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Super Paper Mario

EMAIL PRINT wii

8.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 56 critic reviews
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Based on 140 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Genre(s): Platform, Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: April 9, 2007

Summary

The newest chapter of the Paper Mario story isn't just out of this world ... it's out of this dimension. What at first glance appears to be a 2-D sidescroller ripped straight from the pages of the Paper Mario universe soon turns into a 3-D action-adventure that defies all video game logic. Fusing 2-D and 3-D perspectives, not to mention RPG and platformer elements, the game slips back and forth between dimensions. The action sprawls across eight worlds filled with traps, puzzles, bizarre mysteries and items that often draw themselves out of thin air. Oh, and just because Mario's in the title doesn't mean he's the only star – players also get to play as Peach and Bowser. [Nintendo]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Paper Mario Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot Guide GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Cheat Code Central

Probably the perfect game for those that enjoyed New Super Mario Bros. and don't mind reading a bit too much as it has an actual story and cutscenes...This game is so engaging that you won't quit without finishing the game and finding out what happens at the end.

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Game Informer

Super Paper Mario's seemingly simple concept - giving the player the ability to flip between 2D and 3D worlds - pays off in level designs that are nothing short of brilliant.

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Nintendo Power

For a paper adventure, it's amazingly solid. [June 2007, p.100]

GameCritics

The finest game yet released for the Wii, as well as my early pick for game of the year.

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GamingExcellence

The game is simply unadulterated fun. Through its fantastic storytelling, charming visuals, catchy music, and brilliant melding of classic conventions with new ideas, Super Paper Mario is a game that plays like a dream.

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Gaming Age

With its zany graphics, hilarious dialog, and first-rate controls, not only is Super Paper Mario a smashing success, it’s also one more reason everyone should own a Wii.

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NintendoWorldReport

An experience not to be missed. Personality drips from the television screen - personality you do not want to miss.

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GamePro

Virtually everything you come into contact with during your time spent with this game is laden with a truly warped sense of humor.

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Deeko

It has the perfect balance of RPG elements and precise platform control. The visuals are amazing. The story is funny and smart. The control is not decisively Wii based, but it incorporates enough of the new remote's functionality while sidestepping the novelty pit many games before it have fallen into.

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Extreme Gamer

The storyline might be a little cliché, and the path is laid out for you, but as you find unveil the secrets of this dynamic world you will be captivated for as long as it lasts. Miyamoto should be proud; this is the first Mario game for the new Nintendo platform and it's a smashing hit.

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Thunderbolt

Constantly switching between dimensions and characters may turn off those who wanted a more straightforward adventure. On the other hand, the writing, wit, and humor are some of the best stuff that Nintendo has ever come up with.

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GameZone

It’s a surreal adventure you’ll get lost in – in the best way possible. The gameplay is remarkable, the innovations are superbly executed, and the graphic techniques and effects are amazing.

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ZTGameDomain

Besides the excellent story and dialogue localization, tight controls and new gameplay elements, the art direction is top-o-the line.

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Nintendojo

Super Paper Mario is an intriguing mix of platforming and RPG, offering a entertaining and satisfying gaming experience even if the endgame comes too soon.

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games(TM)

It’s relatively shallow but contains enjoyable combat, and is packed full of secrets and wonderfully realized worlds. [June 2007, p.102]

Console Gameworld

The added platforming elements may come as a shock to some, but if anything, it makes Super Paper Mario an even truer and more exceptional Mario game.

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IGN

It controls tightly and uses the Wii remote in a smart manner without stepping into forced territory. The new 2D-to-3D dynamic is built around clever and surprisingly complex puzzles that will challenge and impress you. And it all comes together to make Super Paper Mario a highly enjoyable title, whether you want to call it a platformer, an RPG, or something in-between.

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GameSpot

Super Paper Mario's humorous story, accessible gameplay, inventive design, cool visual style, and impressive amount of content give it an undeniable charm. Anyone with a Wii should check it out.

