Let's Play: Paper Mario! part four
This is going to be a short but text-heavy update, since it covers much
more dialogue than action.
Kammy, having finished spying on Mario, returns to Bowser & Peach's
castle.
A report, Your Evilness:
Mario defeated the Goomba King.
He's heading for Toad Town now.
I used the Star Rod to make him a king because he begged me...
And Mario whips him so easily?
What a wimp!!
U...Kammy Koopa!
You ARE sure that Mario can never defeat us, right?
Kammy: Please, please, Your Vileness!
Try to be calm.
Goomba King is small-time. I had a feeling he'd fail.
It doesn't matter, because while you hold the Star Rod you are definitely
invincible.
You could beat Mario with one claw tied behind your back.
Bowser: (holds the Star Rod aloft) Yes, yes. Very good!
Gwaaa ha ha ha ha!!
(puts it away again) By the way, Kammy Koopa, those Star Spirits we
captured don't have any way of giving Mario their power, do they?
Kammy: Please, don't worry yourself. Each is held separately.
And each is carefully guarded by your handpicked subjects.
Even Mario can't save all seven of the Star Spirits.
Bowser: Hmmm...
Who's the closest Star Spirit to Mario? It's that one at Koopa Bros.
Fortress, right?
If Mario somehow reaches there, can the Koopa Bros. defeat him?
Red Koopa: Here come the Koopa Bros!!
Uh-huh! Oh yeah! We're the coolest of cool!
Bowser: ...Pssst! Kammy Koopa.
Are you sure these guys can get the job done?
That Goomba King was gigantic, and even he couldn't beat Mario.
Red Koopa: Pssshaw! Get real, King Bowser!
Yeah, the Goomba King was huge, but he was a total wimpola!
We're nothing like him!
See, what we've got going on is the power of teamwork...
Together, we can put the hurt on Mario in seconds flat!
Kammy: Excellent!
That's the spirit! Sell it, Koopa Bros.!!
Show our king that special attack you do so well!
Red Koopa: Yes, ma'am!
Ready, everybody!
That... This is... Ohhhhh!!!!
Red Koopa: How'd you like it?
King Bowser? How was it?
Bowser: Oh, yeah! Excellent!! Really!!
I'm not easily impressed, either!
Mario won't have a chance if you finish him with that attack!
Red Koopa: We'll take him, King Bowser!
Bowser: By the way, my Koopa Bros....
About the captured Star Spirit I've locked up in your fortress...
Who's guarding him right now?
Red Koopa: ...Uh...nobody, sir...
You know, we're here and so...
Bowser: You idiots!! Use your heads! Get back to the fortress and
guard that Star Spirit!
We now return you to Mario and Goombario's trip, which is already in
progress.
In between fighting more Goombas, Mario finds another new item:
A bit further on, Mario sees the covered road into Toad Town, and beside
it, a tree with something in it...
Hitting the tree knocks the object out.
Oh boy, a spring! Jumping onto it lets Mario leap onto the roof, where he
finds:
A treasure chest, containing the Hammer Throw Badge. Mario switches the
Close Call Badge for this one and jumps back down.
At last, we reach our immediate goal:
Toad Town! Mario barely has a moment to breath a sigh of relief before a
Toad rushes up to him!
The town is in an uproar!
The Princess kidnapped!
The very castle uprooted!
It's bedlam!
I really don't know what we can do about all this...
Please, Mario!
Save Her Highness!
Mario reassures the panicked Toad that he'll take care of everything as
usual, then goes to take a little breather.
Meanwhile, at Chateaux Marieaux:
I ran outside just as the earthquakes started, so I managed to escape
in time.
Luigi: Oh? And who are you?
Goombario: I'm Goombario.
Nice to meet you!
Luigi: I see. Great, just great.
You're on an exciting adventure with Mario. Talk about unfair.
See, someone has to look after this house, so I can't leave. Oh well.
Take care of Mario, OK?
Good luck, Mario. You just have to save that Princess!
Mario, I'll go to any lengths to help you out.
I have lots of talent,s and I can jump really high and...
What? Stay home and take care of the house?
Man, that's not exciting at all!
After all that walking, Mario is understandably tired, so he hops into
bed and takes a nap.
Poor Mario :(
Returning to town, Mario heads to the nearest building and talks to the
bespectacled Toad within.
Of course I know who you are. I'm the wise Toad, Russ T. Pleasure
meeting you.
As you can probably tell, I love books and read all the time. Because I'm
so well read, I know all sorts of interesting facts.
