Paper Mario

{{About|the series|the first game in the series|Paper Mario (video game){{!}}Paper Mario (video game)|the character|Paper Mario (character)}}

{{Distinguish|text=Super Paper Mario, the third game in the series}}

{{Infobox video game series

| title = Paper Mario

| image = Paper Mario Logo.png

| caption = Logo since 2012

| alt = The words "Paper Mario" in an outlined blocky font. The color transitions vertically from red to orange. The words have a rough paper texture.

| developer = Intelligent Systems

| publisher = Nintendo

| first release version = Paper Mario

| first release date = August 11, 2000

| latest release version = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

| latest release date = May 23, 2024

| parent = Mario

| genre = {{ubl|Role-playing|Action-adventure}}

| platforms = {{ubl|Nintendo 64|GameCube|Wii|Nintendo 3DS|Wii U|Nintendo Switch}}

}}

Paper Mario is a video game series and part of the Mario franchise, developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It combines elements from the role-playing, action-adventure, and puzzle genres. Players control a paper cutout version of Mario, usually with allies, on a quest to defeat the antagonist. The series consists of six games and one spin-off; the first, Paper Mario (2000), was released for the Nintendo 64, and the most recent, a 2024 remake of 2004's Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, for the Nintendo Switch.

The original Paper Mario began as a sequel to Super Mario RPG (1996), developed by Square for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Changes in development resulted in the game becoming a standalone game titled Mario Story in Japan. Although the early games in the series were well-received, Kensuke Tanabe wanted each one to have different genre and core gameplay elements. This led the series to slowly move genres from role-playing to action-adventure, though some role-playing elements are still present later in the series.

The first two games in the series, Paper Mario and The Thousand-Year Door, received critical acclaim, and were praised for their story, characters, and unique gameplay. When Paper Mario: Sticker Star was released in 2012, the series began to receive many complaints about its change in genre, removal of original fictional races, and less unique character designs, but continued to garner praise for its writing, characters, music, and enhanced paper-inspired visuals. Super Paper Mario is the best-selling game in the series, with 4.3 million sales as of 2019. The series has collectively sold 12.54 million copies.

Several Paper Mario games were nominated for at least one award; The Thousand-Year Door won "Role Playing Game of the Year" at the 2005 Interactive Achievement Awards, Super Paper Mario won "Outstanding Role Playing Game" at the 12th Satellite Awards in 2007, and Sticker Star won "Handheld Game of the Year" at the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards in 2012. The Origami King was nominated for 3, the most at once for the series. The games, mainly the first two titles, have inspired various indie games including Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling. Numerous Paper Mario elements have also been included in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Gameplay

In the series, Mario is tasked with a quest to explore either the Mushroom Kingdom or a similar world. Each game divides the world into several explorable areas that contain puzzles and interactive elements, such as obstacles that Mario has to hit with his hammer, that need to be completed to progress in the story. The locations are designed to look as if they are made out of paper,{{Cite web|url=https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/Switch/Test/41887/84471/0/Paper_Mario_The_Origami_King.html|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King: Dieses Spiel Ist Der Hammer|date=2020-07-15|website=4Players|last=Schmid|first=Matthias|language=German|trans-title=Paper Mario: The Origami King: This Game Is Awesome|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716182532/https://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfo/Switch/41887/Paper_Mario_The_Origami_King.html|url-status=live}} and contain coins and other collectibles, such as hidden trophies.{{Cite web|last=Stein|first=Scott|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King is Switch's version of a distracting beach read|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-the-nintendo-switchs-summer-beach-read-game/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=CNET|date=2020-07-15|language=en|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711134854/https://www.cnet.com/news/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-the-nintendo-switchs-summer-beach-read-game/|url-status=live}} There are also non-player characters (NPCs) which Mario can talk to. All games except Super Paper Mario feature a turn-based combat system, where Mario and one or more opponents take turns attacking one another.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/3ds/rpg/paper-mario/news.html?sid=6266247&mode=previews |last=McShea |first = Tom |title=Paper Mario Impressions|date=June 16, 2010 |access-date= February 1, 2011 |work= GameSpot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111235931/http://www.gamespot.com/paper-mario-sticker-star/previews/paper-mario-impressions-6266247/ |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

File:Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door Combat.png]]

The first two games, Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, feature elements similar to that of a typical role-playing video game (RPG). Mario encounters multiple allies that join him on his journey, who can help complete tasks in the worlds and fight in combat, the latter of which is similar to other RPG games. The player can either perform a regular attack, where they time a button-press on the controller to deal more damage, or use a special attack, which is more powerful but consumes flower points (FP)—an in-game statistic—when used.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4281/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-gamecube|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door|date=2004-10-24|website=Nintendo World Report|last=Cole|first=Michael|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214045432/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4281/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-gamecube|url-status=live}} When defeating an enemy, experience points (known in-game as Star Points, or SP) are awarded, which makes Mario and his allies more powerful as they progress. Upgrades to special attacks can be found in the overworlds.

Super Paper Mario, the third game in the series, deviates from the RPG genre and plays more as a platform game instead.{{Cite web|website=Gamasutra|last1=Cowan|first1=Danny|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104420/Critical_Reception_Nintendos_Super_Paper_Mario.php |title=Critical Reception: Nintendo's Super Paper Mario |date=April 11, 2007 |access-date=February 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215182113/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104420/Critical_Reception_Nintendos_Super_Paper_Mario.php |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |url-status=dead }} Unlike the previous two games, which use a turn-based combat system, Mario does not enter a combat phase and instead fights the enemy in the overworld in real-time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/super-paper-mario-one-and-done|title=Super Paper Mario: One and Done|date=2012-08-08|website=IGN|last=Thomas|first=Lucas|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019232515/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/super-paper-mario-one-and-done|url-status=live}} XP is still awarded for defeating enemies. Although Mario does not fight alongside unique partners, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser are playable and a part of Mario's party.{{cite web |last1=Dickens |first1=Anthony |title=Review: Super Paper Mario (Wii) |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_paper_mario |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=February 26, 2020 |date=April 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213230246/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_paper_mario |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=live }} In addition, allies known as Pixls, which grant abilities for combat and traversing levels, can be summoned and used.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_paper_mario|title=Super Paper Mario Review (Wii)|date=2007-04-15|website=Nintendo Life|last=Dickens|first=Anthony|access-date=February 21, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810083149/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_paper_mario|url-status=live}}

Since Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the Paper Mario games were aimed more towards the action-adventure genre. RPG elements, such as experience points, allies, a complex plot and variety of fictional races, were reduced. It instead emphasized puzzle-solving, a new experience point system, and new strategic and somewhat puzzle-like gameplay around combat.

Games

{{Video game timeline

| subtitle = Main entries in bold

| range1 = 2000 –

| range1_color = #FF0900 #FFAB00

| summary = A timeline of releases in the Paper Mario video game series, from the first in 2000 to present.

| 2000 = Paper Mario

| 2004 = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

| 2007 = Super Paper Mario

| 2012 = Paper Mario: Sticker Star

| 2015 = Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

| 2016 = Paper Mario: Color Splash

| 2020 = Paper Mario: The Origami King

| 2024 = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

}}

= Main series =

== ''Paper Mario'' (2000) ==

Paper Mario{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Mario Story|マリオストーリー}}ニンテンドウ64 – マリオストーリー [Nintendo 64 – Mario Story]. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.30. June 30, 2006.}} is a 2000 role-playing video game (RPG) released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000 in Japan,{{Cite magazine|language=Japanese|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/8862/|title=マリオストーリー|magazine=Famitsu|trans-title=Mario story|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111233605/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/8862|url-status=live}} and 2001 worldwide. The game was later re-released on the iQue Player in 2004,{{cite web|url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/objects/709/709922.html|title=Paper Mario|website=IGN|access-date=2008-08-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212214234/http://uk.cube.ign.com/objects/709/709922.html|archive-date=2007-12-12}} the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015,{{cite web|url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/805/805656p1.html|title=VC Monday: 07/16/07|website=IGN|date=2007-07-17|access-date=2008-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908220234/http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/805/805656p1.html|archive-date=2009-09-08|url-status=live}} and via Nintendo Classics in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/23/22688780/nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-64-sega-genesis-controllers|title=Nintendo Switch Online is getting an 'expansion pack' with N64 and Genesis games|date=2021-09-23|access-date=2021-09-24|website=The Verge|last=Peters|first=Jay|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924083217/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/23/22688780/nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-64-sega-genesis-controllers|url-status=live}} In Paper Mario, Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach and steals the seven Star Spirits and the Star Rod to make himself invincible. Mario must save the imprisoned Star Spirits, defeat Bowser, and save the Mushroom Kingdom.

Gameplay centers around Mario and his allies solving puzzles, with many of the challenges designed around one of the characters' unique abilities. Mario encounters multiple partners as the game progresses. In combat, Mario and his allies have special abilities that consume FP when executed.{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/paper-mario/reviews/paper-mario-review-2682319/|title=GameSpot: Paper Mario review|website=GameSpot|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=August 19, 2013|last=Stahl|first=Ben|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130819190418/http://uk.gamespot.com/paper-mario/reviews/paper-mario-review-2682319/|archive-date=August 19, 2013}} In the overworld, other abilities can be discovered that can be used in combat.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|title=Paper Mario|website=RPGFan|access-date=August 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170117/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|archive-date=September 7, 2008|url-status=live}}

== ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' (2004/2024) ==

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|Paper Mario RPG|ペーパーマリオRPG}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/10528/|title=ペーパーマリオRPG|language=Japanese|magazine=Famitsu|trans-title=Paper Mario RPG|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010063202/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/10528/|url-status=live}}}} is a role-playing video game released for the GameCube in 2004. A remake of The Thousand Year Door was announced for the Nintendo Switch in September 2023 and released on May 23, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Remaster Announced for Switch After Years of Fan Demand |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-remaster-announced-for-switch-after-years-of-fan-demand |website=IGN |language=en |date=14 September 2023 |access-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003201907/https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-remake-announced-for-switch-after-years-of-fan-demand |url-status=live }}

The game is set mainly in and around the hub town of Rogueport, where Mario and Peach discover a locked portal that is thought to lead to the riches of a lost kingdom. Soon after, Peach is kidnapped by the X-Nauts, who want to open the portal. Peach messages Mario about her kidnapping and informs him that he needs to search for the seven Crystal Stars to find the treasure. During this, Mario becomes cursed, which allows him to perform special moves such as folding into a paper airplane or boat. Combat takes place on a stage in front of a live audience; if Mario performs well in battle, the audience will throw helpful items on stage or inflict damage to the opponent. Contrarily, audience members will leave and sometimes inflict damage on Mario if he performs poorly.{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/556/556422p3.html|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review|website=IGN|last=Schneider|first=Peer|date=October 11, 2004|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731000455/http://cube.ign.com/articles/556/556422p3.html|url-status=live}}

== ''Super Paper Mario'' (2007) ==

Super Paper Mario is an action role-playing platform game released for the Wii in 2007. In the game, a new villain, Count Bleck, summons the Chaos Heart to destroy and remake the universe to his liking. Mario sets out to stop Count Bleck by collecting the eight Pure Hearts with the help of Peach, Luigi, Bowser, and a new ally named Tippi.

Unlike the previous games, Super Paper Mario features gameplay more closely related to platforming rather than role-playing. Mario can switch between 2D and 3D, which rotates the camera 90 degrees to change the game's perspective. When he swaps dimensions, hidden elements become visible.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=John |title=Super Paper Mario |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=83594 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=February 22, 2020 |date=September 19, 2007 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122131834/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/super-paper-mario-review |url-status=live }} Mario is aided by other allies called Pixls, who have different abilities. For example, the Pixl Thoreau allows Mario to pick up and throw objects.{{cite web |last1=Casamassina |first1=Matt |title=Super Paper Mario Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/05/super-paper-mario-review |website=IGN |access-date=February 25, 2020 |date=May 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225002342/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/05/super-paper-mario-review |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |url-status=live }} Instead of a turn-based combat system, battles take place in the overworld in real-time; upon victory, Mario is awarded XP.{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Ricardo |title=Super Paper Mario Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-paper-mario-review/1900-6168805/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 12, 2020 |date=April 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213101454/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-paper-mario-review/1900-6168805/ |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Michael |title=Super Paper Mario Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/13290/super-paper-mario-wii |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 15, 2020 |date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213230249/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/13290/super-paper-mario-wii |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}

== ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' (2012) ==

Paper Mario: Sticker Star{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|Paper Mario: Super Seal|ペーパーマリオスーパーシール}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201212/12025800.html |title=ギリギリ感がクセになる！『ペーパーマリオスーパーシール』プレイインプレッション |trans-title=The last-minute feeling becomes addictive! "Paper Mario Super Seal" Play Impression |date=2012-12-12 |language=Japanese |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511055343/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201212/12025800.html |url-status=live}}}} is a cross-genre video game released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. In the game, the Mushroom Kingdom is celebrating the Sticker Fest, an annual event where the residents can wish upon the Sticker Comet and have their wishes granted by the Royal Stickers living inside the comet. However, Bowser appears and destroys the comet, scattering the six Royal Stickers across the kingdom. Mario, allied by a sticker named Kersti, search for the lost stickers to fix the Sticker Comet.

Sticker Star{{'}}s gameplay relies heavily on stickers, which can be found stuck in the overworld, purchased from in-game shops using coins, or received from other NPCs.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/paper-mario-sticker-star-review/ |title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star Review |date=November 2, 2012 |website=GamesRadar |first=Henry |last=Gilbert |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215135515/https://www.gamesradar.com/paper-mario-sticker-star-review/ |url-status=live }} In combat, Mario's abilities depend on the stickers obtained; for example, a Jump Sticker allows Mario to jump and stomp on his enemies.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/06/06/nintendo-shows-mario-39-s-sticky-gameplay.aspx|title=Nintendo Shows Mario's Sticky Gameplay – Paper Mario Sticker Star – 3DS|date=June 6, 2012|magazine=Game Informer|first=Kyle|last=Hilliard|access-date=September 24, 2016|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527062422/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/06/06/nintendo-shows-mario-39-s-sticky-gameplay.aspx|url-status=live}} Other stickers, called Thing Stickers, resemble real world objects that can either be used as a powerful attack against enemies or can be used to solve puzzles in the overworld. Alongside the use of stickers, Mario can "Paperize" the environment to flatten his surroundings and reveal stickers and other secrets.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/paper-mario-sticker-star/reviews/paper-mario-sticker-star-review-6399831/ |date=November 9, 2012 |title=Sticker Star Reviews |author=Petit, Carolyn |website=GameSpot.com |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113100055/http://www.gamespot.com/paper-mario-sticker-star/reviews/paper-mario-sticker-star-review-6399831/ |url-status=live }}

== ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'' (2016) ==

File:PMCS Graphic Example.png graphics (HD) on the Wii U, the paper-like aesthetic was emphasized from Color Splash onward. Mario was given a white outline which originated in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.]]

Paper Mario: Color Splash is a cross-genre video game released for the Wii U in 2016.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/33472/|title=ペーパーマリオカラースプラッシュ|language=Japanese|magazine=Famitsu|trans-title=Paper Mario Color Splash|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814152715/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/33472/|url-status=live}} In Color Splash, Mario and Peach discover a color-drained Toad, prompting them to sail to Prism Island to investigate the oddity. After noticing the island is also color-drained, they speak to Huey, guardian of the Prisma Island fountain, who explains that the six Big Paint Stars that give the island color have been scattered, later revealed to be Bowser's doing.

