What are you doing you might ask, why are you reviewing a Game Cube game from 2004? I mean after all, Game Cube is last Gen and a 1000 year door is just old. Well this morning I am going to proclaim a simple message where this title is concerned, it's fantastic. If you have never played a 1000 Year Door and you claim to be a Mario fan then what is wrong with you? Trust me, run out and buy this title because it is the best game I have played in a long time.
A 1000 year door is the sequel to the original Paper Mario that was just recently re-released via the Virtual Console service. Princess Peach has been kidnapped again but this time not by Bowser King of the Koopas. The real villains in this story are a high tech race called the X-Nauts. Under the leadership of Sir Grodus, the X-Nauts are holding Princess Peach captive and it is up to our favourite fat plumber to save her. However gamers beware, Bowser is on the loose and his aim is to free Peach from her captors so that he can kidnap her himself.
A 1000 year door takes the original Paper Mario and improves it ten fold. The games graphical presentation is wonderful to behold and children can watch this thing for hours. If there was a franchise in existence that could be labeled art within the gaming world then this is it. From the simple but yet effective detail of each character to the in game paper style transitions, I don't think you will find anything (apart from the other two Paper Mario games) that will come close to matching this games magical charm.
Most of the characters from the original Paper Mario are here and the play system is not to dissimilar but having said that, the extras and story makes it feel fresh. The puzzle element within the game is stronger than the first and so many more fun game play extras have been added that you wish Mario could feature in far more Paper styled games than he does. The ability to change Mario into a Paper airplane is timeless and the ability to turn him into a thin peace of paper reminds you just how much thought goes into these titles. And each ability that Mario gains are in by no means gimmicky. Every ability that Mario attains and every move that he and his companions learn, all play an important role within the game. The paper airplane ability is used to reach places/platforms that normally Mario would not be able to reach. Mario's ability to turn himself into a thin piece of paper can be used to slip through cracks and small places.
The battle system this time around is similar to that found in the original game but there are some really nice new features that again makes it feel like a new experience. Within this sequel Mario's companions have Heart Points. If your companion falls during a battle then they will be ineffective till the battles end. Another nice feature this time around is that your companions are able to do far more than they could within the original game. In a 1000 year door, they too can use the special items that have been attained within your journey. The ability also to rotate players within battle is a nice touch. Players in battle can rotate Mario and his companions so that the player has a better chance of defending each character. The input of a crowd also is fun but beware, sometimes enemies will hide themselves amongst the crowd to throw items like rocks, buckets and hammers at you.
Along with Zelda, Paper Mario is without doubt my joint top Nintendo franchise. If you are looking for a new game for Wii then I really would recommend trying to get hold of this. Yes it is a 3 year old Game Cube game but what is 3 years when a title equals a stunning masterpiece. You will not be disappointed in the visuals, the adventure, the story or characters.