Nintendo recently announced that the original Paper Mario will be available in storesNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Packon December 10, 2021. That means you'll be in right awayThe best role-playing games on Nintendo Switch, which makes us even happier.
Personally, I have loved the Paper Mario series since the Nintendo 64 era and have played them all on Switch via the latest version:Paper Mario: The King of Origami. But how do the six games in the franchise stack up against each other? I've rated them from worst to best and explained why they got that rating.
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Paper Mario: The King of Origami
Save the mushroom kingdom from the origami invaders
The evil King Olly has turned Princess Peach into origami and plans to take over the country. It's up to Mario to defeat the Origami King's minions and restore peace to the Mushroom Kingdom.
6. Paper Mario: Sticky Star Nintendo 3DS (2012)
I rushed to buy Sticker Star for my Nintendo 3DS as soon as it came out, but like many other fans I was quite disappointed. It's not a terrible game per se. The art direction is lovely and there are some funny moments. However, Sticker Star could not offer the same soul and basic mechanics that the previous parts of the series brought us.
The biggest downside of all was that this was the first game that didn't feature special travel companions. In previous games, these partners added more background information about the various locations Mario visited and often provided Mario with unique puzzle-solving abilities. So there is a lot of charm missing in this game. On top of that, the sticker combat system, which has ditched RPG combat in favor of single attack, is pretty nasty. The worst thing about the combat system is that your attacks disappear from your inventory after you use them. This keeps you on your toes, but also makes fighting a bit annoying at times.
5. Paper Mario: Paint Splatter Nintendo Wii U (2016)
Players were already a bit upset that the partners weren't in Sticker Star, but also that they weren't in the next Paper Mario game really upset a lot of people. Mario's companions bring so much heart and unique abilities to the franchise that their absence is painfully felt. Another downside is that Color Splash has a very similar fighting style to Sticker Star. Players use trading cards to attack, but when there are multiple enemies, players cannot choose which character to attack, making strategy a tedious nightmare. The worst thing is that the cards disappear after you use them, which makes fighting bosses a real hassle.
Of course, the updated art style is beautiful and the dialogue is fun. However, the plot isn't that great and this entry lacked the charm seen in most previous titles.
If you continue from here, things start to get a little dangerous. Most people would agree that Color Splash and Sticker Star are the least fun games on the list. However, people have very strong opinions about the order in which the top four Paper Mario games should be placed.
4. Superpapier Mario Nintendo Wii (2007)
The fan community is divided on this entry. On the one hand, Super Paper Mario offers hilarious dialogue. I'm not exaggerating here; This game has some of the ridiculously funniest lettering I've ever come across in a video game. You can also travel with a star-studded crew, including Mario, Bowser, Peach, and Luigi. The best thing about this team is that each member has unique skills and problem-solving talents that help them get through each level. Also, there is a story between the characters which adds a lot of fun to the different settings.
However, instead of just having a traditional RPG combat system used in the previous two games, this game also features a unique platform RPG combat style. The combat system is less challenging than previous games, which is a big disappointment. And while some aspects of the game are genuinely fun, some miss the mark and just seem weird (in a bad way). Also, at times it seems that the plot has not been fully developed, and the writers use excess dialogue as filler instead of plot development.
Super Paper Mario is unique in that it allows players to manipulate the viewport to see the world in 2D or 3D. Initially, players loved this feature as it offers some unique puzzle-solving situations. However, the game hardly ever takes full advantage of this mechanic, so the missed opportunity makes it seem like a gimmick.
3. Paper Mario: The King of Origami Nintendo Switch (2020)
The Origami King has some of the silliest dialogue in the entire series, with plenty of moments to make you laugh. However, the story also has surprisingly serious moments that tug at your emotions and add more depth to this adventure than others. Also, the companions are back, even if they look a bit generic. They offer specific puzzle-solving skills that were missing in some previous games in the series, but are still limited compared to the first two Paper Mario games.
You can travel to several new locations that are full of character. Also, this game features origami and paper mache villains to fight against. The clever visual stunts and tricks they perform are extremely entertaining to watch.
The biggest bone of contention lies in the game's unique but bizarre battle ring system. Most players love it or reallyAs a matter of factI hate it. Basically, you have to solve a puzzle within a certain number of moves to get a chance to attack. While this is fun at first, it gets pretty tedious after a few rounds. This is especially true in boss fights, which require you to find specific maze-like paths through this ring system in order to hit them.
2. Papier Mario Nintendo 64 (2001)
This was the first Paper Mario game ever. At a time when 3D graphics were all new and exciting, she brought things back to basics with her simple paper aesthetic. It also allowed us to experience the Mushroom Kingdom in a turn-based RPG that we hadn't seen since the SNES era with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. There's a lot to love with the simple turn-based combat style, the various companions that Mario travels with, and the many hidden goodies that players can find just by playing the game.
