Paper Mario: Sticker Star

 3DS
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 613 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 221 out of 613
  2. Mixed: 161 out of 613
  3. Negative: 231 out of 613
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  1. PhoneTheo
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Honestly I don't think this game deserves so much hate. Yes it's not as good as the previous paper mario games but this game still manages to be fun and entertaining. The graphics are cool, the characters are good enough and the whole sticker gimick is interesting and not as annoying as people say. The only issue is the lack of EXP/Levels you really don't have a good incentive to fightHonestly I don't think this game deserves so much hate. Yes it's not as good as the previous paper mario games but this game still manages to be fun and entertaining. The graphics are cool, the characters are good enough and the whole sticker gimick is interesting and not as annoying as people say. The only issue is the lack of EXP/Levels you really don't have a good incentive to fight because you lose stickers and barely earn much coins to make them worth.

    Other than that this game is really fun and definitely is worth your time.

    P.S I played this game as my first paper mario game so maybe that's why I didn't hate is as much.    … Expand
  2. philsom
    Jun 15, 2023
    8
    Actually the first Paper Mario i actually beat so i didnt have very high standards and i do have some good memories of it, enjoyed it very much as a kid and loved the art style. But seeing it back now some things just dont make sense for an RPG turn based game.
  3. DantaeC
    May 14, 2023
    8
    I first experienced the game when I got it for my birthday, And this game has a reason to exist in the Paper Mario series. I give it a 8/10
  4. Larxi
    Feb 3, 2023
    8
    Buena aproximación del mundo de Paper Mario a la consola 3DS, muy divertido de jugar como viene a ser habitual en todos los Paper,con un gran uso del 3D precioso que hace que te detengas en algún escenario a contemplar el paisaje y su profundidad Una historia divertida con una gran compañera, una banda sonora bastante agradable y un buen repertorio de niveles lleno de secretos y diferentesBuena aproximación del mundo de Paper Mario a la consola 3DS, muy divertido de jugar como viene a ser habitual en todos los Paper,con un gran uso del 3D precioso que hace que te detengas en algún escenario a contemplar el paisaje y su profundidad Una historia divertida con una gran compañera, una banda sonora bastante agradable y un buen repertorio de niveles lleno de secretos y diferentes rutas para ir.
    Lo peor es que la historia a pesar de divertida es muy simple (la más simple de todos los Paper) y también que sin una guía, a veces descubrir por donde tienes que ir, que objeto tienes que usar o que tienes que hacer con ese boss que no se muere porque tienes que usar un objeto determinado, puedes perderte con facilidad y estar dando vueltas sin ningún tipo de pista. Por lo demás muy recomendable y divertido.    … Expand
  5. Nevu_z
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    Nostalga carries this one. love to play this game. The Raft level suck though.
  6. GDChrome
    Dec 31, 2022
    8
    Dont really get the hate for this game, definitley the worst Paper Mario game, but that doesn't mean it's bad. yes, the sticker mechanic is a bit annoying and the game isn't as charming as it could be, but that's where my gripes end. even though I like the regular RPG gameplay of 64 and the thousand year door better, the sticker mechanic still brings a neat sense of inventory managementDont really get the hate for this game, definitley the worst Paper Mario game, but that doesn't mean it's bad. yes, the sticker mechanic is a bit annoying and the game isn't as charming as it could be, but that's where my gripes end. even though I like the regular RPG gameplay of 64 and the thousand year door better, the sticker mechanic still brings a neat sense of inventory management into this game, the writing is still very charming and the level design is still pretty fun. it is the weakest in the series, but if you want a 3DS game, you can do a whole lot worse than Sticker Star… Expand
  7. LoL2134
    May 7, 2022
    8
    OK, I understand you all. Paper Mario lost on quality. Sticker star is actually a good game, but as a Paper Mario not.
  8. PaperMarioFans5
    May 6, 2022
    10
    Many criticize this fourth installment of the series without any valid reason, I can assure you that Paper Mario Sticker Star is more than a great video game; It is a true masterpiece with a fantastic cast of characters and an epic battle system! A beautiful comedy and unique music. I recommended it to all my friends and they loved it.
  9. Qat
    Apr 27, 2022
    10
    Great game. Very original and nice ost. Good ambience. If you’re not one of those old nostalgic rpg players, you will love this game.
  10. Its_Catter
    Feb 8, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In complete honesty: this is a good game, but a bad Paper Mario game. Same for the 2 games that were released after Sticker Star. It is an incredible experience but if you're looking for Paper Mario, you'll only really find that in the 3 prior entries to this series. This game should not be considered absolutely terrible for deviating from the previous Paper Mario games, nor for causing it's two succeeding games to stay in such deviation. This game certainly has it's problems, but ultimately I personally think they don't affect the overall game except for one single mistake which I will address later.

