Paper Mario: Color Splash

 Wii U
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 475 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 291 out of 475
  2. Mixed: 84 out of 475
  3. Negative: 100 out of 475
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  1. EFYevan
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Wonderful game! Very funny! Nintendo does it again! Well done! Play this one all the way to the end! The most realistic lemons I have ever seen! !
  2. Ernie81
    Nov 12, 2017
    10
    It's unfair that this game was swept under the carpet after the release becouse in my opinion it's one of the best adventure game on the WiiU and it's worth checking out. If you are a fan of great graphics then this title is a must see. The world is absolutely gorgeous and especially the lightining is stunning. The writing in this game is also top notch and even for this two reasons theIt's unfair that this game was swept under the carpet after the release becouse in my opinion it's one of the best adventure game on the WiiU and it's worth checking out. If you are a fan of great graphics then this title is a must see. The world is absolutely gorgeous and especially the lightining is stunning. The writing in this game is also top notch and even for this two reasons the game is worth playing. As for the battle system just treat it as a bonus to nice adventure and not the main reason to play. It still has a small leveling system so it's ok and if you don't like the touch controls you can change that in the options. I'm glad that I decided to buy it and play it. It remains me in some way a point and click adventure witch is great. Recommended!… Expand
  3. mixlyxfox
    Jan 4, 2017
    10
    I'm honestly shocked that this game has gotten so many negative reviews. Do the characters have a lot of depth? Nah. Is the story line mega detailed/involved? Nope. Not all games have to include insanely complicated story lines and character makeup. This game is fun. It's pretty. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, but don't go into it expecting a strong RPG....that's not what thisI'm honestly shocked that this game has gotten so many negative reviews. Do the characters have a lot of depth? Nah. Is the story line mega detailed/involved? Nope. Not all games have to include insanely complicated story lines and character makeup. This game is fun. It's pretty. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, but don't go into it expecting a strong RPG....that's not what this game is about.… Expand
  4. Seriousrevweiw
    Nov 29, 2017
    8
    This is one of the most under-rated games I've ever played. I'll admit, it has it's flaws, but whenever I see someone complain about something, more times than not it is over exaggerated.

    For example, whenever someone talks about the game-play being bad, they make it sound like it completely RUINS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, which isn't true. The battle mechanics aren't TERRIBLE, but they    This is one of the most under-rated games I've ever played. I'll admit, it has it's flaws, but whenever I see someone complain about something, more times than not it is over exaggerated.

    For example, whenever someone talks about the game-play being bad, they make it sound like it completely RUINS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, which isn't true. The battle mechanics aren't TERRIBLE, but they aren't fun either. You use battle cards and paint to battle opponents, which is an alright concept but poorly executed. After a while, battling got strangely mindless for me, not in a boring way but in a zoning out way. For example, when a battle starts I'll do the card thing and then time my attacks to do damage. But what I'm actually doing is staring at the absolutely ASTOUNDING visuals.

    This is easily the best graphics I've ever seen in a game. The graphics just ooze with charm and detail. Every location has something that makes it unique. There is even one level that references Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Paper Mario all at once. It was really fun. You want to know what else is fun and nice? The story.

    Personally, I think the story is nice and funny. Sure, it may be simplistic, but that doesn't mean that it is bad. I do wish that there were more unique characters besides Toad. For example, during the story, you go onto a pirate ship on a search for treasure and the captain's idol. And along the way, you between worlds and use the parallel worlds to progress forward. And at the end of the journey, there is a pretty funny joke(that I won't spoil) and a boss. That was one of my favorite parts of the game. You know what could have made it better? Interesting characters. Almost every person you meet along that journey is a Toad. Why couldn't there have been a Cheep Cheep captain or something? That would have been nice and could have been a potential setup for jokes. But no, you outta have de TOADS cuz of da MUSHROOM KINGDOM and PEACH and MAYRO and TOADZ!!!!!!!

    Now, let's move on from the super complex Shakespearean plot and get on with the rest of the game. The soundtrack is amazing, and makes up for the battle system a bit. Exploration is good too, since you gotta save the island from having the paint sucked dry. You need to use your paint hammer to paint the patches for coins, cards, and sometimes secrets! It's pretty fun.

    To sum it up, the pros. are the visuals, soundtrack, exploration, and humor. The cons. are the battling system, the characters, and some parts of the story. Don't let others make you miss out one of the best Wii U games for the system!    … Expand
  5. Julian0505z
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    This game does not deserve the hate it gets. It fixes most of the issues from Sticker Star while adding a few new ones to keep things fresh. It's few shortcomings barely hinder this diamond in the rough!
  6. Hellsky
    Oct 8, 2017
    9
    Paper Mario returns to Wii U with a new formula and surprising me for good!

    I've played all Paper Mario games except the N64 one and I have to say that I don't like that Nintendo ripped off some of the rpg elements and the original characters but you need to play this game as a new Mario game to enjoy it, don't look at the RPG past. It conserves a lot of that Paper Mario magic and    Paper Mario returns to Wii U with a new formula and surprising me for good!

    I've played all Paper Mario games except the N64 one and I have to say that I don't like that Nintendo ripped off some of the rpg elements and the original characters but you need to play this game as a new Mario game to enjoy it, don't look at the RPG past. It conserves a lot of that Paper Mario magic and you'll notice soon.

    This game is incredible, it has fantastic ideas, improves by far BY FAR the flop that was Sticker Star and the humor is 100 times better. It has that old Paper Mario feeling and you enjoy every single moment.

    The gameplay consists on painting the world while collecting star fragments to save the Mushroom Kingdom from an evil guy. While you are doing your prime task you are battling foes with cards. The battle system is sort of turn based like Thousand Year Door but the items that you used are lost forever until you find or buy the card again. The battles can be a little repetitive but it didn't get boring.

    The soundtrack is a very good one, I really fell in love with some tracks from the game.

    Overall, I think Paper Mario Color Splash is one of the must haves for a Wii U owner and I personally give it a 8.5, so in Metacritic I'll give it a 9. Very good game!!    … Expand
  7. amihart
    Dec 31, 2016
    8
    The creativity of this game is on the level of The Thousand Year Door, from resurrecting and riding a giant dragon, solving the mysteries of a haunted mansion, trying to take back a hijacked train, there's just a huge variety in stuff that you do.

    The creativity is hurt a little bit by the lack of original characters, as this game almost purely uses old Mario characters, however this    The creativity of this game is on the level of The Thousand Year Door, from resurrecting and riding a giant dragon, solving the mysteries of a haunted mansion, trying to take back a hijacked train, there's just a huge variety in stuff that you do.

    The creativity is hurt a little bit by the lack of original characters, as this game almost purely uses old Mario characters, however this was a decision likely made by Miyamoto and not Intelligent Systems, so they still manage to make the characters' personalities unique and interesting despite having the same skins. Do remember that the original Paper Mario also used mainly original characters, it is not as big of a problem as others make it out to be, but it's definitely a point off for me. The adventure itself and all the places you go is very creative and interesting, although the overarching story isn't much more creative than the original Paper Mario. That's not a huge issue for me, though, as long as the story along the way is good.

    The combat system is nowhere near as good as the first two games, but it's way better than the next two games, being Sticker Star and Super Paper Mario. Fighting battles levels up your paint meter, and you need more paint for more powerful battle cards, so essentially, the more you fight, the more powerful you become. This is how an RPG should work and is what ruined Sticker Star's battle system. The main issue with the battle system is that most battles are too quick and easy, you can beat most in a single turn if you have the right cards, and the game throws so much resources at you (I had 9999 coins early on in the game) that you can almost always afford the cards you need. This definitely isn't a brutal game, it's rather easy, but I still find the battle system to be enjoyable. The fact that I enjoyed the battle system doesn't make it terrible for me, but it's definitely a point off as it has issues and is nowhere near The Thousand Year Door's level.

