Paper Mario (ペーパーマリオ) (Europe) is a role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. It is the first game in the Paper Mario series and follows Mario as he attempts to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The game combines elements of the Mario role-playing series with traditional elements of the Mario platforming series. The game features an open world in which the player can explore and interact with characters, as well as a turn-based battle system. Paper Mario features a unique visual style, with characters and environments rendered in paper-like textures. The game also features a variety of puzzles, as well as minigames and side quests. The game is set in the Mushroom Kingdom and features a variety of characters from the Mario series, as well as new characters created for the game. The game's story follows Mario as he attempts to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, who has stolen the Star Rod, a magical item that grants wishes. Paper Mario was well-received by critics, who praised the game's visuals and gameplay. It was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies worldwide. The game was followed by two sequels, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario.