The specific balance between platforming action and RPG convention that Intelligent Systems struck with Super Paper Mario earlier this year was revelatory, and it made for one of those genuinely unique game experiences. As good as it was, there was a certain contingency that lamented the change of pace from the first two Paper Mario games. So, for those who wish to relive the good old days, or just want to see what all the fuss is about, Nintendo has brought the original Paper Mario to the Wii Virtual Console. This was regarded as an incredibly well-crafted and ambitious RPG when it hit the N64 in 2001. The ways it played with 2D and 3D visuals, along with its use of real-time combat elements, made for a great Mario experience and a great RPG experience, though the sum of its parts made it suitable for those who didn’t care for one, the other, or even both.

If only our paper-thin protagonist were armed with scissors!

Of course, it