    This game also has quite a bit of length. It has about 40 hours of gameplay, which is about the same as Sticker Star and Super Paper Mario combined.

    Overall I'd say this is a rather good game and I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who has a Wii U. It still falls below The Thousand Year Door but that doesn't mean on its own it's a bad game, it's still a very good game on its own. I would say this pushes the series in the right direction.

    Many people are upset about this game for not returning to The Thousand Year Door's mechanics, but many Paper Mario fans include Super Paper Mario as a good game, and that game had gameplay even further from TTYD's. So I'd recommend Paper Mario fans not passing up this game and giving it a chance. It is definitely NOT another Sticker Star.    … Expand
  8. GamerStar
    Mar 4, 2017
    10
    I LOVE the Paper Mario series!I feel like there's a game for all types of players!And I gotta say,Paper Mario:Color Splash was a great game.If your willing to try this game,then go for it!I really enjoy this game.It may not have a hardcore,complicated story or 10 different partners or a normal battle system,but even without those things,it was still a very charming game.There's one thingI LOVE the Paper Mario series!I feel like there's a game for all types of players!And I gotta say,Paper Mario:Color Splash was a great game.If your willing to try this game,then go for it!I really enjoy this game.It may not have a hardcore,complicated story or 10 different partners or a normal battle system,but even without those things,it was still a very charming game.There's one thing that didn't change...the humor!This game is hilarious!In the first five minutes of the game,I was laughing so hard!And even though you only have one partner,your partner is probably the most charming thing about the game!So,like I said before,if you are willing to try this game,I think you should.And if you dislike it,that's fine,it may not go with your gaming style.But please,don't put down this game because its different,it may just be better than you expect.… Expand
  9. MPReviews
    Jun 3, 2018
    8
    Now, first off, I’ve never actually played any of the past paper mario games, so this is my first foray into the franchise, and boy what a great start! I had a really good time playing color splash! It can be a bit confusing at times, and admittedly I did get frustrated during those periods, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it with fun gameplay, nice music, amazing graphicsNow, first off, I’ve never actually played any of the past paper mario games, so this is my first foray into the franchise, and boy what a great start! I had a really good time playing color splash! It can be a bit confusing at times, and admittedly I did get frustrated during those periods, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it with fun gameplay, nice music, amazing graphics for wii-u standards, and outstanding writing. And that ending.... bravo, intelligent systems! Bravo! So overall, paper mario: color splash gets an 8/10. Its not perfect, but the good stuff is just so good!!! Definetely check this one out if you haven’t already.… Expand
  10. PipoPlatzGames
    Mar 20, 2018
    8
    I think Color Splash is an incredible game and I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I have only played one Paper Mario game prior to this one and that is Super Paper Mario. So I don't have those high almighty original Paper Mario and TTYD to compare it to.
    I love the sense of exploration I get from the game and how it feels like I'm on an adventure with Mario and Huey.    I think Color Splash is an incredible game and I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I have only played one Paper Mario game prior to this one and that is Super Paper Mario. So I don't have those high almighty original Paper Mario and TTYD to compare it to.
    I love the sense of exploration I get from the game and how it feels like I'm on an adventure with Mario and Huey.
    Yes the battle system is not the best and yes the puzzles are a bit gimmicky and don't make sense some times but I still had a blast with it.
    If you are looking for a laid back fun adventure with laugh out loud moments thanks to the wonderful writing of the game, and are not looking for a deep and advanced RPG battle system, don't miss out on this game.    … Expand
  11. gamenaturegeek
    Apr 6, 2018
    8
    This is an amazing game with a few small flaws here and there. The story like all other Paper Mario games before it is hilarious and also emotional taking jokes and tropes from memes and pop culture to make this one silly game. The presentation is also really good. Having the world be made of paint, cardboard, and paper really adds to the "paper" part of this game a lot. However there areThis is an amazing game with a few small flaws here and there. The story like all other Paper Mario games before it is hilarious and also emotional taking jokes and tropes from memes and pop culture to make this one silly game. The presentation is also really good. Having the world be made of paint, cardboard, and paper really adds to the "paper" part of this game a lot. However there are a few nitpicks I have with this game. Unlike the first three Paper Mario's this one is lacking unique and quirky characters like O'Chuncks or Dopliss and only really has toads and shy guys which gets really old after the first few hours of playing. Another issue is the combat. It is very repetitive with only four kinds of attacks.(Flowers,Jumps,Hammers,and Things) However The thing cards are always hilarious and I can use the same one ten times and it still doesn't get old. One last issue I had with the game was the last chapter and the ending. By the time you look for the green paint star the game has just ran out of ideas and has no interesting characters in this part. And the ending boss fight is really bland and afterwards the ending leaves a lot to be desired. Although I really did enjoy the Roy fight though. However because of these issues this game gets a 7 out of 10.… Expand
  12. FNaF
    Dec 12, 2018
    10
    Looks like we finally got a sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star on the Wii U!
  13. Alfortuna2018
    Dec 27, 2018
    10
    Amazing game. Very funny story and beautiful scenario. Essential game for all owners of WiiU.
  14. Max_Lazy_10
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    Fun game. It's not as RPG oriented as the first two games, but definitely a much better game than Sticker Star. Writing and locations in game are definitely on point!
  15. bowser12
    Dec 28, 2016
    10
    To be honest I give this game around an 8/8,5 but people are bashing it so hard that I gave it a 10 to push the rating. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Even at its worst it would still be worth at least a 6. Not a 4 or a 2 or whatever. This game is gorgeous, with great level design and dialogue, and VERY good music. The overall presentation is great and the battle system is NOTTo be honest I give this game around an 8/8,5 but people are bashing it so hard that I gave it a 10 to push the rating. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Even at its worst it would still be worth at least a 6. Not a 4 or a 2 or whatever. This game is gorgeous, with great level design and dialogue, and VERY good music. The overall presentation is great and the battle system is NOT crap. Yes it is not anything special but it does NOT suck. For where the battle system falls a bit flat all other aspects of the game carry you through an amazing adventure full of memorable moments and locations. This is a great game and giving it ratings of 4,2 or 3 is saying that its pure and utter garbage! And its far from that!

    For me its a very memorable experience and i encourage people with a wii u to pick it up if you like action/adventure games. ( for this iteration is not really an RPG like many people seem to claim just because the battle system is turn based lel)    … Expand
  16. indoGAMER
    Oct 7, 2016
    8
    A simple, Paper Mario title, is now on Wii U. The gameplay looks graphically nice in-depth and smooth just like a real paper. The mechanics are very simple, not complex (like the second Paper Mario), because Paper Mario is meant to be simple and fun, and Color Splash proves it.
  17. Cientifico1
    Mar 23, 2017
    10
    JUEGAZO!! No es como el Paper Mario de GC y eso es lo que muchos le echan en contra pero dejen ese criterio falso atrás y pruebenlo. Para los conocedores de la saga sabrán que es un punto medio entre el de GC y el de 3ds y para los nuevos lo disfrutaran como nunca antes gracias a su jugabilidad y realismo.
  18. VideoGameLover
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    I have played every Paper Mario game ever. And they are all fantastic, creative, original experiences (yes, even Sticker Star)

    Though this one is, without a doubt, is the most beautiful, both visually and audibly (the music is unreal) Paper Mario game ever. It's a game you never want to stop playing because you are anxious to see what happens next. I have never laughed out loud as    I have played every Paper Mario game ever. And they are all fantastic, creative, original experiences (yes, even Sticker Star)

    Though this one is, without a doubt, is the most beautiful, both visually and audibly (the music is unreal) Paper Mario game ever. It's a game you never want to stop playing because you are anxious to see what happens next. I have never laughed out loud as much as I have in ANY video game. The writing is pure genius. The battle system is not perfect, but, it's fine and it adds up to something special.

