Paper Mario

Paper Mario (or Mario Story in Japan) is the last major Mario game for Nintendo 64.

It is the spiritual successor to Super Mario RPG for the Super Nintendo. It had a unique graphical style in which the characters are flat, 2D-looking paper cut outs in a three-dimensional world. Its story premise involves King Bowser Koopa and his assistant Kammy Koopa stealing the Star Rod and imprisoning the Seven Star Spirits. They then use their castle to steal Princess Peach Toadstool's Castle, with the Princess still in it. Mario and his eight new friends must now save the Star Spirits and Princess Peach. Paper Mario was scored by Yuka Tsujiyoko, the composer for the Fire Emblem series.

These new friends include Goombario (a young Goomba who is a big fan of Mario's), Kooper (a Koopa Troopa who likes adventure), Bombette (a pink Bob-omb who is a former slave of The Koopa Bros.), Parakarry (a Paratroopa who works as a postman), Lady Bow (a princess of Boos), Watt (a little Sparky who lights the way), Sushie (a Cheep Cheep who can live out of Water), and Lakilester (a Lakitu who used to work for Bowser).

A sequel to Paper Mario called Nintendo Gamecube has been recently announced. It is expected to be released in October 2004.