Nintendo has released a number of new screenshots from their upcoming sequel to the Square-developed Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars. Now entitled Paper Mario, players control Mario (and, at times, Princess Peach) as paper-thin characters in a 3D action RPG world. Battles are once again very much in the same vein as standard turn-based RPG fare, with both Hit Points and Flower Points (apparently a replacement for MP) levels visible and stronger blows dealt when the action button is hit at a precise moment in the attack.

   Storywise, the game begins with Bowser invading the magical Star Kingdom in order to steal the all-powerful Star Stick. With it, Bowser knocks out Mario and -- in a shocking display of originality -- captures Princess Peach. After Bowser brings Peach back to his flying castle, it's up to Mario to set off on a quest across the puzzle-filled Mushroom Kingdom and other locations and eventually confront the classic reptilian fiend.

   Paper Mario is set for release in North America a day after Christmas, on December 26, 2000.