Fans of Super Mario RPG and the regular Super Mario titles are about to get really happy-like. by Cole Smith

May 12, 2006 - Super Paper Mario for the Gamecube appears to be the best of both worlds, the 2D and the 3D world.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door was released just over a year or so ago for the GameCube. It featured a blend of action and turn-based elements while exploiting both the second and third dimension, like previous games in the series. Mario was able to make himself paper thin and do things such as slip through cracks and even fold himself into a paper airplane to scout the situation out.

Super Paper Mario appears to have forsaken the turn-based style of combat in favor or real-time action. This game blends 2D and 3D perspectives that results in a game that combines side-scrolling with full 3D environments for an experience that is sure to spark some life back into the old Cube.

Expect plenty of Mario-inspired platform elements such as booby traps, moving platforms, coin collecting, block hitting, power-ups and puzzles. There will also be plenty of new and old enemies to battle. You can play the game as Mario, Princess Peach or Bowser.

From what we've seen, the game looks great with very smooth animation. There are lots of tricky environmental obstacles to contend with that make me eager to get my hands on it. Hopefully the game won't be thin on fun and end up falling flat.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer