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WRUP: It's all about the paper edition
Of course, we've all been looking forward to this week's release for quite some time now. And, now that Super Paper Mario has gotten into all of our hands, and we've had time to play it, we're sure some of you with more time on your hands than we have might be already close to beating it or already have. Still, we're assuming that a handul of you out there, like us, plan on giving it a thorough play this weekend. If not, what do you plan on playing this weekend?Previous posts: What were you playing?
A not so fairytale wedding
Subscribers to Nintendo's mailing list received a classy invitation to Bowser and Peach's wedding early this morning. Posing for a photo to promote Super Paper Mario's release, the groom looks none too happy about the event. If the crossed arms and eye-contact avoidance aren't indication enough of his displeasure, then the literal and metaphorical distance between the couple gives it away.Years from now, the Koopa King will look back on his glory days of battling plumbers and racing karts, regretting that he ever gave into the princess' pressures, trapping himself in this loveless marriage. He'll sigh and wonder how old age crept up on him. After finishing his cigarette on the driveway -- Peach hates it when he smokes inside -- he'll saunter back into the house that's never felt like home, pushing the memories of what once was out of his mind.Head past the post break for the full invitation.
Does Super Paper Mario have future DS connectivity? No
Will Super Paper Mario add DS functionality in a future upgrade? Joystiq sister site Nintendo Wii Fanboy was sent the following picture where Mario is hanging around next to a paper-thin DS Lite while the text displays "Awaiting data upgrade ..."Before you start speculating as to how your DS Lite will be used in conjunction with the game, allow us to disappoint you. The DS Lite here, found in the kitchen on the first floor of Flipside, is just a recipe database that is upgraded every time you collect one of the 96 recipe cards found in the game. Wii Fanboy reader jeffoverweg also reminds us that Nintendo has been self-referential with its portable devices before: the Game Boy Horror in Luigi's Mansion, the use of the DS phat and GBA in Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door, etc.If Nintendo were to add DS functionality with Super Paper Mario, there is no way they would have kept it a secret, especially not if it meant they could sell a few more DS units on connectivity alone. For those looking to link up their Nintendo hardware, you'll just have to wait for Pokemon.
Rumor: DS to play a role in Super Paper Mario
What's this -- a DS in Super Paper Mario? Could this beautiful image indicate that we'll soon be seeing more of the vaunted DS-Wii connectivity that we've been waiting for? Since it says the DS is "awaiting upgrade," we can't help but think that's what it could be! But maybe we're reading too much of our own hopes and dreams into this simple image. Nintendo Fanboy reader David was kind enough to let us know about this shot, taken around the kitchen on the first floor of Flipside, and we can't wait to dig around and see if there's anything else. After all, it could be a red herring, albeit one of the most tragic red herrings ever. If you see anything else, let us know ... and we'll be watching for any official announcements as well.[Thanks, David!]
Circuit City: Super Paper Mario guaranteed in-store or $20
Circuit City in their most recent flyer guarantees Super Paper Mario to be in-store April 10 by 2 PM or the bamboozled customer receives a $20 gift card. Those addendums you see there represented by "3" and "**" are that the offer is only good this week and the $20 needs to be used on a future purchase, which means if the game isn't "in-store" tomorrow that's an insta-twenty bucks off -- that's a free greatest hits title on any system.We really are having a hard time seeing the downside to this deal. If the product isn't there, that's an automatic $20 gift card. Or the product is there and we get a new game -- and not Gamestop's definition of "new." Then again, we could check Gamestop today and maybe they'll have a video of the Super Paper Mario ending and save us $50 right from the start. Definitely worth the trip to Circuit City if you were looking to pick up Super Paper Mario, the newest Gamecube title for the Wii.[Via WiiFanboy]
Circuit City guarantees Super Paper Mario, puts money where mouth is
Of the many scandalous practices that game shops often subject us to without fear of reprisal, pre-order harassment is one of the worst. Not only will you be sneered at and interrogated for not reserving a new release, you'll be castigated in front of your friends and family, your manhood and the chasteness of your mother called into question. We are told that someone will also sneak under you and tie your shoelaces together so that you'll trip when you try to walk away. This is the reality of video game retailers around the country.Buying from electronics superstores like Best Buy or Fry's cuts down on the unchecked tomfoolery that governs mall-based game shops, but Circuit City is taking an extra step to satisfy its customers. As marked in last Sunday's advertisements, if you're not able to find a copy of Super Paper Mario at Circuit City tomorrow after 2 PM, the store will compensate you with a $20 gift card.A guarantee and good will gesture like that puts Circuit City at the top of our list of places to buy Super Paper Mario and other games from. We'll just have to make sure that we wear our velcro strap shoes when we go to cancel our pre-orders. [Via Opposable Thumbs]
Metareview: Super Paper Mario
It's a game we've all been dying to get our hands on. For months we sat and waited, tears effortlessly streaming from our eyes, on down our cheek and finally making their way to the moist rug below. Finally, though, we are given respite as today we see Super Paper Mario ship off to retail. We already know we're picking it up and we're fairly certain you will be picking it up, so what else is there left to say?Well, apparently the critics have something to say. Let's see what that is: IGN (89/100) has some good things to say about the control: "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." AMN (88/100) says the game is a bit easy, but still good "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." 1UP (80/100) thinks it's not all that we were expecting: "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."