This game is full of charm and class, plus it changes the whole thing about Bowser's kidnapping of Peach, as you get to play as a princess at the beginning of each chapter. I loved the princess sequences, whether it was sneaking around the castle gathering information on the Koopa King's next move or bribing a shy fat man by baking a strawberry shortcake. The plot is excellent and the characters are super funny.
1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Nintendo Game Cube (2004)
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door took what the original N64 game brought to the table and added it in a great way. There are many fun travel companions for Mario to meet, each with their own looks and abilities. The turn-based RPG combat system is challenging and fun. There are also many unique badges to find that help the player influence Mario's fighting style and his companions' abilities. Adjusting your attacks is very rewarding and can help make fighting a lot more enjoyable. As if that wasn't enough, the plot is perfect.
Similar to the original game, players control Princess Peach between chapters. This time it's not Bowser, but a mysterious new enemy named Sir Grodus who has kidnapped her. Peach does everything to undermine Sir Grodus' crew, the X-Nauts. She also meets TEC-XX, a computer who decides to help her email Mario to learn what love is. It may sound cheesy, but these interactions are some of the most entertaining you'll experience in the game.
While Peach is busy undermining things from inside the enemy fortress, Mario and company are determined to save the princess and bring peace to the land. You can visit so many fun places and meet exciting characters. During the game, players have to fight various interesting bosses, including ghosts, evil pirates, a dragon, and various other villains. There are more puzzles to solve and more secrets to discover. With a great storyline, fun travel companions, witty dialogue, and an entertaining combat system, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door really isn't just the best Paper Mario game, it's also one of the best RPGs of all time.
the last cut
there you go; the six Paper Mario games from worst to best. With any luck, we'll soon see HD ports for each of these games on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Lots of retro goodness under one roof.
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack gives players access to the original Paper Mario game that started it all.
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Cardigan spear
game editor
Gaming fan Rebecca Spear is iMore's Dedicated Games Editor, focusing on Nintendo Switch and iOS games. You'll never see her around without her Switch or iPad Air. If you have questions about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or any other Nintendo series, read their guides to help you. Rebecca has written thousands of articles over the past six years, including hundreds of in-depth game guides, previews, and reviews for Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and keeps an eye out for the next big trend.
FAQs
Which Paper Mario game is the hardest? ›
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Read on to find out which are the hardest.
- 1 Bonetail (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)
- 2 Shadow Queen (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door) ...
- 3 Shadoo (Super Paper Mario) ...
Paper Mario All-Stars is an RPG action-adventure platformer game collection, planned for release for the Nintendo Switch on March 16, 2023. It is a collection of all 6 Paper Mario games with a new 7th one, Paper Mario: The Dream Elementals, along with a music player.
Why is Paper Mario 64 so good? ›It's a brilliant way to keep players engaged in the action and eliminate the button mashing that can plague some RPG battles. Battles wouldn't mean much without a fun world and story for motivation, and Paper Mario delivers here as well.
What is the coolest Mario game? ›- Super Mario 64 (1996) ...
- Mario Party 3 (2000) ...
- Super Mario Sunshine (2002) Nintendo. ...
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) Mario Wiki. ...
- Super Mario Strikers (2005) Mario Wiki. ...
- Super Mario Maker (2015) Nintendo. ...
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) Nintendo. ...
- Super Mario Odyssey (2017) Nintendo.
The original Paper Mario, released in Japan as Mario Story and originally known as Super Mario RPG 2, was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000/2001 to positive media reaction and commercial success.
Are all Paper Mario games connected? ›During development, Paper Mario was envisioned as a sequel to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Later on, the game was changed to have no connections to Super Mario RPG.
Should I play Paper Mario in order? ›Each Paper Mario game stands on its own, so you're not required to play the previous entries.
Which Mario is easiest? ›1 Easiest: Super Mario 64
Much like playing the drums, this game is easy to pick up, but tough to master when it comes to getting every Star and really finding a rhythm. Completing Super Mario 64's base game is not especially difficult and should be doable even by those who are new to gaming.
Mario Kart Revealed As Most Stressful Video Game Based on Heart Rate Increase. Mario Kart has been ranked the number one game for getting pulses racing, according to a new study.
What is the 100th Mario game? ›...
| Mario Party: The Top 100 | |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 10, 2017 December 22, 2017 December 22, 2017 December 28, 2017 December 28, 2017 December 28, 2017 |
| Genre | Party |
What is the 9th Mario game? ›
Mario Party 9 is the ninth home console installment of the Mario Party series and the second and final installment for the Wii.