    Let's talk about the positive things about this game first:

    This game, like the prior entries, has great world design, from the castle at the end of world 1 to the mansion during world 4, all of these stages are very nice to look at (and for some reason Paper Mario is one of the only games that can make desert levels fun). And on top of that the soundtrap that goes along with these worlds is incredible, and the boss themes (especially Gooper Blooper's) are incredibly appealing to the ears.

    However the best part of this game are the bosses, every single one of the 6 bosses in this game are incredibly fun to fight, from flambéing Mizzter Blizzard to batting away Tower Power Pokey, to the entirety of Gooper Blooper, every boss is crafted masterfully and it is the best part of the game in my eyes.

    Now onto the negatives:

    There is practically no story or character development to this game, which practically turns this game into Super Mario Bros. than Paper Mario, now for me this doesn't bother me that much when paired with the positives from before, but the story has been a major sticking point for every Paper Mario game prior, so this has angered tens of thousands of fans.

    There's some minor problems I won't go in depth on, like the lack of info on puzzles, the Kamek flip-flop shenanigans, and problems with certain levels. They aren't important here, there is one big issue however that will either make or break your perception of this game. And that comes from what got many people hooked on the first two games.

    The battle system of the first two games is what made the series so beloved to gamers of all stripes and shades. I hope you liked it then because it all the good parts got stripped away here. Liked partners? Gone. Liked level-ups? Gone. Liked stupid status effects for missing one action command? No? Well it's still there. In this game you use stickers that are gone the second you use them, and what do you get when you win? Coins, coins that are given out like candy when not in battle, which practically leaves there no reason to battle enemies if you're not forced to. Maybe it can help if you're trying to empty the store in world 3 of all it's doors but still, what's the point in fighting if you get coins for practically scratching your nose.

    So yeah if you're looking for a good Paper Mario game, you've reached the wrong half of the series. But if you're looking for a good game, with great platforming and incredible bosses, you can find that in this game right here. And to be honest I think the only negative the positives can't outweigh is the effect it has had on the fanbase as a whole. I do think that this game and it's 2 successors are good games but when you compare them to the 3 real Paper Mario games, it's obvious that Sticker Star, Color Splash, and Origami King stand no chance at beating one if the 3 prior games, even when all 3 are combined.    … Expand
  11. William11111
    Jun 1, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece!
    Excellent adventure, unique levels...the list goes on!
    Sure, it might be the same kind of story where Bowser kidnaps Peach again, but its the little things that really makes this game shine!
  12. BandanaDee13
    Jan 18, 2021
    10
    The fourth entry in the beloved Paper Mario series, Sticker Star isn't what many wanted out of the series, being unafraid to break the tried and true traditions of its predecessors. But the result turned out quite brilliantly, in my opinion. Stickers provide a new and engaging way to battle, with nearly 100 different types to chain together and experiment with, and some of the puzzles willThe fourth entry in the beloved Paper Mario series, Sticker Star isn't what many wanted out of the series, being unafraid to break the tried and true traditions of its predecessors. But the result turned out quite brilliantly, in my opinion. Stickers provide a new and engaging way to battle, with nearly 100 different types to chain together and experiment with, and some of the puzzles will certainly give you a run for your money (though some of them are perhaps a little *too* tough). The Mushroom Kingdom may perhaps be a little too familiar a setting for longtime fans, particularly to those that enjoyed the more unique settings of previous Paper Mario entries, but make no mistake--its realms are just as vibrant, colorful, and papery as ever, made even more appealing by the addition of 3D visuals. And perhaps most admirably, the game is continually inventive and always finds new ways to impress throughout the lengthy 30+ hour campaign, amid many witty bits of dialogue that'll ensure you're in for a good laugh.