Whenever you visit me, I'll be happy to share all of my knowledge with
you.
Are you talking to me because you crave knowledge that only my intellect
can provide?
Then, how about this...
BEGIN WALL OF TEXT
So it is told that far away, at the very top of the sky, there exists a
Star Haven, where Stars make their home.
In Star Haven, there's a treasure called a Star Rod. According to legend,
it was made with ancient magic.
There are said to be Stars that are particulary [sic] strong and good-
hearted. They are called Star Spirits.
Using the magical Star Rod, these Star Spirits grant the wishes of
everyone in this world.
That's why, when we make a wish to the night sky and it comes true, it's
all thanks to the Star Spirits and their Star Rod.
If there's anything else you wish to know, please feel free to ask me.
If you go east from the place where Princess Peach's castle used to be,
you'll find a place called Shooting Star Summit.
At the foot of the summit live Merluvlee and her brother, Merlow.
The older sister, Merluvlee, can see things you're looking for by fortune-
telling.
The Hobby of the younger brother, Merlow, is collecting Star Pieces.
If you take him Star Pieces, he'll swap them for Badges.
In point of fact, these two are the granddaughter and grandson of Merlon,
who tells fortunes in Toad Town.
END WALL OF TEXT
Let's see what else Toad Town has to offer!
I guess we'll have to swim to get that...
The hammer, it does nothing!
Does every Toad have a pun name?
Unless our Master isn't here, in which case the Dojo's closed.
A letter just arrived saying The Master will return soon. We will train
again soon!
Our Master is wandering the world to purify his mind and train his body.
Our Master was a strong man. He is going to come back a very, very strong man.
We will wait here, right here, until our Master returns. Waiting is part
of our training.
Goombario: That's Chan. He's one of the trainees who seem to always
be at the Dojo.
He worships The Master.
I mean, it's all well and good for Chan to admire The Master, but I prefer
Mario!
Mario heads "east" to the center of Toad Town, meeting more Toads.
As a result, we can't go to the southern part of town.
The train station, the port... many important things lie south.
Not being able to get there is a great inconvenience to me and to
everyone.
...*ahem*
The big blue building is Merlon's house... Let's see if he's home.
I said Merlon is out, so he must be out!
I'm telling you,
Merlon is out!!! Ouuut!!!
If he says he's out, I guess he's really out.
He told me once that he has a big collection of her photos.
What a lovesick fool...
Well, as long as he doesn't draw a map of her eyes, he's harmless...
Hmm, the music changes here... And that box is shaking slightly!
Rowf's the name.
I'm starting me up a little business in Toad Town.
I'm still setting up, though.
I wanna see you back in here when we open, all right?
Goombario: This guy's pretty funky.
His name is Rowf.
He sells Badges.
He travels all over the world, buying and selling things.
I'm a little jealous.
And, yet another pun name:
She wants Mario to bring her Bub-ulb seeds for whatever reason.
Anyway, let's check out the post office.
Ah, it's that Paratroopa from the beginning of the game.
Goombario: His name is Parakarry. He's a Paratroopa who works for
the post office.
He's well known for being the slowest mailman around.
A slow mailman? That can't be good.
You can read any letters that arrive for you or for your other party
members.
And it just so happens that there's a letter waiting for Goombario from
the Goomba Bros.
You were a log stronger than you looked. We figured you were just some
punk Goomba hanging around with Mario.
Anyway, you proved yourself to us. And you showed us that being good is
as important as being strong. So...
When you come back, do you think maybe we could be...friends?
Please say yes!
We'll be waiting!
Red & Blue Goomba Bros.
Those guys don't look suspicious at all. Nope. Not one bit.
Ignoring them for now, Mario heads north to examine the wreckage of
Peach's castle.
I was in the castle when it started to shake, but my lightning-quick
feet got me out.
I know Luigi made it out along with maybe a few others...
But everyone else was taken.
There's not even a trace of it now. How awful!
Mario goes back to the plaza, and then south, and finds that the way is
indeed blocked off:
Unfortunately, it's impossible to go to the south side of town with all
this scattered wood.
Don't worry. We're restacking it as quickly as possible.
Mario decides that he may as well see what the spies dark toads
are up to.
Black Toad: Yeah, you shouldn't go.
Yellow Toad: Nope, no go.
Green Toad: Sorry, but no.
Not even Mario's hammer dissuades them from blocking the path, so he
takes the other route, past the castle ruins...
Will Mario make it safely to Star Summit?
Will those mysterious Toads cause more trouble?
