Paper Mario: The Origami King

 Switch
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1769 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,103 out of 1769
  2. Mixed: 269 out of 1769
  3. Negative: 397 out of 1769
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  1. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    0
    Trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. MarkusZ
    Aug 5, 2023
    4
    This Paper Mario Game was one of my biggest disappointment in my video game history. At first you are amazed about the beautiful graphics and artstyle but then when you enter a battle you can't believe what they have done. I really hated the battle-system so much that i cound not go on with this game. For me it's by far the worst Paper Mario game ever created!
  3. Mogmog000
    Jan 24, 2023
    0
    The tempo of the battle is not good.
    The story and characters are not appealing.
    Mini-games are boring.
  4. Crimson9
    Dec 25, 2022
    3
    Nintendo's quality continues to decline. Contrasting this game with a thousand year door really shows that. This game was mind numbingly boring, nonsensical and easy.
  5. nz500
    Jun 21, 2022
    3
    This game is such a tease. So close to being incredible, but ultimately unplayable due to battle system.
  6. Jofe
    May 15, 2022
    1
    Very bad. The battle system is awful and uninteresting. Only the OST is still good.
  7. BuckWild
    May 14, 2022
    3
    Charmig graphics and fairly fun story but the overall experience is greatly bogged down by an incredibly boring and tedious battle system that frankly is one of the worst I've ever seen.
  8. Timo18072007
    Jan 19, 2022
    2
    Absolutely not my type of fun, boss fights are way too boring. However the maps are beautiful, but it‘s the only positive fact about this game. Trash.
  9. QantasAviator
    Jan 13, 2022
    2
    I give it credit for creating wonderful environments within the Mario universe but it’s use of an RPG style battle system while the developers themselves are saying they don’t want it to be an RPG style game, raises the question of why a turnstile battle is being used. Replacing this turnstile with literally anything else would make this game far more entertaining and less frustratingI give it credit for creating wonderful environments within the Mario universe but it’s use of an RPG style battle system while the developers themselves are saying they don’t want it to be an RPG style game, raises the question of why a turnstile battle is being used. Replacing this turnstile with literally anything else would make this game far more entertaining and less frustrating without even considering the lack of original characters besides Olivia and Oliver.… Expand
  10. Gmsh
    Jan 7, 2022
    0
    I would give 6 or 7 if this game's name is something like 'Mario Adventure: The Origami King'. But no, it is PAPER mario and this title is obviously ruining the series
  11. Fuccc
    Aug 31, 2021
    0
    Awful combat, it's so annoying. Every time I get into a battle, I just quit. The upgrades don't really help, because it's still too hard to avoid battles.
  12. Jonemann
    Jul 12, 2021
    0
    The game is actually pretty good beatiful worlds and areas its really colourful but all of that gets ruined by the way to complex puzzles and the annyoing battles
    First the puzzles i got stuck in shongun land for months cuz of the way to hidden passages i was stuck there for im not kidding for more than a year and now the battels
    Theyre puzzles at first i liked them but after like 10    The game is actually pretty good beatiful worlds and areas its really colourful but all of that gets ruined by the way to complex puzzles and the annyoing battles
    First the puzzles i got stuck in shongun land for months cuz of the way to hidden passages i was stuck there for im not kidding for more than a year and now the battels
    Theyre puzzles at first i liked them but after like 10 matches i got sooo bored and dont even get me started on the boss battels theyre waaaay too complex for me its just not fun
    I didnt buy an RPG to play puzzle games everytime i battel an enemy its too annyoing
    Dont buy this game    … Expand
  13. chriswenzel
    Jul 2, 2021
    1
    Boring and Poor, such a waste of what used to be a great franchise. Dumbed down wih an exceptionally boring combat system and stock mario characters. Only thing fun was the stock bobomb.. finished it for 75% and then quit because of the exceptionally boring combat system which gets old after 2 battles.
  14. meursault42
    Apr 30, 2021
    0
    The short version:
    -They removed all of the RPG elements (like, literally all of them, no levels, no exp, weapons degrade and must be repurchased).
    -They made combat an extremely tedious and valueless affair. Like, you don't need gold, you always have an infinite supply from just being alive. -Therefore combat does not reward you in anyway, save to degrade your weapons and cost you    The short version:
    -They removed all of the RPG elements (like, literally all of them, no levels, no exp, weapons degrade and must be repurchased).
    -They made combat an extremely tedious and valueless affair. Like, you don't need gold, you always have an infinite supply from just being alive.
    -Therefore combat does not reward you in anyway, save to degrade your weapons and cost you time.

