Super Paper Mario - release date and details announced

Tuesday 31st July 2007 - 17:00

Wii exclusive due in September, Pokemon storms the charts and Virtua Fighter 5 Xbox 360 screens

Mario fans are in for something of a bumper month. Mario Party 8 is due for re-release this week (now with offensive word removed - as previously reported by our news team). Meanwhile, word has just reached us that Super Paper Mario is set for a Wii-exclusive release on Sept 14.

As with the previous two games in the Paper Mario series, all characters are as flat as a sheet of paper. However, our hero Mario can manipulate the environment around him to his benefit, opening up new paths and possibilities with the ability to 'flip' from 2D to 3D at will. This ability comes in handy throughout the game and is crucial to the progress of the player in his rescue mission. Seemingly impassable barriers are only as thin as a piece of paper when viewed in 3D allowing our hero to walk past with ease and fearsome 2D enemies expose their weak spots in 3D.

Super Paper Mario mixes the role-playing game-style adventure of its predecessors with the platform action of classic Mario games from yesteryear. The majority of on-screen action is controlled simply by holding the Wii Remote sideways using only the Control Pad and two buttons.. Unique special moves and abilities can be activated by shaking and moving the controller; so that players can not only set up chains and earn bonus points when defeating enemies, but also use abilities like fire, thunder and ice attacks. Expect to read a full review on these very ages as soon as we get our copy (hint, hint!)

Meanwhile, in chartland, Pokemon has stormed to the top spot in this week's all format top 20. Pokemon Diamond has taken the coveted number one spot whilst also new this week, Pokemon Pearl slips into third place. Transformers holds firm in second place whilst Harry Potter, the previous number one, drops down to fourth.

Finally, we have a flurry of brand new Virtua Fighter 5 shots, forthcoming from Sega for the Xbox 360. The classic beat-em'up series that has already scored big success on the PS3 is due to hit at the end of the summer. And with full online functionality we reckon it'll give the PS3's Tekken 5 online mode (as reported in yesterday's news) a real run for its money.

To view more images, click here