SET in a world of paper and corrugated cardboard, this is a Mario game but not as you know it.

The Paper Mario series has been around for 15 years but compared to the massive success of the Super Mario games it could be said to have more of a cult following.

But with an endearing visual style and plenty of heartwarming humour, this unique puzzle and role-playing game should not be overlooked.

Color Splash sees you play as two-dimensional 'paper' version of the Nintendo icon in a 3D world.

In previous games, the developers toyed and experimented with these two dimensions being spliced together to create new gameplay dynamics.

This time the central plot point – and gimmick – is that colour is being sucked from the world and the video game plumber is to the rescue.

Forget paintbrushes – Mario uses a 'paint hammer' to restore colour and solve puzzles that will have you hopping between the game's well-crafted levels to retrieve 'paint stars'.

Paint has previously been used as a gameplay feature by Nintendo in the likes of Splatoon and Super Mario Sunshine.

And although it does not detract from the experience in Color Splash it does not make the most of Paper Mario's unique setting.

One feature that does make good use of Mario's paper world is the ability to snip a hole in the landscape to reach new areas but the times you can use this are few and far between.

The game's turned-based combat is also dull. You collect cards that you use in battle which makes good use of the Wii U's touch screen pad but it is dull and repetitive.

There is a lot to like about Color Splash but essentially you need to be a big Mario fan to overlook its flaws.

DAVID MORGAN