BRAND NEW BADDIES

This game’s big bad isn’t Bowser but a bozo called Sir Grodus. He’s the leader of the X-Nauts, an evil organisation with a fortress on the Moon. The X-Nauts want to rule the world, but need Princess Peach and the seven Crystal Stars to do so. Can Mario rescue Peach and nab the stars before the X-Nauts? That’s up to you!

MARIO'S TERRIFIC TEAM

Mario puts together a team as he travels, and each member has unique skills. Goombella can reveal the stats of foes in battle, Koops can toss his shell to hit out of reach switches or items, and Madame Flurrie can blow a gale that reveals secrets and stuns enemies. You know what they say – teamwork makes the dream work!

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

This might be a Mario mission but it’s not all about the man with the moustache. You can also play as Peach who is a prisoner in the X-Nauts base, and Bowser, who is hopping mad that someone else kidnapped Peach! That’s not allowed! There’s even a side story about the heroic Luigi, who is off rescuing Princess Éclair in the Pudding Kingdom!

PAPERY POWERS!

Mario is loving life as a paper thin protagonist! He can turn sideways to slip through narrow gaps, fold himself into a paper aeroplane or boat to reach new places and even roll up into a tiny tube. The papercraft game world is also brilliant to behold, as everything looks like it’s part of a diorama – even the domineering dragon Hooktail!

ACT THE PART

Start a fight and you’ll find yourself up on stage, battling it out in front of an audience! Bust out a stylish move or appeal to the crowd and you’ll recover Star Power, which fuels special moves. The spectators can interact with the action, throwing things onto the stage that can help or hurt. The scenery can even fall on Mario! Mamma mia!

BADGES OF HONOUR

Each time Mario levels up you can choose to upgrade his Heart Points (health), Flower Points (for special moves) or Badge Points (to equip more badges). Badges are fun to play around with as they can give Mario new moves in battle, supercharge his stats, rake in more rewards, power up his partners and so much more. Test them out as you play!