Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

 GameCube
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 649 Ratings

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  • Summary: Get ready for a new role-playing adventure as Mario returns to paper form to stop a dangerous threat. In Paper Mario 2, Mario can dodge, inflict damage, and impress the crowd to strengthen his attacks. Also, Mario and his friends have more paper abilities. They can now turn sideways to slipGet ready for a new role-playing adventure as Mario returns to paper form to stop a dangerous threat. In Paper Mario 2, Mario can dodge, inflict damage, and impress the crowd to strengthen his attacks. Also, Mario and his friends have more paper abilities. They can now turn sideways to slip through cracks, fold into a paper airplane to fly, roll into a tube, and more. They can also use a variety of items like hammers and thunderbolts to defeat their enemies. … Expand
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Paper Mario 2 Gameplay Movie 4

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. Cheat Code Central
    100
    A RPG that captures the excitement and fun of the Super Mario Bros series and combines it with depth found only in top-shelf RPGs. It all adds up to what is sure to be consider another Mario classic.
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    95
    Now that it has arrived however, we can safely say that it's firmly up there as one of the best games released this year.
  3. Nintendo Power
    92
    Hardcore RPG fans, wait for "Baten Kaitos;" everyone else, plan on following the most hee-haw-larious yarn spun in years. [Dec 2004, p.140]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Kombo
    90
    It mixes together some very well-designed elements, such as its battle system, level design, puzzle design and its funny, charming storyline.
  5. Nintendo Insider
    86
    Retains so much of the original that anyone who loved the first one will still love this one, and anyone who hated the first one will likewise hate this one.
  6. Gaming Age
    83
    Some of the story is a bit contrived and the game may give players a bit of "been there, done that", but it's a very fun game to play through. There are enough twists in the story and surprises to be seen to keep Mario fans playing until the very end.
  7. Game Informer
    68
    The art and combat are killed in their tracks by the game's downright shameful dialogue. [Nov 2004, p.158]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 55 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 152 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 161
  3. Negative: 6 out of 161
  1. GameMan2005
    Aug 23, 2023
    10
    The absolute pinnacle of the Paper Mario series. The Thousand Year Door is a masterpiece of an RPG.
  2. DEM1995
    Dec 11, 2011
    10
    The story is silly, yet captivating, and the controller inputs utilized during the battle segments keep the turn-based battles engaging. TheThe story is silly, yet captivating, and the controller inputs utilized during the battle segments keep the turn-based battles engaging. The characters are charming, and I actually found myself looking forward to encountering new enemies, even the ones that were just recolored sprites (the Tattle bestiary system and the item library were also nice features, providing impetuses for scouring the nooks and crannies of the world for hidden goodies and ingredients for recipes). The platforming features in the out-of-battle world were also satisfying, and the abilities Mario gains and those that his partners grant him have imaginative uses. The areas of the game are accessible with very little backtracking, too, as new shortcuts are opened up to the player. My one gripe about the game is a trivial matter. At one point in the game, I became stuck in the Palace of Shadow with one HP. Unfortunately, I reflexively hit the first save block that I saw, not realizing that it would make getting out of there very difficult (I was pretty much in the middle of the chapter, and had no healing items). As such, a "Teleport to Rogueport" option would have been nice.… Expand
  4. livelovelaugh22
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This is the first '10' I have ever given to a game. EVER. If you have read any of my reviews, I am a heavy, heavy critic. But this seems to beThis is the first '10' I have ever given to a game. EVER. If you have read any of my reviews, I am a heavy, heavy critic. But this seems to be perfect! NO CONS!
    A marvelous story with a spectacular soundtrack, as well as a outstanding battle system, and characters and bosses filled to the brim with personality and charm, as well as great graphics for the time this was made. EVERYTHING you would ever dream of in a Paper Mario game is all combined into this, one game. Even the little pros feel so good.
    Overall, a masterpiece and the best Mario RPG ever. NO bias.    … Expand
  5. lahjaunelmia
    Jun 22, 2013
    10
    One of the best games of all time if not the best. I like everything about this game. Everything. Ok there is only one thing that is not thatOne of the best games of all time if not the best. I like everything about this game. Everything. Ok there is only one thing that is not that good. It's the beginning. First level or whatever castle is not that good but after that it's all so phenomenal… Expand
  6. Dunks
    Jan 12, 2020
    10
    Hands down one of the best rpgs ever made, and the best mario rpg to date. Charm oozes from every pore of this game.
  7. Jessicaw
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    Loved playing this game. Everything about it was just fun. It had good puzzles and gameplay, the story was neat. Personally I thought it wasLoved playing this game. Everything about it was just fun. It had good puzzles and gameplay, the story was neat. Personally I thought it was even more fun than the first paper Mario.… Expand
  8. DoktorPigman
    Sep 5, 2022
    0
    I can't believe it's possible that such a pile of garbage even exists.
    this game has nothing special and is always the same way too bad crap.    I can't believe it's possible that such a pile of garbage even exists.
    this game has nothing special and is always the same way too bad crap.
    i hate it so much i would like to report the developers.
    the only positive point is the music.
    this game makes a nintendo fan like me way too sad.
    i feel all the negative emotions just by mentioning it.    … Expand

See all 161 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best GameCube Game of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
3
#3 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004