From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mario role-playing games
Mario role-playing games
Mario role-playing games
Genres Role-playing game
Developers Square, Intelligent Systems, AlphaDream
Publishers Nintendo
There have been a variety of Mario role-playing games re-
leased in the Mario series’ history. The first was Square’s
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. This game has
never received a direct sequel, although as it was the
first game to put Mario into an RPG environment. The
Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games are usually consid-
ered spiritual sequels. The next game was Paper Mario,
which was later followed by Paper Mario: The Thousand-
Year Door and Super Paper Mario, the latter being a plat-
form game with role-playing elements — unlike earlier
games in the series, which were role-playing games with
platform elements.[citation needed] Another spiritual sequel
was the handheld game Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga,
which had a sequel called Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time,
and a third installment called Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside
Story.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the
Seven Stars
Main article: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, often shortened
and officially known in Japan as Super Mario RPG, is a hy-
brid adventure/role-playing video game developed and
published by Square and Nintendo. Nintendo first re-
leased the game on March 9, 1996 in Japan and on May 13,
1996 in North America. The game was released around 10
years later in Europe on Wii’s Virtual Console on August
22, 2008. It came out on the North American Virtual Con-
sole on September 1, 2008.
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mario role-playing games
In Super Mario RPG, Mario, Bowser, Princess Toadstool, Japan on July 22, 2004, in North America on October 11,
Mallow, and Geno fight as allies in the first role-playing 2004, and in Europe on November 12, 2004.
video game (RPG) in the Mario series. It contains token The Thousand-Year Door has some unique elements
similarities to many other Square role-playing games, owing to its visual style. The graphics consist of a mixture
such as Chrono Trigger and the Final Fantasy series, with of three-dimensional environments and two-dimension-
a story and action-based gameplay based on the Super al characters who look as if they are made of paper.[6] At
Mario Bros. series.[1] different points in the game, Mario is "cursed" with abil-
ities that enable special moves in the overworld, all of
Paper Mario series which are based on the paper theme. Mario can fold into
a boat or a paper airplane by standing on a special acti-
Paper Mario introduced "distinctive retro-style 2-D-look- vation panel, and roll up into a scroll of paper or become
ing paper-cutout characters",[2] which GameAxis Unwired paper-thin.
praised as "colorful".[3] The four playable characters The game was well received by critics, with an aver-
from the Paper Mario series are Mario, Princess Peach, age score of 88 percent from Game Rankings.[7] In gen-
Bowser, and Luigi.[4] Matt Casamassina of IGN notes the eral, critics praised the game’s engaging plot and game-
main characters are "all fun to play for different reasons" play, but criticised it for not being a big progression from
and that the ease of moving between playable characters its predecessor. The Thousand-Year Door won the "Role
"is a plus since there are some well-designed puzzles that Playing Game of the Year" award at the 2005 Interactive
require you to use two or more of the heroes to continue Achievement Awards.[8]
forward."[5]
Super Paper Mario
Paper Mario Main article: Super Paper Mario
Main article: Paper Mario Super Paper Mario is a platform/role-playing video game
Paper Mario is a role-playing video game developed by In- developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nin-
telligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nin- tendo. Originally developed for the Nintendo GameCube,
tendo 64. It was first released in Japan on August 11, 2000, it was released for the Wii. The style of gameplay is a
in Europe on October 5, 2001, and in North America on combination of the previous Paper Mario and Super Mario
February 4, 2001. Paper Mario was re-released for Ninten- Bros. games. Unlike the RPG-style gameplay of previous
do’s Virtual Console in 2007. Paper Mario games, the game combines platform game-
Paper Mario is set in the Mushroom Kingdom as the play, RPG and puzzle elements. It is the third game in the
protagonist Mario tries to rescue Princess Peach from Paper Mario series.
Bowser. To do so, he must locate seven "Star Spirits" to Super Paper Mario is an RPG with platforming ele-
negate the effects of the captured Star Rod, which grants ments. The player moves through a series of levels,
invincibility to Bowser. The player controls Mario and a where he explores various landscapes, fights enemies,
number of partners to solve puzzles in the game’s over- and solves puzzles. The game is divided into 32 levels
world and defeat enemies in a turn-based battle system. within eight chapters, where each chapter takes place
The battles are unique in that the player can influence in a unique location, or "dimension". The main objective
the effectiveness of attacks by performing required con- is to collect the eight Pure Hearts, one in each chapter,
troller inputs known as action commands. Peach is al- which is used to gain access to the next. Each area is
so playable in particular parts of the game to complete joined to a central hub, a town called Flipside.
stealth-based objectives. The majority of gameplay is in 2D. Early in the game,
Paper Mario is the first installment for the Paper Mario Mario is given the ability to "flip" into 3D. By doing so,
series and is the predecessor to the GameCube game the perspective shifts and the 2D level rotates to reveal
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The game received a a hidden z-axis, placing Mario in a 3D environment. Flip-
positive reaction from the media, attaining an aggregate ping therefore allows the player to maneuver around ob-
score of 88% from Game Rankings and 93% from Meta- stacles impassable in the 2D perspective, or find items,
critic. It was rated the 63rd best game made on a Nin- enemies or varying landscapes only visible along the z-
tendo system in Nintendo Power’s "Top 200 Games" list in axis. Through the majority of the game, staying in the 3D
2006. perspective too long can deplete Mario’s health. Players
can also play as Peach, who can float in the air and use
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door her umbrella as a shield, Bowser, who can breathe fire,
Main article: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi, who can perform a super jump. Players also
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a role-playing video collect Pixls that have various abilities during gameplay.