Is Paper Luigi playable? ›Luigi is a character who appears in the Paper Mario series. He appears in all three games, but plays a major role in Super Paper Mario as a playable character.
How long to beat Paper Mario 1? ›When focusing on the main objectives, Paper Mario is about 23 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 33½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.
What is the 69 collectable in Paper Mario? ›You read that headline correctly - the 69th (nice) collectible in Paper Mario: The Origami King is based on Toad's giant dong. The collectible's phallic semblance was originally spotted over at Polygon a couple of days ago.
Why is Paper Mario dark? ›As you have noted, it can be dark-humored (Dimentio) and sad (the tragedy of Timpani and Blumiere). As to why this is the case, the simplest answer would be that it is the way it is because its creators wanted it to be that way.
Who is the coolest Mario enemy? ›1. Koopa Troopa. No other enemy in the Super Mario franchise is as iconic as the Koopa Troopa, the sewer turtles that serve Bowser, the biggest reptile of them all.
What is the fastest Mario game? ›Speedrunners jump ever closer to the absolute perfect run. Super Mario Bros. now has a new speedrun record. With a new time of 4:54.798, prolific Mario speedrunner Niftski just shaved off 0.083 seconds from their previous world record run of 4:54.881--a difference of just five in-game frames.
What is the hardest Mario ROM? ›Kaizo Mario World 3, the final game in the series, is widely considered to be the hardest human-beatable Super Mario World Kaizo hack in existence, being very notable for its final boss fight featuring heavy RNG.
Is Mario or Luigi older? ›Luigi is portrayed as the taller, younger brother of Mario, and is usually seen dressed in a green shirt, dark blue overalls, and a green hat with a green "L" insignia.
Is Mario older than Sonic? ›Mario came earlier than sonic. In fact sega created a few other mascots such as alex kid to compete with the plumber before eventually settling on sonic.
Does Paper Mario have a secret ending? ›
Paper Mario: The Origami King Secret Ending, Explained
The Secret Ending differs from the original ending in that it still follows the characters having a festival in Toad Town and entering the colorful city, where Bowser and the rest of his bad guy buddies are partying now that the Origami King has been felled.
Since The Thousand-Year Door, the series has moved away from introducing original character designs to focus on existing characters, and more of Mario's main cast. Unloved follow-up Super Paper Mario ditched companions completely for its dimension-hopping platforming gameplay.
Why is Paper Mario silent? ›Why do your Mario and Luigi talk while Paper Mario remains silent in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam? Nintendo: There is a rule that the Paper Mario series is silent, and while Mario & Luigi don't actually talk, they have voices, so it is simply that we did not change this rule.
What happens if you read the diary in Paper Mario? ›tells Mario to retrieve his diary because he can't leave his room for unknown reasons. However, if Mario reads his diary, reguardless where he is on the train, Ghost T. will appear next to him and curse him.
What does Mario hate the most Paper Mario 64? ›When you're discovered, Bowser will ask you the things Mario hates most. The things you choose will actually appear in the next chapter, so choose the items, rather than the enemies. In other words, pick the Mushroom, Thunder Rage and Super Soda. After you're done with that, Peach's scenario will end.
What is Paper Mario called in Japan? ›In Japan, Paper Mario is called Mario Story.
What Mario game is no longer sold? ›On Wednesday, Nintendo stopped selling Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a compilation of classic Mario games. Shops are allowed to sell their remaining stock but won't receive more, and the game will no longer be available on the Nintendo Switch's eShop. The Japanese video game publisher also took down Super Mario Bros.
What is the most kid friendly Mario game? ›Mario Kart Deluxe 8 is a game that's suitable for kids, teens and adults alike. It becomes even more fun and challenging when played against family members or friends.
What is the hardest boss in Paper Mario? ›1 Crystal King Can Copy Himself
Just before the final chapter of Paper Mario, players will face off against the game's most challenging boss: The Crystal King. What makes Crystal King such a difficult boss is his ability to create other enemies and even copy himself.
Ah, yes, Lava Bubbles. The most annoying Mario enemy of them all. In this game, they only appear in a level called Lethal Lava Land, and that description couldn't be closer to the truth. It's impossible to kill them, and they try their hardest to infiltrate Mario's path.
What are the oldest Mario enemies? ›
Goombas /ˈɡuːmbə/, known in Japan as Kuribō, are a fictional mushroom-like species from Nintendo's Mario franchise. They first appeared in the NES video game Super Mario Bros. as the first enemy players encounter. They have appeared outside video games, including in film, television, and other media.
Who is the saddest Mario characters? ›Yes, Bobbery is probably the most depressing companion in the Mario games. Let's discuss! You first meet Bobbery in the prologue to chapter 5, and you need him to help navigate the cruel ocean to get to Keelhaul Key. Of course, in paper Mario fashion, you have to convince Bobbery to come with you.