Color Splash preserves certain elements of gameplay introduced in Sticker Star. Mario is equipped with a paint hammer; various containers of red, yellow, and blue paint can be found that can be applied to Mario's hammer. When he hits something in the overworld, an uncolored object is colored and rewards items such as coins.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/10/05/paper-mario-color-splash-is-another-delightful-trip-into-a-bizarre-crafty-world/|title=Paper Mario: Color Splash is another delightful trip into a bizarre crafty world|date=October 5, 2016|website=VentureBeat|last=Scimeca|first=Dennis|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029054214/https://venturebeat.com/2016/10/05/paper-mario-color-splash-is-another-delightful-trip-into-a-bizarre-crafty-world/|url-status=live}} The player can use the Wii U GamePad to trace a hole in the paper environment to reveal secrets, known as the "Cutout" ability.{{Cite web|url=http://papermario.nintendo.com/how-to-play/|title=How To Play|website=Nintendo|access-date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516122649/http://papermario.nintendo.com/how-to-play/|url-status=live}} Much like Sticker Star, the player pre-determines their action in combat with cards to determine the action and target. Cards can be collected in the overworld or purchased in shops.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/07/the-paper-mario-game-not-everyone-wants/|title=The Paper Mario Game Not Everyone Wants|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|date=July 6, 2016|work=Kotaku Australia|access-date=June 25, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003071122/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/07/the-paper-mario-game-not-everyone-wants/|url-status=dead}} Thing Cards are present, which function similarly to Thing Stickers in Sticker Star.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/14/13289136/paper-mario-color-splash-review-wii-u |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash Review |author=McCarthy, Caty |date=October 14, 2016 |website=Polygon |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503090836/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/14/13289136/paper-mario-color-splash-review-wii-u |url-status=live }}

== ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'' (2020) ==

Paper Mario: The Origami King{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|Paper Mario: Origami King|ペーパーマリオオリガミキング}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/40359/|title=ペーパーマリオオリガミキング|magazine=Famitsu|trans-title=Paper Mario Origami King|language=Japanese|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230040514/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/40359/|url-status=live}}}} is a cross-genre video game released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Mario and Luigi head to Toad Town in the Mushroom Kingdom, which they discover to be abandoned. At Peach's Castle, they discover Peach brainwashed and folded into origami by King Olly. Many other residents, including Bowser, have met a similar fate. King Olly covers the castle in five decorative streamers and Mario, aided by Olly's sister Olivia, head out to destroy the streamers and defeat Olly.

Unlike Sticker Star and Color Splash, the game reintroduces some RPG elements. The game brings back allies, albeit in a simplified role compared to the first two Paper Mario games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King 2020|website=Nintendo Life|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Scullion|first1=Chris|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716035040/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|url-status=live}} Mario has an ability called the 1000-Fold Arms, which gives him oversized arms that can be used to tear parts of the environment to reveal secrets.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-better-when-you-turn-o-1844442551|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Is Better When You Turn Off Motion Controls|date=July 20, 2020|website=Kotaku|last=Notis|first=Ari|access-date=January 18, 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031023829/https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-better-when-you-turn-o-1844442551|url-status=live}} Additionally, he possesses a bag of confetti, which is used to fill in empty holes of the overworld.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/throwing-paper-marios-confetti-is-my-happy-place-1844565498|title=Throwing Paper Mario's Confetti Is My Happy Place|date=July 30, 2020|website=Kotaku|last=Walker|first=Ian|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014655/https://kotaku.com/throwing-paper-marios-confetti-is-my-happy-place-1844565498|url-status=live}} Combat emphasizes puzzle-solving on a circular combat field; the circle is divided into rings and the player is given time to rotate the rings horizontally and vertically to line up the enemies and deal more damage.{{Cite web|first=Andy|last=Robinson|date=July 9, 2020|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King might not be the RPG return fans were craving|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/paper-mario-the-origami-king/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=Video Games Chronicle|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710033531/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/paper-mario-the-origami-king/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/15/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King review – Lovable despite the flaws|website=VentureBeat|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Grubb|first1=Jeff|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716192603/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/15/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/|url-status=live}}

= Spin-offs =

== ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'' (2015) ==

{{See also|Mario & Luigi: Dream Team#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team}}

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam,{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Mario & Luigi RPG Paper Mario Mix|マリオ＆ルイージRPG ペーパーマリオMIX}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/32422/|title=マリオ＆ルイージRPG ペーパーマリオMIX|magazine=Famitsu|trans-title=Mario & Luigi RPG Paper Mario MIX|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=June 12, 2019|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612003206/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/32422/|url-status=live}}}} known as Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. in Europe and Australia,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/mario_and_luigi_paper_jam_bros|title=Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Review|date=2015-11-30|website=Nintendo Life|last=McMahon|first=Conor|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102011/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/mario_and_luigi_paper_jam_bros|url-status=live}} is a role-playing video game developed by AlphaDream and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/mario-and-luigi-paper-jam|title=Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam|website=IGN|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001172923/https://www.ign.com/games/mario-and-luigi-paper-jam|url-status=live}} It is a crossover between the Paper Mario series and Nintendo's other spin-off series, Mario & Luigi. In Paper Jam, Luigi accidentally knocks over a book that contains the Paper Mario universe, which causes the two universes to cross over and spread Paper Mario residents all over the Mushroom Kingdom. The two Bowsers from both universes team up to kidnap both Peaches. Like the modern entries in the Paper Mario series, this game avoids characters original to the series and focuses primarily on characters found in the mainline Mario games. This is the only Mario & Luigi title to use this approach, with Starlow being the only character original to either series who makes an appearance.

Although Paper Jam is a crossover, its gameplay is more similar to Mario & Luigi{{'s}} than Paper Mario{{'}}s. The player simultaneously controls Mario and Luigi, who use their usual abilities, and Paper Mario, whose actions are paper-inspired, which include folding into a shuriken in combat, and performing a high-damage attack by stacking multiple copies of himself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/1/22/10809774/mario-and-luigi-paper-jam-review-3ds|title=Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Review|date=January 22, 2016|website=Polygon|last=Hawkins|first=Janine|access-date=February 8, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208214624/https://www.polygon.com/2016/1/22/10809774/mario-and-luigi-paper-jam-review-3ds|url-status=live}}

Development and history

= 1984–2005: Intelligent Systems founding, ''Paper Mario'', and ''The Thousand-Year Door'' =

{{Plain image with caption|File:Super Mario RPG Logo.png|alt=The words "Super Mario RPG" in red and yellow, in a 3-dimensional blocky font.|The Super Mario RPG logo; Paper Mario is a spiritual successor to Super Mario RPG.}}

File:Nintendo 64 with Paper Mario.jpg inserted in a Nintendo 64]]

Intelligent Systems was founded after Tohru Narihiro{{efn|Although Tohru is the most common spelling, he is also referred to as Toru{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/going-to-war-like-only-nintendo-can-5844945|title=Going to War Like Only Nintendo Can|date=2011-09-29|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Kotaku|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524122531/https://kotaku.com/going-to-war-like-only-nintendo-can-5844945|url-status=live}} in sources.}} was hired as an employee by Nintendo to port games on the Famicom Disk System to cartridges in the 1980s. Narihiro went on to develop successful games in the Wars and Fire Emblem series, which allowed him to expand his company with additional artists and developers.

Super Mario RPG, which was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), was the first Mario role-playing game and was developed by Square. Square used experimental gameplay mechanics, such as timed button presses to deal more damage in combat, to try to ease fans into finding interest in the genre. Although Nintendo wanted Square to create another RPG game, Square later signed a deal with Sony Interactive Entertainment to create Final Fantasy VII on the original PlayStation. Instead, Nintendo hired Intelligent Systems to create an RPG for their newest console, the Nintendo 64. Game development began shortly after the console's release in Japan in 1996. The game, produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, was originally planned to be a sequel to Super Mario RPG, Super Mario RPG 2, used a similar graphics style to its predecessor, and was to be released on the 64DD, a disk drive add-on for the Nintendo 64.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/feature_the_complete_history_of_paper_mario|title=Feature: The Complete History Of Paper Mario|date=December 29, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|last=Scullion|first=Chris|access-date=January 31, 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116131625/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/feature_the_complete_history_of_paper_mario|url-status=live}} Naohiko Aoyama, the game's art designer, later switched the graphics to a paper-like style because he believed players might prefer a game with "cute" 2D character designs instead of one with low-polygon 3D graphics. Development took four years and was released in August 2000 towards the end of the console's lifecycle with the GameCube nearing announcement. The game was titled Mario Story in Japan and Paper Mario in North America.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/20-years-ago-nintendo-transformed-the-rpg-genre-with-paper-mario#:~:text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Nintendo%20Transformed%20the%20RPG%20Genre%20With%20Paper%20Mario,-Thor%20Jensen&text=Error!&text=It's%20undeniable%20that%20Nintendo%20masters,the%20kart%20racer%20and%20more.|title=20 Years Ago, Nintendo Transformed the RPG Genre With Paper Mario|date=August 11, 2020|website=PCMag|access-date=January 31, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113005138/https://www.pcmag.com/News/20-years-ago-nintendo-transformed-the-rpg-genre-with-paper-mario#:~:text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Nintendo%20Transformed%20the%20RPG%20Genre%20With%20Paper%20Mario,-Thor%20Jensen&text=Error!&text=It's%20undeniable%20that%20Nintendo%20masters,the%20kart%20racer%20and%20more.|url-status=live}}

At the 2003 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo announced a direct sequel to the previous game, The Thousand-Year Door.{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/434/434869p1.html|title=GC 2003: Paper Mario on paper|website=IGN|date=August 21, 2003|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030032/http://cube.ign.com/articles/434/434869p1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/503/503234p1.html|title=Paper Mario 2 Official|website=IGN|date=March 31, 2004|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030037/http://cube.ign.com/articles/503/503234p1.html|url-status=live}} The game had a playable demo at E3 2004, and was released worldwide later that year as The Thousand-Year Door internationally and Paper Mario RPG in Japan. By the time the game was released, another series of Mario RPGs, Mario & Luigi, was created for Nintendo's handheld consoles. The first game in the series, Superstar Saga, was developed by AlphaDream and released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Kensuke Tanabe, the supervisor of The Thousand-Year Door, and assistant producer Risa Tabata drew inspiration from Miyamoto to introduce different gameplay concepts to make the series more entertaining. In a 2020 interview, Tanabe acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining motivation when every game in the series is the same, leading them to explore bigger changes in each game's gameplay and design team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-king|title=Paper Mario's development team lays it all out|date=July 16, 2020|website=Video Games Chronicle|last=Robinson|first=Andy|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127223705/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-king/|url-status=live}}

= 2006–present: Change in genre, concepts, and philosophy =

{{multiple image

| footer = Shigeru Miyamoto (left) in 2015 and Kensuke Tanabe (right) in 2014. Miyamoto was the original producer of the series, followed by Tanabe who produced every game from Super Paper Mario to date, with Risa Tabata as Tanabe's assistant producer.

| align = right

| direction =

| width =

| image1 = Shigeru Miyamoto 20150610 (cropped 2).jpg

| width1 = 110

| alt1 = A 67-year-old Japanese man with graying black hair and a suit, looking towards the camera.

| caption1 =

| image2 = Kensuke Tanabe at E3 2013 crop 2.jpg

| width2 = 100

| alt2 = A 50-year-old Japanese man with black-brown hair in a brown suit with a red tie, smiling away from the camera.

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}}

The series underwent changes in an attempt to reach new and various audiences.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/with-origami-king-paper-mario-series-leaves-role-playing-fans-behind/|title=With 'Origami King,' the 'Paper Mario' series leaves role-playing fans behind|date=July 17, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Park|first=Gene|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109150004/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/with-origami-king-paper-mario-series-leaves-role-playing-fans-behind/|url-status=live}} For Super Paper Mario, game director Ryota Kawade wanted to surprise fans of the series with new concepts that did not appear in the previous games. When the idea of being able to alternatively switch from 2D to 3D was conceptualized, he presented the idea to the new producer, Tanabe. When Tanabe approved, they both agreed that the idea would work well as an action-adventure video game rather than an RPG, and real-time combat was also introduced to fit the idea. Despite the changes, Tanabe asked the writers to keep the plot similar to a role-playing game's.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2007/Interview-Super-Paper-Mario-249673.html|title=Interview: Super Paper Mario|last1=Tanabe|first1=Kensuke|last2=Kawade|first2=Ryoda|date=August 30, 2007|website=Nintendo|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228045649/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2007/Interview-Super-Paper-Mario-249673.html|url-status=live}} Super Paper Mario was announced for the GameCube at E3 2006,{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Michael |title=Takashi Tezuka E3 Interview |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/11592/takashi-tezuka-e3-interview |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=March 10, 2020 |date=May 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211034542/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/11592/takashi-tezuka-e3-interview |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |url-status=live }} but it was ported to the Wii in mid-2006 before being released in April 2007.{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/757/757502p1.html|title=Paper Mario Unfolding in April?|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|publisher=IGN|date=January 22, 2008|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125213344/http://wii.ign.com/articles/757/757502p1.html|archive-date=January 25, 2007|url-status=dead}} Since the game was intended to be played on a GameCube controller, it did not take full advantage of Wii's new motion controls.

Trailers for Sticker Star were shown at E3 2010, E3 2011, and Nintendo World 2011,{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/paper-mario-3ds-still-exists-looks-great-in-motion-191241.phtml |title=Paper Mario 3DS still exists, looks great in motion |first=Jordan |last=Devore |date=January 9, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2011 |website=Destructoid |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113063037/http://www.destructoid.com/paper-mario-3ds-still-exists-looks-great-in-motion-191241.phtml |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2011/06/european_3ds_eshop_gets_3d_trailers_tomorrow |title=European 3DS eShop Gets 3D Trailers Tomorrow – 3DS News @ Nintendo Life |website=Nintendo Life|date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=May 28, 2012 |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123100100/http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2011/06/european_3ds_eshop_gets_3d_trailers_tomorrow |url-status=live }} but its title was not announced until E3 2012,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/07/e3-2012-first-paper-mario-3ds-details-revealed|title=E3 2012: First Paper Mario 3DS Details Revealed|date=June 6, 2012|website=IGN|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|access-date=January 31, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145638/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/07/e3-2012-first-paper-mario-3ds-details-revealed|url-status=live}} and the game was released later in the year. As Miyamoto was no longer the series producer, he asked the developers to not create any new characters and instead use established pre-existing ones in the Mario franchise; Nintendo's intellectual property team enforced this statement into future games in the series. He also asked to change the combat system from The Thousand-Year Door, and to remove most of the story elements due to early feedback from fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/29/3705476/how-paper-mario-sticker-star-abandoned-the-rpg|title=How Paper Mario Sticker Star abandoned the RPG|date=November 29, 2012|website=Polygon|last=Lien|first=Tracey|access-date=January 31, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010917/http://www.polygon.com/2012/11/29/3705476/how-paper-mario-sticker-star-abandoned-the-rpg|url-status=live}}

{{plain image with caption|File:Mario and Luigi Logo.png|The Mario & Luigi series (logo pictured) was the intended replacement for Mario RPG games.}}

Paper Jam{{'}}s development was mainly inspired by Sticker Star.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|title=Nintendo and AlphaDream Talk Mario, RPGs, And More|date=February 7, 2016|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050004/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|url-status=live}} AlphaDream wanted to use a third button to control a third character in their newest game, and felt Paper Mario would fit the role.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/mario_and_luigi_paper_jam_developers_explain_why_paper_mario_was_included|title=Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Developers Explain Why Paper Mario Was Included|date=January 4, 2016|website=Nintendo Life|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|access-date=February 1, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113120956/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/mario_and_luigi_paper_jam_developers_explain_why_paper_mario_was_included|url-status=live}} Every game in the series from Color Splash onward has a white paper outline around Mario; the developers of Paper Jam needed to differentiate the characters from the separate series.

As the Wii U has more graphical power than previous Nintendo consoles, development for Color Splash emphasized the console's graphics and controls. The artists made the graphics look like paper and craft materials, and the Wii U GamePad heavily influenced player combat as the developers found the motion controls fun to use.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/28/afterwords-paper-mario-color-splash.aspx|title=Afterwords – Paper Mario: Color Splash|last=Reeves|first=Ben|date=December 28, 2016|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=May 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531021938/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/28/afterwords-paper-mario-color-splash.aspx|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/risa-tabata-on-paper-mario-color-splash|title=A Conversation With Paper Mario: Color Splash Producer Risa Tabata|date=September 5, 2016|website=USGamer|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|access-date=June 24, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206034109/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/risa-tabata-on-paper-mario-color-splash|url-status=live}} Producer Kensuke Tenabe limited the variety of character designs and continued to exempt original characters, out of respect to series creator Shigeru Miyamoto. The game was announced via a Nintendo Direct presentation in early 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/3/11157628/paper-mario-color-splash-launching-later-this-year|title=Paper Mario: Color Splash launching later this year|date=March 3, 2016|website=Polygon|last=Frank|first=Allegra|access-date=February 1, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108171631/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/3/11157628/paper-mario-color-splash-launching-later-this-year|url-status=live}} The game received negative reception afterwards, as fans were frustrated the series was following an action-adventure genre format like Sticker Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/paper-mario-color-splash-has-been-around-30-minutes-and-people-already-hate-it-1316232|title=Paper Mario: Color Splash has been around 30 minutes and people already hate it|last=Pino|first=Nick|date=March 3, 2016|work=TechRadar|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317125304/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/paper-mario-color-splash-has-been-around-30-minutes-and-people-already-hate-it-1316232|url-status=live}} Tanabe mentioned that Mario & Luigi would replace Paper Mario as the RPG series and{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/paper-mario-producer-says-its-undecided-if-series-will-continue-to-move-away-from-its-rpg-origins|title=Paper Mario producer says it's 'undecided' if series will continue to move away from its RPG origins|date=August 30, 2020|website=Video Games Chronicle|last=Ivan|first=Tom|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106053336/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/paper-mario-producer-says-its-undecided-if-series-will-continue-to-move-away-from-its-rpg-origins/|url-status=live}} Tabata noted that the Paper Mario series would focus more on non-RPG elements, such as "puzzle-solving" and "humor", to differentiate the two.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-paper-mario-game-not-everyone-wants-1783142383|title=The Paper Mario Game Not Everyone Wants|date=July 5, 2016|website=Kotaku|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112044913/https://kotaku.com/the-paper-mario-game-not-everyone-wants-1783142383|url-status=live}} The game released worldwide in early October 2016{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/paper-mario-color-splash|title=Paper Mario: Color Splash|website=IGN|access-date=February 1, 2021|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104032252/https://www.ign.com/games/paper-mario-color-splash|url-status=live}} and became the lowest-selling game in the series, possibly due to the low sales of the Wii U and the announcement of the Nintendo Switch prior to its release. Paper Jam was the last game in the Mario & Luigi series created by AlphaDream before the company filed for bankruptcy in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/mario-luigi-rpg-developer-alphadream-has-gone-bankrup-1838692022|title=Mario & Luigi RPG Developer AlphaDream Has Gone Bankrupt|date=October 2, 2019|website=Kotaku|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409213813/https://kotaku.com/mario-luigi-rpg-developer-alphadream-has-gone-bankrup-1838692022|url-status=live}}

