Paper Mario Series

[1upmushroom]

I love this series! This is probably the funniest of all the Mario RPG games. I love the characters, the items, the story, the humor, and the paper graphics. All of it is gorgeus.

The only problem I might have is that the first 2 Paper Mario games are the exact same game, the goal is the same, the bosses are similar, the puzzels are similar, even the new characters are just clones of the original sidekick characters.


But noth games are still good, and while many people bash Super Paper Mario for being completely different, I like them all which includes Super Paper Mario. Especially since it actually is a iferent gam, and not a reclash of Paper Mario.

But what do you think of this great series? Is it funny? Boring? Stupid?

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

Love it.

TTYD was the first one I played, and remains my favorite. Once the original was available on Virtual Console, I dove right in, and enjoyed it quite a bit as well.

In between was Super Paper Mario, which-- while fun-- simply didn't endear itself to me quite as much as the other two. Comparatively speaking, it was kind of lacking for characters, especially in terms of design. The Pixls, after their initial lines, wind up playing no role whatsoever, which was disappointing.

Additionally, with all of the multidimensional focus, I wish there had been more variety in design. Instead, nearly everyone (major villains aside) looked like they came from Flipside.

Really looking forward to Paper Mario on 3DS, and I hope it continues the tradition TTYD started of having an aftergame, too. I never finished the one in TTYD, but I absolutely loved that the game would let you keep playing in the world where the big bad had been defeated. I just wish more characters beyond the city limits of Rogueport would have had new lines to reflect the event.

[1upmushroom]

Anyone play Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door? Great writing, neat characters, improved puzzle elements, add to that, there's much more to do even after the game is finished. Plus the game is also darker than Paper Mario with things like posession, arson, murder, ghosts, abandoned cities, tragic backstories, dry bones, demons, genocide , and of course, a crappy town as a hub world.

But even then the game still doesn't take itself seriously when it doesn't need to and there's still that trademark Paper Mario humor that a common staple in the series. I highly recommend this game to everyone who enjoys paper Mario and Mario in general.

[Phlibbit]

Both the original Paper Mario and its GCN sequel are great! Just don't get me started on Super Paper Mario.

[1upmushroom]

What is everyones beef with Super Paper Mario?! Is it really that bad of a game? I mean sure it's not like the other Paper Mario games but it's still like a Mario game.

[Phlibbit]

It's not like a game at all. It's more like a bad story that never ends.

Have you played it?

[1upmushroom]

Yes, in fact I used to own it and play it. Sadly my Wii got broken and I moved on to Sony.

I really didn't think it was half bad. I thought it was actually kind of sad believe it or not but maybe that's just me. I don't know. Ijust don't think it deserves the bad rap it gets. Then again I also think Hotel Mario isn't as bad as everyl.e says so what do I matter?

[Phlibbit]

1up, your opinion is completely valid. It's just my opinion that Super Paper Mario is bullcrap. Overall, I think what bothered me the most is that the game got so wrapped up in its own "Paper Mario" style and story structure that they let the "game" part of it fall by the wayside. It's like an RPG with 90% cutscenes and talking to people and 10% gameplay.

The new entry for the 3DS, however, looks like it could bring some great things to the table.

[1upmushroom]

Yeah it seems like they're going for a more SMRPG style than last time. I kind of missed that style.

Though the lack of party members is a bit lame.

Just for discussions sake what is everyone's favorite chapter for each game?

For Paper Mario my favorite chapter is the dry dry desert one. It has some good music with a cool boss.

For Paper Mario 2 it's a tie between chapters 3 and 6. 3 because of the cool setup andnice intermission with Bowser. And 6 because again the setup and also the wonderfully clueless Penington with the improbably large brain.

I haven't played or seen all of Super Paper Mario.

[ultimateemail5000]

I'm honestly glad they got rid of the partners. To me none of them are memorable, plain, and dull. The only two I really like are the Bomb and Parakoopa. So not having partners in the 3DS one is great with me. But if you look when Mario gets a star there's a little silver crown next to him. So there might be some kind of partner.

I just beat SMRPG for 6th time completely and I just want a Mario RPG in this style again. Nintendo and Square Enix really need to get back together and make a love baby that is SMRPG2. Even though that was PM original title.

Since were on the subject of SMRPGs. Wouldn't it be fun if they made a free MMORPG style Mario game where you chose a class of Koopa, Plumber, Kinopi, Yoshi or Princess, build your own character and play. Im not a big fan of those style of games but I'd definetly play a Mario one.