    It's inevitable that a game that bucks so many traditions will be controversial, especially as a successor to a classic like The Thousand-Year Door. But despite this, Sticker Star gets it right where it matters, and that's in providing you 30 hours of a joyful and colorful adventure--and one you can take with you, too. It has proven difficult for many fans of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube classics to accept Sticker Star's rather unconventional style, but you've truly never played anything like this before and it's absolutely worth a look. As of the time of writing, the game tends to fetch around $20 on eBay, so you certainly don't have to look far, either.    … Expand
  13. DaniloRosales33
    Jan 8, 2021
    10
    Es un juego EXELENTE, divertido y con mecanica de busquedas y combates muy entretenidas, quiero pensar que quienes le dan malas puntuaciones son quienes no la an jugado nunca o muy poco, yo lo he terminado almenos 3 veses y es realmente bueno, Nintendo le puso mucho cariño y cuidado a los graficos, a la historia y los personajes. Finalmente NO, NO ES EL DE CUBO, ninguno lo es, ni el de 64,Es un juego EXELENTE, divertido y con mecanica de busquedas y combates muy entretenidas, quiero pensar que quienes le dan malas puntuaciones son quienes no la an jugado nunca o muy poco, yo lo he terminado almenos 3 veses y es realmente bueno, Nintendo le puso mucho cariño y cuidado a los graficos, a la historia y los personajes. Finalmente NO, NO ES EL DE CUBO, ninguno lo es, ni el de 64, pero es lo que es, y es bueno, exelente diria yo, SALUDOTES Y JUEGUENLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  14. DynamicMutch
    Dec 29, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game had it's problems like the bowser fight requiring very specific mega stickers which was annoying and sometimes it did get pretty repetitive. But I still thought it was a blast to play and to find every secret… Expand
  15. TMTMG
    Sep 7, 2020
    9
    I do really love this game, and I hate that people dislike it. Paper Mario: Sticker Star takes the "paper" idea and runs with it, and does it really well. The only big flaws that really annoy you are the times when the game does a poor job explaining to you what to do. This game looks and feels great for the 3DS. If you like Paper Mario you should play this.
  16. Ningata
    Jul 27, 2020
    9
    Just because it's not the exact same game twice in a row does not mean this game is bad. This broke the mold of the first two original games, and took a new direction for the series, while also taking ideas from the previous games. Just because it's easy doesn't mean its bad, and it has a massive amount of appeal for a new person who wants to get into RPGs, while also being a safe bet forJust because it's not the exact same game twice in a row does not mean this game is bad. This broke the mold of the first two original games, and took a new direction for the series, while also taking ideas from the previous games. Just because it's easy doesn't mean its bad, and it has a massive amount of appeal for a new person who wants to get into RPGs, while also being a safe bet for veterans of RPGS.

    The jazzy music adds a new spin on Paper Mario, and the Mario series in general. The presentation of the game is easily the best of the series, using arts & crafts as its scenery. The game play itself is simple, but it didn't need to take a big risk, it knew what it needed to be.

    The battles themselves are easy, while the boss battles require some thinking behind them, albeit less than there should be. The boss battles are easily the high-light of the games, as the battle system works better than people give it credit for.

    Sticker Star is not a terrible game, nor is it the worst game in the series. Comparing this with a completely different game is an unfair criticism, and does not really explain what can be said about this with a deep discussion.    … Expand
  17. Magmaboy1
    Jul 17, 2020
    9
    With fun combat and great writing this is another excellent addition to the Paper Mario series. While the addition of more story elements would have made the game even better, the story itself is passable. The world while segmented feels connected, but could also feel more inhabited. Overall the game is an entertaining way to spend the 20 or so hours it will take you to beat the game ifWith fun combat and great writing this is another excellent addition to the Paper Mario series. While the addition of more story elements would have made the game even better, the story itself is passable. The world while segmented feels connected, but could also feel more inhabited. Overall the game is an entertaining way to spend the 20 or so hours it will take you to beat the game if you don't feel like working towards the extra content surrounding the main story.… Expand
  18. MC_Swordchucks
    Jul 11, 2020
    9
    As an RPG, I would rate it about a 6, however this game is NOT an RPG. This game is actually an Action-Adventure game.

