Let’s Deconstruct Super Paper Mario – Part 2

So after receiving our quest and hearing from our villains, we set off through the dimensional door to go find the second Pure Heart. Every chapter of this game is divided into specific sections, with title cards like “1-1”, another reference to the original Mario games. In fact, everything about this first area should remind you of the original Mario games, because it’s a direct homage to them. Even the music is a jaunty (if disjointed) remix of the classic Mario theme.

The line between paying homage to and ripping off classic Nintendo games blurs more each day.

Upon entering this chapter, Tippi tell you that you can point the Wiimote at the screen to have her examine and describe objects and people, and even reveal hidden objects and doors.  So far, this is the only use of the motion controls, but it’s not a bad mechanic. It’s a little forced in this first chapter, maybe, because while there are several hidden doors, I’m willing to bet that there’s a lot less invisible things in later chapters. I don’t remember, but I’ll try to keep track.

Paper Mario (2001)

The original Paper Mario should be considered a spiritual successor to Super Mario RPG. It doesn’t have any of the unique characters or locations that appeared in SMRPG, and the art is totally different, but the plot is very similar, and it is also a turn-based story and character-focused game set in the Mario universe. I’m willing to call that close enough.

Paper Mario’s main gimmick is that everything is well…paper. You see almost everything from the front, but when people or objects are turned on their sides, they become nearly invisible lines. Also, there are many points in the game where holes appear in the backdrop, fire is used to burn away objects, and obstacles unfold as if they were made by a master in origami. It’s cute and silly and gives the world a unique feeling. You are a 2d being traversing a 3d world filled with 2d everything.

This week – Mario RPGs

This week, I want to take you on a journey through a series that – up until the latest installment – was one of my favorites. I want to focus on the Paper Mario games, but to do that, I need to plow through Super Mario RPG first. I like the game, and have a lot to say about it, but I am forced to acknowledge that there are literally hundreds of reviews done on it, and most of them done by people who are intimately familiar with the game, and fanatical to the extreme. So, I’m going to try to be as interesting and to-the-point as I can, while attempting to avoid the intense hatred that doing a review on a game this old can garner.Please note that there will be spoilers… for this 15 year old game.