[Redstar]

I just beat SMRPG for 6th time completely and I just want a Mario RPG in this style again. Nintendo and Square Enix really need to get back together and make a love baby that is SMRPG2. Even though that was PM original title.

The Mario & Luigi series is generally considered to be the true successor to the original SMRPG in both gameplay and theme, especially because developer company AlphaDream is composed of many former employees of Square-Enix.

[Phlibbit]

I agree. The Paper Mario series has evolved into its own franchise, and was pretty far removed from SMRPG anyway. The M&L series is extremely good for what it is, although I feel like the story gets in the way sometimes and the gameplay gets repetitive on occasion.

[ultimateemail5000]

I know that the same people who mad SMRPG made ML but its still not as good. The first one was fun, but its no SMRPG. SMRPG is actually challenging and hard. Especially with the defense action commands. They pamper everyone with the new games.

[Redstar]

I wouldn't consider the original SMRPG to be very difficult; sure, compared to the Paper Mario games it's somewhat harder, but it's really just a matter of grinding early and equipping the right armor/weapons.

[IbanezJFS]

Im not a big fan of the Paper Mario Series. I played the one for the Wii....Way to much dialog and not enough game play. And it was confusing...at least for me.

[1upmushroom]

Then again, not only have you played only of the games in the series, you've played the worst recieved as well. I highly suggest playing Paper Mario or it's highly superior sequel The Thousand Year Door.

[AndrewTheBeatnik]

I really wish I would have gotten into that series when I was younger. Unfortunately I have kind of lost interest in Mario RPG games, Super Mario 64 being an exception.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

...Super Mario 64 is an RPG?

Man, that term really is losing all meaning...

[AndrewTheBeatnik]

Call it what you like. It's just a great adventure game that I can't get enough of.

[ultimateemail5000]

I just got sticker star yesterday and I am realy enjoying it. I like that it has a world map, and set up with out experience points, badges what not. Rather the stickers act as badges somewhat, and they are what you use for attacks. It's no Mario RPG, or the first paper mario, but it's better than Thousand Year door, and SPM.

[Phlibbit]

Great! That's what I wanted to hear. As long as it's better than SPM, anything else is a bonus. Hopefully I'll get it for Christmas : )

[ultimateemail5000]

Great! That's what I wanted to hear. As long as it's better than SPM, anything else is a bonus. Hopefully I'll get it for Christmas : )

I suggest downloading it from eshop so you get donkey kong special edition with the pie factory level...even though it takes 3-4 weeks!

[Phlibbit]

I downloaded the new Art Academy game, the day it was released. But for some reason, I still haven't received my download code.

I emailed Nintendo about it and they said everything is good and I would get my code in the 3-4 week period. But it's now been over 5.

[ultimateemail5000]

What a bunch of crooks, I really hope that doesn't happen with mine. I read that they add new animations with DK grabbing Pauline and climbing the latter. I'd realy like to play the Cement/pie factory again.

[Phlibbit]

The funny thing is, Nintendo sent me that response knowing full well that it had already been past the 4 week mark. That's the exact reason I was e-mailing them.

[ultimateemail5000]

The funny thing is, Nintendo sent me that response knowing full well that it had already been past the 4 week mark. That's the exact reason I was e-mailing them.

That makes them look real bad. I just got my girlfriend Style Savvy download as well, I wonder if I will get two download codes.

[ultimateemail5000]

I just beat the new on 3DS, there's still a lot to do in it though, but nothing a lot. You can collect stickers and donate them to a museum, and find allthe "thing" objects. Other than that, it was a short game. i think I have 16 hours in mine.

[Redstar]

How does the story hold up? And is it completely true that you don't have any partners throughout the adventure?

[ultimateemail5000]

How does the story hold up? And is it completely true that you don't have any partners throughout the adventure?

The story felt more like a SMB game, where as in other Paper Mario games, you can't play as Peach, and Bowser after every crown you collect, and there isn't really a story, or in game jokes like dissing Luigi. It's a short game with only 6 worlds, world 3 has 12 levels, where as every other level has atleast up to 6.

It is true, you don't get a single partner unless you count that silver crown that hides behind Mario and can give tips, or she talks to for Mario. Other than that, there is nothing else, the game felt rushed and not handled with care. But it was still a fun play. It really feels like they were lazy with it. Maybe one day Nintendo will team with Square Enix again, and make a true SMRPG2.

