-Year Door,'' each of Mario's party members now have their own Heart Points (HP) and may receive any attack that Mario can receive. When a partner's Heart Points are reduced to zero, the partner becomes inactive for the rest of that battle and later battles until recovery. If Mario's Heart Points are reduced to zero, however, the game ends.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> Flower Points—which are required for special moves—are shared between Mario and his party members. Defeating enemies awards various numbers of Star Points to Mario; for every 100 Star Points, Mario is able to [[level up]],<ref name="Gamespot review"/> choosing between three character statistic enhancements. The battles take place on a stage in front of an audience; if the player performs well in a battle, the audience can assist Mario by replenishing star points, throwing helpful items onstage, or inflicting damage on the opponent.<ref name="IGN review"/> Conversely, the audience may leave if the player performs poorly in a battle.
Outside of battle, the game contains some strong [[role-playing game|RPG]] traditions. For example, Mario's strength is determined by multiple statistical fields and status boosting items that can be used inside and outside of combat. The effects of these items range from healing Mario or his partner to damaging the opponent.<ref name="IGN Guide 2">{{cite web|url= http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_5.html|title='Guides: Paper Mario 2 – Items'|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Cole|first= Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> Mario can also purchase badges from [[non-player character]]s or occassionaly obtain them from defeated enemies; when equipped, these badges can permanently enhance a particular skill or aspect.<ref name="IGN Guide 3">{{cite web|url= http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_7.html|title='Guides: Paper Mario 2 – Badges and Star Pieces'|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Cole|first=Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> Throughout the game, Mario is permanently assisted by a party member. Each party member has a specialised skill, some of which are required to solve puzzles in order to advance progression in the game. More party members are gained as the player advances through the game.
==Plot and setting==
''The Thousand-Year Door'' is set in a paper based version of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]],<ref>Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door instruction booklet, p. 4.</ref> although the majority of locations are not featured in previous Mario games. Most locations consist of a set theme; Glitzville, for example, is a floating city centred around a wrestling arena.<ref name="IGN walkthrough 3">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_12.html|title=Guides: Paper Mario 2: The Thousand-Year Door Guide (GameCube)|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Cole|first=Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> The enemies and town inhabitants in the game range from [[List of Mario series enemies|recurring Mario characters]], like [[List of Mario series enemies#Boo|Boo]], to characters exclusive to the game, such as the X-Nauts. For many stages in the game, the story is presented in the context of a novel, and is divided into eight chapters.<ref name="IGN walkthrough">{{cite web|url= http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_6.html|title=Guides: Paper Mario 2: The Thousand-Year Door Guide (GameCube)|publisher=[[IGN]]|last= Cole|first=Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
===Characters===
''The Thousand-Year Door'' contains several characters, the majority of whom are non playable. Progression in the game is sometimes dependent on interaction with [[non-player characters]], although many are used in the game's various subquests.<ref name="IGN walkthrough 3"/> In particular, the Goomba Professor Frankly, who knows the most about the mysteries relating to Rogueport, must be visited every time Mario retrieves a Crystal Star. The game continues the tradition of ''[[Paper Mario]]'', in which Mario can be accompanied by one assistant character at a set time.<ref name="IGN Guide 2"/> There are seven party members in total: Goombella the [[List of Mario series enemies#Goomba|Goomba]], Koops the [[List of Mario series enemies#Koopa|Koopa]], Madame Flurrie, [[Yoshi]] (default name), Vivian, Admiral Bobbery the [[List of Mario series enemies#Bob-omb|Bob-omb]], and Ms. Mowz, who is available as a secret character.<ref name="Cheats">{{cite web|url= http://www.elook.org/games/cheats/gamecube/3137.html|title=Cheats for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GameCube)|publisher=eLOOK.org|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> All of these can assist Mario in combatting the game's primary antagonist, Sir Grodus, leader of the extra-terrestrials known as the X-Nauts.
Mario is the main character of ''The Thousand-Year Door'', although the game will frequently cut to Princess Peach in the X-Naut Fortress. Much time is spent on her interaction with the computer TEC, which has suffered from a glitch and has fallen in love with Peach.<ref name="RPGFan review">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario2/|title=RPGFan Reviews - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door|publisher=[[RPGFan]]|first=Koji|last=Iwasaki|date=2005-05-01|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> The main antagonist of the Mario series, [[Bowser (Nintendo)|Bowser]], tries to collect the Crystal Stars before Mario does instead of directly opposing Mario.<ref name="Gamespot review"/> [[Luigi]]'s role in the game consists of recounting his adventure, which also involves the use of secondary characters in the form of party members.
