Paper Mario

 Nintendo 64
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 509 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 470 out of 509
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 509
  3. Negative: 21 out of 509
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  1. iMustang
    Mar 26, 2019
    9
    Absolutely fantastic. I absolutely loved the world, the design was amazing, the characters were as colorful as the artwork, and the writing was so witty and fantastic. I greatly enjoyed this classic journey, and it's one I'm sure I'll play again someday.
  2. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    Although one of the most important aspects of a rpg is a great story, it does not have one. On the other hand, its fun and addictive battle system makes you forget about it. Essential.
  3. TSNintendogamer
    May 11, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is great and it's one of the best rpg's on the N64. The story isn't exactly mindblowing but it's still very creative. The problem with the story is that most of the chapters feel samey although in those chapters, they are also creative in the way they tell the story. The battle with bowser is epic too but the funny thing is that while there is more at stake, bowser and Mario have the same type of rivalry. As for gameplay, it's fun and satisfying pressing the buttons just right The badges in the game also help out with the battles but the game is reliant on badges in order to get far and that includes changing them constantly. Other than those flaws, I loved the game even if I played most of it as an adult.… Expand
  4. GameMan2005
    Aug 22, 2023
    9
    Set a great standard for the next Paper Mario game and has a beautiful artstyle, memorable characters, and fun and unique gameplay.
  5. RyanB.
    Apr 1, 2002
    8
    Paper Mario is an overall good game, and holds some interesting quirks and features. The gameplay is a little simplistic, but the game is strangely challenging at the same time. A unique game, but it fails to compare to its predecessor.
  6. DanielS.
    Jul 6, 2001
    8
    This is a good game. It has great graphics, but it's too much like Pokemon. It is ruining a great classic. Mario is one of the best of all time.
  7. kevinhooks
    Jan 20, 2013
    8
    One of my favorite games of my childhood, Paper Mario is a game that forms a marriage between the mechanics of the Mario series with turn-based RPG elements. Though past games (such as Super Mario RPG) have already introduced the RPG style of game-play, Paper Mario introduces new elements into the mix. With an amazing soundtrack and colorful characters, Paper Mario can truly be consideredOne of my favorite games of my childhood, Paper Mario is a game that forms a marriage between the mechanics of the Mario series with turn-based RPG elements. Though past games (such as Super Mario RPG) have already introduced the RPG style of game-play, Paper Mario introduces new elements into the mix. With an amazing soundtrack and colorful characters, Paper Mario can truly be considered nostalgic.… Expand
  8. BROFco
    Feb 28, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game. I get what people see in it, and it delivers some great gameplay and some fun tunes to put the icing on a cake (you actually make a cake in the game.) After a while it got old but still was tons of fun.… Expand
  9. luisflopez
    Apr 4, 2017
    8
    After the controversial announcement of Color Splash last year, a lot of people started to complain about the series’ new direction and compare it to the first Paper Mario games. Because of that reason, I watched a good number of videos from Nintendo-themed channels talking about how great the original Paper Mario is. So I finally decided to give it a try. It is a Nintendo classic afterAfter the controversial announcement of Color Splash last year, a lot of people started to complain about the series’ new direction and compare it to the first Paper Mario games. Because of that reason, I watched a good number of videos from Nintendo-themed channels talking about how great the original Paper Mario is. So I finally decided to give it a try. It is a Nintendo classic after all, so I couldn’t skip it for too long being a Nintendo fan.

    My experience with Paper Mario was mostly a positive one. The game offers a pretty fun combat system and a clear structure of objectives: Bowser has imprisoned the 7 Star Spirits in different parts of the Mushroom Kingdom and it is up to Mario to rescue them one by one. Each of the ‘Chapters’, as they are called, is a little plot on its own. The overall story could very well be a part of a children’s book. Bowser is a really funny antagonist. The different regions in the map all felt very lively and varied, especially Toad Town.

    All of the chapters are mostly fun to play through (Chapter 7 is probably my favorite), and the battle system is simple yet effective. But Paper Mario often felt a bit repetitive to me, especially the combat.

