Paper Mario

The second Mario-themed RPG features a pop-up storybook aesthetic with flat paper characters. When the Seven Star Spirits are kidnapped by the forces of Bowser, it's up to Mario and his traveling companions to save the Mushroom Kingdom!

Nintendo 64

Wii Shop

Wii U

Overview

Paper Mario (known in Japan as Mario Story) is a 3D fantasy turn-based RPG developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in Japan (on August 11, 2000), North America (on February 5, 2001), and Europe (on October 5, 2001).

Set in the Mario universe, Paper Mario stars the eponymous hero of the same name as he sets out throughout the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue the seven Star Spirits (sentient stars with great powers) from the forces of Bowser (who has stolen the mystical Star Rod to become invincible). Along the way he gets aid from several traveling companions (all of whom represent enemies that the hero has defeated in his other games).

At certain points of the game, players instead control Princess Peach (who is kidnapped by Bowser) as she investigates Bowser's motives.

Initially developed as a sequel to the 1996 game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Paper Mario is stylized as a pop-up storybook with all characters rendered in a flat paper style. It received numerous sequels throughout the years with the same style. It was also digitally re-released via the Virtual Console for the Wii (in July 2007) and Wii U (in April-July 2015).

Gameplay

Paper Mario is a turn based RPG where Mario and his partner can use a variety of methods to dispatch of their enemies. They can use physical attacks, items or Mario can use abilities given to him by released Star Spirits, the game's form of magic. Also, Mario can equip badges which give him new attacks to choose from or stat bonuses. Outside of combat, each of his allies have a special ability that help him traverse each of the areas he comes to on his adventures or find the various items scattered across the landscape.

Companions

Goombario

Known in the Japanese version as Kurio, Goombario is a friendly Goomba who is also Mario's self-proclaimed biggest fan. He joins Mario in Goomba Village after his grandfather is rescued.

While out of combat, Goombario can provide information about the group's current location (as well as provide knowledge of various characters the group encounters). In combat, he can also use his Tattle ability to provide information on a chosen enemy (including stats such as HP, attack power, and defense), which also unlocks a HP meter for all enemies of that type. He can also headbutt enemies.

Kooper

Known in the Japanese version as Kameki, Kooper is a friendly Koopa Troopa who is also an aspiring archaeologist. He joins the group in Koopa Village after his stolen shell is recovered by them from the Fuzzies.

While out of combat, Kooper can withdraw into his shell and be launched by Mario at a distance, which can be used to activate unreachable switches and grab far-off items. In combat, he can toss his shell at enemies who are on the ground.

Bombette

Known in the Japanese version as Pinky, Bombette is a friendly Bob-omb who rebels against the Koopa Bros. She joins the group in Koopa Bros. Fortress after being rescued by them in the fortress dungeon.

While out of combat, Bombette can blast open certain walls and objects with giant cracks on them. In combat, she can detonate next to enemies to deal powerful damage.

Parakarry

Known in the Japanese version as Paretta, Parakarry is a friendly Paratroopa who is also a mailman for Toad Town. He joins the group in Mt. Rugged after having letters he lost retrieved by them.

While out of combat, Parakarry can grab hold of Mario to fly him across wide unjumpable gaps (although this cannot be used to fly Mario over dangerous surfaces, which is a job for Lakilester). In combat, he can attack enemies regardless if they are flying or grounded.

Lady Bow

Known in the Japanese version as Resaresa, Lady Bow is a friendly Boo who owns the mansion in Forever Forest. She joins the group in Boo's Mansion in exchange for them helping her take care of the Boos' Tubba Blubba problem.

While out of combat, Lady Bow can make the team invisible so that they both elude attacks and pass through certain obstacles. In combat, she can use this invisibility to make the team temporarily invulnerable to attacks. She can also slap enemies.