{{Quote box|quote= This game is an action-adventure. I'm sure you're aware that, at Nintendo, we also have another series called the Mario & Luigi RPG series, and so since we already have that established Mario & Luigi RPG series, in order to differentiate these two series that we have running concurrently, we've tried to focus more on the non-RPG elements for the Paper Mario games.|source= Producer Risa Tabata, E3 2016|width=30em|align=right}}

Paper Mario: The Origami King was planned to be announced for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. in early September 2020, but was instead announced in mid-May the same year.{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=More details emerge on Nintendo's Mario remasters |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-31-more-details-emerge-on-nintendos-mario-remasters |website=Eurogamer |access-date=May 15, 2020 |date=March 31, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160314/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-31-more-details-emerge-on-nintendos-mario-remasters |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Arriving on Nintendo Switch in July 2020 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-arriving-on-nintendo-switch-in-july-2020 |website=IGN |access-date=May 14, 2020 |date=May 14, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515061150/https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-arriving-on-nintendo-switch-in-july-2020 |url-status=live }} Soon after the game's ROM was leaked, the game released worldwide in mid-July 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paper-mario-origami-king-leaks-132219832.html|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King leaks online; spoilers start to spread|date=July 12, 2020|website=Yahoo! Finance|last=Mamiit|first=Aaron|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809132610/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paper-mario-origami-king-leaks-132219832.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-15-paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-already-being-played-on-pc|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King is already being played on PC|date=July 15, 2020|website=Eurogamer|last=Phillips|first=Tom|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903180816/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-15-paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-already-being-played-on-pc|url-status=live}} The Origami King is the first game in the series that Miyamoto was not actively involved with.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.de/articles/das-grosse-paper-mario-interview-darum-ist-origami-king-kein-rpg|title=The Great Paper Mario Interview: That's Why Origami King Isn't an RPG!|date=July 21, 2020|website=Eurogamer|last=Bohn-Elias|first=Alexander|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923093437/https://www.eurogamer.de/articles/das-grosse-paper-mario-interview-darum-ist-origami-king-kein-rpg|url-status=live}} Despite the appearance of some iconic characters from the mainline Mario series and the return of allies,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/11-details-in-the-paper-mario-the-origami-king-trailer-that-you-may-have-missed|title=11 details in the Paper Mario: The Origami King trailer that you may have missed|date=May 14, 2020|website=GamesRadar+|last=Wood|first=Austin|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520190201/https://www.gamesradar.com/11-details-in-the-paper-mario-the-origami-king-trailer-that-you-may-have-missed/|url-status=live}} critics were still disappointed in their lack of role in the plot and other gameplay aspects.{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King review|date=July 15, 2020|website=Tech Radar|last=Forde|first=Matthew|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101182336/https://www.techradar.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-15-paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-a-heartfelt-creation-that-doesnt-quite-stand-up|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King review – a heartfelt creation that doesn't quite stand up|date=July 15, 2020|website=Eurogamer|last=Phillips|first=Tom|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102081447/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-15-paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-a-heartfelt-creation-that-doesnt-quite-stand-up|url-status=live}} The game features large overworlds instead of linear-based levels in the previous games.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/06/30/a-new-crease-on-life-nintendo-shares-insight-on-paper-marios-latest-adventure|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Folds Familiar Elements Into An All-New Adventure|first=Jeff|last=Cork|magazine=Game Informer|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630215838/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/06/30/a-new-crease-on-life-nintendo-shares-insight-on-paper-marios-latest-adventure|url-status=live}}

In a 2020 interview with Video Games Chronicle, Tanabe reaffirmed from previous interviews that while he makes note of general criticisms, he makes sure not to ignore "casual players" and new fans of the series. With this in mind, The Origami King greatly focused on puzzle-solving. Tanabe said that he could not satisfy every fan amidst the core veterans and casual players, and instead attempted to gravitate towards new concepts, which is why The Origami King used origami as a new paper-like theme. Tanabe explained how the game's writing was kept broad in its context and format so it could be understood by other ages and cultures. He has since kept away from a complicated plot due to how it "led the game away from the Mario universe", and instead created a story where different locales would be tied to specific memorable events.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgames.de/Paper-Mario-The-Origami-King-Spiel-72742/Specials/unserexklusives-Interview-mit-den-Entwicklern-Switch-RPG-Intelligent-Systems-Kensuke-Tanabe-Masahiko-Nagaya-Risa-Tabata-1354500/|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King – our exclusive interview with the developers|date=2020-07-20|website=PC Games|last=Schmid|first=Lukas|access-date=December 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031233637/https://www.pcgames.de/Paper-Mario-The-Origami-King-Spiel-72742/Specials/unserexklusives-Interview-mit-den-Entwicklern-Switch-RPG-Intelligent-Systems-Kensuke-Tanabe-Masahiko-Nagaya-Risa-Tabata-1354500/}} Tanabe also noted that since Sticker Star it was "no longer possible to modify Mario characters or to create original characters that touch on the Mario universe."

As the final announcement of a Nintendo Direct on September 14, 2023,{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-is-coming-to-switch/1100-6517726/ |title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Is Coming To Switch |date=2023-09-14 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=GameSpot |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914210059/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-is-coming-to-switch/1100-6517726/ |url-status=live }} Nintendo announced a remake of The Thousand-Year Door, set to release on the Nintendo Switch in 2024. It features remastered HD graphics, and retains the arts and crafts visual style that was established in Color Splash and The Origami King.{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/23873451/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-switch-remake |title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door escapes Nintendo purgatory, arrives on Switch next year |date=2023-09-14 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=Polygon |last=Rivera |first=Joshua |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914171849/https://www.polygon.com/23873451/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-switch-remake |url-status=live }}

Reception and legacy

{{Video game series reviews

| updated = December 2024

| sales_title = Units sold
{{small|(in millions)}}

| game1 = Paper Mario

| year1 = 2000

| sales1 = 1.3

| mc1 = 93/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64|title=Paper Mario|website=Metacritic|access-date=August 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125002330/http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/paper-mario|archive-date=November 25, 2010|url-status=live}}

| game2 = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

| year2 = 2004

| sales2 = 1.3

| mc2 = 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-2004/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) GameCube Critic Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621192706/https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-2004/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live }}

| game3 = Super Paper Mario

| year3 = 2007

| sales3 = 4.3

| mc3 = 85/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-paper-mario/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=Super Paper Mario for Wii Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311014005/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/super-paper-mario/critic-reviews|archive-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=live}}

| game4 = Paper Mario: Sticker Star

| year4 = 2012

| sales4 = 2.47

| mc4 = 75/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-sticker-star/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 14, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117025828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/paper-mario-sticker-star |url-status=live }}

| game5 = Paper Mario: Color Splash

| year5 = 2016

| sales5 = 0.87

| mc5 = 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-color-splash/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash Reviews |access-date=October 6, 2016 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=October 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007035348/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/paper-mario-color-splash |url-status=live }}

| game6 = Paper Mario: The Origami King

| year6 = 2020

| sales6 = 3.47{{cite book |title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2023 |isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}

| mc6 = 80/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-the-origami-king/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King |website=Metacritic|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717000745/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/paper-mario-the-origami-king|url-status=live}}

| game7 = Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

| year7 = 2024

| sales7 = 2.06{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2025 |title=Nine Months Financial Results Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2025 (Online) - Financial Results Explanatory Material (with Notes) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/250204_4e.pdf |access-date=March 8, 2025 |website=Nintendo}}

| mc7 = 88/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 8, 2025|archive-date=January 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101172008/https://www.metacritic.com/game/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}