    Another problem I have with this game is the fact that in most JRPGs, the game is driven by a strong and interesting storyline. Paper Mario’s storyline isn’t strong nor interesting. Basically, no level of seriousness or actual drama is allowed in this game. Everything is always goofy and innocent, and this has a positive side and a negative side. The positive side is that it allows for a lighthearted and humorous game experience. The negative side is that there’s no engaging story to motivate you to keep playing, like in most other JRPGs.

    As a result, I often found myself with no reason to continue playing other than the desire of just completing the game. But on the other hand, the gameplay was good enough to keep me going.

    The art style was very unique for the time, and the soundtrack is just lovely. The entire aesthetic design manages to convey the lighthearted and happy nature of the game perfectly, and it is probably my favorite aspect of this Paper Mario.

    Even though I love Nintendo’s classics, and this is a very Nintendo-feeling game, I honestly can’t see what most of the people see in this game to call it a masterpiece. I’ll remember Paper Mario as a little gem filled with humor, wacky and memorable characters, and a great art direction (soundtrack and visuals), that offer a lighthearted and colorful experience, but nothing more than that.

    Score: 8.3    … Expand
  10. GaryFaulkDoesIt
    Jul 31, 2016
    8
    A great game to kick off the series. It takes the same basic concept of Mario saving Princess Peach from Bowser and plays it so differently, it feels like a breath of fresh air. Everything about this game, from its Yoshi's Island-inspired character designs, to its pop-up book stylized appearance, to its variety of settings, characters, and bosses makes the game feel very fun and bright.A great game to kick off the series. It takes the same basic concept of Mario saving Princess Peach from Bowser and plays it so differently, it feels like a breath of fresh air. Everything about this game, from its Yoshi's Island-inspired character designs, to its pop-up book stylized appearance, to its variety of settings, characters, and bosses makes the game feel very fun and bright.

    On top of that, the gameplay is very fun. The battle mechanics are simple, but effective, and the badges offer a nice level of customization to how you play.

    Overall, a very fun and memorable game.    … Expand
  11. Flipmails
    May 7, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Released for the Nintendo 64 on japanese markets in august 2000, Paper Mario was the indirect follow up to Squaresoft's 1996 SNES hit "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". Even though it came out during the end of the N64's life span, the game is still considered a classic by Nintendo fans and JRPG enthusiasts alike.

    The most unique aspect of the game is, funnily enough, its art style. Almost everything, as you probably already guessed by this point, is made out of paper with the final product being reminiscent of one of those pop-up books we used to love so much during our childhood. Though the limitations of the N64 can make the game look a bit dated here and there, it is hard to deny that Paper Mario would have such a special charm to it had the developers opted for the more grounded visuals of the Square's original game.

    But looking pretty can only do so much for RPG, so let's get down to the gameplay. Being true to Mario's side-scrolling roots, the game combines platforming, puzzle solving and exploration with traditional but somewhat distinct JRPG elements in order to create a memorable and yet refreshing experience. The combat differs a bit from your typical Final Fantasy by having optional inputs the player can perform in order to enhance the effect of an attack. For instance, if the A button is pressed just before Mario lands on an enemy the plumber will do an extra jump, adding a small but significant amount of damage. Unfortunately this is not the only way in which the combat is unique. For some god forsaken reason your party members do not have a health bar, meaning you can not use them as a way to protect the main character when he's low on HP, something that was thankfully fixed in the GameCube sequel.

    The writing is another aspect that should be examined closely. Even though the game's main story follow the exact same structure of the series, with the princess being kidnapped by Bowser and Mario being assigned to rescue her, there is still a good deal of personality that is simply not present in the italian's more traditional adventures. An unique sense of humor appropriately complements the happy and upbeat vibe conveyed by the art style music, and while most party members are not that memorable compared to the ones in The Thousand-Year Door, the attempt to flesh out the relationship between Bowser and Peach (as well as their individual personalities) was definitely a welcome touch. The sequel that stood out for me the most was when the princess was invited by Bowser's minions to participate in quiz game.

    Paper Mario is a nice twist on the typical JRPG formula. Instead of trying to tell us an epic story about about a bunch of heroes trying to save the world from a generic power-hungry god, it just wants us to laugh and have a good time. It sacrifices the traditional grinding for the sake of offering a more family friendly experience, while also pleasing the more hardcore audience by borrowing elements from other genres such as platforming and adventure. Despite of what your relationship with electronic games is, Paper Mario is guaranteed to offer you an extremely unique experience that you are unlikely to find in other RPGs.    … Expand
  12. nitorita
    Oct 14, 2019
    8
    Playing this for the first time after almost two decades, I'd have to say that it's quite nice. The game aged well and I can see why it was considered the best of the best for its time. I played and beat Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga twice when I was younger, and loved it to death.

    Sadly, I genuinely believe that this game does NOT warrant full 10/10 ratings, despite it being ahead of    Playing this for the first time after almost two decades, I'd have to say that it's quite nice. The game aged well and I can see why it was considered the best of the best for its time. I played and beat Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga twice when I was younger, and loved it to death.

    Sadly, I genuinely believe that this game does NOT warrant full 10/10 ratings, despite it being ahead of its time. It is at best an 8. The combat mechanics are great and the story is as amazing and goofy as you would expect from any other Nintendo game, but there are a few issues that just can't be ignored.

    Roaming enemies can be tedious to deal with since they take up time, and it doesn't help that you have to do a lot of travelling on foot which can be hard to endure throughout the game. The game progresses at a slow pace, and movement is slow too. You get tired of the game as you reach the last few bosses, and it feels like the game is dragging on. Essentially, the game is just really, really slow.

    There are several parts in the game where you aren't given any indication whatsoever as to how to progress, meaning you waste time roaming around blindly until you ultimately give up and read a guide, just to find out that the solution is something you would never figure out anyway. My advice: If you do get stuck, don't hesitate to use a guide.

    Overall, the game has a solid RPG mechanic and is a breath of fresh air from your typical Mario platformer. The fights are challenging, but not to the point where you'd have to grind. I enjoyed the experience, despite its flaws (but what game doesn't have some, right?).    … Expand
  13. LuigiHelpsOut
    Jul 16, 2020
    8
    In my opinion, this game is better than its sequel on the GameCube, The Thousand Year Door. This game knows exactly how to make a Mario themed RPG, and while it's not my favorite in the series, it is still absolutely worth playing.
  14. Zethor
    Aug 17, 2020
    8
    While it does not reach the same heights that later entries may reach, Paper Mario's addicting gameplay and great art help it stand out as more than just a Mario spinoff, but as a genuinely great game. It did simplify its battling system a bit from its spiritual predecessor, Super Mario RPG, but it makes up for this with an engrossing badge system that is full of variety for players toWhile it does not reach the same heights that later entries may reach, Paper Mario's addicting gameplay and great art help it stand out as more than just a Mario spinoff, but as a genuinely great game. It did simplify its battling system a bit from its spiritual predecessor, Super Mario RPG, but it makes up for this with an engrossing badge system that is full of variety for players to play whatever way they want. The story is nothing remarkable, but gets the job done in a simple, satisfying way, and ties everything together properly while not being overly intrusive.… Expand
  15. BaldursThones
    Apr 14, 2022
    8
    I love the the paper mario series and this started it all. There is so much to love about this game
  16. Vitalus
    Apr 15, 2023
    8
    It's a blast from my past and it held up surprisingly well. It's definitely basic for a turn-based rpg but that was exactly what I wanted for a low-stakes ride.
  17. ZiggyStardust
    Oct 31, 2002
    7
    Admittedly I am not a fan of the RPG genre in general, but if I had to play one, this would be near the top of the list. It blends skill based moves with turn based combat. It's a decent game.
  18. bestbloodyday
    May 22, 2012
    7
    This is one of the few (or maybe the only) RPG for N64. As RPG is very simple in its mechanics which I don't like. Some degree of complexity is always welcome in this kind of games. On the other side, I like the artistic style and the localizations. Maybe the only problem is that it could be completed in 10 or 20 hours (can't remember very well, sorry), which is very short for a RPG game.This is one of the few (or maybe the only) RPG for N64. As RPG is very simple in its mechanics which I don't like. Some degree of complexity is always welcome in this kind of games. On the other side, I like the artistic style and the localizations. Maybe the only problem is that it could be completed in 10 or 20 hours (can't remember very well, sorry), which is very short for a RPG game. This game is in the middle of the genre, not the best but not the worst certainly.… Expand
  19. ND-Bringer
    Jun 10, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Paper Mario 64 is an awesome game, but does everyone enjoy it solely because it's not a difficult game to complete? I'm not talking about collecting all of the Star Pieces, I'm talking about defeating Bowser in general. Granted, you can't save after the final boss...but no one needs proof that they defeated the final boss fight against Super Bowser, because it's not a big challenge. I prepared myself with a large assembly of items & I needed up only using a single Life Shroom. Don't get me wrong, I think this is an excellent game...but, compare to something like Dragon Quest 8 & the challenge feels easy. I think this game's strong points come from the grand theme & level design. This title is like the little sister of Super Mario RPG. With its wonderful Action RPG elements, colorful characters, & the occasional breaking of the fourth wall...makes this world all the more wonderful to explore. The story this time, is that Bowser actually defeats Mario for the first time after gaining invincible power from the Star Rod. So Mario must go on a quest across the land in order to rescue the 7 Star Spirits. Only then, will he be able to defeat Bowser. And it doesn't just feel great while collecting new powers from the Star Spirits alone, with every level up Mario is recharged instantly, making training feel all the more rewarding. Mario becomes stronger in a different kind of way throughout his quest, collecting stronger boots & hammers that change up his technique in exchange for power. The change of timing with jumping felt irritating at first, but it helped refresh my skills so I could later, master the perfect timing with the Power Bounce attack. And by collecting the right badges, it's possible to raise Mario's power even further! And let's not forget about those refreshing Super Blocks, that are used to upgrade your sidekicks powers & abilities. While enemies may stun your team every once & a while, you can save on healing items at the same time since they don't have health bars. I think Mario's sidekicks are one of the best things about this game, it feels nice to have a whole crew of friends to support you on your journey. And there abilities are also used from some creative puzzle solving as well. This game is responsible for creating the fanbase for Mario enemies, whether it's giving them fun personalities playing as hero versions as them, I've always gotten a kick out of it. Especially in Chapter 6 where one of the boss' ex-minions wins your team. You even get to play as Princess Peach in a few stealth missions. They may be short, but it helps break up the game by adding a cooking level, a gameshow level, & even an impersonator level with Peach's Sneaky Parasol! Man I hope we get that again someday, it has a lot of unused potential. Lot's of things in this game do feel a bit rushed. Whether its empty space in the desert that could've been used to make lacking stages more interesting. Or perhaps having more stealth levels within the Tubba Blubba Castle since he's no that hard to avoid. These levels may have great design, but levels like Shy Guy's Toy Box make me a bit mixed with my view. A little backtracking here & there won't hurt anyone, but making backtracking minor in the last stages, only to follow it up with major...makes the whole experience drag on pretty long. Honestly, I think crazy backtracking should only exist during optional side quests, instead of the actual story levels. However, when puzzles are concerned I honestly think the challenge is fair, especially since you can even get hints from the wizard Merlon in case you're stuck. Though that's the same as looking up the answers on the internet. I rather use my head to solve these challenges & use Goombario to at least get a general idea of what I'm supposed to do. At times like in the desert world I think they could've been more specific on what to do. Like you can speak to someone nearby the beggar in order to figure out what food he likes. That being said, they did capture the theme of walking in an endless desert this way & fighting mountains of enemies helps you get used to the controls a little more. My personal favorite stage was actually the final one. The final battle may not be all that special, but the stage itself is massive! The dungeons! The caves! The traps! The magma pool! This an excellent final stage! And it even has a hilarious fake-out battle against the Koopa Bros. This game also has plenty of PG dark themes. Like Mario being accused of murder, assaulting cute moles, & making Shy Guys scream like possessed children...holy smokes that's nerve-racking! Whatever this game made millions of children smile. I bet there's still many former players who look back at the lovely lullaby style music right before they close there eyes. Some parts of the game may feel rushed in development, but they're still excellent moments in gaming history regardless! This games represents pure Nintendo 64 magic! It's a game...with a big heart(:… Expand
  20. Yojimbo2015
    Jan 17, 2023
    7
    Arcade RPG and forerunner to the Mario & Luigi games on the Nintendo handhelds, it's a little simplistic but makes up for it with some gorgeous visuals.
  21. GameCatastrophe
    Sep 3, 2023
    7
    This game is really fun, but the lack of a post-game really disappointed me. I wish I could have explored the world more!
  22. forestofbramble
    Aug 12, 2012
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I grew up with Super Mario RPG on this SNES, and had wanted to play Paper Mario back when it was still Super Mario RPG 2 in development. So when I bought a Wii, this was the first game I downloaded. Did I enjoy the game? Yes and no.