Watt

Known in the Japanese version as Akarin, Watt is a friendly Li'l Sparky who was kidnapped by the Big Lantern Ghost for use as a light source. She joins the group in Shy Guy's Toy Box after they free her from her kidnapper.

While out of combat, Watt can illuminate dark areas in front of the team and reveal hidden blocks. In combat, she can shock enemies to immobilize them.

Sushie

Known in the Japanese version as Opuku, Sushie is a friendly Cheep-Cheep who is also a caretaker for the Yoshi children on Lavalava Island. She joins the group in Jade Jungle after they find the missing Yoshi children.

While out of combat, Sushie can allow the team to swim in water without taking damage and allow them to dive underneath. In combat, she can shoot water at enemies.

Lakilester

Known in the Japanese version as Pokopii, Lakilester is a friendly Lakitu who was originally employed by Huff N. Puff to defeat Mario. He joins the group in Flower Fields after being defeated by them (and being convinced by his girlfriend Lakilulu to join them).

While out of combat, Lakilester can allow Mario to cross over dangerous surfaces (such as lava and spikes) by riding on his back (although this cannot be used to cross gaps, which is a job for Parakarry). In combat, he throws Spiny Eggs at enemies.

Key Game Locations (Star Spirit Locations)

An overworld view of The Mushroom Kingdom.

Throughout the course of the game, Mario must travel to all corners of The Mushroom Kingdom in order to complete his quest and restore the Star Spirits to their rightful home in Star Haven.

Description	Location
Koopa Bros. Fortress Acting as the game’s initial dungeon, the Koopa Bros. Fortress is, fittingly enough, the domain of the four Koopa Brothers. The building was previously occupied by several friendly Bob-ombs, but they were imprisoned in the fortress’s basement when the Koopa Bros. took over. The first Star Spirit, Eldstar, is held captive in the fortress by the Koopa Bros.	Mario and Kooper in the basement of the Koopa Brothers' Fortress.
Dry Dry Ruins An enormous temple that was buried for many years under the sands of Dry Dry Desert, Dry Dry Ruins is the location of the second Star Spirit, Mamar. The temple emerges from beneath the sand after Mario pinpoints its hidden location by using the tracking abilities of the “Pulse Stone.” Home to a multitude of Chain Chomps, and their master, Tutankoopa, the Dry Dry Ruins is filled with many assorted enemies, including Pokeys. It is in the Dry Dry Ruins that Mario finds the powerful upgrade to his original hammer, the Super Hammer.	Mario and Parakarry navigating the Dry Dry Ruins.
Gusty Gulch Located just beyond the Forever Forest and Boo Mansion, Gusty Gulch is a small, dilapidated, village that is home to several Boos, as well as a fearsome boss – the “invincible” Tubba Blubba. The Boo inhabitants of the village are being terrorized by Tubba Blubba, who has taken to eating any Boo that he crosses paths with as a means of revenge for the harassment he endured from the Boos in the past. Once Mario discovers the weakness of Tubba Blubba, and defeats him in the Windy Mill at the base of Gusty Gulch, the Star Spirit Skolar is freed from his imprisonment by the Boos.	Mario and Goombario talking to a resident Boo in Gusty Gulch.
Shy Guy's Toy Box A toy box that is located inside of an abandoned house in Southern Toad Town, Shy Guy’s Toy Box is home to many Shy Guys, as well as the game’s sixth party member, Watt. The Toy Box shrinks anyone who enters it, so although the box is small in a literal sense, when Mario and friends are inside the Toy Box the size of the surrounding area appears to be much larger in scale. Inside of the Toy Box is a large set of railroad tracks and a train, along with several color-coded stations placed at various locations throughout the box. Mario travels to each of these stations to complete a specific task or recover a specific item, before moving on to the next station in the line. Upon defeating the area’s boss, General Guy, the fourth Star Spirit, Muskular, will be freed from his captivity and will return to Star Haven.	Mario and Watt finding their way through the Shy Guy's Toy Box.
Lavalava Island Lavalava Island is an island located to the south-west of Toad Town, and is home to a large population of Yoshis, as well as a sizable volcano named Mt. Lavalava. When Mario initially reaches the island he must help some Yoshis in Yoshi Village find their missing children, who are lost somewhere in the Jade Jungle. Once the children are all found, Mario gains the support of his sixth party member, Sushie. After navigating through the Jade Jungle, Mario reaches the Mt. Lavalava volcano. With the “help” of Professor Kolorado, Mario is able to successfully find his way through the volcano and defeat the area’s boss, the Lava Piranha – a giant Piranha Plant that dwells inside the molten magma of the volcano and makes use of several fire-based attacks. Once the Lava Piranha is defeated, the fifth Star Spirit, Misstar, is freed.	Mario and Goombario in the middle of Yoshi Village on Lavalava Island.
Flower Fields Flower Fields is an isolated and secluded sanctuary of nature located in the northwestern corner of The Mushroom Kingdom. The area’s condition of endless sunshine is being endangered by the wicked, cloud-shaped menace Huff N. Puff (as well as his many underlings) who has been implementing a nefarious contraption known as the “Puff-Puff Machine” to create artificial cloud cover and block-out the sun. These actions are a direct threat to many of the residents of Flower Fields, including the plant-like “Bub-ulbs” and the Wise Wisterwood tree. Mario encounters his seventh party member, Lakilester, in Flower Fields. Lakilester is a Lakitu that was previously working for Huff N. Puff and who fought against Mario, but after being defeated by Mario, he elects to join forces with him. After Mario succeeds in toppling Huff N. Puff and clearing the air over Flower Fields, the sixth Star Spirit, Klevar, is rescued, and returns to join the other Star Spirits in Star Haven.	Mario and Lakilester in front of the Wise Wisterwood tree in Flower Fields.
Crystal Palace Crystal Palace is located in the northeast mountains of the Mushroom Kingdom. In order to reach the Palace and free the final Star Spirit, Mario must travel through Shiver City at the base of the mountain, and then climb to the top of the mountain. After Mario defeats the boss, the Crystal King, the final Star Spirit, Kalmar, is released and joins the others in Star Haven to complete the reunion. With all seven Star Spirits restored to their full power, Mario prepares to challenge Bowser in a final showdown.	Mario and Bow in Shiver City.

