Village Gamer

Now on sale in Canada is the newest installment of the Paper Mario franchise, which flattens the mustached hero into a two dimensional, paper-thin character and nothing could be more fun. Paper Mario: Sticker Star for the portable Nintendo 3DS introduces a new way for players to solve puzzles and execute attacks using stickers, which are found throughout the game. The colourful game world looks like a shoebox diorama, and takes on a sense of depth in full 3D, without the need for special glasses.

“The Paper Mario series is known for its inventive battles and quirky humour,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “The 3D graphics and the introduction of stickers add a fresh new element that will have players glued to their games.”

As players explore the vast world, they will encounter hundreds of stickers, some in plain sight and some that require a little extra effort to discover. By using “paperization” to flatten the game world, Mario can solve puzzles, which can range from moving a windmill blade that blocks his path or getting to hard to reach places. When stickers are placed in correct spots, the world transforms or secret areas can be accessed. Stickers come in all shapes and sizes and each will have a unique effect when used in puzzle solving or attacking enemies. There are even flashy and shiny stickers that are more powerful and hard to find.

Stickers are also the key to the game’s turn-based battles. Players choose their sticker attacks and unleash them on their enemies. Attacks can be as simple as bouncing on Goombas with a jump sticker to fighting a boss with a more powerful flashy or shiny sticker. They can also spend coins to use the Battle Spinner, a slot machine-style game that rewards players with the option to use up to three stickers in one turn. Players can become more powerful by beating bosses and completing side missions.

Shoppers can purchase the packaged game as usual at retail locations nationwide, or consumers with wireless broadband Internet access can simply purchase and download the game from the Nintendo eShop. Download codes for the game can also be purchased at select retailers. Regardless of the purchasing method, the suggested retail price is $39.99 in Canada. Also, Club Nintendo members who download and register this game before January 6th 2013, will receive a free download code for the Donkey Kong: Original Edition game. Donkey Kong: Original Edition has never been seen in North America and is not available for purchase.