Super Paper Mario is a platform game with action role-playing elements, differentiating itself from previous games in the series.[1] Like its predecessors, the graphics consist of 3D environments and 2D characters which look as if they are made of paper. The player controls Mario and various other characters, overcoming linear platforms as in other Mario games.[2] The player's goal is to collect the eight Pure Hearts and defeat the main antagonist Count Bleck. The player can talk to non-player characters (NPC), defeat enemies, or interact with the environment. Unlike previous Paper Mario games which used a turn-based battle system outside of the overworld, in Super Paper Mario all combat is in real-time. Experience points are gained after defeating enemies and allow the player to level up to increase their stats.[2][3] Mario can temporarily "flip" between dimensions, where the camera rotates 90 degrees to reveal a 3D perspective of the stage, revealing elements hidden in the regular 2D perspective, and can be used to maneuver around obstacles impassable in 2D.[3][4]
Throughout the game, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser join the player's party as playable characters, each with unique abilities used to overcome specific obstacles. Luigi can jump the highest, Peach can hover and access inaccessible areas, and Bowser can breathe fire to defeat enemies;[5][6] only Mario retains the ability to flip between 2D and 3D.[4] The player can swap between any character in the party at any time using an in-game menu. Fairy-like creatures called "Pixls" are obtained that each bestow one additional ability, such as Thoreau, who allows the player to pick up and throw objects.[5] Tippi, a Pixl who accompanies the player from the start of the game, can reveal hints to defeating enemies and is used to find secrets in the game's environment.[7]
The game's hub world is the town of Flipside, described as being located "between dimensions",[8] and has a mirrored counterpart, Flopside, unlocked in the second half of the game.[9] From Flipside and Flopside, the player can travel to different worlds via dimensional doors.[2] Access to each world is initially locked; completing each world and retrieving the Pure Heart therein opens access to the next one.
