Mario Story (or Paper Mario, if you grew up outside Japan) is one of those N64 gems that still holds up. At first glance, it looks like a cutesy RPG with that whole paper-cutout art style—but don’t let that fool you. The combat’s got this slick timing-based twist where button presses mid-attack actually matter, and the writing? Way funnier than it has any right to be. I mean, you’ll be fighting sentient trees with mustaches one minute and negotiating with a mob of shady penguins the next.

What really stuck with me was how alive the world feels. You’re not just running through generic towns—you’re sneaking into a haunted mansion, racing up a mountain with a chain chomp on a leash, that kind of thing. And the partners you pick up along the way? Each one changes how you solve puzzles in weird, satisfying ways. Goombario’s headbonks uncover secrets, Parakarry delivers mail to unlock new areas—it’s all way more creative than your typical "equip sword, grind levels" RPG.

Honestly, it’s the kind of game where you start playing "just one more chapter" at midnight and suddenly it’s 3 AM because you have to see what ridiculous boss comes next. That giant mechanical bowser? Chef’s kiss.