}}

= Reviews =

Paper Mario received critical acclaim when released; the game was positively received for its combination of roleplaying, platforming, and pre-existing elements from the Mario franchise.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150453p1.html|title=Paper Mario review|website=IGN|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=August 17, 2008|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908175849/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150453p1.html|archive-date=September 8, 2009}} Its writing and characters received additional praise.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/paper_mario_n64|title=Paper Mario N64 review|date=July 13, 2007|access-date=July 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502184625/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/paper_mario_n64|archive-date=May 2, 2015|url-status=live|first=Van Duyn|last=Michael}} Publications, such as Nintendo Power and GameSpot, listed it among the best games on the Nintendo 64.{{Cite web|title = Advanced Search at Metacritic|url = http://www.metacritic.com/search/game/results?date_range_from=1-1-2001&date_range_to=12-31-2001&search_type=advanced&sort=score|website = Metacritic|access-date = October 30, 2015|archive-date = February 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210209143724/https://www.metacritic.com/search/game/results?date_range_from=January|url-status = live}}{{Cite magazine |date=August 2008 |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=231 |title=Best of the Best |pages=70–78}}{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=GameSpot{{'}}s Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=GameSpot VG Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }} It was listed as the 63rd best game on a Nintendo console in Nintendo Power{{'}}s "Top 200 Games" in 2006.{{Cite magazine |date=January 2006 |title=NP Top 200 |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=199 |first=Pete |last=Michaud|pages=42–43}}

The Thousand-Year Door is often ranked as one of the best games in the series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-paper-mario-games-of-all-time|title=Feature: Best Paper Mario Games Of All Time|date=August 26, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|last=Lane|first=Gavin|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209022705/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-paper-mario-games-of-all-time|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.imore.com/paper-mario-games-ranked|title=All 5 Paper Mario games ranked|date=June 1, 2020|website=iMore|last=Spear|first=Rebecca|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209022737/https://www.imore.com/paper-mario-games-ranked|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-impressions|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Isn't the Thousand Year Door, Nor Does It Want to Be|date=July 9, 2020|website=USGamer|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209022706/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-impressions|url-status=live}} Reviewers praised the game's plot and characters,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-review/1900-6110235/|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for GameCube Review|website=GameSpot|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=November 12, 2004|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=July 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730180138/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-review/1900-6110235/|url-status=live}} with Eurogamer considering the story whimsical in tone. The new paper-based game and audience mechanics were also lauded.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135358|title=Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review|website=1UP.com|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=October 11, 2004|access-date=February 18, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105193515/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135358|archive-date=January 5, 2010}} The Thousand-Year Door won "Console Role-Playing Game of the Year" at the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite news |last=Blevins |first=Tal |date=February 2, 2005 |work=IGN |title=DICE 2005: AIAS Best of 2004 Awards |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/02/dice-2005-aias-best-of-2004-awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425095714/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/02/dice-2005-aias-best-of-2004-awards |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}

Despite deviating from the RPG style, Super Paper Mario still generally received positive reviews. The concept of changing dimensions received praise,{{cite magazine |title=Super Paper Mario Review / Evaluation / Impressions (Wii) |url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/6382/reviews/ |language=Japanese|magazine=Famitsu |access-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225202411/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/6382/reviews/ |last1=Nagata|first1=Kamikaze|display-authors=et al|archive-date=February 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Vore |first1=Bryan |title=Super Paper Mario |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/DBBA9758-5000-450A-A1EE-0FC6217B5879.htm |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418133834/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/DBBA9758-5000-450A-A1EE-0FC6217B5879.htm |archive-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead }} though there were some complaints for underdeveloped gameplay. Some reviewers criticized the plot as overly complicated,{{cite web |title=Super Paper Mario |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/18466.html |website=GameTrailers |access-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626130917/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/18466.html |archive-date=June 26, 2007 |date=April 10, 2007 |url-status=dead }} but most praised the game's writing and humor. The game was commonly listed as one of the best games on the Wii.

{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/pictures/best-wii-games-of-all-time-photos/14/ |website=CNET|title=Best Wii games of all time (photos)|last1=Stein|first1=Scott |date=November 21, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218151039/https://www.cnet.com/pictures/best-wii-games-of-all-time-photos/14/ |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}
{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-top-25-wii-games-2 |last1=Janiak|first1=Kevin|date=May 23, 2016|website=IGN|title=The Top 25 Wii Games|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150922/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-top-25-wii-games-2 |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}
{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/04/top-25-wii-games.aspx |title=Top 25 Wii Games|date=July 4, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/04/top-25-wii-games.aspx |magazine=Game Informer|last1=Hilliard|first1=Kyle|archive-date=February 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}
{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-wii-games/1100-6419146/ |website=GameSpot|title=The Best Wii Games|last1=Ramsay|first1=Randolph|date=November 11, 2015 |access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218151037/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-wii-games/1100-6419146/ |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}
{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-wii-games-all-time/2/ |title=The best Wii games of all time |access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150926/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-wii-games-all-time/2/ |archive-date=February 18, 2020|website=GamesRadar+|author=GamesRadar Staff|date=September 23, 2020|url-status=live }}

Sticker Star received more mixed reviews than its predecessors. Critics enjoyed the graphics, world scale,{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/paper_mario_sticker_star|title=Paper Mario Sticker Star review|website=Nintendo Life|date=November 6, 2012|access-date=November 6, 2012|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109040751/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/paper_mario_sticker_star|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-paper-mario-sticker-star/ |title=EGM Review: Paper Mario: Sticker Star |author=Carsillo, Ray |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806073045/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-paper-mario-sticker-star/ |archive-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }} and characters, although the lack of character design variety, and gameplay mechanics such as the stickers, were not well-received. While some critics enjoyed the additional layer of strategy, like Philip Kollar of Polygon considering it engaging,{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/6/3611372/paper-mario-sticker-star-review|title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star Review: Stuck To You|date=November 6, 2012|website=Polygon|last=Kollar|first=Philip|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209165040/https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/6/3611372/paper-mario-sticker-star-review|url-status=live}} multiple functions of the stickers were criticized. Thing Stickers were considered one of the game's biggest weaknesses,{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review |title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star Review |date=November 6, 2012 |website=IGN |author=Shea, Cam |access-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110114612/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Stanton|first=Rich|title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star review|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-13-paper-mario-sticker-star-review|website=Eurogamer|access-date=May 4, 2018|date=November 13, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031145608/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-13-paper-mario-sticker-star-review|url-status=live}} and stickers in general were disliked for having only one solution to each puzzle and frequently requiring players to backtrack.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review/|title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star fails to justify its gimmick (review)|date=November 6, 2012|website=VentureBeat|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015840/https://venturebeat.com/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review/|url-status=live}} Sticker Star was overall disdained by fans for the loss of a strategic combat system.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/20-years-later-few-nintendo-games-have-lived-up-to-sup-1763855052|title=20 Years Later, Few Nintendo Games Have Lived Up To Super Mario RPG|date=2016-06-30|website=Kotaku|last=Schreier|first=Jason|access-date=February 23, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115532/http://kotaku.com/20-years-later-few-nintendo-games-have-lived-up-to-sup-1763855052|url-status=live}}

Upon its reveal, fans criticized Color Splash for continuing the trend of action-adventure installments, and a Change.org petition calling for its cancellation was created. The game was initially disparaged further when it was announced but received generally positive reviews upon release. Most reviewers praised the redefined graphics, and soundtrack,

{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/paper_mario_color_splash |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash Review |date=October 22, 2016 |website=Nintendo Life |author=McMahon, Conor |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203035219/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/paper_mario_color_splash |url-status=live }}
{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_color_splash/b/wii_u/archive/2016/10/05/paper-mario-color-splash-game-informer-review.aspx |author=Reeves, Ben |date=October 5, 2016 |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash – Coloring Inside The Lines |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008092226/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_color_splash/b/wii_u/archive/2016/10/05/paper-mario-color-splash-game-informer-review.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |date=October 14, 2016 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/paper-mario-color-splash-review/1900-753/ |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash Review |website=Giant Bomb |access-date=January 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214175351/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/paper-mario-color-splash-review/1900-753/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-10-11-paper-mario-color-splash-review|title=Paper Mario: Color Splash review|last=Dale|first=Alex|date=October 11, 2016|work=Eurogamer|access-date=June 27, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016171622/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-10-11-paper-mario-color-splash-review|url-status=live}} but combat was considered too simplistic and some reviewers noted its lack of overall necessity to the game. Giant Bomb reviewer Dan Ryckert observed that the primary function of coins was to buy cards for combat, which awarded coins in return; he considered the overall system pointless. Ryckert also criticized the depiction of characters, such as the abundance of Toads for lacking in original designs that past entries had.