Is Mario 35 gone? ›35 service will end on March 31st, 2021, and will no longer be playable, even if you still have the game downloaded on your Nintendo Switch console.
How rare is Mario 64? ›Super Mario 64 is not a particularly rare game; Nintendo sold millions of copies since it was first released in 1996. But the majority of those copies of Super Mario 64 don't have a 9.8 Wata rating — a score from the video game grading company that means the quality is near perfect, in both production and preservation.
Is Mario 50 years old? ›But a newly unearthed interview with his creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, says that in fact the only thing definitely true about the character is that he in his mid 20s. Discussing the creation of the character in an interview on the Nintendo website, Mr Miyamoto said that Mario is just “24 or 25” years old.
What is the OG Mario game? ›Super Mario Bros. was first released in Japan on Friday the 13th of September 1985, for the Family Computer (Famicom). It was released later that year in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
What is World 8 in Mario? ›World 8 is the eighth and final world of Super Mario Bros. In World 8, three ground levels are traversed, as well as the final castle level, which has an underwater section. World 8 is the only world in Super Mario Bros. without any checkpoints; the player is sent to the start of the level if defeated.
What is World 8 on Mario 64? ›Shifting Sand Land is an ancient Egyptian-based course and the eighth course appearing in Super Mario 64 and its remake, Super Mario 64 DS. Its name may be a reference to the "Shifting Sands," one of the magical, impassable deserts that surround the Land of Oz in L.
Why is there no paper luigi in paper jam? ›Paper Luigi was planned to be playable in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam but was taken out because the team thought it would be too difficult to control four separate characters.
Can you play as Rosalina? ›All you need to do to unlock Rosalina is beat World Star-2. From there, you'll be able to play as Rosalina and utilize her unique spin attack in any level in the game.
Is there a ghost game like Paper Mario? ›
The Outbound Ghost is this adorable Paper Mario-meets-Undertale turn-based RPG developed by the Switzerland-based studio Conradical Games. You play as an amnesiac ghost who, in the apparition-riddled town of Outbound, helps other ghosts find peace and ascend to heaven.
What is the number 1 best Mario game? ›1. Super Mario Odyssey. Super Mario Odyssey is the best Super Mario game of all time. Developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey was released in 2017 and follows Mario and Cappy on their journey across numerous worlds in search of Princess Peach.
Is the new Paper Mario worth it? ›Paper Mario: The Origami King is a great game that makes some silly mistakes that echo the missteps from previous Paper Mario installments. The issue isn't that developer Intelligent Systems ruined the fun with some of its choices (it's still fun).
Why is Paper Mario Origami King so good? ›Though the ring battle system isn't the best, being able to explore a gorgeous world filled with a crafted aesthetic and hilarious NPCs definitely makes The Origami King worth buying. There are plenty of over-world puzzles to solve as you delve into various themed dungeons.
Is Paper Mario still good? ›Paper Mario still holds as one of the best turn-based RPGs ever created. The combat would be even more refined in the GameCube sequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
What is the 69th Mario game? ›The game is called Mario Kart 69 because it's the 69th installment in the Mario Kart series. Yoshi's Falls is the only Retro Track that is not from the N64 installment.
What happens when you 100% Super Paper Mario? ›After defeating all 100 Sammer Guys, King Sammer rewards the team with seven Catch Cards. These cards all contain a party member from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, one for Goombella, Koops, Madame Flurrie, Yoshi, Vivian, Admiral Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz.
Who is the villain in Paper Mario Origami? ›King Olly, also known by his title Origami King, or simply Olly, is the leader of the Folded Soldiers and the main antagonist of Paper Mario: The Origami King. He is the elder brother of Olivia, although Olly was also the one who brought Olivia to life.
Is Bowser in Origami King? ›Paper Mario: The Origami King
Folded Bowser acts as a partner in the Origami Castle. In battle, he helps by breathing fire at foes in a line, for 50 damage - however, it is fire-based, so the damage may vary against certain enemies. He has a small chance of breathing a puff of smoke instead, which does nothing.
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Every Boss Fight In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Ranked
- 1 King Olly.
- 2 Ice Vellumental. ...
- 3 Water Vellumental. ...
- 4 Paper Macho Gooper Blooper. ...
- 5 Scissors. ...
- 6 Hole Punch. ...
- 7 Mega Paper Macho Pokey. ...
Is Paper Mario 64 a good game? ›
Paper Mario is the best RPG for Nintendo 64, and moreover, a great entry into the genre versus any system. While the cute, simplified look of the game and its similarly colorful mascot characters may turn off those looking for a Final Fantasy killer, it'd be a huge mistake to pass this title up for that reason alone.