    Do not listen to the salty haters out there who didn't get the THOUSAND YEAR DOOR sequel they wanted. Nintendo gives us this gift, a fresh take on the series, with less RPG and more action, adventure and story than ever. And at over 40 hours long, it's a great value.

    I advise you to 100% this game. And you will be rewarded.

    I would give the game a 15 out of 10 if I could!    … Expand
  19. huynhjd
    Oct 9, 2016
    9
    Sound / Music: The music in the game is extremely catchy and makes each new area a joy to explore. When there is mystery or a villain moment, the music really conveys the mood of the story.

    Story / writing: The story is like you would expect for a Mario game. You have to find different stars to restore Prism Island to its former glory. The game really shines with smaller stories for new    Sound / Music: The music in the game is extremely catchy and makes each new area a joy to explore. When there is mystery or a villain moment, the music really conveys the mood of the story.

    Story / writing: The story is like you would expect for a Mario game. You have to find different stars to restore Prism Island to its former glory. The game really shines with smaller stories for new NPCs where you must solve their problems. Each conversation is either to help the player figure out how to complete an objective, or it is comedy/humor. I had my girlfriend playing along and regardless of your experience with the series or gaming, you will be laughing and enjoying yourself.

    Gameplay: You explore different levels, coloring the world and replacing paint sucked away by the shyguys. you use your paint and hammer to fill in blank spots, receiving coins and battle cards. There are also some light puzzles thrown in.

    For combat, the game has a pretty balanced card system. You have different cards with various levels of power. You can use your paint meter as well as action commands in order to do more damage. The game is simple and relatively easy (accessible), but new enemies will still surprise you with higher damage or different attack timings. As you play, you will be able to play more than one card per turn. This requires you to plan out and anticipate how much damage you will do and who might receive your second attack. You wouldn't want to end up jumping on a spiky enemy in your second attack! To address criticism the the game LOOKS like the sticker star system, there are a distinct differences that make this combat system unique from past games.

    1. Battles are not a waste - you gain hammer points that will power you up with a larger paint meter so that you are less likely to run out in battle. There aren't traditional experience points, reducing the temptation to grind enemies over and over. Also, the enemy cards can be helpful and are decently powerful (only obtained through fighting).

    2. Running Out of stickers/cards - It is less likely that you run out of resources because you can buy additional cards at shops, the game provides multiple cards within each level, and there is a roulette you can spin to get a random card in the middle of battle.

    3. Thing cards ruin the game if used at the wrong time - Thing cards are still very important for winning boss battles. They are more of a puzzle element than a battle element. This is a criticism of the game as it makes these fights easier. However, boss battles are still an added fun factor.

    Graphics / Aesthetic: The game looks good. The cardboard and paper style really gives the game character. The animations are smooth. the battles with action commands show creative paint particle effects, and thing cards give you big impressive attacks that add to the comedy but also look nice on the wii u.    … Expand
  20. ricardosilveira
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Muito bonito e divertido, achei o jogo que mais trabalhou com o papel, junto com a história que combinou muito. Realmente um jogo nunca me impressionou tanto como o Paper Mario: Color Splash.
  21. Galeafeend
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    This was a great game with tons of exploration in a variety of areas with interesting settings and characters to talk to. However there was a significant amount of backtracking which was slightly annoying.
  22. sergiomonty
    Nov 2, 2016
    9
    Wonderfully written, visually impressive and musically masterful, Paper Mario Color Splash is a delight. Even if it wasn't developed in the same way as a traditional Paper Mario game, Color Splash manages to come out as a great game on its own. Despite the lack of variety in character designs, Color Splash has some memorable dialogues and locations, and some of the wildest and wackiestWonderfully written, visually impressive and musically masterful, Paper Mario Color Splash is a delight. Even if it wasn't developed in the same way as a traditional Paper Mario game, Color Splash manages to come out as a great game on its own. Despite the lack of variety in character designs, Color Splash has some memorable dialogues and locations, and some of the wildest and wackiest ideas the series has come up with. The combat system doesn't really need touch controls, but thankfully, those can be configured later in the game. Nothing replaces traditional buttons. Definitely, a very decent swan song for Wii U owners, and one of the most gorgeous looking games this generation.… Expand
  23. Snaxfrlnch
    Dec 19, 2016
    8
    I'm going to base my rating on the average of a bunch of smaller ratings!
    Play time: 8
    The play time is about 30-40 hours, which is perfect, Paper Mario Color Splash doesn't artificially prolong or shorten the length of the game, which just makes it the perfect game finish in a week when you have lots of free time. Graphics:10 The graphics are amazing! I mean, just look at the lemon    I'm going to base my rating on the average of a bunch of smaller ratings!
    Play time: 8
    The play time is about 30-40 hours, which is perfect, Paper Mario Color Splash doesn't artificially prolong or shorten the length of the game, which just makes it the perfect game finish in a week when you have lots of free time.
    Graphics:10
    The graphics are amazing! I mean, just look at the lemon animation!
    Combat:3
    This is where things go downhill. The combat in this game is not fun whatsoever, with the exception of the bosses. The combat is so slow and repetitive, and it's way to easy!
    Story:6
    Meh, I mean it's a Mario game, what did you expect?
    Exploration:10
    This is probably the best part of the game, the game is funny, and it makes you want to keep playing, to find out what the next area will be!

    Overall:8
    Paper Mario Color Splash has some of the best exploring in all of Mario games, and the most realistic lemons in all of gaming itself! It's perfect to just sit down and play when you have free time. The story is okay, and the combat is horrible, but if your looking for a happy go lucky, funny game, Paper Mario Color Splash is perfect!    … Expand
  24. Jhena
    Apr 23, 2019
    10
    Einer meiner liebsten Nintendo Titel nur das Kampfsystem is echt nicht so toll. Trifft aber irgendwie für so ziemlich jedes jrpg dass ich in letzter Zeit gespielt hab zu find ich. Ist jetzt aber auch nich so schlimm dass ich dafür ne Perle links liegen lasse.

    Der Rest stimmt halt. Der für mich wichtige Kern eines jrpgs. Nintendo Atmosphäre ohne Ende und richtig gute (Welten) mit    Einer meiner liebsten Nintendo Titel nur das Kampfsystem is echt nicht so toll. Trifft aber irgendwie für so ziemlich jedes jrpg dass ich in letzter Zeit gespielt hab zu find ich. Ist jetzt aber auch nich so schlimm dass ich dafür ne Perle links liegen lasse.

    Der Rest stimmt halt. Der für mich wichtige Kern eines jrpgs. Nintendo Atmosphäre ohne Ende und richtig gute (Welten) mit genialen Situationen und sympathischen Charakteren. An sich ist die Story wie in eigentlich jedem Spiel bloss Story aber wie gesagt die Situationen sind einfach nur genial und mit dazu passenden und teilweise wirklich witzigen Dialogen. Mir hat das Spiel ziemlich gute Laune gemacht. Ist wie mario sunshine für mich. Neuerdings finde ich dass zu viele Spiele einfach viel zu ernst und runterziehend sind. Color Splash is einfach genau das was ich brauche. Herzerwärmende Nahrung für die Seele.

    Ich hab mich mit Mario und Farbian auf die Sonnenliege gechillt und mich einfach mal zurückgelehnt und zusammen Urlaub gemacht. Genialer Moment.    … Expand
  25. JPK
    Jun 8, 2019
    8
    Not Bad
    Color Splash definitely is nowhere near as good as the 2001-2007 Paper Mario games, But It still has good humor, creativity, and a simple but well told story.
  26. BroItzAki
    Aug 16, 2017
    10
    i like this game! It's hilarious the points is back as hammer scraps and Huey is better than Kertsi and it's fun plus if you think its a sequel of sticker star, its not! Paper Mario is coming to be alive again!
  27. gaboblack
    Jan 30, 2020
    10
    Una experiencia divertida y entretenida, sus gráficos son muy bonitos y coloridos.
    Muy recomendado!
  28. Coolamanen50
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Amazing game so mucn content. Lovevly humor, excellent game for everyone.