{{Quote box|quote=[The] Nintendo Switch's [The] Origami King is the next great hope then, and while the latest entry does appear to have solved some of the problems fans had with recent previous entries, many series stalwarts are likely to be left waiting for that mythical Thousand Year Door sequel in the sky.|source= Andy Robinson, Video Games Chronicle Paper Mario: The Origami King review{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/paper-mario-the-origami-king/|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Might Not Be The RPG Return Fans Were Craving|date=2020-07-09|website=Video Games Chronicle|access-date=April 28, 2021|last=Robinson|first=Andy|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105011804/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/paper-mario-the-origami-king/|url-status=live}}|width=30em|align=right}}

The Origami King re-added favored RPG elements and removed unwanted features, though it was still criticized for continuing the action-adventure format.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-the-kotaku-review-1844379684|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King: The Kotaku Review|date=July 15, 2020|website=Kotaku|last=Kohler|first=Chris|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014705/https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-the-kotaku-review-1844379684|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=July 9, 2020|first=Jeff|last=Grubb|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King doesn't have experience points|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/09/paper-mario-the-origami-king-doesnt-have-experience-points/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711102627/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/09/paper-mario-the-origami-king-doesnt-have-experience-points/|url-status=live}} It was praised for its interactive elements,{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-a-rare-game-i-actually-1844479539|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Is A Rare Game I Actually Want To 100%|date=July 23, 2020|website=Kotaku|last=Parrish|first=Ash|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014806/https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-a-rare-game-i-actually-1844479539|url-status=live}} writing,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/paper-mario/paper-mario-the-origami-king-explainer/|title=Here's What You Need to Know about Paper Mario: The Origami King|date=July 21, 2020|website=Paste|last=Martin|first=Garret|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920221417/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/paper-mario/paper-mario-the-origami-king-explainer/|url-status=live}} characters,

{{Cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/im-still-not-over-the-bob-omb-thing-1844673118|title=I'm Still Not Over the Bob-omb Thing|date=August 10, 2020|website=Gizmodo|last=Elderking|first=Beth|access-date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019041247/https://io9.gizmodo.com/im-still-not-over-the-bob-omb-thing-1844673118|url-status=live}}
{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/paper-mario/paper-mario-the-origami-king-explainer/|title=Here's What You Need to Know about Paper Mario: The Origami King|date=July 21, 2020|website=Paste|last=Martin|first=Garret|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920221417/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/paper-mario/paper-mario-the-origami-king-explainer/|url-status=live}}
{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King 2020|website=Nintendo Life|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Scullion|first1=Chris|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716035040/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|url-status=live}} and worldbuilding.{{Cite web|first=Cam|last=Shea|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Review|website=IGN|access-date=July 16, 2020|date=July 15, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716033042/https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/aug/04/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King review – a hilarious postmodern delight|website=The Guardian|date=August 4, 2020|last1=Griffin|first1=Sarah Maria|access-date=August 5, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804231918/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/aug/04/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|url-status=live}} Of these elements were hidden Toads, which reviewers commonly called fun and enjoyable, commending their humorous dialogue and interesting hiding spots.
{{Cite magazine|url=https://egmnow.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King review|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Goroff|first1=Michael|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716032825/https://egmnow.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/|url-status=live}}
{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-a-rare-game-i-actually-1844479539|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Is A Rare Game I Actually Want To 100%|date=July 23, 2020|website=Kotaku|last=Parrish|first=Ash|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014806/https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-is-a-rare-game-i-actually-1844479539|url-status=live}}
{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King 2020|website=Nintendo Life|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Scullion|first1=Chris|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716035040/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king|url-status=live}} Reviewers gave the game's combat system a mixed reception; it was liked for its unique layer of strategy, but dreaded for being difficult and unrewarding.
{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/paper-mario-the-origami-king/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-just-above-the-fold|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Review – Just Above The Fold|date=July 15, 2020|last=Reeves|first=Ben|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 15, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715225405/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/paper-mario-the-origami-king/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-just-above-the-fold}}
{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review.aspx |author=Cork, Jeff |date=November 6, 2012 |title=Mario's Latest RPG-lite Adventure Has Dimension |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109044745/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review.aspx |url-status=live }}
{{Cite web|first=Cam|last=Shea|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Review|website=IGN|access-date=July 16, 2020|date=July 15, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716033042/https://www.ign.com/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review|url-status=live}} One of GameSpot{{'}}s few criticisms of the game included the character designs being less charming than past entries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/1900-6417506/|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Review|website=GameSpot|last=Vazquez|first=Suriel|date=July 27, 2020|quote=Cast of characters isn't as charming as previous entries|access-date=November 2, 2022|archive-date=November 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118003844/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/1900-6417506/|url-status=live}}

The three games since Sticker Star were strongly criticized for the removal of elements that made the games RPGs, such as an XP system

{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-know-when-to-fold-em|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Review: Know When to Fold 'Em|website=USgamer|date=July 15, 2020|last1=Oxford|first1=Nadia|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716140733/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-know-when-to-fold-em|url-status=live}}
{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-sticker-star-the-kotaku-review-5957708|title=Paper Mario: Sticker Star: The Kotaku Review|date=November 6, 2012|website=Kotaku|last=Schreier|first=Jason|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603212009/https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-sticker-star-the-kotaku-review-5957708|url-status=live}}
{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review.aspx |author=Cork, Jeff |date=November 6, 2012 |title=Mario's Latest RPG-lite Adventure Has Dimension |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109044745/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/paper_mario_sticker_star/b/3ds/archive/2012/11/06/paper-mario-sticker-star-review.aspx |url-status=live }} (which critics believed made combat unnecessary), the removal of new and original characters, and the removal of other unique aspects from prior games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/axe-of-the-blood-god-our-verdict-on-paper-mario-the-origami-king|title=Axe of the Blood God: Our Verdict on Paper Mario: The Origami King|date=July 27, 2020|website=USgamer|last=Bailey|first=Kat|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819140323/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/axe-of-the-blood-god-our-verdict-on-paper-mario-the-origami-king|url-status=live}}

= Inspiration =

The Paper Mario series has been used as inspiration for various indie games. According to Jose Fernando Gracia of Moonsprout Games, the game designer behind Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling, the Paper Mario series was a major inspiration for the game's development. Bug Fables is similar to the first two games in the Paper Mario series, which Gracia considers to be the reason for the game's success. He said that creating a combat system similar to Paper Mario was simple, but not as much as maintaining a similar style of humor. Nicolas Lamarche, who is developing Born of Bread with Gabriel Bolduc Dufour, said that it retains core RPG gameplay concepts from the Paper Mario games. He mentioned how his ultimate goal was to curate what made the RPG elements so special. Similar games the series has inspired include Scrap Story, Seahorse Saga,{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/07/21/fans-have-been-craving-classic-paper-mario-indie-games-are-filling-that-void/|title=Fans have been craving classic 'Paper Mario.' Indie games are filling that void.|date=2020-07-21|access-date=2021-05-27|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Koczwara|first=Michael|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108222537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/07/21/fans-have-been-craving-classic-paper-mario-indie-games-are-filling-that-void/|url-status=live}} and Tinykin.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/03/tinykin-combines-pikmin-and-paper-mario-for-adorable-ant-sized-platforming-this-summer |title=Tinykin Combines Pikmin And Paper Mario For Adorable Ant-Sized Platforming This Summer |date=2022-03-22 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Nintendo Life |last=Hagues |first=Alana |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407005748/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/03/tinykin-combines-pikmin-and-paper-mario-for-adorable-ant-sized-platforming-this-summer |url-status=live }}