New games this week: Super Paper Mario edition
This week's release of the much anticipated one-time Gamecube title, Super Paper Mario, goes relatively uncontested, which is a good thing for multi-platform gamers with a limited budget. First, a gallery of the 2D - 3D gameplay, then the rest of the week's releases after the break.Wii: Super Paper Mario %Gallery-1586%
Marathon guide-writing for Super Paper Mario
In an attempt to get a Super Paper Mario guide out as quickly as possible, the team at WiiGuideYou is burning through the game at warp speed and putting up a chapter a day of their guide. Chapter 1 is scheduled to go up the 10th, and each day will see a new chapter, until the series (and the game) concludes with Chapter 8. They're even attempting to get Chapter 1's guide up early.If they accomplish this task, it means that either they worked day and night at getting through the game to provide a guide, or that the game is really, really easy. If you don't mind the extreme spoilers that are, in fact, the whole point of game guides, then check it out and cheer them on!
Wii releases for the week of April 9th
We've all been waiting for what seems like forever to get our hands on this game and, as it ships from the warehouses to our game stores and homes today, we wonder how we'll kill that last bit of time before we're able to play something that is guaranteed to be worth our time. Heck, we wonder how you'll kill that time (plastic bag, broken bottle, anvil?). This week's releases include: Super Paper Mario Are you planning on a gaming marathon? Have you already taken the time off from work needed to play some Super Paper Mario?
Wii would like to play (Super Paper Mario)
We can't get enough of these guys that star in all the Wii commercials. The latest, which features a game all of us are climbing the walls for (hint: it's Super Paper Mario). The commercial shows lots of gameplay and emphasizes the ability to transition from 2D to 3D. You can catch the video past the post break, as usual.
EB Games lists Super Paper Mario for the Xbox 360 - HA HA LOLZ!
Similar to the Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for Sony Wii typo a few weeks ago, the front page of EB Games lists Super Paper Mario as an Xbox 360 game. Quick! Everyone run into the streets screaming "NINTENDO WAS BOUGHHT BAI MICRO$OFT HAHALOL!!!!1!!1"! Not only is the system listed incorrectly, but the price tag is a rather steep $89.99. Looks like the database went cross-eyed and displayed the neighboring Guitar Hero II information for both entries. Oopsies. Clicking through to the Super Paper Mario product page shows all is well behind-the-scenes.[Via digg]
Spoiler alert: first 30 minutes of Super Paper Mario
Over at AMN, they've done the liberty of offering up a video of the first 30 minutes of Super Paper Mario. If you're not the type of person who enjoys having everything spoiled, then you might want to just wait the couple days it'll take for the game to become available on store shelves. If not, well then hit the "Read" link in the bottom-left corner of this post and have at it!
Spoilerific: First 30 minutes of Super Paper Mario on video
Like spoilers? Have we got a treat for you! Advanced Media Network has posted a video showing the first 30 minutes of gameplay in Super Paper Mario. Spoil the opening sequence, spoil the plot, and spoil about ten minutes of actual gameplay. While you're at it, leave the milk out of the fridge and let it spoil too!The game looks great, however, and the scriptwriting is as punchy as previous Paper Mario games. It's also a comfort to hear familiar series sound effects make a return. Go ahead, jump the gun and check out the video. When the game is released in a few days, you'll get to sit through it all over again!
Super Paper Mario ... on paper!
YouTube user twistednerd has given us an excuse to talk about how awesome Super Paper Mario looks, and we're indebted to him for it. Check out his drawing of Mario as he appears in the new game. The Paper Mario art style is so clean and nice. We wish it would become the default character model for the Mario characters. Not that we have anything against the 3D models they use for all the other Mario games, but the PM look is perfect.The video of twistednerd sketching out Mario onto paper is embedded after the post break. Play it in reverse so it looks like he's sucking the lines back up into his pencil![Thanks, Nikki!]