Star Spirits

Description	Appearance
Eldstar He is the elder of the star spirits, and is the first to be rescued by Mario. Once rescued he grants Mario the ability of refresh. When summoned by Mario his refresh ability will give Mario 5 HP and 5 FP.	Eldstar
Mamar She is the second star spirit rescued by Mario, and was held at the Dry Dry Ruins. When rescued she grants Mario the ability of Lullaby. When summoned she can put all or some enemies to sleep during battle.	Mamar
Skolar He is the scholar of the star spirits, and the third spirit rescued by Mario. When rescued he grants mario his power of star storm. When summoned a storm of falling stars attacks all enemies, and damage is guaranteed.	Skolar
Muscular He is the fourth spirit rescued by Mario, and was held in Shy Guy's Toy Box. When rescued he grants Mario his power of Chill Out. When summoned his ability can decrease the attack power of all enemies in battle.	Muscular
Misstar She is the fifth spirit rescued by Mario, and was held at Mt. Lavalava. When rescued she grants Mario her power of Smooch. When summoned she will kiss Mario, and the kiss will give Mario 50 HP.	Misstar
Klevar He is the sixth spirit rescued by Mario, and is held at Flower Fields. When rescued he grants Mario his power of Time Out. When summoned his power will stop time for the enemies on screen, and they are unable to move for a limited time.	Klevar
Kalmar He is the seventh and final star rescued by Mario, and was being held at Crystal palace. When rescued he grants Mario his power of UP and Away. When summoned this ability will turn all the enemies into stars, and they will rise into the sky.	Kalmar