    Starting with the good points. - There is a LOT to see and do in the game, and since most of the backtracking can be avoided it doesn't get old quickly, which I can really appreciate.
    - The character and enemy design is fairly decent. There's not a great deal of variety in either, but their graphics still look crisp for being 11 years old (though the 3D parts still look dated)
    - There's a lot of customizing to be done with badges, which does present a bit of thought provoking when you have to choose what will be good in the upcoming battles.
    - Humor is everywhere in the game. Most of it was too cheesy for me, but there were some I really enjoyed, like Whacka the mole.
    - The end credits were perfect, doing another march as in Super Mario RPG. Couldn't have done them better.

    Andddd the bad.
    - The story. For an RPG, they really didn't try too hard to make a decent storyline, just the same "Bowser kidnaps Peach" plot that they've reused dozens of times since 1985. - Though there are a lot of badge options, the low maximum for badge number really limits the usefulness. After equipping the 3 "Attack/Defense Plus" badges, you're down to only 12 to play with. I found the most effective build was to boost your normal attacking/defending skills, which really only gave you room for 1 special attack.
    - Whoever did the work on names really needed a second opinion. All of the toad names were mind numbingly terrible puns, like Tayse T. the cook, Russ T. the librarian, and Dain T. Gah.
    - The battle system needed a lot of polish. It still uses the same basic system from Super Mario RPG but was simplified at just about every turn. No armor and 2 weapons to choose from in the entire game made shops mostly invalidated. The enemy queue system meant that you were mostly stuck attacking whoever was closest first, unless you invested heavily in mostly useless badges. The experience system was frustrating at best, seeing as level-ups quickly made most battles pointless, as no experience would be awarded.
    - Mario's secondary characters were mostly useless. Goombario, Watt and Bombette would last you the entire game. The others were generally unimpressive in battle and really only served for non-combat abilities.
    - Peach's scenes were the worst by far. She couldn't take any real actions (no jumping or attacking) and it quickly became repetitive, as she could even take a "secret" passageway into Bowser's room with him IN THERE, and still get to try it again next time. Baffling. The cake making was miserable.
    - The arguing with Square got a lot of the more nostalgic points removed from the game (at least for me), with Star Hill becoming Shooting Star Point, and even "Time Hits" became "Action Commands". I would have loved to see Mallow in the game, but that's life.
    - No real mini-games to speak of. Unless you want to count the letter delivering. Which I don't.

    In the end, Paper Mario was a serviceable RPG. Too simplistic to really be called amazing, but it was decent. And it's hard to fault the game too much, because it's a non Squaresoft, non-Pokemon RPG. At least they tried. But I doubt I'd play it a second time through.    … Expand
  23. DoctorZack
    May 18, 2020
    6
    A sound fundamental RPG. While sporting charm, the game is extremely wordy and not challenging at all. The perfect 10's are insanely nostalgic for Super Mario RPG; it also doesn't help N64 had zero RPG competition on its own console.
  24. nintendo-sekta
    Nov 1, 2018
    6
    Игра не плоха. В игре есть не плохой сюжет. Это приятное RPG, но в игре мне что то не нравиться. Возможно на это повлиял потеря сохранения и 1 часа игры.
  25. WizardMinecraft
    Jun 17, 2018
    0
    it sucks, tropes are used, the moves are generic, and the game NEVER ceases to stop crashing every 5 seconds.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best N64 Game of 2001
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 2001
2
#2 Most Shared N64 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Nintendojo
    96
    While said story may not live up to the expectations of most RPG fans, or fans of Super Mario RPG, it is far better and more interesting than the typical 'stories' you have to endure in a Mario game.
    Read full review
  2. Da Gameboyz
    95
    With its light-hearted plot, loveable characters, innovative gameplay and perfectly fitting music, this game should appeal to anyone and everyone.
  3. GameSpot
    95
    With stunning graphics, excellent sound, and extremely solid gameplay, Paper Mario is a quality game on all fronts.
    Read full review
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