New videos at Super Paper Mario's Japanese site
Nintendo of Japan has put up a teaser page for its next big Wii release, Super Paper Mario. Considering that the US release date (4/09) is a week and a half earlier than Japan's, we're not sure which to blame for why their official site came up before North America's -- our laziness or their industriousness.Along with the standard story and cast previews, there are three gameplay videos, with nine more promised. The movie clip showing what happens when Mario gets a star is definitely worth a watch. We've really grown fond of seeing the giant plumber kick aside warp pipes ever since he picked up the habit in New Super Mario Bros.Keep an eye on the site as there are still two unrevealed sections. With the game's release being only a few weeks away, they won't be able to hold onto those last bits of hidden info for too long!
Wii Warm Up: Reusing assets
The unreleased Gamecube Kirby looked to be running on the Super Smash Bros. Melee engine. Most of the character art in Super Paper Mario Iooks a whole lot like that of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, and we don't think that's just consistency in style. Nintendo seems to be reusing art and code from previous games. The advantages of such a practice are obvious: reduced cost, quicker development cycles, and less need for debugging.But does it bother you to have a new game that isn't entirely new? Should Intelligent Systems have redrawn Mario for their new game? Or is there no reason to redo perfectly good work? What do you all think about the reuse of assets in new games?
Today's flattest game video: Super Paper Mario
We fought through the GDC crowds to give you our impressions, and this GameTrailers interview about Super Paper Mario shows off the game's creative controls. While it's just one of the Wii's titles, here's hoping this April game brings showers to counter the perception of the Wii game drought.Anticipate the rain -- and watch the video -- after the break.Paper cutout Mario and friends image from Paper Forest and GotOrion.
GDC 07: Super Paper Mario impressions
Super Paper Mario might've been the happiest game at the Nintendo booth at GDC. This 2D/3D platformer features a lot of character and charm, something the Paper Mario series has been known for. This ex-Gamecube title gathered the largest crowds and lines at Nintendo's booth, and it's clear why: it's simply a lot of fun.You hold the Wii Remote sideways, in classic NES form. Because the game plays homage to the early 2D Mario platformers, the Wii Remote may actually be superior than the Gamecube controller for this game. The D-Pad obviously moves the character, while 1 and 2 allow you to do the basics, like Jump. The game's unique feature, dimension changing, comes through the use of the A button. By simply hitting A, the game world rotates, revealing depth to Mario's once flat world.Even without the dimension-shifting mechanic, Super Paper Mario would've been a fun and imaginative game. There are tons of environmental effects that take Mario to new, surprising places. Also, you'll finally be able to play as multiple characters, such as Peach. With her parasol in hand, you'll be able to go far distances, a la Super Mario Bros. 2. Also, although the game doesn't feature any significant Wii enhancements, it's nice to see the game running in widescreen and in 480p. The game might not feature any truly spectacular graphics, but the playful paper art style still looks great. Definitely keep an eye out for this one when it comes out in April.
Super Paper Mario GDC '07 impressions
If you only saw screenshots like the one above, you'd be forgiven for mistaking Super Paper Mario for an All-stars-style update of the original Super Mario Bros. When you see the 95 percent complete build on the GDC show floor, though, it's easy to see that the game is a true continuation of the Paper Mario series, with a few significant changes thrown in.Everything you remember from Intelligent Systems' two Paper Mario games is here -- the irreverent writing style, the smoothly animated flat characters set in a detailed polygonal world and the items and leveling structure will all be familiar to Paper Mario fans. The now-familiar Paper Mario sidekicks also return in the form of Pixls -- little hovering companions that can perform specialized functions like turning into bombs or grabbing nearby enemies.What's changed is how you interact with the enemies -- through platform-style jumps instead of turn-based battles. It's amazing how the lack of jarring, momentum-stealing battles every 30 seconds transforms the game into a more fluid and much more enjoyable experience.The other major change, as has already been shown in countless online videos, is the ability to switch between a 2D side-view and a 3D over the shoulder view with a tap of the A button. It's interesting to see the familiar 2D environments converted into sometimes-complex, layered 3D environments, though the puzzles that used this mechanic in the demo seemed pretty facile.The Wii's motion-sensitive controls allow for some occasional aerial acrobatics, but for the most part, the game brings back the simple run and jump control scheme of the NES Mario games with little embellishment. Which is just fine by us. Just because the Wii allows for motion-sensitive controls doesn't mean they should be shoehorned in when other, simpler controls work just as well or better.
