Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door [GC]

If you played Paper Mario on the Nintendo 64, or the more recent Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga on the Game Boy Advance, you've probably been counting the days until the release of Nintendo's latest Mario role-playing game. The Thousand-Year Door contains the same simple and addictive mechanics, and is one of the best RPGs to ever hit the GameCube.

The story of The Thousand-Year Door begins with a letter Mario receives from Princess Peach containing a mysterious map. Peach invites Mario on a treasure hunt, then manages to get herself kidnapped (again). As Mario, the player has to get her back (again). Using the treasure map to find clues on her location, players embark on a traveling quest, looking for special items, and unlocking new areas. At various points, you switch control of characters, playing as Peach herself, and even a certain large green chap with terribly bad breath.

For those who haven't played either Paper Mario or Superstar Saga, this game will initially seem odd. It's an RPG, but incorporates plenty of simple arcade-like elements from the classic Super Mario series. The game takes full advantage of its flat-yet-3D paper theme, folding Mario on command; he can glide across gaps as a paper airplane, or turn sideways and fit through narrow openings. You occasionally bump into enemies that send you into turn-based battles; however, reflexes and timing play as critical a role as character's stats. By skillfully tapping the right buttons on cue, you can add damage to your attacks, execute special moves, and even dodge enemy strikes. With experience, players can learn to get through lengthy battles without taking a scratch.

The venue for combat is rather different too, as all combat takes place on a stage. If you do well, fans come to see you compete. Win the audience over and they'll toss power-ups to you, and their cheers will recharge your energy. If you make slow decisions, perform badly, or are just unlucky, the audience will throw rocks at you. You can also add extra stylistic flairs to your attacks that don't inflict additional damage, but do get the crowd roaring... well, as much as a crowd full of Toads and Koopa Troopas can roar.

There's a clean-cut, effective visual style used throughout the game that would be called "charming" in a children's novel. Characters are flat sprites; sometimes single sheets with no depth and other times multiple sprites connected together to create simple 3D shapes. Buildings and rooms unfold like a pop-up book. While the game doesn't exactly show off the GameCube's power, it looks brilliant, full of bright, well-drawn animated characters. Music is largely a blend of fresh tunes and remixed, retro Nintendo music -- they still work!

The only real flaw is a number of conversations between characters that go on too long, dragging the usually fast-paced game to a screeching halt. But, those moments are far outshined by the greatness elsewhere.

Though it's just an evolution of Superstar Saga and Paper Mario before it, The Thousand-Year Door feels 100 percent fresh and entertaining. The occasionally complicated button maneuvering that caused a little frustration on the GBA is replaced with much more approachable gameplay. While this isn't a hardcore title, the puzzles and numerous battles will keep serious gamers busy for some time. Paper Mario is easy to play, exceptional fun, and a thoroughly engaging title.