    So the game, which should make combat the most fun and core element, becomes an arduous slog to avoid combat as much as possible. Each combat becomes a punishment to you and your time.
    Like, honestly, it is similar to freemium mobile games that have built-in ads. The feeling is not "hooray! fight time!" and it's more, "do I have to? I've done 2 already".

    tl;dr The 25 year old snes mario rpg game is OBJECTIVELY a better game. Please don't buy this.    … Expand
  15. clemmish
    Apr 28, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Paper Mario: The Origami King is a big letdown. I was expecting to revisit old nostalgia by purchasing another Paper Mario game, but I was wrong.
    On the positive side, the music is wonderful and the scenery is amazing. The graphics are awesome and it is a generally good looking game. Although it was shame Nintendo wasted it.
    The battle system is confusing and doesn’t really add anything to the game, especially because you don’t gain rewards from battling. It’s just a hassle.
    Secondly, the characters are painfully unfunny and annoying. The whole game you have this “helper” named Olivia and she constantly talks and none of the dialogue is intriguing in any way. I tried so many times to skip what she was saying because it added nothing and wouldn’t let you progress.
    The story is pretty boring. You walk around and fight a few guys and whatnot. It’s not very outstanding or special like I had hoped.
    Really, I wouldn’t be too upset about my purchase of this game if it wasn’t $60. It would be a fine $20 game you can get to pass the time, but $60?! I wish I could’ve bought something better instead.    … Expand
  16. meowarfmoo
    Apr 24, 2021
    1
    I don't mind this game going with a completely different play style than a traditional Mario game. The problem I have with this game is how slow everything is. Not being able to skip, or fast forward, through all the scenes and bubble talk is just ridiculous. It takes 15 minutes to go through the forced tutorial, just to learn what 4 buttons do, no thanks. If your game does not allow theI don't mind this game going with a completely different play style than a traditional Mario game. The problem I have with this game is how slow everything is. Not being able to skip, or fast forward, through all the scenes and bubble talk is just ridiculous. It takes 15 minutes to go through the forced tutorial, just to learn what 4 buttons do, no thanks. If your game does not allow the user to skip the boring stuff, you've already lost. I didn't buy a Mario game to read, or have me press the "next page" button until it falls off. I bought a game to play, yet the game doesn't seem to want me to play it.… Expand
  17. Ishrod24
    Apr 18, 2021
    3
    Awesome art style but how can you mess up the gameplay? Keep it the same as Mario and Luigi titles. Why change the formula. How does Nintendo keep messing things up?
  18. wb48485
    Apr 16, 2021
    4
    What the game did right is exactly what we expect of a AAA Mario game, bright colorful world, fun uplifting music, generic characters (recolored toads in silly hats), and loads of collectibles. But we really shouldn't be praising Nintendo for what they have been doing since the WII. Intelligent systems did make a change to the Paper Mario formula but unfortunately they spoiled it. TheyWhat the game did right is exactly what we expect of a AAA Mario game, bright colorful world, fun uplifting music, generic characters (recolored toads in silly hats), and loads of collectibles. But we really shouldn't be praising Nintendo for what they have been doing since the WII. Intelligent systems did make a change to the Paper Mario formula but unfortunately they spoiled it. They screwed up the combat system, like all the other negative reviews. They went with a weird ring puzzle design where you attempt to line up the enemies in rows and 2x2 squares. The ring is big with lots of open spaces but they limit the amount of moves you can make per-turn allowing you to only solve most puzzles one way (like a jig-saw puzzle). They added sub weapons that you can use like fire flowers and tanuki suit tail spin but they attack in the same formation as your jump or hammer making them not very useful items. Combat partners are a joke this time around being very useless almost laughable. And to top it all off you get nothing other than coins for the 2-5mins you could be spending every encounter, no exp to make you stronger, no unique items to grind for, just wasted time and more coins for your already overflowing coin pouch.
    Overall this game is like a house with a nice façade but the inside is a mess.    … Expand
  19. Old_Duck
    Apr 4, 2021
    4
    This game is.. Meh..

    It does contain a decent storyline and has the occasional funny moment, but the battles! They seriously bring the game down so much... The ring is fun and original for the first hour of gameplay, but once you get over the excitement that it is another Paper Mario game, the fun stops. Normal battles will become chores, and to be honest, I stopped playing midway    This game is.. Meh..

    It does contain a decent storyline and has the occasional funny moment, but the battles! They seriously bring the game down so much...

    The ring is fun and original for the first hour of gameplay, but once you get over the excitement that it is another Paper Mario game, the fun stops.

    Normal battles will become chores, and to be honest, I stopped playing midway through world 5/6 because I just found the battles soooooooooo tedious.

    Bosses where also rather disappointing. All of them other than a few mache bosses are things (scissors, tape, rubber band, etc.) which is dull in of itself, but then there is the fact that there isn't much strategy to them. You just run around the ring, and depending on the boss use different ways to get to the middle.

    The mache battles are more interesting, fighting giant paper mache pokeys or bloopers, however these are rare occurrences...

    Overall, if you really like puzzles, this might be for you, but if you are looking for the classic RPG that the first three Paper Marios are, this is definitely not the game for you..    … Expand
  20. misazx
    Feb 25, 2021
    0
    the plot sucks, characters sucks and battle sucks.
    The game is too long because mario walks too slow and chatacters keep telling you things like "Oh, Mario, did you see that?" when you OBVIOUSLY saw it.
  21. Charlieboy666
    Feb 22, 2021
    0
    Worst Paper Mario I've played. Each battle gets more tedious with all the puzzle nonsense and the game goes on for way too long. Terrible game.
  22. Herovero
    Feb 19, 2021
    4
    How to make this game better?
    Remove :
    1. Paper toads (especially red color) 2. Generic enemies 3. Pointless collectibles 4. Coins 5. Uncreative weapon names from SS and CS Add : 1. More unique characters and enemies 2. The ability to control your partners' attack moves and make them permanent use 3. A battle system that gives exp as reward, to prevent you avoid battling when    How to make this game better?
    Remove :
    1. Paper toads (especially red color)
    2. Generic enemies
    3. Pointless collectibles
    4. Coins
    5. Uncreative weapon names from SS and CS

    Add :
    1. More unique characters and enemies
    2. The ability to control your partners' attack moves and make them permanent use
    3. A battle system that gives exp as reward, to prevent you avoid battling when you got 99999 coins
    4. Starpieces and Badges as collectibles
    5. Side quests (For example the mail letters from 64)
    6. New game+ / Hard mode (My personal suggestion)

    The goods :
    1. Puzzles
    2. Olivia's personality
    3. Bowser isn't the final boss
    4. Paper Macho bosses
    5. Beautiful graphic
    6. Interesting story
    7. Soundtracks
    8. Battle Lab    … Expand
  23. Garett_R
    Feb 15, 2021
    2
    Unbearably boring, I couldn't take it any more. If the game didn't have any combat, it might be playable.
  24. TurboK
    Feb 11, 2021
    0
    The most underrated game of 2020, the visuals, story, characters, boss battles and graphics are all perfect.