    Paper mario color splash is your sequel you didn't know you wanted.

    Paper mario color splash gets a 10/10
  29. kingofgames
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Paper Mario title, is now on Wii U. The gameplay looks graphically nice in-depth and smooth just like a real paper. I have played alla mario games this one i love it.Paper mario color splash gets a 10/10
  30. 325_hawks
    Oct 8, 2016
    8
    It's not going to live up to the unreal expectations we all have of another Paper Mario being as good as the originals, but Color Splash has it's own unique charm that I found very enjoyable. The paint mechanics work well and finding patches to color in is a fun little incentive to fully explore each area. The game does have levels, but you can revisit them to find items and secrets youIt's not going to live up to the unreal expectations we all have of another Paper Mario being as good as the originals, but Color Splash has it's own unique charm that I found very enjoyable. The paint mechanics work well and finding patches to color in is a fun little incentive to fully explore each area. The game does have levels, but you can revisit them to find items and secrets you need to progress which I didn't mind. The music is a change for Mario games, you get this upbeat music that reminds me of a song that plays on the radio in the original Bioshock (I think it was, you'll recognize what I'm talking about if you hear it). The battle mechanics will take a little time to learn but it's not as bad as in some reviews I've read. Would it be better with the classic turn based party RPG style? Probably, but something new isn't always bad. Visually, it might be the best looking Wii U game. The art style really shines looks appealing. The levels are linear, but not too linear where there's no challenge. I've been playing it for maybe 6 hours and I haven't died yet so the challenge isn't as hard as past Paper Mario games, atleast early on that is. So, would I recommend Color Splash? I would. It's not a perfect game, but for what might be the last Wii U Nintendo published exclusive, it's a well polished game that shows throughout. Pick it up if you want to spend some quality time with your Wii U before our Nintendo overlords release the NX.… Expand
  31. Knowarand
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Definitely a very fun game with creative gameplay and dialogue. Although gameplay can get tedious at times, it's definitely a good game for anybody to try out.
  32. Ancestrand
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    The graphics and the locals are just absolutely stunning. This is definitely one of the prettiest games that exist on the Wii U, and the prettiest Paper Mario game to date.
  33. Hichad
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    This is an innovative and creative game. The levels are extremely varied bringing new light into the Mario world and the tactical nature of the battles really make you think.
  34. Aussiephoenix83
    Oct 15, 2016
    8
    I am actually having so much fun with this game. It is gorgeous looking, the dialogue is fun and the areas are beautifully designed. The game is all made out of paper and the effect is mind blowing. It's one of the best looking Wii U games. The game itself is fun to play and I always want to see what happens next. The battle system is a little cumbersome as choosing the card, then paintingI am actually having so much fun with this game. It is gorgeous looking, the dialogue is fun and the areas are beautifully designed. The game is all made out of paper and the effect is mind blowing. It's one of the best looking Wii U games. The game itself is fun to play and I always want to see what happens next. The battle system is a little cumbersome as choosing the card, then painting it and then flicking it onto the screen can get tedious. Also most battles so far have been relatively easy. I like that you can upgrade how much paint you can hold through battling though this gives battling a point but overall it can feel rather redundant. I like Huey who is the companion, he is funny and charming, I feel sorry for him because his world has been destroyed, this is a good thing as I have obviously made a connection. Yes the NPCs are all toads and all the enemies are your traditional foes but somehow they managed to give every toad a personality and make them feel part of the town. Also love when you collect a big paint star. Overall I am really enjoying this game and not taking it too seriously. I decided not to compare it to other Paper Mario games and just enjoy it for what it is and I think this has really helped. Seriously give it a go and just enjoy the game for what it is.… Expand
  35. Mariocore
    Oct 7, 2016
    9
    I am someone who actually thought sticker star was good, and this game is sticker star 2. However, I mean that in the BEST possible way. Color Splash is a whole lot of fun. The battles have meaning without being too much of a hassle, the visuals are AMAZING, the dialogue is hilarious, and overall the game is just so much fun to play. It may not be TTYD, and it may be Sticker Star 2, butI am someone who actually thought sticker star was good, and this game is sticker star 2. However, I mean that in the BEST possible way. Color Splash is a whole lot of fun. The battles have meaning without being too much of a hassle, the visuals are AMAZING, the dialogue is hilarious, and overall the game is just so much fun to play. It may not be TTYD, and it may be Sticker Star 2, but unlike the 3DS version (Which did have some problems and parts I'd get rid of), This game you will enjoy greatly.… Expand
  36. Bouzas
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    Juegazo con todas las letras, la historia es bastante entretenida y divertida, las risas estan garantizadas y sobre todo en tema grafico es bastante bastante bonito de ver!
    Que despidan WiiU con este juegazo es un acierto.

    10/10
  37. Isaac0390
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    That game in AMAZING, after de announcament at E3 I Feel a litle depress cause Sticke Star is a Mediocre game.. But THAT JEWEL is TREMENDOUS! A full game of Fun and Love, incredible adventure, Thanks Nintendo
  38. awesometoxic
    Feb 17, 2017
    10
    the game is amazing! i hope you try it soon!!!!!!! its amazing how paper mario came to be in this game its gotten the best of me!
  39. Afenger
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    Excelente jogo, o modo que o gamepad é usado nas batalhas despoluindo a tela principal com as cartas a habilidade de recortar o cenário ficou interessante, graficos caprichados serrilhados nulos a trama ti leva a querer jogar mais e mais recomendo a todos esse leva 10.
  40. Aquelacion
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Es una maravilla al solo verlo correr, el papel nunca antes se había visto tan lleno de vida, Es un deleite al verlo. Las batallas cada vez suben de tono hasta el momento de pensar que te falta experiencia pero al final y con una buen estrategia saldrás vencedor. Y los objetos (cosas) que aparecen del mundo real logran una interacción perfecta con el papel principalmente en las batallas.
  41. carlosbriv
    Oct 11, 2016
    9
    The art style and music of this game are absolutely amazing and rival even the earlier paper Mario games. The writing is humorous and an absolute delight to read. A must have for any wii u owner.
  42. blawren4
    Oct 26, 2016
    9
    Great game! I guess I have the ability to take games for what they are, not what they aren't. Is this an rpg like the first two, no. Does it take away from enjoying this game. Not in the slightest. I have no major issues with this game. Levels are expertly designed, varied, and coloring 100% of each level is addicting. Battle system is not too bad. I liked sticker star also, butGreat game! I guess I have the ability to take games for what they are, not what they aren't. Is this an rpg like the first two, no. Does it take away from enjoying this game. Not in the slightest. I have no major issues with this game. Levels are expertly designed, varied, and coloring 100% of each level is addicting. Battle system is not too bad. I liked sticker star also, but this game makes many improvements. The writing is great, so that you actually want to talk to all of the characters, vs many games where you just want to skip to the action.… Expand
  43. sumbodyshero
    Aug 7, 2018
    10
    One of the greatest video games of all time. It's in my top ten. I haven't felt like a kid again the way this game made me feel, like I was playing Mario 64 for the first time. Absolutely brilliant, spectacular, side-splittingly witty. Don't miss out!
  44. abdiel1705
    Oct 8, 2016
    9
    Gran juego, mantiene la esencia de la saga intacta, graficamente es espectacular en su estilo, el sonido sobresaliente como siempre en los juegos de la gran N, la historia se mantiene interesante a travez de la aventura y el combate aunque puede no gustarle a muchos, se mantiene fiel añ estilo de los paper mario.
    Muy buena despedida para el WiiU quien acumula ya mas de veinte titulos    Gran juego, mantiene la esencia de la saga intacta, graficamente es espectacular en su estilo, el sonido sobresaliente como siempre en los juegos de la gran N, la historia se mantiene interesante a travez de la aventura y el combate aunque puede no gustarle a muchos, se mantiene fiel añ estilo de los paper mario.
    Muy buena despedida para el WiiU quien acumula ya mas de veinte titulos sobresalientes en su catalogo.    … Expand
  45. Sheev
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the fourth game in the legendary Paper Mario series. And boy (or girl) let me tell you it's the best one yet! The graphics are incredible you really feel like you're looking at actual paper but surprisingly you aren't. During my play through I was practically trying to write on the screen because I actually thought that was real paper.