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Kombo

While the game is overly easy at times and some of the level design isn't as likable or memorable as past Paper Marios, we absolutely recommend Super Paper Mario. It's a great Wii game that just about anybody can enjoy.

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RPG Fan

The premise may be simple, but the plot is surprisingly good, especially for a Mario game. Part of it is thanks to the excellent localization and likeable characters.

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NGamer UK

Potent Mario magic, and, by God, that 2D-3D idea is brilliant. But it's got what we call the Pikmin effect: the sense that it'll take a sequel to really bring the concept to full fruition. [July 2007, p.36]

Games Master UK

Always entertaining, if a bit of a step back from past Paper Mario glory. [Nov 2007, p.64]

NZGamer

If you can get past the fact that you must do a lot of reading, you'll find a game which is highly original, incredibly fun and will stay in your memory for many 'next-generations' to come.

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Game Chronicles

In my opinion, this is by far the best Mario game currently available.

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Pelit (Finland)

A well-written, inventive and laugh-out-loud funny platformer with great puzzles. Unfortunately, the quirky game has not been polished to perfection, which can be seen in the lack of details, the faltering visual style and some dragging sections. [Sept 2007]

GameBrink

So the real fun of the game is when you’re playing as Mario and you tap A to switch dimensions. Dead ends suddenly become open roads as you swap between a flat wall and a paper thin backdrop. This really shows off the great 2D art and kills the 3D presentation. [JPN Import]

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

The red-hot Wii gets an entertaining new "Mario" platformer that fills the crucial gap the delayed "Super Mario Galaxy" should have occupied. [May 2007, p.76]

GameTrailers

There are a few hangovers from its prior design that keep it from reaching the upper echelon of video game-dom, but next to Zelda, you won’t find a more robust or addictive game available for the system.

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Gaming Target

With Super Paper Mario, Intelligent Systems has crafted a game that will appeal to fans of both the platforming and RPG genres.

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AtomicGamer

A fun experience. However, don't come into it expecting a pure platformer – there are multiple RPG elements here that can interrupt the flow a bit. The whole 3D flipping aspect, for example – it is a neat idea, but I feel it could have been better implemented.

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Play Magazine

It feels and looks polished, considerate, and expensive. [Apr 2007, p.40]

Da Gameboyz

And even though there are some hiccups to be found (e.g. the 3D levels lack of oomph) I had a real great time playing Nintendo’s latest addition to the Mario universe.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The switch to 3D is dazzling. The rest of the game, not so much.

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GameShark

The game has lots of extras like "catch cards" and “recipes” to make new items, so it definitely has a high replayability factor.

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Gamer 2.0

It’s unfortunate that the game ruins the nice sense of pacing in the gameplay with an overemphasis on story that makes you want to skip it, despite knowing that it’s not wise to do so. Luckily, the game is fun and creative enough to overlook these issues and it’s easy to get drawn into the game for hours at a time.

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Game Almighty

The sound is also unfortunately not quite up to snuff compared to the rest of the game. It’s done well enough, and it sounds crisp, but the music is just not memorable.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

It's fun to play and has a fantastic script but the annoyances are too blatant to ignore. [Sept 2007, p.78]

Eurogamer

It uses the Wii tech so cleverly, remembering that simple is best, but letting it play in a way impossible on any other console. It's non-stop hilarious, and utterly adorable. If only it had been more inventive with the 3D potential, it would have been a stand-out classic.

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Total Video Games

An incredibly enjoyable and clever game that will appeal to Mario fans new and old, Super Paper Mario may not have been originally built for Wii, but it nonetheless shines as one must have title for the Nintendo console.

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Gamestyle

If it wasn't so utterly charming, perhaps we wouldn't have bothered; but the truth is, Super Paper Mario is thoroughly imaginative, refreshing and creative.

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Armchair Empire

Super Paper Mario does a nice job of bringing the Paper Mario series to the Wii.

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NTSC-uk

If you have never tried a Paper Mario game then this is the most accessible game in the series to date and if you have tried one but did not find it to your taste then give this one a try.

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G4 TV

Undeniably fun, and funny.