game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by
Nintendo for the Nintendo GameCube. It was released in
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mario role-playing games
Paper Mario 3DS which includes Mario and Luigi. The game includes new
features, such as the ability to play as Bowser. He has his
Main article: Paper Mario (Nintendo 3DS)
own special attacks using his various minions, and can
Paper Mario 3DS is an upcoming role-playing game an-
grow huge during some boss battles which allows play-
nounced at the E3 2010 website for the Nintendo 3DS
ers to hold the DS sideways and use the touchscreen and
handheld system, and the first installment of the Paper
microphone to do special commands. Unlike its prequel,
Mario series to be released on a handheld console.[9] This
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the game offers more use
Paper Mario entry is expected to return to the turn-based
with the DS microphone and touchscreen. It was first re-
battling of its early predecessors.[10]
leased in Japan as Mario & Luigi RPG 3 on February 11,
2009 and was released in North America on September
Mario & Luigi series 14, 2009.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga References
Main article: Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
[1] Scott Pelland; Kent Miller, Terry Munson, Paul
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a role-playing video game
Shinoda (1996-10). "Epic Center". Nintendo Power
developed by AlphaDream and published by Nintendo for
89:
(M. Arakawa, Nintendo of America, Inc.) 89 p. 60.
the Game Boy Advance in 2003. The game begins in the
"Mario: now that’s a name you may never have
Mushroom Kingdom, but changes to the Beanbean King-
expected to see in this column, but by all accounts,
dom for the majority of the game as Mario and Luigi com-
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is an
bat Cackletta, the central antagonist of the game. The
unqualified hit among long–time Mario fans and
quest begins when Cackletta, with the aid of her assistant
RPG enthusiasts alike."
Fawful, steals Princess Peach’s voice after adopting the
[2] Steven E. Jones, The Meaning of Video Games (2008),
guise of an ambassador from Beanbean Kingdom.[11]
139.
Although technically a role-playing game, it centers
[3] Jason Woo, GameAxis Unwired 15 (Nov 2004): 26.
on a battle system different from that of traditional
[4] Erik Hoftun, Jorgen Kirksaeter, Morten A.
games of the genre, with emphasis on timing and more
Osterholt, and Bendik Stang, "Super Paper Mario,"
elaborate attacks.[12] The game is whimsical in tone, with
The Book of Games Volume 2: The Ultimate Reference on
various in-game jokes and comical references to the her-
PC & Video Games (2007), 182.
itage of the Mario series. Superstar Saga was generally well
[5] Matt Casamassina, "Super Paper Mario Review: 2D
received by critics, and IGN named it the twelfth best
and 3D come together as platformer and RPG join
Game Boy Advance game of all time in their feature re-
hands in Nintendo’s fun (and nearly unclassifiable)
flecting on the Game Boy Advance’s lifespan.[13]
new Mario outing," IGN (April 5, 2007).
[6] Schneider, Peer (2004-10-11). "Paper Mario: The
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Thousand-Year Door Review". IGN.
Main article: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time http://cube.ign.com/articles/556/556422p3.html.
Although the sequel to Superstar Saga, the game’s plot has Retrieved 2008-02-17.
little direct connection to that of its predecessor, with an [7] "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door". Game
emphasis on the time-travelling theme, which involves Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/
the protagonists travelling between the past and present gamecube/920182-paper-mario-the-thousand-
of the Mushroom Kingdom.[14] The adventure follows year-door/index.html. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi as they search [8] "8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards".
for Princess Peach, who has been abducted by an alien Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.
species known as the Shroobs.[15] The gameplay centres http://www.interactive.org/
on the co-operation between the quartet, who must use awards.php?winners&year=2005&cat=200524#200524.
their specific qualities and skills to solve puzzles and thus Retrieved 2008-09-16.
progress through the game. Partners in Time features mul- [9] "Nintendo 3DS Network: Nintendo 3DS". Nintendo.
tiple role-playing game elements, but with a turn-based Archived from the original on 2010-06-18.
battle system focused on timing accuracy.[16] http://web.archive.org/web/20100618090109/
http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/. Retrieved
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story 2010-07-04.
Main article: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story [10] McShea, Tom (2010-06-16). "Paper Mario
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a role-playing video Impressions". CBS Interactive, Inc..
game in the Mario & Luigi series, released on the Nintendo http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6266247/paper-
DS console in 2009. The story revolves around Bowser mario-impressions?tag=latest-highlights;title;5.
being given the ability to inhale anything into his body, Retrieved 2010-06-30.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mario role-playing games
[11] Riley, Adam (2003-11-26). "’Mario & Luigi: http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/
Superstar Saga – Cubed3’". Cubed3. 772284p3.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
http://www.cubed3.com/review/131/2/. [14] Jonathan Metts (2005-12-03). "Mario & Luigi:
Retrieved 2008-01-26. Partners in Time Review – NWP". Nintendo World
[12] Sulpher, Brian P.. "Mario & Lugi: Superstar Saga Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/
Guide: Basics". IGN. http://uk.guides.ign.com/ review/4456. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
guides/550433/page_2.html. Retrieved 2008-01-26. [15] Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time instruction booklet, p.
[13] Harris, Craig (2007-03-16). "Top 25 Game Boy 4.
Advance Games of All Time". IGN. [16] Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time instruction booklet, p.
24.
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