Release: 2004 Platform: GameCube Role-playing might not be the first genre that you'd typically identify with Mario but, as the Paper Mario series has proven, the moustached plumber is one of the most versatile characters in gaming. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the GameCube is the best of the Mario RPGs, following the classic story of collecting some stars and saving the princess. Despite the derivative premise, Thousand-Year Door's plot was surprisingly compelling, and the game felt a lot like playing through a Saturday morning cartoon series. The game's blend of 2D and 3D gameplay were a lot of fun, allowing Mario to 'fold' into a variety of forms that give him special properties, introducing a strong exploratory feel.