    Just because the regular battles might get a bit boring over time did not take away from the game bring fantastic and my 2nd favorite Paper Mario game.
  25. Game-Hogger
    Jan 30, 2021
    0
    As much as I tried to be open to the heavy changes within this game, I just couldn't click with this it. The combat is so boring, repetitive and unrewarding to the point you'll actively avoid "encounters" if you want to call them that, the boss battles are unnecessarily complex and make a stupid battle system even more dreadful than its random "encounters". Although I could eventuallyAs much as I tried to be open to the heavy changes within this game, I just couldn't click with this it. The combat is so boring, repetitive and unrewarding to the point you'll actively avoid "encounters" if you want to call them that, the boss battles are unnecessarily complex and make a stupid battle system even more dreadful than its random "encounters". Although I could eventually solve them myself, I had to help numerous people in my household who couldn't despite the game being aimed at said kids and it only shows Nintendo's core audience can't even solve them. The stories for the recent entries come across as being basic since Miyamoto's stance that the Paper Mario franchise doesn't need a story and is nothing more than a forgetful adventure fueled with jokes you're not going to remember. You're progressing through an empty world for literally no reason and they're only adding a story wherever it's necessary, though a lack of one actively leaves you not only wanting more - but feeling a desire to replay older Paper Mario titles if you've had the joy of doing so.

    I also dislike the characters, especially Olivia who is annoying, comes off as empty headed and unfunny to the point where you just want her to shut up and quit pointing out the obvious, which you can tell is to give Nintendo's child audience a sense of direction since this games so bad at explaining how to get from point A to B. For an origami character, she's rather flat when it comes to writing. None of the other characters stand out to me either, they're as bland as their designs. The only good thing about this is the music and the stage design (albeit each world being small and lacking exploration), however that's not enough to keep me going through a mundane game

