Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Instant classic"

Paper Mario: the Thousand Year Door is one of the first games I ever played, and playing it as a teenager, it is still awesome. The game is a unique rpg very much like its predecessor. The battles are turn-based, but battles can only be won by the use of precise timing with action commands, which either boost attack or defense, or utilize other special powers. The battle system is fantastic and fairly easy to figure out; luckily, some enemies and bosses do require strategy and skill to defeat. The weapons are fairly standard, consisting of the standard hammer and jump, but equipping badges that have different special abilities does enhance the game. I do wish, however, that there were more weapons as in Super Mario RPG. The story follows Mario after he receives a letter from Princess Peach. He travels to Rogueport, where he meets his first partner (eventually there will be up to 7) and begins his adventure to find the kidnapped Princess, although Bowser is not culpable this time. Mario eventually recovers 8 crystal stars, each of which has a special power, meeting helpful partners along the way. As the story unfolds, it is not too convoluted and is actually somewhat interesting; the story is also replete with excellent, comical dialogue that enhance the experience. Paper Mario also has a very cool style and atmosphere. The paper element is taken much further than it was on the N64, making for some cool gameplay mechanics outside of combat. Overall, Paper Mario is an incredible game with near perfect pacing, gameplay, and atmosphere. The only reasons that I can't give it a perfect 10 are the occasional unnecessary backtracking that barely has an effect on the overall experience, and the lack of a deep weapons system. Paper Mario is in my top 10 and possibly top 5 video games of all time, and I recommend it to any one who owns a Wii or Gamecube.