===Story===
[[Image:Paper-mario-thousand-year-door-1.jpg|thumb|Mario and Goombella battle against Hooktail, the first major boss of the game]]
The game opens with an introduction about a seaside town which was damaged by a cataclysm and consequently sunk into the depths of the earth. A town named Rogueport was later built at this site, with the fortunes of the lost kingdom fabled to exist behind the eponymous Thousand-Year Door,<ref>Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door instruction booklet, p. 5.</ref> located in the ruins of the old town. [[Mario]] becomes involved when [[Princess Peach]] contacts him about a treasure map bought in Rogueport, but becomes part of a larger adventure when learning that Peach has gone missing.<ref>Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door instruction booklet, p. 4.</ref> With the help of Goombella and Professor Frankly, Mario learns that the map can potentially reveal the location of the legendary seven Crystal Stars.<ref name="IGN walkthrough"/> Under the assumption that Peach herself is trying to find the stars, he uses the map in an attempt to locate her.
In actuality, Peach has been kidnapped by the X-Nauts, a species of alien led by Sir Grodus. While held captive, Peach uses [[e-mail]] via the computer TEC to inform Mario about the quest and consequently help him to attain all seven Crystal Stars and locate the treasure.<ref name="RPGFan review"/> However, the "treasure" is actually the Shadow Queen, the demon responsible for the ancient cataclysm. The X-Nauts had kept Peach so she could be possessed by the Shadow Queen in a bid to recover her full power. This happens, but the arcane power of the Crystal Stars is used to separate Peach from her possessor. The game ends when Mario defeats the Shadow Queen and subsequently returns to his house.<ref name="IGN walkthrough 8">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/573664/page_17.html|title='Guides: Paper Mario 2 – Walkthrough part 8'|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Cole|first=Dave|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
==Development and sequel==
[[Nintendo]] first revealed ''The Thousand-Year Door'' at the [[Game Developers Conference]] of [[2003]];<ref name="Revealed">{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/434/434869p1.html|title=GC 2003: Paper Mario on paper|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=IGN Staff|date= 2003-08-21|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> before release, the game was known tentatively as ''Mario Story 2'' in Japan, and was revealed to be a direct sequel to the [[Nintendo 64]] game ''Paper Mario''.<ref name="Mario Story 2">{{cite web|url= http://cube.ign.com/articles/503/503234p1.html|title=Paper Mario 2 Official|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=IGN Staff|date= 2004-03-31|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> A preview of the game was available at the [[E3]] of 2004 with the playable stages including Hooktail Castle and a Bowser bonus stage.<ref name="E3 2004">{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515920p1.html|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Preview|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=IGN Staff|date=2004-05-14|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> The game was released on [[October 11]] [[2004]] in [[North America]].<ref name="Revealed"/> ''The Thousand-Year Door'' was met with controversy in 2008 after [[Morgan Creek]] filed a lawsuit against Nintendo alleging that they illegally used the song "You're so Cool" from the film ''[[True Romance]]'' in an advertisement for the game. Morgan Creek dropped the case six days later, after Nintendo revealed that the advertising agency, Leo Burnett USA, Inc., had licensing for the song.<ref name="Lawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6193015.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatured|title=Paper Mario suit turns out Paper Thin|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|author=Brendan Sinclair|date= 2008-06-26|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> A sequel to the game, ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', was developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and released for the [[Wii]] in 2007. The game has a stronger emphasis on platforming than its predecessor. ''Super Paper Mario''{{'}}s plot is unrelated to the story of ''The Thousand-Year Door,'' but contains many [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] referencing past characters from the previous two games.
