On a peaceful day, Princess Toadstool is picking flowers near Mario's house when she is kidnapped by Bowser. Mario goes to rescue her and defeats the Koopa King as usual - but this time, a darker force than any Mario has ever seen descends - the giant sword Exor, which comes crashing from the sky and smashes into Bowser's Keep. The three are scattered across the land. Mario later discovers that the villainous sword is the harbinger of the "Smithy Gang", a group of weapon-like monstrosities that plan world domination. To achieve this end, Exor destroyed the Star Road-seven special stars that transform normal wishes into realities. Mario will need the power of the Stars to help him save the day and restore wishing power to Mushroom Land, along with the help of new friends and old enemies...
—GENO