Will Goombario become friends with the Goomba Bros.?
Find out next time!
more dialogue than action.
Kammy, having finished spying on Mario, returns to Bowser & Peach's
castle.
A report, Your Evilness:
Mario defeated the Goomba King.
He's heading for Toad Town now.
I used the Star Rod to make him a king because he begged me...
And Mario whips him so easily?
What a wimp!!
U...Kammy Koopa!
You ARE sure that Mario can never defeat us, right?
Kammy: Please, please, Your Vileness!
Try to be calm.
Goomba King is small-time. I had a feeling he'd fail.
It doesn't matter, because while you hold the Star Rod you are definitely
invincible.
You could beat Mario with one claw tied behind your back.
Bowser: (holds the Star Rod aloft) Yes, yes. Very good!
Gwaaa ha ha ha ha!!
(puts it away again) By the way, Kammy Koopa, those Star Spirits we
captured don't have any way of giving Mario their power, do they?
Kammy: Please, don't worry yourself. Each is held separately.
And each is carefully guarded by your handpicked subjects.
Even Mario can't save all seven of the Star Spirits.
Bowser: Hmmm...
Who's the closest Star Spirit to Mario? It's that one at Koopa Bros.
Fortress, right?
If Mario somehow reaches there, can the Koopa Bros. defeat him?
Red Koopa: Here come the Koopa Bros!!
Uh-huh! Oh yeah! We're the coolest of cool!
Bowser: ...Pssst! Kammy Koopa.
Are you sure these guys can get the job done?
That Goomba King was gigantic, and even he couldn't beat Mario.
Red Koopa: Pssshaw! Get real, King Bowser!
Yeah, the Goomba King was huge, but he was a total wimpola!
We're nothing like him!
See, what we've got going on is the power of teamwork...
Together, we can put the hurt on Mario in seconds flat!
Kammy: Excellent!
That's the spirit! Sell it, Koopa Bros.!!
Show our king that special attack you do so well!
Red Koopa: Yes, ma'am!
Ready, everybody!
That... This is... Ohhhhh!!!!
Red Koopa: How'd you like it?
King Bowser? How was it?
Bowser: Oh, yeah! Excellent!! Really!!
I'm not easily impressed, either!
Mario won't have a chance if you finish him with that attack!
Red Koopa: We'll take him, King Bowser!
Bowser: By the way, my Koopa Bros....
About the captured Star Spirit I've locked up in your fortress...
Who's guarding him right now?
Red Koopa: ...Uh...nobody, sir...
You know, we're here and so...
Bowser: You idiots!! Use your heads! Get back to the fortress and
guard that Star Spirit!
We now return you to Mario and Goombario's trip, which is already in
progress.
In between fighting more Goombas, Mario finds another new item:
A bit further on, Mario sees the covered road into Toad Town, and beside
it, a tree with something in it...
Hitting the tree knocks the object out.
Oh boy, a spring! Jumping onto it lets Mario leap onto the roof, where he
finds:
A treasure chest, containing the Hammer Throw Badge. Mario switches the
Close Call Badge for this one and jumps back down.
At last, we reach our immediate goal:
Toad Town! Mario barely has a moment to breath a sigh of relief before a
Toad rushes up to him!
The town is in an uproar!
The Princess kidnapped!
The very castle uprooted!
It's bedlam!
I really don't know what we can do about all this...
Please, Mario!
Save Her Highness!
Mario reassures the panicked Toad that he'll take care of everything as
usual, then goes to take a little breather.
Meanwhile, at Chateaux Marieaux:
I ran outside just as the earthquakes started, so I managed to escape
in time.
Luigi: Oh? And who are you?
Goombario: I'm Goombario.
Nice to meet you!
Luigi: I see. Great, just great.
You're on an exciting adventure with Mario. Talk about unfair.
See, someone has to look after this house, so I can't leave. Oh well.
Take care of Mario, OK?
Good luck, Mario. You just have to save that Princess!
Mario, I'll go to any lengths to help you out.
I have lots of talent,s and I can jump really high and...
What? Stay home and take care of the house?
Man, that's not exciting at all!
After all that walking, Mario is understandably tired, so he hops into
bed and takes a nap.
Poor Mario :(
Returning to town, Mario heads to the nearest building and talks to the
bespectacled Toad within.
Of course I know who you are. I'm the wise Toad, Russ T. Pleasure
meeting you.
As you can probably tell, I love books and read all the time. Because I'm
so well read, I know all sorts of interesting facts.
Whenever you visit me, I'll be happy to share all of my knowledge with
you.