    As an action adventure game, it actually plays much like BotW in a weird way. The point isn't to mindlessly fight and level up in order to win. The point is to survive, explore, figure out puzzles, and make it to the next area. The only major flaw I have with this game    As an RPG, I would rate it about a 6, however this game is NOT an RPG. This game is actually an Action-Adventure game.

    As an action adventure game, it actually plays much like BotW in a weird way. The point isn't to mindlessly fight and level up in order to win.

    The point is to survive, explore, figure out puzzles, and make it to the next area.

    The only major flaw I have with this game is boss battles. They all pretty much end up the same way, spamming big stickers and/or specific stickers. The mini-boss fights can sometimes be fun or challenging.

    The writing is awesome, Kirsti reminds me of Spirit Tracks Zelda, and the level design is some of the best in any Paper Mario game.

    If you hate this game because it's a bad or mediocre RPG... Try it again with a new mindset. This is an Action-Adventure game.    … Expand
  19. BasilZero
    May 10, 2019
    8
    Game: Paper Mario Sticker Star
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: Intelligent Systems Publisher: Nintendo System: Nintendo 3DS (3DS) Year of Release: 2012 Length of Playthrough: 20 Hours Total Score: 81/100 Value Score: 8.1/10 • Story: 8/10 • Characters: 9/10 • GamePlay: 8/10 • Graphics: 9/10 • Sound: 9/10 • Music: 8/10 • Length: 7/10 • Replay Value: 5/10 • Player Value: 8/10    Game: Paper Mario Sticker Star
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: Intelligent Systems
    Publisher: Nintendo
    System: Nintendo 3DS (3DS)
    Year of Release: 2012
    Length of Playthrough: 20 Hours

    Total Score: 81/100
    Value Score: 8.1/10

    • Story: 8/10
    • Characters: 9/10
    • GamePlay: 8/10
    • Graphics: 9/10
    • Sound: 9/10
    • Music: 8/10
    • Length: 7/10
    • Replay Value: 5/10
    • Player Value: 8/10

    Pros
    +Decent story for the Mario Universe with great character interactions
    +Unique gameplay using stickers in and outside of battles
    +Very lengthy in overall length and large levels of exploration

    Cons
    -Too easy
    -Gameplay is too simple to the point where it has the least amount of mechanics in a RPG (HP is like the only RPG aspect in the game)
    -Replay value is poor with no post game content
    -Too much backtracking and easy to miss items (that would be needed in certain parts of the game)    … Expand
  20. PhantomAnime98
    Dec 28, 2018
    9
    Paper Mario Sticker Star is by all means not a bad game. Granted there are little nicks that even I found lackluster, but that didn't take away from how I feel about the game. The combat was better in this than in Super Paper Mario, which I hate because it is the worst Paper Mario game I ever played, and the story was abid not there but it had some very good bosses and I liked the ideasPaper Mario Sticker Star is by all means not a bad game. Granted there are little nicks that even I found lackluster, but that didn't take away from how I feel about the game. The combat was better in this than in Super Paper Mario, which I hate because it is the worst Paper Mario game I ever played, and the story was abid not there but it had some very good bosses and I liked the ideas they implemented in the game itself. I think that it has a lot of poor reviews mainly because the ones who complain about this game are just hardcore Paper Mario fans who complain about how this game isn't in the same lines as the others and not one complained about Super Paper Mario even though the combat was complete and utter trash. I digress, this is a really good game and I find it enjoyable.… Expand
  21. Kick454
    May 10, 2018
    8
    Unpopular Opinion time! Sticker Star is a great game. Don't kill me.

