From first glance, Super Paper Mario looks no different than any of the other Mario RPG games, but underneath that characteristic look lies a game that not only changes the way that Mario RPG games have been played, but is a title no Wii owner should be without.

The game opens with a sequence of events that you’l need to watch to understand the game, involving Bowser marrying Princess Peach, with Luigi present at the wedding. Mario, however, is noticeably missing from this scene, hinting that something might just be fishy here.

Turns out Mario was doing the world a favor by keeping Peach out of Bowser’s hands, as their marriage fulfills a prophecy that will bring about the end of the world as we know it, with the nefarious Count Bleck trying to set the whole thing into motion. This time, it’s up to Mario, with help from his friends, to stop Count Bleck’s plan and save existence once again.

What makes Super Paper Mario so unique is the ability to jump back and forth from 2-D to 3-D at the push of a button. Doing so allows you to find hidden items and passageways, avoid enemy attacks, and access areas that seem to be blocked off. However, you are timed in how long you can go 3-D, and going over that limit will result in you losing life.

For the first time since Super Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo, more than just Mario is available to play, as Luigi, Bowser and Peach all join the cause to save the world. Each character has their own attributes and unique ability, such as Mario’s ability to move between 2-D and 3-D and Peach’s ability to jump large gaps and float over potential hazards.

Also joining Mario in his quest are the Pixls, a group of ancient creatures, many locked away by the Ancients, which Mario must find in order to progress through his journey. They each have unique abilities of their own that can usually be activated with the press of a button or give a status change, like the ability to move faster. Some are optional, but the ones that are generally make the game a little easier to play.

Super Paper Mario is a fusion of both what makes the Paper Mario series great, with an RPG-style leveling-up component, hit points, and the ability to use items in battle, and what makes the original Mario Bros. platformers so good, with a real-time battle system that at times lets you stomp and smash your way to the end of the level. Though it might seem weird to combine the two ideas, it feels great in this game. Leveling up is no longer done with experience, but based upon the player’s score they accumulate by playing through the game.