Debuting 04/09/07 in North America for the Wii console, this game will hopefully be everything we've come to expect from a Paper Mario game.

But wait, I DIDN'T expect this. Super Paper Mario's going to be pretty different for the most part, combining "side-scrolling 2D game play with free roaming 3D graphics and to a somewhat lesser extent, RPG elements."

Don't get me wrong though, this game looks awesome. It's not your standard turn based RPG either, it allows you, the player, to jump on enemies as a standard platformer would allow, and it counts as your damage. The score counter doubles as an experience bar, to log your exp.

But anyway, being the Mario (And Mario RPG) fan that I am, I've been anticipating this game for a long time now, and I would hope that you guys feel the same. Since the release date was revealed, I've been counting down, and I'm totally psyched for this game.

So guys, how are your feelings towards this game? Too different? Too awesome? This is a forum after all (and a Mario section at that), so start posting!

For your seeing pleasure, here's the cover:

Like all the recent Mario games, I say it looks pretty and sounds neat to play, but my biggest fears are, first, will any of it really be difficult, or is it just a stroll through pretty worlds and accomplishing a series of not-very-challenging goals as you work your way towards the inevitable ending?

Nintendo seems to think it's audience are kids who don't have much skill. All we experienced players get is the usual 100-Floor Dungeon that takes forever. I'll still get it though.

This game is, dare I say it, more awesome than Reggie Fils-Aime.

I did enjoy playing as Bowser in Paper Mario 2, besides the ability to breath fire does Bowser have a Strength bonus? Is there even a stat sheet? Does Mario get an Agility or Jump bonus?

No stat sheets necessary, though it has been mentioned that Bowser does more damage than the others. I would assume that the most significant function of Bowser's fire breath would be to kill enemies with spikes, since you can't jump on them or pick them up with Thoreau.

I sopose that would make sence, thanks for the info, i'm probably going to be playing as Bowser most of the time anyway.

Seems you'll be playing as Mario mostly actually, seeing as he's the only one who can do the flip thingy.

Also, apparently Luigi is the fourth playable character.

What power do you think he will have?

Being able to jump higher than Mario, and skid when he stops running?

His main ability will be not getting into games

Sounds like Luigi can jump off the screen as his special power.

I played this game at a friend's place last night. I was wondering if someone could confirm the next sentence for me, because I only played through a few stages (3-2 through 4-1, I think).

It seems like the stage design is ripped out of Paper Mario. It's as if the design team sat down to make a regular Paper Mario game, and did so, then decided to take out the RPG battles and replace it with just jumping on enemies.
It's bland, it requires uninspired and constant backtracking/taking multiple paths. Not to mention the puzzles involving partners could just as easily be replaced by a key and door system. You'd have just as much fun that way, that is; the partners don't change the control scheme or gameplay at all.

I didn't care for Paper Mario dungeon design as it was, but it's even less fun when you take out the battles and the dungeon design is all there is to the game.

Will any of you hate me if I don't get around to playing this game?

I for one, loved the design of the previous Paper Mario games, and replacing the turn-based battles with classic-style platforming makes it a perfectly frosted pastry for me. This game rocks hard, plain and simple.

No, Saibo, I won't hate you, but I will feel very sorry for you.

I just got it, it's actually quite good.