The game begins with Mario entering Bowser's Castle to rescue Princess Toadstool. During the battle, a giant sword breaks through the Star Road and crashes into Bowser’s castle, sending Mario, Princess Toadstool, and Bowser flying in different directions, as well as scattering the seven star fragments. Mario makes his way to the Mushroom Kingdom, where the mushroom chancellor insists that Mario recover the princess and then discover the purpose of the giant sword named Exor.
Upon leaving Toadstool's castle, Mario bumps into Mallow, a strange-looking tadpole who has lost a frog coin to Croco, a local thief. In order to end his rain of tears (and the actual rain that accompanies them), Mario agrees to help him, but when they return to the castle, he finds that the kingdom is overrun by creatures claiming to be part of the Smithy Gang. He and Mallow enter the castle and are met by the first boss in the game, a giant knife/spring-like creature named Mack. When Mack is defeated, they find a mysterious Star Piece, which Mario takes in hopes of finding out more about it later.
During Mario’s search for the princess, on which Mallow accompanies him, he meets a star spirit who has taken control over a doll named Geno. After another boss fight against a bow-like creature named Bowyer, Geno joins Mario as well, telling him that the Star Piece is a part of the shattered Star Road, where he normally resides. Geno (who chooses to go by the doll's name, which is easier for the others to say) is tasked with finding all seven of the shattered pieces of Star Road, which are held by members of the Smithy gang, in order to repair it. Mario and Mallow agree to help Geno in his search.
Mario eventually finds Bowser, who is trying to reassemble his forces. They join together to save the princess, as she is about to be forcibly married to Booster (a childish, bearded character with few social skills). When Toadstool has been rescued, Bowser joins Mario's party and the player is able to switch characters for the first time. Princess Toadstool initially goes back to Mushroom Kingdom, but soon joins the party as well.
Discuss.