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Worth Playing

Full of quirky characters and solid gameplay, there is nothing that I can think of that would really prevent one from wanting to play this fun game. Be warned, however, that it lacks replay value and, as I've stressed repeatedly, has a few levels that just bomb.

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WHAM! Gaming

Blending classic platform game elements with a humourous storyline and a cool dimension-flipping gimmick makes this one of the most satisfying Mario games in years.

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Yahoo! Games

While Super Paper Mario obviously isn't "Super Mario Galaxy," and doesn't exactly exploit the Wii remote's gadgetry, it's got all the charm and gameplay expertise we expect from the Bros. Add in some fun mini-games, card collecting, and lots of exploration, and you have a title that's well worth your paper.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Anyone with half a heart will absolutely fall in love with the characters, the graphics, the dialogue, the old-school shout-outs to previous games, the little visual effects lingering in the skies of every world... the love just keeps plopping out of the speakers at an incredible rate. For every annoying, excessively long fetch quest or mundane puzzle, there's a huge, cutesy payoff that makes all the trouble worthwhile.

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1UP

While it's far from the platforming/role-playing godsend that some Nintendo fans expected, Super Paper Mario still qualifies as a must-play for any Wii owner. It's creative, fun, and perhaps most importantly, funny.

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GameSpy

One of the game's strongest features is its highly bizarre and amusing story line, with a localization that Nintendo of America can be proud of.

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The New York Times

Parts of the game are remarkably tedious, like a series of easy duels that wears out its welcome by the first duel. The game also refuses to let you skip expository scenes you’ve already witnessed, which is particularly unfortunate since the story and dialogue are rather dull. While all this keeps Super Paper Mario from being a great game, the imaginative level design, clever ideas and varied locations still make it a very good one.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

It's not perfect, but it is fun and addicting and really, who can ask for more than that? [June 2007, p.52]

Game Revolution

The tone is sweet but cynical, a refreshing departure from the usually saccharine Muschroom Kingdom. Lots of humor, lots of character, and lots to do.

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PALGN

Super Paper Mario is a game that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be and while it’s enjoyable, it’s ultimately an unremarkable adventure.

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Play.tm

When push leads inexorably to shove, there are probably two good games here. The problem is that you have to play them both at the same time. Those of us that would have preferred a pure platformer, or indeed a pure RPG experience, will suffer the most. Those that are happy to live with the combination will find a compelling experience, with well written dialogue, innovative play dynamics and bucket loads of Nintendo charm.

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Edge Magazine

Charming, irrepressible and inventive, the fact that it never manages to blend its ingredients smoothly together doesn’t stop it being a toothsome pick ‘n’ mix of playful puzzles, familiar faces and unrestrained whimsy. [June 2007, p.84]

GameDaily

Looks a lot more exciting than it actually is. Nintendo fans will revel in the 2-D-meets-3-D world of Mario and company, and the recent drought of good Wii games makes this a welcome addition to any library. Yet, Nintendo drowns players in boring dialogue, and the ability to switch the 2-D world to 3-D makes the game too easy.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 140 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Scott M. gave it an8:
Alright, lets face it, Super Paper Mario is a great game. But the thing about it is that it doesn't have the RPG battling style like the two previous Paper Mario games did. But it really wasn't all that bad. Like the previous Paper Mario games, you can complete it in less than 24 hours. The story is Fantastic. Especially the chemistry between Timpani and Blumiere. And the fact that Count Bleck really wasn't all that evil, it was just his past that made him think that way. And they put enough detail about that by doing something a little less noticable: The fact that Count Bleck never Punished his minions. The worst thing was probably when O'Chunks had to sing that song 1,000 times, but it was Nastasia that issued that punishment, not the Count. As for partners, you have the pixls. At first they're pretty cool, but then you start to miss the original partners like the goombas, koopas, etc. Another problem is when you start to travel to Flopside. Its not that bad, but its like, first you come out of the door on the to of Flipside Tower, then you go down two floors, then you go throught the Mirror Hall, then you get to Flopside. The you go to wherever the Heart Pillar is, then the door opens back where you started, so you have to retrace your steps. I believe that starts in Chapter 5. So for three chapters, you have to do that. So much dialogue, but if your used to the other games in the series, you should be fine. Some of the stuff that they say is actually pretty funny. I decide to rate this an 8.