    That's not to say    Paper Mario Color Splash is the fourth game in the legendary Paper Mario series. And boy (or girl) let me tell you it's the best one yet! The graphics are incredible you really feel like you're looking at actual paper but surprisingly you aren't. During my play through I was practically trying to write on the screen because I actually thought that was real paper.

    That's not to say though that the graphics are the only good thing about this game, there's also the gameplay. Now you may be saying "dude it's not like Thousand Year door that I played when I was 6 years old, I hate things that are different lmao!!!!". If you're one of those people stick to the decent but ultimately forgotten TTYD. This games battle system is quite possible the greatest in any RPG I've ever played.

    The Wii U may be winding down a bit but this game makes excellent use of the gamepad. I felt like I was actually throwing cards at the screen at some points. Combine this with the wonderful and often hilarious dialogue and uplifting story you have a great contender for game of the year, maybe even generation. All in all Paper Mario color splash is a crowning achievement in gaming and cinema alike. Absolute kino.    … Expand
  46. Jus7ice
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    A significant improve of Sticker Star in every way. It's funnier, the combat is engaging despite the lack of XP, the graphics are gorgeous and long enough to be labeled as an excellent game. Highly recommended for old PM fans or new.
  47. CodyCoyote64
    Nov 3, 2016
    10
    All the changes Paper Mario went through in Sticker Star have fully grown into their own in this one release. Regarding some controversies about the gameplay, I am happy to report that yes, the game is fun to play.
    Lo and behold, some people continue to deny this by pretending there is something wrong with the game.
    Oh, but that isn't true at all. I can confirm this. Instead of    All the changes Paper Mario went through in Sticker Star have fully grown into their own in this one release. Regarding some controversies about the gameplay, I am happy to report that yes, the game is fun to play.
    Lo and behold, some people continue to deny this by pretending there is something wrong with the game.
    Oh, but that isn't true at all. I can confirm this.

    Instead of boring, tedious chapters that drag on for way too long, Color Splash offers a map system that
    systematically fixes TTYD's main flaw, the incredibly repetitive back tracking.

    About the Toads...

    frankly, they are incredibly creative and interesting characters in this one.
    And the settings and plot threads are far more creative and involved than TTYD. This game is
    great.    … Expand
  48. NIntendoFan94
    Feb 25, 2017
    8
    this game has potential. It could be 4th Paper Mario game on Nintendo console along with Super Paper Mario. The gameplay was different and it's still better than Sticker Star. It could be the most solid RPG on the Wii U. The story was actually funny in a similar way. It's still worth checking out
  49. Pokemonsilph
    Jan 2, 2017
    8
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the very controversial sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star (a game which I also dislike). The reasoning behind this controversy is due to many similarities in game style to Sticker Star. The main problems I seem to have found traditional Paper Mario fans complaining about are the battle system, NPC designs, and the story.

    Many have complained about the battle    Paper Mario Color Splash is the very controversial sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star (a game which I also dislike). The reasoning behind this controversy is due to many similarities in game style to Sticker Star. The main problems I seem to have found traditional Paper Mario fans complaining about are the battle system, NPC designs, and the story.

    Many have complained about the battle system saying that it is completely pointless in the grand scheme of progression, as there is no traditional level up system in Color Splash (much like Sticker Star). I don't think the lack of an EXP system is inherently bad, as it is often used to pad out a game's length with grinding to be able to defeat certain enemies or learn certain abilities. In Paper Mario and Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door, leveling up gave you options between increasing health points, badge points (to equip special items), or "flower points" (special attack points), which was a nice way to give players a choice between certain options of play style, whether you want to focus on more health to recover from mistakes, badge points to increase your abilities, or flower points to let you use your abilities more often. Paper Mario Color Splash's only form of EXP gained from battling are "hammer points", which increase the amount of paint you can carry on the overworld and use in battles. Here's the thing, however: Color Splash is a different kind of Paper Mario. While older Paper Mario games focus mostly on story, combat, and adventuring, Color Splash focuses on being a more relaxed and laid-back game. Color Splash so far (through the half of the game I've played up to this point) shows its focus in exploration of stages, puzzle-solving (on some stages), and much like other Paper Mario games, an overall very enjoyable adventure (though Paper Mario Sticker Star missed out on an enjoyable adventure).

    However, many feel that this new Paper Mario style (used in Color Splash and Sticker Star) is cheating them out of another Paper Mario game akin to the original and The Thousand Year Door. Personally, I've always preferred the Mario & Luigi games for my Mario RPG combat fix, but others obviously don't feel that way. I will admit that a more complete experience would be made by a better battle system than what Color Splash has, and yes, battles can be annoying sometimes (but battles were sometimes annoying in the original Paper Mario games too, not just here). The battles use cards for attacks, and the card management feels a bit unpolished, as cards are strewn all about on the menu, and scrolling through a full 99 card deck can take quite a few swipes to reach from one end to the other; this would be fine if starting a battle didn't reset the card menu to the complete right side. These complaints are mostly just minor annoyances, however. As for boss battles, these are the battles that obviously have taken a toll, since most bosses require a certain Thing card (cards based off real-world items necessary for story progression in a lot of cases) to be able to beat them at all, which really puts a damper on the feeling of being powerful and destroying a boss. However, a merely okay battle system and meh bosses don't ruin the experience for this game (for me at least). For some, it's a huge detriment to this game, but I don't think it's as bad as some people are making it out to be, mostly because I feel like the game is focused more on the levels than the combat.

    Next up is character designs, and yes, most NPCs are just plain colored Toads. This isn't something that works all too well in an RPG based on character interaction at many parts, but I'm honestly surprised that despite the fact they don't have a name or unique design, I can still remember those Toads who say something funny and what level they're even at. They're very strangely memorable and well-written, and each one tends to have some sort of personality quirk or funny feature. Overall, I think the plain old design being used for practically all NPCs feels very lazy, but it's still somewhat mended by the memorable character interactions and personalities.

    The story also gets contention from some, but I can't speak fully on it yet. All I can say is that, much like Sticker Star, this game isn't going as much for a well-integrated story. It's almost the same as your basic Mario story but with subplots in many levels. I just wish the boss characters got more character development, honestly.

    Lastly (as I'm running out of room), the music and graphics are simply exquisite, and they're potentially the best the series has seen so far (the music is in close competition with Super Paper Mario's soundtrack). Anyway, I'll be giving this review just an 8 out of 10, as it doesn't quite feel completely polished in all areas. If you're looking for just a fun game that's also fun to 100% complete, then I recommend this game wholeheartedly, regardless of how it compares to other Paper Mario games.    … Expand
  50. Cosmozerk
    Jan 1, 2017
    8
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the first Paper Mario game I’ve ever played, thus I don’t have a point of comparison with the other games in the saga. So you can either take this review with the grain of salt or look at it as an unbiased opinion. In any case, let’s start this thing!

    STORY: The story of PMCS (and yes, I’ll be using that acronym to save space) goes like this: On a dark and    Paper Mario Color Splash is the first Paper Mario game I’ve ever played, thus I don’t have a point of comparison with the other games in the saga. So you can either take this review with the grain of salt or look at it as an unbiased opinion. In any case, let’s start this thing!