[Redstar]

This answers my question: on the latest Iwata Asks they discuss the influence Miyamoto had on the game's design, chiefly the fact that he told them not to focus on the story due to the reception of Super Paper Mario. Rather unfortunate.

Iwata: Miyamoto-san really persevered with Paper Mario this time. Exactly what was he particular about?

Tanabe: Aside from wanting us to change the atmosphere a lot, there were two main things that Miyamoto-san said from the start of the project-"It's fine without a story, so do we really need one?" and "As much as possible, complete it with only characters from the Super Mario world.

Iwata: That's a difficult task. In some ways that would be the exact opposite direction from recent games in the series.

Tanabe: Yeah. With regard to the story, we did a survey over the Super Paper Mario24 game in Club Nintendo25, and not even 1% said the story was interesting. A lot of people said that the Flip26 move for switching between the 3D and 2D dimensions was fun.

Iwata: That project came together because of that idea. Kudo-san, you were in charge of the script, so what did you think about whether a story was really necessary or not?

Kudo: I originally saw it in a way that's similar to Miyamoto-san. Personally I think all we need is to have an objective to win the boss battle at the end of the game. I didn't think we necessarily needed a lengthy story like in an RPG. Instead, we looked at the characteristics of a portable game that can be played little by little in small pieces and packed in lots of little episodes and ideas. I always did like putting in little ideas, so I actually enjoyed it.

[ultimateemail5000]

That exlains everything. I'm realy starting to think that Miyamoto shouldn't be involved with Mario games anymore. It's obvious he knows everyone will buy it and steal our money. The more I think of the new game, I just regret buying it honestly. Sure he created so much, and taught so much to everyone, but I don't care for his none story ideas in game. We are in a age where game need a good story, to flow with the good game play. That's atleast in IMO.

[Phlibbit]

Redstar beat me to posting about that Iwata Asks! I thought that was a very interesting statement from Miyamoto, considering his thoughts on the movie. Not to mention the fact that the Paper Mario/Mario & Luigi games are the only ones that really focus on story these days.

Still, knowing that it doesn't focus on story and that there (apparently?) aren't partners, badges, or EXP makes me strangely curious and excited to pick this game up and try it out when I get a chance.

[ultimateemail5000]

IGN added this image of the first Paper Mario conecpt image for PM on the 64 (then called SMRPG2) I realy like this idea and would have liked to see more of it.

[Redstar]

That's new! I really, really like the design aesthetic behind it. You wouldn't think that the SMW sprites would work so well with the background and other characters, but they do.

MarioWiki has a collection of beta artwork and graphics that is fairly complete. All of it is from later iterations of the game, though, in which the design aesthetic is closer to how the final game looks.

[ultimateemail5000]

MarioWiki has a collection of beta artwork and graphics that is fairly complete. All of it is from later iterations of the game, though, in which the design aesthetic is closer to how the final game looks.

I remember they showed those off in like 97, and they would delay the game for so many years. Then finally in 2001 they released it. I remember one time it was set to release on December 26 2000 on my birthday, then it was delayed.

[Redstar]

I first heard about Paper Mario through the TV commercials, which were really fun and original. I didn't even know about Super Mario RPG until a couple years later when I picked it up at a used gaming store (FunCo Land?). I actually didn't play it for another few years after that since I didn't realize how good a game it was.

Having played both now it's really re-shaped my view of the Paper Mario series. Just knowing the origins of the property within that genre has given me a frame-of-reference on what to expect.

[Metroidan]

I've played all three and consider The Thousand-Year Door to be the best of the series. It just improves on the formula enough to make it a new experience without being something completely separate. I'd play it again and again more often than I'd re-play the first Paper Mario or even RPG.

[Clous]

I just can't re-play the first Paper Mario at all. It's too simple a game for me to consider it a real challenge. I do enjoy The Thousand-Year Door, but as an avid gamer of WoW and LoL I consider the Paper Mario series beneath me. I would never even try RPG, even despite my brothers constantly telling me how good a title it is.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

Your loss, man.

Anyway, TTYD is my favorite, but I did play PM when it came to Virtual Console (after SPM), and still enjoyed it-- it made the whole PM experience (64, TTYD, SPM) feel "complete" somehow.

[Happy Russia]

I would never even try RPG

That's just blasphemous. Mario RPG is one of the greatest rpgs ever made, hands down. If you crave a challenge, it's for you. It's classic Squaresoft at their best.