Great Action / RPG game!!!
It may not be as good as Super Mario RPG, but Mario Story is a great game!
The paper graphics may be a little strange at first, but as you play, you tend to get used to it.
The story to this game is amazing, but easy enough for kids to understand. King Koopa has broken into the sacred area and stolen the star rod which is used to make him invincible and have incredible power! While this is happening, Princess Peach invites Mario to her castle only to find out the King Koopa has built a castle under Princess Peach's castle and raises it to the sky. Mario tries to stop King Koopa, but fails. King Koopa throws Mario out into the sky and takes a long fall to the ground where he is visited by the 7 star spirits. Mario must save the 7 star spirits, each giving Mario new unique star spirit abilities used to help him in his quest. Meet many allies like Goomba, Bombette, Koopa, Parakoopa, Boo, Watt, and Lakitu each with special abilities during battle and outside of battle.
The battle system is action and turn based. Mario usually goes first and like in Super Mario RPG, you have to press A at the right times, rapidly press A, hold down left, etc.
This game isn't too long, but is not that short either. It is enough to keep you going for quite a while and has many secrets to keep you playing and eventually make it to King Koopa and show him who is boss!
Fantastic game where knowing Japanese will help, but if you have played Paper Mario before, Mario Story will be easy. They are basically the same game. I have not found any differences between the Japanese and American versions other than the Japanese title screen loading quicker.