    STORY: The story of PMCS (and yes, I’ll be using that acronym to save space) goes like this: On a dark and stormy night princes peach and Toad pay Mario a visit. They show Mario a letter than in actuality is a bent Paper Toad that is also lacking in color. Mario gets the idea that this colorless Toad came from Prism Island because of the stamp it had on I, which Mario conveniently had already seen before in a convenient poster in his house. With no time to waste the trio set out on an adventure to find the cause of this lack of color. When they get to Prism Island they see that it’s full of blank spots and in no time flat they find a talking Bucket called Huey, who is your partner in this adventure. After you companion Toad is sucked to death by a Shy guy Huey gives Mario the power of paint to restore the color to the world and stop the evil bad guy behind all of this. After Huey gets depression after finding out that the paint stars (the source of Prism Island’s color) have gone missing Mario and the bucket team up to find the paint stars. After a few good levels and a pathetically easy boss they get the first Paint Star, who tells them that Bowser (big surprise there) has launched the paint stars to many different locations and now the Koopalings are searching for them…wait…Bowser was the one who skyrocketed the stars to different locations and now the same Bowser is looking for the same stars that he got rid of? Who wrote this?! …After a few more levels the story takes an unexpected turn and Bowsy here kidnaps the Princess…Sorry if I sound sarcastic, but even the game makes fun of this.

    Anyway…my opinion of the story is that…it’s good, but nothing amazing. The mission here is to rescue the princess and get the paint stars back and that’s about it. The writing and characters definitely do give life to this world, even if the majority are just Toads the humors script definitely makes up for it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed every line of dialog here and Huey is just an amazing companion to me, he has attitude, humor, sarcasm and a fun personality that makes my interactions with him really enjoyable.

    PRESENTATION: I'm not even gonna sugarcoat it, this game looks freaking amazing! Nintendo definitely knows how to use what he's given to them and this game definitely takes advantage of it. Everything, literally EVERYTHING is made of some sort of material, ranging from paper, metal, cardboard and many other things that make this world look simply gorgeous! There are also some photo-realistic things that clearly don't fit in with world, but that makes them all the more special. The game has rarely ever a drop in framerate, though it does happens when there's too much stuff at once, but the game still performs very well throughout the majority of the adventure.

    The soundtrack is also fascinating. It has a sense of energy that makes me wanna dance, even in the more moody of dramatic pieces of the ost I was just consuming ear and eye candy every waking moment of the adventure!

    GAMEPLAY: The quality of the battle system can be debated, however I personally did find it pretty fun. Using cards instead of attacks was really novel for me and never once did I run out of them, mostly because filling white spaces of fighting monsters was more than enough to fill the 100 card limit and even when I needed more I could just visit the shop and BOOM I'm ready to go. Scrolling though the cards, painting them and then flicking them at the TV did get somewhat dull at times, but I'm a very patient guy for this kind of stuff, so I didn't mind it. Some people bring up the fact that you don't need the paint hammers that serve and EXP to increase your paint meter, however I view it as increasing the convenience rather than power, so the times I ran out of paint from using cards or painting stuff decreased significantly once I upgraded it enough times, so I actually did feel progression when I battled. Each card did a different thing and having to interact while doing it or looking at the spectacle of the thing cards for massive damage was really fun.

    Aside from battles we also get the exploration segment. Easily the best parts of the game! We have different levels to explore with mini-paint-stars to collect and most of them were really fun. Painting white spots, battling, talking, etc it all just felt good.

    If I had to complain I would say that the boss battles are nearly impossible if you don't have the correct card that the game wants you to have, though it does give some hints...but still..!

    I really don't know why people hate PPCS. For me it was a great time!

    I'll give an 8/10    … Expand
  51. nintendofan08
    Apr 1, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Color Splash is a much better game than Sticker Star. In my opinion, it has a more compelling plot compared to Sticker Star, and I think Huey, Mario's new partner, is much more like-able and much more funny than Kertsie. However the battle system disappointed me a little bit. In this game, you use cards and paint to defend yourself against enemies. Let's say this, you have a bunch of card, and you want to use a specific one so you have to use so then you have to slide the cards all the way the find the card you need to use, but that's just the peak of the iceberg. When using white card, you need to color them with paint, but if you run out of paint in middle of fighting a powerful boss and have no 1-ups, it will be a bit of a problem. The world map also has the concept as Sticker Star which also disappoints me, But besides that the game is not that bad. It is full of color and life, better humor than Sticker Star. If you are just starting with the Paper Mario series, this game is a pretty good choice to begin with, and if you are a Paper Mario fan, I would recommend it to you. Be careful for the Luigi references!… Expand
  52. markogera
    Nov 1, 2016
    10
    Its the only game on wii U that hasn't disappointed me yet. Truly impressive graphics, and classic Nintendo gameplay that finally meets todays standards.
  53. VTL
    Jul 28, 2020
    9
    Para mi el mejor Paper Mario. Combate sensacional, historia tremenda y visualmente te enamora. Si tienes una WiiU (ahora 2020 estan tiradas de segunda mano) este juego se ha de jugar.
  54. WreckingDan
    Oct 26, 2016
    10
    This game did nearly everything right Sticker Star did wrong! Beautiful World Design! Very good Dialogues! Good Story! Very epic, catchy and touching Finale! I love this game! It has so many references to PM2!
  55. MatiQuintana
    Nov 6, 2016
    10
    Aun no lo he terminado. Pero por el momento es un gran juego!! Y solo para compensar injustas calificaciones, le otorgo un 10.

    Creo que no debemos olvidar el esfuerzo que hace Nintendo en cada entrega para innovar constantemente. GRACIAS POR SER ASÍ
  56. kakastacio
    Dec 21, 2016
    10
    THIS GAME ITS JUST BEATIFUL¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
  57. thenerdynerd99
    Jan 23, 2017
    8
    This is probably the best RPG on the Wii U. The graphics are stunning and the storyline is great. But the battle system is one I really don't car for. Nevertheless, this is a great swan song for the old Wii U
  58. mmataruga
    Jan 2, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. For starters, this is a great game, almost thought it deserved a 9.
    First, after seeing the reviews I was really not expecting a lot at all. They made it sound like an awful game, but I am a big fan of Nintendo and Mario, specifically paper Mario, so I decided to give it a try. I have played most of the other paper Mario games so I thought it was mandatory to try this one nonetheless. Keeping in mind that I have also played sticker star and majority of the reviews said it was too similar to sticker star.
    The game has beautiful design and artwork, the paper aspect is really great and nice to look at. Definitely a lot of detail. As well as the music is great and diverse. I enjoy the paint idea and I love the many levels and how different they all are .
    Now the flaws, as I was trying to be so positive, this game is TRULY veryyyyyy similar to sticker star. If someone told me it was called sticker star 2 I would have believed it. If I have not ever played sticker star, I would have given this game a 9 or 10. It is really a great game but the amount of similarities it has to sticker star kind of disappointed me. It took away some of the excitement and surprises. Although this is true, it still is a very separate game, has different levels, just has parallel concepts to sticker star. Considering that the paper Mario games so far were all very different from each other I was kind of shocked about this. Another thing I dislike is that the boss is related to/is bowser. I liked that in other paper Mario games the boss was someone else that added some interest and unpredictability. Other things like the dialogue are pretty good, and not cringy like most games, I enjoy reading what all the characters have to say and I enjoy that they all have very different personalities. Also, I like that after you are finished one level, you do go back to it later. For example, you must go back to find a certain object or something to help you later in the game. It adds the feeling like you are in a world as opposed to just levels.
    Overall, very enjoyable game, I really recommend trying it out whichever kind of gamer you are. I had fun playing it and I believe most others will too.    … Expand
  59. GranTheftWalrus
    Feb 3, 2017
    8
    Much better than hate leads me to believe, a great game to end the Wii U's fun legacy. The graphics are amazing, the writing is the best it's ever been, and the variety is off the charts. My one problem is how long it takes to do battles, it made me not want to battle as much.
  60. Jovanni319
    Mar 4, 2017
    8
    Fun game,i like the story and the gameplay, really the only problem i have with this game is the battle system and roshambo temples but besides that it is fun
  61. theblandidea
    Mar 13, 2017
    8
    now i have not played thousand year door so this review has no bias now first i will talk about the positives of this game first it is hilarious just wow also its a beautiful game the colours are vibrant and everything looks very clean now for the more negative things the battle system is a bit frustrating but not as bad as sticker star and you can,t level up which is a bit disappointingnow i have not played thousand year door so this review has no bias now first i will talk about the positives of this game first it is hilarious just wow also its a beautiful game the colours are vibrant and everything looks very clean now for the more negative things the battle system is a bit frustrating but not as bad as sticker star and you can,t level up which is a bit disappointing but still this is a fun game… Expand
  62. iMustang
    Mar 26, 2019
    8
    This game has it's ups and downs, but definitely more ups. For starters, the biggest appeal of the game is it's beautiful graphic presentation. The whole world looks like a stop motion film using only craft supplies, and it's aesthetically pleasing. The humor that the previous games was famous for was in no short comings either, as you're constantly smiling and occasionally laughing at theThis game has it's ups and downs, but definitely more ups. For starters, the biggest appeal of the game is it's beautiful graphic presentation. The whole world looks like a stop motion film using only craft supplies, and it's aesthetically pleasing. The humor that the previous games was famous for was in no short comings either, as you're constantly smiling and occasionally laughing at the witty writing. And the boss fights were always a challenge, so much so I spent over 3 hours on the final boss alone! This game is not without downfalls though; there is very little direction at all, to the point it's nearly impossible to play without a guide. There's no direct chapters or levels indicating where you're suppose to go or what you're suppose to do, or even indirect hints to help you get there. I would have much preferred if they had taken a direct approach like the previous games, as the way they handled this led to a lot of backtracking and frustration due to everything being all over the place.