    Pros: + Artstyle: Paper Mario's artstyles always look good to me. + Gameplay: The combat is... good, but not the best I've seen in a RPG, and definitely not the best Mario gameplay. + Soundtrack: Pretty great. + Level Design: Not bad, not bad at all. Cons: - Puzzles: They're meh at best. - Characters: Toad,    Unpopular Opinion time! Sticker Star is a great game. Don't kill me.

    Pros:
    + Artstyle: Paper Mario's artstyles always look good to me.
    + Gameplay: The combat is... good, but not the best I've seen in a RPG, and definitely not the best Mario gameplay.
    + Soundtrack: Pretty great.
    + Level Design: Not bad, not bad at all.

    Cons:
    - Puzzles: They're meh at best.
    - Characters: Toad, Toad, Toad, where is the differences?
    - Story: ...Bowser Kidnaps things #1020202 without any differences except for a Crown or a Star (I forgot what it was)

    Overall, Paper Mario: Sticker Star is a great Mario game (though nowhere near my top 5) and warrants an 8.5/10 from me.    … Expand
  22. WizardMinecraft
    Apr 25, 2018
    10
    This game is actually good. I wanted to h8 this game but i can't because its's a spin-off what did u expect? but seriously the battle system is good when you don't try to run away every battle you come across. As for the story, its mario what did you expect? have you seen big rigs: over the road racing or sonic 06 or superman 64 or Action 52 or hell bubsy 3D. this is just as if not moreThis game is actually good. I wanted to h8 this game but i can't because its's a spin-off what did u expect? but seriously the battle system is good when you don't try to run away every battle you come across. As for the story, its mario what did you expect? have you seen big rigs: over the road racing or sonic 06 or superman 64 or Action 52 or hell bubsy 3D. this is just as if not more overhated than any of the games i mentioned above, in "fact" this game's hatred is the equivalent to that of how people overrate Zelda: Ocarina of Time.… Expand
  23. Maryo
    Sep 6, 2017
    9
    I'm glad I didn't play the other Paper Mario games first, as this one seems poor in comparison to so many. To me it was a very satisfying game, beautifully made, with the right pace and enough challenges to not make it a breeze. It was clever I found, but I had no idea how a Paper Mario game was supposed to feel. All I can say is I had a great time playing to the end!
  24. GranTheftWalrus
    Feb 3, 2017
    8
    May be the worst Paper Mario but still a good game on its own merits. The dialogue is as witty as I've expected from the series and the puzzles and battles are a nice change of pace, not perfect but a good game still. I just wish they were a bit more creative.
  25. blawren4
    Sep 28, 2016
    8
    Ignoring all of the, "I only want TTYD, and nothing else" cries. I've never played TTYD, only the first paper mario, and super paper mario. This means that I have fresh perspective and I've played 3 very different paper mario games. I really have enjoyed this game. Is it different, yes...is it bad...NO. 75 critic score is accurate and deserved. There is no grinding involved whichIgnoring all of the, "I only want TTYD, and nothing else" cries. I've never played TTYD, only the first paper mario, and super paper mario. This means that I have fresh perspective and I've played 3 very different paper mario games. I really have enjoyed this game. Is it different, yes...is it bad...NO. 75 critic score is accurate and deserved. There is no grinding involved which many people don't like, and often you should avoid battles as they tend to use up your resources, but resources aren't hard to come by. The battle system is refreshing to me. I've certainly never seen another like it. The game is on the easy side, battle wise, and there could be more info about what stickers to use when, but if you pay attention to the game world and the dialogue, you can figure it out.… Expand
  26. Gamelove
    Mar 28, 2016
    9
    Per molte persone il voto che ho messo a questo gioco è pura follia, ma comunque sono felice di poter esprimere la mia opinione.
    Per analizzare questo gioco, giudicherò gli aspetti principali di ogni gioco:
    1.TRAMA Sulla trama non c'è molto da dire perchè è praticamente inesistente ed inoltre non sono presenti personaggi diversi da Toad, però questa situazione è identica per la maggior    Per molte persone il voto che ho messo a questo gioco è pura follia, ma comunque sono felice di poter esprimere la mia opinione.
    Per analizzare questo gioco, giudicherò gli aspetti principali di ogni gioco:
    1.TRAMA
    Sulla trama non c'è molto da dire perchè è praticamente inesistente ed inoltre non sono presenti personaggi diversi da Toad, però questa situazione è identica per la maggior parte dei giochi di Mario e comunque meglio di un altro rpg di Mario la cui trama è un'accozzaglia di eventi senza un senso logico.In conclusione non ho sofferto molto per la mancanza di trama ma ciò non rende giustificabile la sua assenza.
    voto:5 (solo per la situazione simile ad altri giochi di Mario, che lo salva da un voto piu basso)
    2.GAMEPLAY
    Il gameplay è l'aspetto che ha fatto più discutere, ma io personalmente l'ho trovato divertente e per certi versi innovativo, ma è per sempre vero che la mancanza di esperienza non è cosa da poco e sicuramente se fosse stata presente(anche se non so come si sarebbe integrata con il sistema di sticker).
    Il combattimento con gli sticker l'ho trovato divertente seppur probabilmente inutile, e nei combattimenti con i boss è sempre presente un determinato sticker da usare per infliggere un danno maggiore(e pensare che la gente su internet dice che senza quegli sticker è impossibile vincere, quando in un solo caso è vero).
    Poi passiamo ai puzzle dove le lamentele sono vere solo in parte:
    gli enigmi che utilizzano gli sticker-oggetto riguardano il trovare uno sticker-oggetto specifico che potrebbe essere ovunque, in quel caso l'enigma può essere definito frustrante mentre quando l'enigma riguarda i ritagli,cioè i pezzi di scenario mancanti, basta analizzare bene lo scenario e se non lo si trova significa che bisogna tornarci dopo, ed in questo caso il puzzle non è frustrante ed il dire che lo è dimostra magari il non riuscire a risolverli.
    Per ultimo vorrei parlare del level design: specificato che non trovo fastidiosa la mappa dei mondi, io ho adorato il level design di questo gioco, perchè ogni singolo livello o quasi, è caratterizzato a suo modo.
    voto:9
    (oggettivamente non è cosi alto ma il mio gradimento è stato questo)
    3.COLONNA SONORA
    Su questo punto c'è poco da discutere, la ost è sublime e la maggior parte delle tracce mi sono rimaste in testa.
    voto:10
    4.GRAFICA
    La grafica di questo gioco rende perfettamente l'idea di diorama, concetto reso ancora più vivo da uno dei migliori effetti 3D del catalogo giochi del 3DS.
    voto:10
    CONCLUSIONE
    In conclusione posso affermare che secondo me questo gioco è uno dei giochi sottovalutati degli ultimi anni, odiato dai fan della sua saga e anche da qualcun'altro.
    Ovviamente anche io preferisco i capitolo per WII e GAMECUBE(il primo non l'ho giocato) ma il maltrattamento verso questo gioco mi sembra eccessivo, basti guardare il fatto che nella media utente di Metacritic ha appena raggiunto l'insufficienza(in senso scolastico).
    Il voto che metto è puramente soggettivo e non voglio assolutamente spacciarlo come oggettivo, (non sono mica un critico) ma sono fiero di dire che ritengo questo titolo uno dei migliori titoli per 3DS almeno secondo me.
    voto generale:9
    (non so se il voto sia una media tra i diversi aspetti, ma è solo un indice del mio gradimento generale per questo gioco)    … Expand
  27. johnnyrio
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    Fans of the Paper Mario series won't be disappointed. Yet another fine entry and it looks amazing on the New 3DS. It's not Super Paper Mario or Thousand Year Door, nor does it pretend to be. It's a new entry in the series and quite enjoyable. Recommended for anyone who has played all the others.
  28. MegaMattTyrrell
    May 19, 2015
    8
    I enjoyed Sticker Star. It's no Thousand Year Door...but it sure as hell is a good game. Sticker Star had new battle mechanics which actually needed some skill to use. I think that is what threw people off the most.
  29. DBPirate1129
    Jan 13, 2015
    8
    Paper Mario: Sticker Star breaks the trend of Paper Mario games coming to consoles and Mario & Luigi games coming to handhelds...does it break even more trends than that?

