All Paper Mario Games, Ranked

Nothing like chit-chat one of the good Mario set of games . Here are all the Paper Mario game , ranked .

It ’s been more than 20 age of Paper Mario chronicle , and while we are still hope for a newfangled entry in the franchise , it still occupy a very crucial piazza in the sum of Mario and RPG fans . Today , we will take a look at all the Paper Mario games and outrank them from worst to best .

One disclaimer though : while superior game usually tend to give the first entries on the list a bad look , in the case of Paper Mario , they are all worthy of your fourth dimension and bring a mint of positive aspects and memorable moment . Think about them as the “ least dependable ” entree in the Paper Mario logical argument of game . With that said , let ’s get start !

Ranking criteria

Since these ranking tend to be more on the subjective side , I tried to collect both my in - game experience as well as the consensus between the fans and the critics for each of these game to decide which one is the best out of these . That mean analyzing online cackle , user and site review , in - biz mechanics and , of form , a niggling number of nostalgia .

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Out of all the entree in this list , Sticker Star is the only hand-held Paper Mario plot . It is also the first entry in the franchise that started to add together major mechanics that defined the gameplay and also the title . actor get to encounter Stickers as a means of completing a ingathering , but also to use them actively during turn of events - base combat . Sticker Star also change the classic looks of the dealership by incorporating a papercraft aesthetic .

With that being said , review and overall reception were all over the position . The service of the struggle system of rules in party favor of the use of the unexampled Stickers was a grievous point of critique . After all , what ’s an RPG game without a traditional fighting system of rules like the previous games ? This is n’t a bad game at all , but in the magisterial scheme of thing , Sticker Star is just the first plot that was n’t a real universal hitting . This top us to …

Paper Mario: Color Splash

Speaking about changing the chemical formula ! Color Splash launched for the Wii U — yes , that thing existed — and saw the regaining of the Paper Mario enfranchisement to home consoles after 13 years . Since everything Wii U was about incorporating the huge and interactional handheld that come with it — which was a console - sized behemoth — Color Splash sport gameplay that was designed around it . Say goodbye to Stickers and hello to trading cards which you could pick in your Wii U control concealment ! Hooray !

Well , the same criticism that haunted Sticker Star also applies to Color Splash . I intend , why would you try again a formula that was n’t particularly loved by fan before ? I imagine this : “ try me out , why do n’t we take the stickers out , and then employ board instead ? ” Genius , correct ? Well , not really . Again , this is n’t a dud at all , but I recommend playing the other entries in the franchise . you could even trifle the newest one !

Paper Mario: The Origami King

If you want to talk about generate back in shape , then The Origami King might be right up your alley . The latest entry in the Paper Mario enfranchisement is a breeze of overbold air after a couple of entries that were simply not on par with the lineament we all know and love about our favorite newspaper plumber . While there is a newfangled concept standardised to the premature entries that change the formula — in this case , origami — a more traditional turn - base combat system of rules comes back but with a twist : now you fight inside a 360 ring which add some more tactical thought to your binge .

This is the go - to secret plan for those who require to plunk a character Paper Mario game on the Nintendo Switch . While it is n’t the best of the bunch — I have in mind , it is competing against giants in the gaming landscape painting — Origami King should be come for its reintroduction of right familiar and its consolidation of the origami theme .

Super Paper Mario

Super Paper Mario is the attempt of Nintendo to change the formula of the franchise introduced by the first two game . They succeeded by sacrifice some RPG elements in favor of traditional platforming . The utilisation of perspective by changing from a 2D to a 3D perspective in actual - time is center candy for me and many lover . Moreover , the narrative and floor design of Super Paper Mario is one of the bountiful highlight not only of this game but of all games that preceded and succeeded it except for one .

With that being tell , this game is not without unfavorable judgment . Many begrudge the fact that fellow were replaced by Pìxls , a metal money created by the Tribe of the Ancients that have a divers selection of acquirement and powers . While entertaining , they miss the iconic status of companions such as Parakarry , Goombario , Koops , and every political party member that preceded this game . Game design - wise , players tend to sheer towards the 2D aspect of the gameplay , with the 3D one feel a number lackluster and barren at times .

Paper Mario

There is nothing like the classics , and I can not stress enough the hr and fun I had with this one . The original Paper Mario was the return to the RPG genre after the release ofSuper Mario RPGback in 1996 . Each encounter , each party member , and the iconic aesthetic of this classic were groundbreaking at the time . Many fans still consider this one of the most iconic game of all time . There are factor from Super Mario RPG like the activeness overlook that make this a ghostlike successor to what we see in the SNES – after all , Paper Mario was conceived first as a sequel .

This is almost a perfect game in my eyes , but I can see its story not being as strong as other entering in this list . However , this is still the highest - range game by critic and the 2nd fan - favorite biz . Only second to …

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

What has been said about the original Paper Mario can be said about The Thousand - Year Door , but even more . Story - wise , this is arguably the best incoming in the franchise , and it keep the same iconic party members and gameplay automobile mechanic that made Paper Mario what it is . The addition of badge and consumables make stats a piece of information to be considered when project your moves . This is also debate the climax of the original formula due to the subsequent changes that the dealership suffered throughout the years .

There is nothing that can be said negatively about this game , and the amount of hype that accept place when the remaking was announced in 2023 is a will to that . Just do yourself a favor and pick it up when it drops on May 23 , 2024 . you could also test the other ones on the list , of course . As say before , there are n’t any Paper Mario games that can be considered trash or anything that resembles it . With that enounce , Paper Mario andPaper Mario : The Thousand - Year Doorare a must , so prioritise them when you pick the next Mario game you care to play .