Forrest J. gave it a10:
This game is the best game ever. I love how it's rpg but you don't have to take turns attacking and defending, you can attack and avoid way easier than other and it's hilarious and will keep bordome away. One said you could beat it in a weekend, well I think he's a video game addict and got very little extra's cause it's a long funny and game that I think is the best game ever.

Rob B gave it a4:
Very blah. At first very charming but gets old very fast. It seemed fun to have the option to play as Peach, Luigi, and even Bowser but this is more or less a lie. Since ALL areas demand to be traversed both in 2D and 3D you’re forced to be Mario 90% of the time, and it’s only necessary to switch to Peach or Luigi when there is an obstacle too high or far for Mario. Bowser isn’t even needed unless you want the fights to go slightly faster, but then you‘ll be switching out to Mario to avoid some attacks.. Nigh endless text and backtracking like you wouldn’t believe. I put the game down near the end unable to bear the boredom.

S M gave it a9:
The 3rd game in the Paper Mario series is easily the most unique Mario gme there is. This game has enough side stuff to make the game fun. The uniqness of this game is very original witht things such as evil luigi and the fact that mario gets blown up!

Titanium Dragon gave it an8:
A solid platformer, calling it an RPG would be strange. It isn't an RPG in any sense. It is a platformer, and a pretty decent one; the 2D-3D flip is pretty cool, and the Pixls add in some neat elements for interacting with levels. The game, while fun, has its flaws. Firstly, it is far too easy. I know the standards for difficulty have dropped, but the game is much too easy and really needed its difficulty cranked up a couple notches, as you really would be hard-pressed to die given the amount of coins and healing items the game rains upon you like manna from heaven. There are other segments where you have to spend good portions of time backtracking, which is always boring. Secondly, there are parts where there is some monotony. World two has a section where you have to run in a hampster wheel for about five minutes to get some money to escape from an area. Any time I go to get some rubber bands to hold down one button on my controller and go do something else, the game has failed. Its really unfun and there's nothing necessary about the sequence; had it taken thirty seconds (or been a cutscene with text) it would have been fine, but it wasn't and it really just felt awful and immersion breaking (not to mention monotonous). Thirdly, the game has some secrets with no real "giveaways". The only way to find some secrets is to jump down every single hole in the entire game (which I'm doing). While you have so many HP it doesn't really matter, its a bit of stupid tedium which could have been easily done away with by using the actual useful Wiimote function (pointing at the screen) reveal that, hey, that hole is a secret! Fourth, the Wiimote felt pretty tacked on. Pointing was a fine mechanic, but shaking the Wiimote was just stupid. The story is pretty funny, which really does help out the game; it wouldn't be this high if the story wasn't as amusing as it is. Overall, a solid game, but marred by some amount of tedium and monotony.

Andrew L. gave it a9:
I knew when buying it it wasnt the gamecube/n64 style it used to be and i was still disappointed. fingers are still crossed for a new turn based paper mario on the wii, however the gameplay is surprisingly fun, its a shame its so short though! paper mario games are usually so long, for such a visually simple game it should definitely have been expanded, a LOT. i often wish i never traded it back but unfortunately immediately after beating it i felt like id never touch it again. after all there is a LOT of story based on mystery to plow through, once you already know the big secret (which was obvious within the 2nd or 3rd chapter) its just a lot of boring chatter to skip through. still, the game is a nice one to keep, i sure wish it was still in my collection, just for funsies.

Rover T. gave it a9:
A very good game. The large amount of strategy and puzzles involved prevent it from being too easy. A great story line that doesn't let you stop without finding out what happens. The only drawbacks are that it doesn't use the Wii's motion senor to it's fullest and the cut away scenes last quite long.

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