Quote:March 31, 2004 - Set to debut shortly in the latest issue of Japan's Weekly Famitsu games magazine is a sequel to N64's Paper Mario. Tentatively titled Mario Story 2 for Japan (the original was called Mario Story in Japan), this game is being developed Intelligent Systems (developer of the original along with Metroid Fusion and Advance Wars) for the GameCube.

Like the 2001 original, Paper Mario 2 will take the form of an action-heavy RPG. Battles will be menu based with action elements. The game also seems to continue with the original's style of flat 2D characters moving around on 3D backgrounds. In this sequel, flat Mario will be able to turn into a paper airplane and move around.
A Japanese release on Paper Mario 2 is scheduled for this year.

Quote:flat Mario will be able to turn into a paper airplane and move around.

Quote:What does that have to do with the real American hero, Mario?

Quote:Intelligent Systems is made up of multiple development teams so they are certainly working on more than just this project. Didn't you read my History of Fire Emblem OB1? There is a team that only develops Fire Emblem games, and the new game is suppose to be announced this April and it's rumored to be for GameCube.

Quote:April 01, 2004 - Since reporting yesterday that Mario and friends would be returning to the RPG scene in the form of Mario Story 2 (Paper Mario in America), new details have come our way. Much of what's been revealed should be familiar to those who played through the original Nintendo 64 title, but those unfamiliar with that game should pay attention.

As mentioned in yesterday's update, battles in Paper Mario 2 will feature action elements while still remaining turn-based. You select commands from a command ring atop your characters' heads, examples of commands being jump and make use of a hammer. The action begins following this. In the case of jump, you have to press the A button at the right time in order to execute the command successfully. In the case of the hammer, you have to hold left on the analogue stick, switching it to the right at the proper time in order to strike at the enemy.
There is some strategy included as well. From the command ring, you can set your characters' battle strategy. Specifics on strategy options have yet to be revealed.

Outside of battles, Paper Mario 2 is set to feature lots of mini games. Three mini games have been revealed so far. One involves a quiz show in which Mario must answer questions posed by the giant blocks featured in Mario action games. Two other mini games have been revealed, although minus specifics as to how they play. One appears to feature the player in control of Princess Peach, something that was featured in the original. Another looks like a version of Super Mario Brothers except with players controlling a giant Koopa.

Throughout their adventure, Mario and friends will find help in a few items and places. As with most RPGs, you can heal your party at an inn and purchase items at a shop. As currency, the game makes use of coins that you collect by defeating enemies. There's also a Badge Shop, where you acquire badges that, when set, give Mario special abilities in battle. While actually moving about through fields and towns, you'll encounter save blocks marked with an "S." Jump-punching these will allow you to save your game.

Less is known about the game's story line. The original game had you rescue Princess Peach and recover the Star Wand from Koopa. This time, aside from the presence of a mysterious door that's been sealed for 1000 years, little is known about the game's storyline. It is known, however, that many characters from the Mario world will make an appearance. This includes some giant enemy characters -- even bigger than the enemies featured in the original.

The developers at Intelligent Systems offered a very tantalizing bit about the game in comments to Japan's Famitsu magazine. It was stated that you can expect the flat, stylized graphics that made the original famous to play a strong role this time around in terms of both story progression and in how you solve puzzles.

We wait, with you, for further clarification.