    This only made me appreciate Super Paper Mario's combat and I had issues with that. I really dislike this game and the recent direction of Paper Mario. Mario & Luigi shouldn't have died for this    … Expand
  26. Ingleberg
    Jan 25, 2021
    4
    Everything about this game is enjoyable, interesting, until you get to the cumbersome combat system. Whoever thought of this should be fired immediately because it's so bad it takes what would have been an 8 out of 10 to a 4 out of 10. In the beginning it's easy and fun but begins to get annoying quick. then later on it becomes so frustratingly difficult that you practically have to buyEverything about this game is enjoyable, interesting, until you get to the cumbersome combat system. Whoever thought of this should be fired immediately because it's so bad it takes what would have been an 8 out of 10 to a 4 out of 10. In the beginning it's easy and fun but begins to get annoying quick. then later on it becomes so frustratingly difficult that you practically have to buy the toads to do one step for you. and guess what, even then it's unbelievably frustrating. The timer is the worst part of it and honestly, I might never buy a Paper Mario game again and this was my first one. One thing is I actually kind of liked the boss battles, but good lord the mob wheels with enemy placement is so far less intuitive for me and you have to constantly do it again and again and again… Expand
  27. Automon
    Jan 20, 2021
    1
    Paper Mario: The Origami King, is not a good game. Lets start with the combat. Combat is Paper Mario games (usually) make sense. Here, it makes not darn sense at all. Why are they on a platform? Why are they spinning? The game also gets very repetitive. After a while your like "Oh look. More spinning." It really should be called "Paper Mario: The Circular King". The originality. Am I thePaper Mario: The Origami King, is not a good game. Lets start with the combat. Combat is Paper Mario games (usually) make sense. Here, it makes not darn sense at all. Why are they on a platform? Why are they spinning? The game also gets very repetitive. After a while your like "Oh look. More spinning." It really should be called "Paper Mario: The Circular King". The originality. Am I the only one who likes Paper Mario Sticker Star? Well I like Sticker Star, because gimmick involves paper, and people collect stickers, to put on paper. And in sticker star, you do just that. Same goes with Color Splash. Not Origami King. Who spins paper for a hobby? If I were to make a price for this game, I'd make it free. And lastly, no experience points. It's not even an RPG game if you can't level up, or gain experience points. 1.6/10.… Expand
  28. Prittii
    Jan 6, 2021
    1
    I loved RPG paper marios and was hoping for an RPG, but what I’ve got is this visually ugly game (seriously, some people think these are nice graphics??? Overly colourful, it looks like made 30 years ago), the most boring fighting system I’ve ever seen, a tiring soundtrack... basically, I like nothing about this game! It’s the first Mario game I played that I gave up before ending. So sad,I loved RPG paper marios and was hoping for an RPG, but what I’ve got is this visually ugly game (seriously, some people think these are nice graphics??? Overly colourful, it looks like made 30 years ago), the most boring fighting system I’ve ever seen, a tiring soundtrack... basically, I like nothing about this game! It’s the first Mario game I played that I gave up before ending. So sad, because the RPG paper marios were absolutely amazing.
    I think most of these good reviews here are fakes. How can people like this game? I find it terrible and I’m not a picky gamer.    … Expand
  29. OliRock92
    Jan 2, 2021
    4
    That's it. Half of the Paper Mario series is made of gems. The other is what I like to call the Sticker Star trilogy. Every game since Sticker Star has been gimicky and stripped of every RPG element except for turn-based combat. I give it 1 point for it's beautiful graphics, another for it's decent soundtrack and 2 more for it's writing. This game, if nothing else, is absolutely hilarious.That's it. Half of the Paper Mario series is made of gems. The other is what I like to call the Sticker Star trilogy. Every game since Sticker Star has been gimicky and stripped of every RPG element except for turn-based combat. I give it 1 point for it's beautiful graphics, another for it's decent soundtrack and 2 more for it's writing. This game, if nothing else, is absolutely hilarious. They kKIMD OF brougjt back partners but they only follow you for a limited time and have generic names such as Bob-Omb (RIP Bombette and Admiral Bobbery). You cannot control tjem in battle either. They attack but often fail without any player input. Ok so the writing's good but what about the gameplau? Battles are unnecessary. They are gimicky beyond belief. You have to line up enemies in a row before attacking. It goes front brain damaged stupid easy to nearly impossoble to figure out on a timer before you know it. Most people I know, myself included, just skip as many of them as possible. You don't get any EXP from defeating enemies so there's really no point to bother. Like you partners, every NPC is generic. Most of them are Toads and Shy Guys with some other of Bowser's minions thrown into the mix. There is absolutely no originality whatsoever like Paper Mario, The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario had in their character design. The only original characters are Olly (the main villain, at least it's not Bowser this time) and his sister and Mario's partner, Olivia. Olivia is by far the best part of the game. She herself has more charm than the rest of the "Sticker Star" trilogy combined. All in all, the game is a treat for the eyes and a good read (yeah, no voice acting, like we're still in 1999) but certainly not a fun game to play. I highly recommend wathing a let's play on YouTube rather than playing it. Unlike the 1st 3 games in the series, nothing compels me to try to complete the game as much as possible or even replay it.… Expand
  30. wumbo26848
    Dec 30, 2020
    0
    Has none of the charm that it’s predecessors possessed (excluding the abominable bore that was Sticker Star). And timed puzzles in the midst of battles that determine how much damage you do? What a dazzling idea. Nintendo should stop trying to continue the Paper Mario series at this point.
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Switch Game of 2020
2
#2 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 116 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 116
  3. Negative: 0 out of 116
  1. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 21, 2020
    70
    The Origami King is a game greater than the sum of its parts. It reaffirms Nintendo’s status as king of innovation, even if the folds don’t quite align. [Issue #2, p.66]
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 16, 2020
    95
    Paper Mario: The Origami King arrives on Nintendo Switch with very high quality graphics, a pleasant soundtrack and a plot full of very good humor, typical of the Paper Mario series. Among countless places to visit, bosses to win, and puzzles to solve, the game can be considered one of the best in the franchise.
    Read full review
  3. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 29, 2020
    70
    Paper Mario deserves better. The prestige of a Final Fantasy veteran appropriating his magic onto a handicraft world deserves better. The unforgettable wit and lovable cast expanding Mario lore deserves better. And we know that Intelligent Systems can do better than committing themselves to a misguided identity crisis.
    Read full review
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