    As someone who, from the suggestion of countless people, skipped Sticker Star, I have to say if you only look at the console releases of the games this was definitely a solid entry in the line. It doesn't match up to the original or Thousand Year Door, but it's about as enjoyable as Super Paper Mario. I hope the next entry of the franchise can pull back to that level of quality, but only time will tell.    … Expand
  63. Skullkidfan
    Jun 20, 2019
    9
    It ok, I don't like the card based turn battle, but the story is great, plus the color paint fresh up paper Mario
  64. Marluxia
    Sep 29, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Estava com um pé atrás mas achei o jogo muito divertido, vi comentários negativos mas eu gostei do jogo.… Expand
  65. Morton
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Garfik, Humor, Soundtrack ist einfach alles geil. Paper Mario Color Splash ist und bleibt mein Lieblingsspiel forever
  66. CB186
    Jan 5, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is not the Paper Mario game that most fans wanted. However, the worlds, characters and general story is filled with charm. My fears going into the game after the 3DS' Paper Mario Sticker Star were very high however most parts of this game include the stuff that makes the first 3 entries so memorable.

    Colour Splash is absolutely gorgeous and takes the paper look of Sticker Star and greatly expands on it. Whether you are riding a pirate ship across a cardboard ocean or trying to stop a runaway train, the art style of colour splash is fantastic and incredibly clever.

    The game is not only fun but funny too and while all the games in this series are funny, I believe that Colour Splash is definitely the funniest. The main cast and just random characters have multiple entertaining moments and use the paper art style to their advantage to make it even funnier.

    While this game is fantastic and a must-play to any Wii U owners, hard core paper Mario fans may be disappointed with the flawed battle system and the story which is nothing compared to the fantastic adventures told in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and Super Paper Mario. Once again, Bowser is the villain of the story, however he's possessed by Black Paint. While this is different to a classic Mario setup, it felt a little similar to the "story" of Sticker Star.
    The Battle System was the biggest problem of Paper Mario Sticker Star. There was no reason to battle due the absence of Experience Points and the reward of coins for battling. Colour Splash is an improvement but still far worse than the battle system of the first two games on the N64 and Gamecube. There are experience points in the little paint brushes that can be used to upgrade your maximum paint capacity but this is still not as fun and useful as the Star Points system from the first two games and also the level-up system from Super Paper Mario. It is good, but battling is still not as fun as the original games.

    Overall, Paper Mario Colour Splash is an excellent game but Paper Mario fans may be disappointed. It is my 4th favourite of my favourite series and perfect for Mario fans too.    … Expand
  67. LuigiHelpsOut
    Jul 16, 2020
    10
    I'd give this game a 9/10, but I gave it a 10/10 to combat the review bombs.

    I've played every game in the series, and I think Color Splash is the best. Yes, the battle system is average, but everything else in the game ranges from great to excellent, with a few exceptions, like the story. Don't listen to toxic Thousand Year Door fans about this game, if you have a Wii U still, I'd    I'd give this game a 9/10, but I gave it a 10/10 to combat the review bombs.

    I've played every game in the series, and I think Color Splash is the best. Yes, the battle system is average, but everything else in the game ranges from great to excellent, with a few exceptions, like the story. Don't listen to toxic Thousand Year Door fans about this game, if you have a Wii U still, I'd recommend this one!    … Expand
  68. ThePCGamer07
    Mar 1, 2021
    8
    This game is cool! I love the soundtrack, the graphics, and Mario's partner, Huey. The battle system could be better, but that doesn't automatically make the game terrible. Still, good job on this one!
  69. Destroyer-K12
    May 31, 2021
    9
    The game has amazing music, solid gameplay, and an interesting story engaging to the top. But the game gets a bit confusing. But the game is pretty swell had a good time with it.
  70. William11111
    Jun 1, 2021
    10
    Charming! Funny! Witty! Adventurous!
    This game is everything I could ask for in a Paper Mario title! I cant even count how many times I've replaced this masterpiece! Every level just seems to be made with SO much love that they all feel like individuals game within one big game!
  71. Adasc2906
    Dec 8, 2021
    10
    Screw all of you haters and people who think this is sticker star 2. Plus screw the people of think the thousand year door is better than this work of art.
  72. Jarkabob
    Nov 6, 2021
    10
    I think the game has amazing artwork and beautiful graphics. It brings back the nice feeling like super paper Mario.
  73. Rjsb0191
    Feb 15, 2022
    9
    Wonderful game. Very funny. Nintendo does it again! Well done. Play this one all the way to the end. The most realistic colours I have ever seen! This is the third best Paper Mario game after Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Paper Mario: The Origami King.
  74. miguelitopira
    Jun 9, 2022
    10
    This Game So Far,Is My Favorite Paper Mario Game,It's So Good That Every Day I Think About Why Nintendo Did Not Created Color Splash Like That,Plz,Ignore The Hate For This Game,This Game Is So Good That Deserves Love
  75. A4G
    Jul 28, 2022
    8
    this game gets dogged on way harder than need be. I was excited upon announcement and delighted upon first playthrough. Honestly it is a 7.5 but I'll give it an 8
  76. gietergeit
    May 25, 2023
    8
    i think this game is very underrated an dis given to much hate the battle system is not for every one but you should definitely play it
  77. ChaosProGamer
    May 17, 2023
    9
    Cool game with funny writing and awesome gameplay.
    If you are not going to play this game you are missing out on some awesome gameplay and funny writing.
  78. Pau_The_Gamer
    Jun 5, 2023
    10
    Probably one of my favorite games of all time, the graphics, the humor and the soundtrack are probably the best things about the game...

