Forget the GameCube, you say? Wii is the future? Well, OK, in some perspectives, the Wii does look to be going leaps and bounds ahead of what GameCube was trying to accomplish, but let's not be so hasty. The system's seen plenty of superb game releases over the years, including the likes of a Paper Mario sequel that expanded upon the original N64 game. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door included new play techniques, more side characters to aid you on your quest, and a boost in visuals and sound to make the quest more involving. One would wonder where the next step in the Paper Mario legacy is headed, and we'll find out when Super Paper Mario arrives on the GameCube this fall.

Now I know what you might be thinking. "Super Paper Mario on the GameCube? Why not the Wii where its innovation would be welcomed?" Well, there's a two-fold reason for that. One, the developer, Intelligent Systems, seems to be right at home on the GameCube, although I'm sure somewhere down the line we'll see a chapter emerge on the Wii from that company. Secondly, let's face it, the GameCube doesn't deserve to die a quick and painful death, not with its legacy. It's like the dilemma facing the God of War 2 development team and their decision to make the game a PS2 title instead of PS3. Sometimes the hardware you have is good enough for the job.

In Super Paper Mario, the paper-thin Mario once again embarks on an epic quest in a world filled with ridiculously inventive design and familiar dangers throughout, although this time the gameplay's taken a turn for the better. Instead of following the traditional battle system that you took favor with back on the N64 and in The Thousand Year Door, this game deals more with platforming techniques, as Mario and his friends jump around from level to level, reaching new areas and bouncing off of enemies with the smallest of jumps. It seems to lean towards the old style of Mario play, something Nintendo's already done with their gangbusters DS game New Super Mario Bros.. But, as that game proved, going old-school isn't always a bad thing.

Yes, I said Mario and friends. That's because for this new adventure, Mario's enlisted the assistance of two characters, his long-time nemesis Bowser and his sweet princess, Peach. Both of them bring new play techniques on the adventure. Bowser, for instance, maneuvers well underwater and has some brute strength that comes in handy. Peach can also handle her own terrain, and even packs a parasol so she can float to areas the other two characters can't reach. Coolest part is, you're able to switch between these characters at any time, at least from what the promo video at E3 indicated. There's also a "growth" technique where Mario and Peach get old-school looks and romp and stomp through the level, destroying everything in their path. And when I mean old-school, I mean the pixelated characters we remember from the original Super Mario Bros. game. It's a sight to see.

It's strange that the game didn't really have a presence at E3 this year (Nintendo's booth was all about the Wii and the Nintendo DS), only because its play style seems to be different than any other Mario game we've experienced before. The game leans between 2-D and 3-D stages, with the controls varying with each, so that the game feels more twisted (but still very playable) over most of Mario's other adventures. There's spinning traps, platforms to reach, and so much more, and in both of these fields, it looks rather well done. There's also some quirky level design that comes into play here, a mixture of what we saw in Super Mario Bros. 3 and some tripped out art design that looks like it was done by local grafitti artists from Seattle. The game stands out on its own when it comes to looks, and it looks like the gameplay will have a way-out flavor of its own, as familiar as it may be to some.

Intelligent Systems and Nintendo have kept mum on the storyline thus far, but the game should easily tie in to the other Paper Mario adventures as Mario and his cohorts once again work to save the day. There's eight different worlds loaded with all kinds of dangers, mysteries, and hidden treats, and exploration will be just as big a factor here as the platforming action. Some boss battles should also come into play that use item management at some points, allowing Mario, Peach, and Bowser to get the edge over the dark, sinister forces on the trail.

Super Paper Mario looks to be brimming with style and enjoyment, just as the other games did, but the little twists on the gameplay should make this experience stand out more than The Thousand Year Door ever could have. We'll be getting a closer look at this game soon enough, as its nears its fourth quarter 2006 release date. Don't get rid of your GameCubes just yet- you're in for a fun little surprise or two.