==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
|EGM = 9.0 of 10<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings">{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/920182.asp|title='Game Rankings – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'|publisher=[[Game Rankings]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|EuroG = 9 of 10<ref name="Eurogamer review">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57169|title='Paper Mario: the Thousand-Year Door – Eurogamer'|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|date=2004-11-12| accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|GI = 6.75 of 10<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings"/>
|GSpot = 9.2 of 10<ref name="Gamespot review">{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/rpg/papermario2/review.html|title='Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for GameCube Review'|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=2004-11-12|accessdate= 2008-02-17}}</ref>
|IGN = 9.1 of 10<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/556/556422p3.html|title='Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review – IGN'|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Schneider|first=Peer|date=2004-10-11|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|NP = 4.6 of 5<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings"/>
|
|compilation = yes
|
|GR=88%<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings"/>
}}
''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' generally received a positive reaction from the media.<ref name="Thousand-Year Door media rankings"/> Critics lauded the game's plot in particular, and [[GameSpot]]'s [[Greg Kasavin]] stated that "each one provides a thrill of discovery" when referring to the game's individual chapters.<ref name="Gamespot review"/> Similarly, Eurogamer welcomed the whimsical storyline in comparison to traditional role-playing games, commenting that "[it is] something closer to ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' than ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', which is very much a compliment."<ref name="Eurogamer review"/> The game's characters were also well received, with reviewers complimenting the use of NPCs and text.<ref name="IGN review"/> Despite this, some reviewers did complain that the story developed slowly in the beginning stages of the game.<ref name="RPGamer review">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/mario/pmario2/reviews/pmario2strev1.html|title='RPGamer: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review'|publisher=[[RPGamer]]|last=Whitehead|first=Anne Marie|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref><ref name="IGN review"/> Eurogamer also rated the high level of text as the "the only major stumbling block" of the game.<ref name="Eurogamer review"/>
One of ''The Thousand-Year Door's'' main features, the use of a paper based universe, was welcomed by reviewers.<ref name="Gamespot review"/><ref name="Eurogamer review"/> When referring to the paper theme, 1UP commented that "It's a cohesive, clever approach that turns the game's visual style into more than just a look."<ref name="1UP review">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135358|title='1UP: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review'|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=2004-10-11|accessdate= 2008-02-18}}</ref> Despite this, [[IGN]]'s [[Peer Schneider]] criticised the paper themed universe for not truly looking like paper, especially with the graphical capabilities of the GameCube.<ref name="IGN review"/> Critics also commented extensively on the game's battle system, which deviated from traditional RPG games.<ref name="Gamespot review"/><ref name="Eurogamer review"/> [[GameSpy]] praised the use of timing in the battle system, stating that "these twitch elements were designed to be fun and engaging, and they succeed wonderfully at this".<ref name="Gamespy review">{{cite web|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/paper-mario-gcn/555181p2.html|title= GameSpy: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|last=Lopez|first=Miguel|date=2004-10-07|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> Reviewers also praised the concept of having an audience to reward or berate Mario during battle.<ref name="Gamespot review"/><ref name="Eurogamer review"/>
The game's visuals received a mixed response from critics. GameSpot enjoyed the game's presentation, writing that "it exhibits a level of visual artistry and technical prowess matched or exceeded by few other GameCube games".<ref name="Gamespot review"/> Conversely, other reviewers complained that the graphics were not much of a visual upgrade from its predecessor, ''Paper Mario''.<ref name="IGN review"/> For the game's use of audio, IGN declared it "game music at its purest", but proceeded to question the absence of [[voice acting]] in the text based game.<ref name="IGN review"/> RPGamer commented that the music " for the most part is done very well," but expressed that the perceived repetitive battle music was "one of the biggest flaws" of the game.<ref name="RPGamer review"/> The game has won the Console Role Playing Game at the [[2005]] [[Interactive Achievement Awards]].<ref name="Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3138100|title='AIAS Awards Game of the Year'|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|last=Nutt|first=Christian|date=2005-02-02|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
In its first week of release in [[Japan]], ''The Thousand-Year Door'' was the best-selling game, with approximately 159,000 units sold.<ref name="Sales">{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/535/535165p1.html|title='Paper Mario 2 Dominates charts'|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=IGN Staff|date=2004-08-02|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> It proceeded to sell 409,000 units in the country,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/gc.php|title=Japan GameCube charts|publisher=Japan Game Charts|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> and 1.23 million copies in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml|title=US Platinum Videogame Chart|publisher=The Magic Box|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> The game has since been included in the [[Player's Choice]] line.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070117075314/www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=RbZejRc53lJUXqT72ZFIzrj2_C82Pyfp|title=Four Nintendo GameCube Best Sellers Sport a New Price!|publisher=Nintendo|date=2006-04-24|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.papermario.com/ Official ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' website]
*[http://www.mariowiki.com/Paper_Mario:_The_Thousand-Year_Door ''The Thousand-Year Door'' page] at Mario Wiki
{{Mario RPG series}}
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:GameCube-only games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:Interactive Achievement Award winners]]
[[Category:Mario role-playing games]]
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