Princess Peach: Showtime!

Princess Peach: Showtime! is a spin-off of the Mario series and the first game starring the princess in 19 years. The game was developed by Nintendo and is theater-themed, letting the princess take on many different stage roles.

Plot

One day, Peach receives an invitation to a performance at the Sparkle Theatre. Once she arrives alongside her small entourage of Toads, the building is attacked and taken over by an evil witch, Grape. The princess joins forces with the theater's guardian to save the show.

Mechanics

Unlike the previous game starring Peach, Princess Peach: Showtime! is more of an action adventure game than a platformer. Though there's plenty of side-scrolling jumping, the gameplay more resembles Luigi's Mansion and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon.

The game is divided into stages filled with enemies and puzzles. The locations are shown from the side (from the theater audience's perspective, like combat in Paper Mario), are full of layers and secrets. Peach can also transform into different forms by equipping outfits, turning into a swordswoman, a kung-fu master, a detective, a chef and many others. Each form grants her unique abilities to use in combat and while solving environmental puzzles.

Technical aspects

Princess Peach: Showtime! retains the modern, cartoonish, 3D Mario artstyle. The game is portrayed as a theater play.