Are you talking to me because you crave knowledge that only my intellect
can provide?
Then, how about this...
BEGIN WALL OF TEXT
So it is told that far away, at the very top of the sky, there exists a
Star Haven, where Stars make their home.
In Star Haven, there's a treasure called a Star Rod. According to legend,
it was made with ancient magic.
There are said to be Stars that are particulary [sic] strong and good-
hearted. They are called Star Spirits.
Using the magical Star Rod, these Star Spirits grant the wishes of
everyone in this world.
That's why, when we make a wish to the night sky and it comes true, it's
all thanks to the Star Spirits and their Star Rod.
If there's anything else you wish to know, please feel free to ask me.
If you go east from the place where Princess Peach's castle used to be,
you'll find a place called Shooting Star Summit.
At the foot of the summit live Merluvlee and her brother, Merlow.
The older sister, Merluvlee, can see things you're looking for by fortune-
telling.
The Hobby of the younger brother, Merlow, is collecting Star Pieces.
If you take him Star Pieces, he'll swap them for Badges.
In point of fact, these two are the granddaughter and grandson of Merlon,
who tells fortunes in Toad Town.
END WALL OF TEXT
Let's see what else Toad Town has to offer!
I guess we'll have to swim to get that...
The hammer, it does nothing!
Does every Toad have a pun name?
Unless our Master isn't here, in which case the Dojo's closed.
A letter just arrived saying The Master will return soon. We will train
again soon!
Our Master is wandering the world to purify his mind and train his body.
Our Master was a strong man. He is going to come back a very, very strong man.
We will wait here, right here, until our Master returns. Waiting is part
of our training.
Goombario: That's Chan. He's one of the trainees who seem to always
be at the Dojo.
He worships The Master.
I mean, it's all well and good for Chan to admire The Master, but I prefer
Mario!
Mario heads "east" to the center of Toad Town, meeting more Toads.
As a result, we can't go to the southern part of town.
The train station, the port... many important things lie south.
Not being able to get there is a great inconvenience to me and to
everyone.
...*ahem*
The big blue building is Merlon's house... Let's see if he's home.
I said Merlon is out, so he must be out!
I'm telling you,
Merlon is out!!! Ouuut!!!
If he says he's out, I guess he's really out.
He told me once that he has a big collection of her photos.
What a lovesick fool...
Well, as long as he doesn't draw a map of her eyes, he's harmless...
Hmm, the music changes here... And that box is shaking slightly!
Rowf's the name.
I'm starting me up a little business in Toad Town.
I'm still setting up, though.
I wanna see you back in here when we open, all right?
Goombario: This guy's pretty funky.
His name is Rowf.
He sells Badges.
He travels all over the world, buying and selling things.
I'm a little jealous.
And, yet another pun name:
She wants Mario to bring her Bub-ulb seeds for whatever reason.
Anyway, let's check out the post office.
Ah, it's that Paratroopa from the beginning of the game.
Goombario: His name is Parakarry. He's a Paratroopa who works for
the post office.
He's well known for being the slowest mailman around.
A slow mailman? That can't be good.
You can read any letters that arrive for you or for your other party
members.
And it just so happens that there's a letter waiting for Goombario from
the Goomba Bros.
You were a log stronger than you looked. We figured you were just some
punk Goomba hanging around with Mario.
Anyway, you proved yourself to us. And you showed us that being good is
as important as being strong. So...
When you come back, do you think maybe we could be...friends?
Please say yes!
We'll be waiting!
Red & Blue Goomba Bros.
Those guys don't look suspicious at all. Nope. Not one bit.
Ignoring them for now, Mario heads north to examine the wreckage of
Peach's castle.
I was in the castle when it started to shake, but my lightning-quick
feet got me out.
I know Luigi made it out along with maybe a few others...
But everyone else was taken.
There's not even a trace of it now. How awful!
Mario goes back to the plaza, and then south, and finds that the way is
indeed blocked off:
Unfortunately, it's impossible to go to the south side of town with all
this scattered wood.
Don't worry. We're restacking it as quickly as possible.
Mario decides that he may as well see what the spies dark toads
are up to.
Black Toad: Yeah, you shouldn't go.
Yellow Toad: Nope, no go.
Green Toad: Sorry, but no.
Not even Mario's hammer dissuades them from blocking the path, so he
takes the other route, past the castle ruins...
Will Mario make it safely to Star Summit?
Will those mysterious Toads cause more trouble?
Will Goombario become friends with the Goomba Bros.?
Find out next time!