    I was a big fan of Super Paper Mario and I probably enjoyed it a bit more than I should, no matter how much things it did differently from Paper Mario (N64) and Thousand-Year Door (GCN). I was a bit hesitant about    Paper Mario: Sticker Star breaks the trend of Paper Mario games coming to consoles and Mario & Luigi games coming to handhelds...does it break even more trends than that?

    I was a big fan of Super Paper Mario and I probably enjoyed it a bit more than I should, no matter how much things it did differently from Paper Mario (N64) and Thousand-Year Door (GCN). I was a bit hesitant about Sticker Star but it proved to be a decent game. The first difference you'll notice is the addition of a world map. The map makes it easier to get from level to level and it suits a portable adventure. However, this is probably one of the more excusable of Sticker Star's many tradition-breaking gameplay elements.

    Mario no longer attacks during battles. Yep, you heard me. Instead, he uses various stickers he finds scattered around the world to use. Hammer stickers allow Mario to use a hammer, fire flower stickers allow Mario to throw fire, and there's much more. However, you can run out of stickers incredibly fast as you'll find yourself fighting enemies more times than you'd like to. It you run out of stickers, it can be pretty hard to get your supply back up. The battle system works great, along with the roulette spinner (it can give you more attacks), I just wish it was a bit more improved.

    One of my other main problems with the game is the story. Mario RPGs always have complex and engaging stories, with the possible exception of the first Paper Mario. Super Paper Mario is a fantastic example of great storytelling. Sticker Star's story: Bowser crashes a festival and kidnaps Peach. Mario must collect items in the world. Sounds a lot like Super Mario Galaxy. The story is way too simple for an RPG in my opinion but it doesn't make the gameplay bad or anything. In fact, the gameplay itself is very fluid and nice. At points you may come across things you need to fix which requires a "Thing Sticker"...which brings me to another point.

    Thing Stickers are...well, things (fans, trumpets, toy boats, etc.) that can do certain things in battles and in the overworld. Unfortunately, you can run out of Thing Stickers so you will find yourself backtracking to past levels over and over again to find the specific Thing Sticker you need to accomplish a task. Kind of ruins the "portable" experience a bit.

    Overall, Paper Mario: Sticker Star isn't a bad game. In fact, I enjoyed it...but when you have to use a guide to see where to get Thing Stickers and the story doesn't match an RPG, there's probably something a bit off.    … Expand
  30. camilosanchez16
    Dec 4, 2014
    9
    La razón principal por la que le coloco un 9 a este juego es por que pienso diferente al promedio... La mayoría odio este juego por que no era un Paper Mario real, y es verdad, no lo es, es una fusión entre Mario RPG y Paper Mario que dio una combinación rara pero original, y esto le da un toque único a este juego... Tal vez la marca no sea la correcta, pero si no lo vemos como PaperLa razón principal por la que le coloco un 9 a este juego es por que pienso diferente al promedio... La mayoría odio este juego por que no era un Paper Mario real, y es verdad, no lo es, es una fusión entre Mario RPG y Paper Mario que dio una combinación rara pero original, y esto le da un toque único a este juego... Tal vez la marca no sea la correcta, pero si no lo vemos como Paper Mario, sino como un RPG, es un muy buen experimento.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best 3DS Game of 2012
2
#2 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
5
#5 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 69
  3. Negative: 1 out of 69
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Feb 21, 2013
    78
    Brilliant humor and an interesting world won't save Mario's latest RPG offering. Even though the stickers add a lot of variety to the turn based battles, an RPG without any character development tends to turn repetitive eventually. Unfortunately for Mario such is the case with Sticker Star. [Feb 2013]
  2. Hyper Magazine
    Feb 10, 2013
    80
    A great reinterpretation of what makes Mario work. [March 2013, p.72]
  3. DarkStation
    Feb 7, 2013
    70
    Unfortunately for it, Paper Mario: Sticker Star has to deal with being a “pretty good” entry in a series that is usually considered amongst the best games on their respective consoles. While I did have fun with it, there were times when I felt like I was just going through the motions, and very little of the innovation or character of previous entries shone through.
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