Super Paper Mario brings everything to the table that we'd expect from a Nintendo RPG.
The game plays like an old school side scrolling Mario game, but with RPG elements added in (special attacks, stats).
The first thing you'll notice is the graphics. The graphics in SPM are very simplistic in design, yet very smooth, and manages to pull off the feel that the characters are indeed made out of paper. The game also answers the question that we've been wondering since the first side scroller came out. If the game's in 2D, what do the characters see? Well this is answered by flipping into 3D mode as Mario, which can be used to reveal new areas, secret blocks, and even hidden enemies. The game's name is Super Paper Mario, but Mario's hardly the only super hero in this adventure. He'll be joined by Peach, Bowser, and eventually Luigi. Mario finds himself partnered with strange beings called Pixls. Mario starts off with his companion, Tippi, a rainbow colored butterfly who will accompany him on most of his quest. Along the way, he'll find new pixls which give him a diverse array of powers, such as becoming paper thin to avoid attacks, or shrinking to a tiny size. Peach has the ability, as seen in previous games, to use her umbrella to let her glide, as well as using it to fend off any attacks. Bowser has the ability to shoot flame breath, a very useful tactic when underwater.
The enemies are, of course, a diverse array that are too numerous to mention specifically. The main baddie is a magician by the name of Count Bleck, sporting his stereotypical monocle, top hat, cloak and staff. Bleck's on a mission to destroy all the worlds using the chaos heart. It's up to Mario and his team to collect the pure hearts and stop him. On his way, Mario and his team will meet and fight Bleck's minions, including the major minions (oxymoron?). His assistant, who acts more like a secretary, is constantly referring to schedules and plans, and takes Bleck's operation as more of a business than it needs to be. Then there's the Scottish tank stereotype, O'Chunks. O'Chunks is always ready to "chunk em up", and while he isn't too bright, his brawn more than makes up for a lack of brain cells. There's Dimentio, a character who can, if you didn't pull it out of the name, manipulate the dimensions to its' bidding (I couldn't tell if Dimentio was male or female, as it dons a jester costume the whole time). Dimentio will be a regular nuisance to the heroes. Mimi is the shapeshifter, and uses her power to confuse the heroes during their quest. Otherwise, she's a pretty immature little girl, and is prone to losing her cool very quickly. Last but not least is the elusive Mr. L, a character who will become well known to Mario fans. Mr. L seems to have quite a grudge against Mario, although it's not apparent why. His general plan of attack is to build a giant machine of death to crush his enemies with.
The sound? The sound in SPM is phenomenal. Granted, it's not high definition, and there are a couple NES sounds recycled. The music always matches the setting and mood, and is epic in itself. Nintendo went as far as remixing the sound played when you get a star (this time it makes you grow into a huge NES style version of whichever character touched the star). Nothing to complain about with the sound.
The controls are smooth and fluid, although there are some times in the later levels where the numerous holes in the ground will get your blood boiling (Brings back that thing we all hate: Getting hit by an enemy, then thrown back right into a hole in the ground). Luckily, falling into a hole doesn't mean instant game over, just pulling off a small bit of health and sticking you back on the platform where you fell off of.
I love Nintendo's comedy style, and this game does not disappoint. There's the old jokes on koopas and Goombas having more personality than we give them credit for. There's Nintendo's now regular inclusion of the stereotypical geek, as portrayed by a giant lizard with a blog and hundreds of hello-kitty style robots that do his bidding (mainly recording tv shows, polishing his action figures, and telling him when new DVD box sets are released). The kind of comedy that you'll read and chuckle, thinking "that's so stupid" or "I can't believe he just said that".
The game does get overwhelming, especially if you're one of the people who tries to look for every hidden nook and cranny in the game. Especially when you get late in the game, and you can't handle using every tool in every location to try and find every little hidden button.
The value lost major points because the game is short, and doesn't have any replay value in it. Overall, I give the game an 8.8 out of 10, and give it a "Must buy" rating.