GDC: IGN goes hands-on with Super Paper Mario

'April cannot come soon enough. Hands-on impressions of Nintendo's spectacular Wii platformer/RPG.'

Visually, Super Paper Mario is easily one of the most stylized games to hit Nintendo's new console, and what a great style it is. Anybody who grew up with the Big N's classic platformers will find the nostalgic throwbacks to be inspired. When Mario gains a star, the character grows into an enormous pixelized representation that is able to blaze across the 2D perspective as the plumber did in New Super Mario Bros. for the publisher's handheld. Classic characters, both enemies and allies, are reborn with crispy new artwork that looks colorful and pristine within the shifting universe. Everything runs in 480 progressive scan 16:9 widescreen modes, not to mention at a fluidity that never falters. The game looks fabulous in motion and we suggest that every reader jump over to our media section to download new videos.

Super Paper Mario debuts for Wii in America in April. Look out for more coverage leading up to the launch, but until then, rest assured that (so far) just about every facet of the game has us both dazzled and clamoring for more.

Full Hands-on preview