Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 2004

Is it still worth playing?

Intelligent Systems' 2004 role playing game for the GameCube, the sequel to Paper Mario. Peach buys a treasure map rumored to lead to a legendary fortune, and Mario travels to the town of Rogueport to pursue it, collecting seven Crystal Stars over a prologue and eight chapters. One of seven party members goes with him at a time. Combat is turn based, with timed button presses that boost attacks and defense, and it takes place in front of an audience whose cheers replenish Star Power. Hitting an enemy with a jump or hammer before the battle gives a First Strike, and paper transformations such as a paper airplane and a boat are used in some puzzles and for getting around. The timed hits and the audience make the battles worth playing today, since stylish play is rewarded, and each chapter is nearly a self contained episode.