    Highly recommended!
  79. buildz
    Dec 31, 2016
    9
    Paper Mario: Color Splash is an excellent return to form for the series after the, in many regards, disappointing Sticker Star. Whilst it may not be exactly like earlier entries in the series, such as The Thousand Year Door, it is still worth a playthrough, especially for fans of Mario and the action-adventure genre.

    ('+' is a positive element; '=' is a mediocre element; '-' is a bad    Paper Mario: Color Splash is an excellent return to form for the series after the, in many regards, disappointing Sticker Star. Whilst it may not be exactly like earlier entries in the series, such as The Thousand Year Door, it is still worth a playthrough, especially for fans of Mario and the action-adventure genre.

    ('+' is a positive element; '=' is a mediocre element; '-' is a bad element)

    + The aesthetics of Color Splash are some of the best available on the Wii U. Everything looks, convincingly, like paper, and the paint appears very realistic, especially when reacting with different surfaces. Furthermore, the soundtrack is mostly orchestral, with each theme suiting the areas they accompanied very well, with some clever remixes and use of genres not often explored by Nintendo very often.
    + The gameplay is much improved from Sticker Star. Whilst this title isn't an RPG, it has more elements which bring the gameplay slightly closer to those of earlier entries, such as with the inclusion of a levelling-up system to provide an incentive to battle, an aspect missing in Sticker Star that was the cause for a lot of criticism at the title.
    + The game, as a whole, is much more creative than Sticker Star, with a broader range of level themes explored with more creative tasks required to beat each, including levels more exclusively focused on puzzles and platforming. This contributes to the title feeling much more varied than Sticker Star. The 'Thing' battle cards, used when fighting enemies, are also more creative than Sticker Star.
    + The writing is much more creative than Sticker Star, including more jokes, pop culture references and character building, especially for Huey. I was more compelled to listen to what different NPCs had to say, unlike Sticker Star.
    + The battle system is improved from Sticker Star, due to an added strategic element of using cards in the correct order; however...

    = ... it feels a little disjointed when you have to constantly switch your view from the GamePad to the TV. It isn't exactly like previous entries either, which may upset fans of earlier entries. This isn't a huge issue.
    = Whilst there is still some content that is available post game, it isn't nearly as much as games such as The Thousand Year Door or Super Paper Mario; those games had gauntlet-style challenges (i.e. The Pit of 100 Trials) and many different collectables that could be sought after for 100% completion - the nearest Color Splash has are a few achievements, a Museum (like Sticker Star) and a few, simple sidequests.
    = It was annoying to constantly see Shy Guys and Toads, however, the issues is alleviated slightly due to new, unique versions of these characters, such as the Shy Bandit and the Rescue V.

    - Whilst the difficulty of the game does get gradually more difficult, the game is still, on the whole, not very hard, which may disappoint more experienced Paper Mario players. The hardest portion of the game lies with the final chapter, which requires more strategy than previous chapters.
    - The pacing for the first 30 to 45 minutes is very slow, making the opening of the game feel tedious. This was a flaw with Sticker Star as well.

    9/10    … Expand
  80. wariothelegend
    Apr 21, 2017
    9
    "Paper Mario: Color Splash" is a beautiful looking title with action packed levels and a whole lot of jokes. Sadly though, the lack of RPG elements and unoriginal characters are a set back compared to other titles in the series. While the graphics are stunning, it doesn't make up for the reused battle system from "Sticker Star". And boss battles are played out just as the same as in said"Paper Mario: Color Splash" is a beautiful looking title with action packed levels and a whole lot of jokes. Sadly though, the lack of RPG elements and unoriginal characters are a set back compared to other titles in the series. While the graphics are stunning, it doesn't make up for the reused battle system from "Sticker Star". And boss battles are played out just as the same as in said game.

    However, the story, while it's not as good as in "Thousand-Year-Door" or "Super Paper Mario", it's certainly better compared to "Sticker Star" or "Paper Jam". There are actually some emotional scenes between you and your companion, Huey, who's actually a great friend you never want to leave.

    The settings for the most part are very unique. You go from beating a Big Spiny at a temple, to cooking a live steak for a V.I.P. But don't forget about filling in every last colorless spot, which surprisingly is a very satisfying thing to do.

    "Paper Mario: Color Splash" is a well made and gorgeous looking game, with a lot of charm and humor, emotional scenes, though the battle system is flawed, it's the only major issue with the game.    … Expand
  81. gun_luis
    Sep 11, 2017
    8
    Me tuvo enganchado hasta el final.
    Parce todo hecho de cartón y papel real.
    LA historia no esta mal, aunque no entiendo como se pinta con un martillo.
    le pongo un 8 por su jugabiliad, su vistosidad y su historia.. ah y su humor, tiene golpes de humor muy buenos.
    Le pondría un 9, pero los combates por movimientos no me gustan.
  82. loic01
    Mar 7, 2018
    9
    Waw, il y a de la couleur dans mes yeux quand j'y ait joué! Magnifique jeu avec une histoire peut-etre un peu répétitif aux Paper Mario mais de nouveaux ennemis, cartes et des énigmes (oh yeah!!) Voilà pour mes aventages. D'ailleurs, l'histoire change un peu mais ce jeu a des énigmes trop dures défois avec du surréalsite voir trop de surréaliste. Malgré ces **** défauts, Paper Mario COlorWaw, il y a de la couleur dans mes yeux quand j'y ait joué! Magnifique jeu avec une histoire peut-etre un peu répétitif aux Paper Mario mais de nouveaux ennemis, cartes et des énigmes (oh yeah!!) Voilà pour mes aventages. D'ailleurs, l'histoire change un peu mais ce jeu a des énigmes trop dures défois avec du surréalsite voir trop de surréaliste. Malgré ces **** défauts, Paper Mario COlor Splash restera dans ma bibliotheque de jeux!! 9/10 !!!… Expand
  83. RichiBP
    Jul 15, 2020
    8
    pulieron muy bien la historia esta vez.. es muy simpatica, aunque no me termina de convencer el sistema de combate, por objetos consumibles. se extraña el estilo rpg. eso le hubiese dado un 91 al juego
  84. tipp
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    8/10
    sounds like a great idea, and the new characters seem very new and creative.
    the issue is a huge issue which takes a fifth of the score away, the combat is boring, but that's pretty much it.
    (please drop a "this was not helpful" on this review lol)
  85. AncientSting
    Feb 26, 2022
    9
    Paper Mario Color Splash es una gran mejora de Sticker Star algo que todos saben, tiene un gran humor como debe ser y una historia no tan buena pero soporta, Le doy esta nota mas que todo porque creci con este juego y es mi infancia, algo que si es malo es sistema de combate porque se siente lento y pelear contra los enemigos que no sean necesarios puede ser una perdida de tiempo
  86. Matthew2008
    Aug 5, 2023
    10
    My favorite paper Mario game. Some people say it’s bad but it’s not bad. Sure the batteling system is not great but it’s really good overall Would recommend.
  87. MarkusZ
    Aug 5, 2023
    10
    Really loved this game. At the beginning I was little bored but after some hours of gameplay i was really sucked in the beautiful world and story. Yes its weaker than on N64 and on GameCube but this Paper Mario has its own unique style

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Wii U Game of 2016
2
#2 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2016
2
#2 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 74 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 74
  3. Negative: 1 out of 74
  1. Vooks
    Apr 8, 2017
    80
    It will be entirely up to you whether the writing and redeeming elements of the battle system suit your preferences, but I am absolutely glad I was able to give Paper Mario: Color Splash a chance.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2017
    85
    Wow, so it is possible to make a genuinely funny game after all. I can’t recall another game that made me laugh so often and occasionally so hard. [13/2016, p.72]
  3. RPG Fan
    Dec 1, 2016
    70
    It's not exactly Sticker Star, but the change isn't necessarily for the better. Still, despite its flaws, there is fun to be had here.
    Read full review
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