Mario Paper-cuts the Virtual Console

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Jul 17, 2007 1:24 pm PT

Nintendo 64 role-playing classic stacked onto Wii's downloadable-game reservoir alongside Balloon Fight and Silent Debuggers.

They don't call it the Mario Factory for nothing. This week's Virtual Console update would be utterly unremarkable were it not for Mario's paper-thin role-playing adventure on the Nintendo 64. Rolling with the mustachioed plumber onto the VC this week is Balloon Fight from the Nintendo Entertainment System and Silent Debuggers from the TurboGrafx-16.

As with Square's Chrono Trigger before it, Paper Mario found critical acclaim in 2001 despite being released on a console well past its heyday. In his search for the Star Spirits, Mario is joined by a wide range of characters to thwart Bowser's attempts to rule the Mushroom Kingdom through the power of the Star Rod. Paper Mario features a unique art style that blends 2D character models with 3D environments in a nonlinear role-playing game scenario. The game is just the sixth from the Nintendo 64 to be ported over to the Wii's Virtual Console, and will cost gamers 1,000 Wii points ($10).

Those wondering what that whole balloon thing is about in Mario Kart battle mode need look no further than the NES's Balloon Fight. With gameplay similar to the arcade classic Joust, players must pop enemies' balloons while protecting their own. As players advance through the stages, enemies become more difficult, and lightning and water hazards are added into the mix. Also featured in Balloon Fight is Balloon Trip, where players attempt to stay afloat in a side-scrolling level while dodging environmental hazards. Balloon Fight offers two-player action and is available for 500 Wii points ($5).

Last on this week's VC list is Silent Debuggers, released originally for the TG-16. Featuring a sci-fi twist on classic dungeon-crawl gameplay, players must navigate an alien-infested space station to deactivate an automatic detonator located in the ship's lowest level. The first-person shooter's action is spiked by a strict 100-minute time limit. Silent Debuggers slips onto the Wii for 600 Wii points ($6).

81 Comments

  • tequilero

    Posted Jun 10, 2009 1:56 pm PT

    Paper Mario is awesome!

  • Ilikewii

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 5:12 pm PT

    Great game. I love all of the Paper Mario games.

  • pooladden

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 1:03 pm PT

    i want more n64 damit only 7? comon! wheres super samsh , perfect dark , donkey kong 64 , goldeneye??

  • Baldwinc47

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:30 am PT

    sweet im downloading it from vc right now

  • kansas17171

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 12:49 am PT

    Paper mario is a great game n' all.. but im still waiting for more. *lethargicly throwing confetti"

  • alex20077

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 9:31 pm PT

    It only seems like they are going to put N64 games that were made and published by Nintendo themselves on the VC for now

  • AvIdGaMeR444

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 2:27 pm PT

    "paper-cuts virtual console" OMG THAT WAS SO FRIGGEN HILARIOUS.....yeah, whatever.

  • chrisda

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    FINALY! PAPER MARIO! now when will they put super mario RPG on? that game was awesome! and wheres goldeneye 007!?!

  • motang

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 12:00 pm PT

    I just got this one on the Wii yesterday and I am hooked on it. This game is a whole lot of fun and it worth the 10 bucks.

  • sieg6529

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:52 am PT

    Great! I never had a chance to play this game back when it was readily available.

  • Mikazukinoyaiba

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 6:09 pm PT

    @Pencilpusher69

    "A "while ago"?

    That came out like 5 weeks ago."

    It is a good thing you are a pencil pusher and not a numbers cruncher.

    Because ALttP didn't come out anywhere NEAR five weeks ago. It came out WAY back during the early Spring of this year or late Winter.

  • StevenCrockett6

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 5:01 pm PT

    I never got to complete Paper Mario so this is awesome.
    Once i get my Wii online i've got to get this.

  • pencilpusher69

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    gohantech00 "Wow, finally, a second game that I downloaded off of Virtual Consule. It took long enough after downloading Link to the Past a while ago...."

    A "while ago"?

    That came out like 5 weeks ago.

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    I downloaded Paper Mario Monday, and its' even sweeter than I'd remembered.

  • heyhamburgerpim

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 2:27 pm PT

    This is the first time I've been into two out of three of the games on a given VC release day. Coulda been three-for-three if Mario RPG was in there...

  • c_rake

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    Paper Mario is awesome!

  • jimbo6923

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 12:34 pm PT

    Paper Mario rocks... but why not Super Mario RPG? Or Super Mario Bros. 3??

  • gohantech00

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 12:31 pm PT

    Wow, finally, a second game that I downloaded off of Virtual Consule. It took long enough after downloading Link to the Past a while ago......

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 11:21 am PT

    Virtual Console is awesome

  • liljio14

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 11:19 am PT

    i'm getting it

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