= Sales =

Paper Mario was the best-selling game in its first week in Japan and other regions,{{cite web|title=Nintendo Dominates Japanese Charts|date=2000-08-18|website=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/083/083746p1.html|access-date=2006-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320013513/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/083/083746p1.html|archive-date=2012-03-20|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title = Mario stays on top|url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-stays-on-top/1100-2691281/|website = GameSpot|access-date = 2015-10-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171225145002/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-stays-on-top/1100-2691281/|archive-date = 2017-12-25|url-status = live}} and has sold 1.3 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo 64.{{Cite book|title=2014CESAゲーム白書|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|year=2014|isbn=978-4902346305|pages=142–53|location=Japan|language=Japanese|trans-title=2020 CESA Games White Papers}} Similar to Paper Mario, The Thousand-Year Door was the top selling game in Japan in its first week,{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/535/535165p1.html|title=Paper Mario 2 Dominates charts|website=IGN|date=2004-08-02|access-date=2008-02-18|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030046/http://cube.ign.com/articles/535/535165p1.html|url-status=live}} and sold over 1.3 million copies since 2007. It is the thirteenth best-selling game on the GameCube.{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/gc.php|title=Japan GameCube charts|publisher=Japan Game Charts|access-date=2008-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723025415/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/gc.php|archive-date=July 23, 2007|url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml|title=US Platinum Videogame Chart|website=The Magic Box|access-date=2008-02-18|archive-date=January 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106203333/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml|url-status=live}} Super Paper Mario was the top selling game of the week upon release in Japan,{{cite web |last1=Jenkins |first1=David |title=Super Paper Mario Hits Top in Japanese Charts |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104632/Super_Paper_Mario_Hits_Top_In_Japanese_Charts.php |website=Gamasutra |access-date=March 9, 2020 |date=April 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906074513/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104632/Super_Paper_Mario_Hits_Top_In_Japanese_Charts.php |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=dead }} and ranked as the third best-selling game on the Wii in April 2007, similar to its predecessors.{{cite magazine |last1=Kohler |first1=Chris |title=April NPD Sales: 360K Wii, 82K PS3, 1.75M Pokemon |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/05/april-npd-sales/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=March 9, 2020 |date=May 17, 2007 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122131814/https://www.wired.com/2007/05/april-npd-sales/ |url-status=live }} By 2008, the game had sold over 2 million units worldwide.{{cite web |date=February 27, 2008 |language=Japanese |work=経済研究所企業調査レポート |trans-work=Corporate Investigative Report of the Economic Research Institute |title=任天堂(7974 大証 1 部) |trans-title=Nintendo (7974 OSE 1st section) |page=4 |publisher=Rakuten Securities |url=https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/ITS/AnalystRepo/info_jp_AnalystRepo_20080227_01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226132524/https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/ITS/AnalystRepo/info_jp_AnalystRepo_20080227_01.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Million-Seller Titles of Nintendo Products |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf |website=Nintendo |access-date=March 9, 2020 |pages=5 |date=April 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910032513/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf |archive-date=September 10, 2008 |url-status=live }} As of 2019, the game had sold about 4.3 million copies and is the best-selling Paper Mario game to date.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Kevin |title=Super Paper Mario Is A Role-Playing Game About Nintendo |url=https://kotaku.com/super-paper-mario-is-a-role-playing-game-about-nintendo-1785945382 |website=Kotaku |access-date=March 9, 2020 |date=August 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174524/https://kotaku.com/super-paper-mario-is-a-role-playing-game-about-nintendo-1785945382 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} Sticker Star sold around 400,000 copies in Japan by 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-01-28-pokemon-tops-2012-software-charts-in-japan|title=Pokemon tops 2012 software chart in Japan|last=Handrahan|first=Matthew|date=January 28, 2013|work=GamesIndustry|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=April 21, 2013|archive-date=April 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411074224/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-01-28-pokemon-tops-2012-software-charts-in-japan|url-status=live}} and almost 2 million worldwide by March 2013.{{cite news |date=April 24, 2013 |work=Game Watch |language=Japanese |title=任天堂、平成25年3月期決算短信を発表 |trans-title=Nintendo Publish Financial Statement for 2013 |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/597370.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205231004/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/597370.html |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |url-status=live}} As of 2020, the game had reached almost 2.5 million sales and is also one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo 3DS.{{Cite book|title=2020CESAゲーム白書|year=2020|isbn=978-4902346428|location=Japan|pages=182–223|language=Japanese|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|trans-title=2020 CESA Games White Papers}} According to a whitepaper published by the Japanese Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, Color Splash had sold over 60,000 units in Japan and nearly 1.2 million copies worldwide by July 2020, making it one of the best-selling Wii U games.{{cite book |title=2020CESAゲーム白書 (2020 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2020 |isbn=978-4-902346-42-8}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/paper_mario_the_origami_king_launch_sales_compared_to_past_entries_japan|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Launch Sales Compared To Past Entries (Japan)|date=2020-07-26|website=Nintendo Life|last=Doolan|first=Liam|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216083506/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/paper_mario_the_origami_king_launch_sales_compared_to_past_entries_japan|url-status=live}} The Origami King had the best launch in the series, having doubled the launch sales of Super Paper Mario in the U.S., and the series' best launch in its first month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-had-the-best-launch-of-any-paper-mario|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King had the best launch of any Paper Mario|date=August 14, 2020|website=GamesRadar+|last=Wood|first=Austin|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929144634/https://www.gamesradar.com/paper-mario-the-origami-king-had-the-best-launch-of-any-paper-mario/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/14/july-2020-npd-paper-mario-and-ghost-of-tsushima-have-strong-debuts/|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|title=July 2020 NPD: Paper Mario and Ghost of Tsushima have strong debuts|date=August 14, 2020|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815103733/https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/14/july-2020-npd-paper-mario-and-ghost-of-tsushima-have-strong-debuts/|url-status=live|website=VentureBeat}} By December 2020, the game had sold 3.05 million copies and is the second highest selling in the series, becoming one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/the_origami_king_is_now_the_fastest-selling_paper_mario_game_ever|title=The Origami King Is Now The Fastest-Selling Paper Mario Game Ever|date=November 5, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|last=Doolan|first=Liam|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106011534/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/the_origami_king_is_now_the_fastest-selling_paper_mario_game_ever|url-status=live}} By December 2022, the game had sold 3.47 million copies. The remake of The Thousand-Year Door had sold 1.74 million copies within a month of launch in June 2024.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/switch-worldwide-sales-top-143-22-million-paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-tops-1-76-million |website=Gematsu |access-date=March 8, 2025 |title=Switch worldwide sales top 143.22 million, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door tops 1.76 million |date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204125824/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/switch-worldwide-sales-top-143-22-million-paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-tops-1-76-million |url-status=live }} As of December 2024, the game has sold 2.06 million copies.

= Awards and nominations =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ Awards and nominations of the Paper Mario series
scope="col"\|Year !scope="col"\|Publication or ceremony !scope="col"\|Nominated game !scope="col"\|Award !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|{{Abbr\|Ref(s).\|Reference}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2002 \|5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario \|Console Role-Playing Game of the Year \|{{nominated}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite web\|title=2001 Academy Awards for Games\|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games\|website=IGN\|access-date=March 8, 2025\|date=February 7, 2002\|archive-date=December 25, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225151852/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2005 \|8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door \|Console Role-Playing Game of the Year \|{{won}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2007 \|rowspan="1"\|4th British Academy Games Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Super Paper Mario \|Innovation \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite news \|last=Burchfield \|first=Evan \|date=October 24, 2007 \|work=Nintendo World Report \|title=Nintendo Wins at BAFTA Awards \|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/14666/nintendo-wins-at-bafta-awards \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708060712/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/14666/nintendo-wins-at-bafta-awards \|archive-date=July 8, 2022 \|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2007 \|rowspan="1"\|Spike Video Game Awards 2007 \|rowspan="1"\|Super Paper Mario \|Best Wii Game \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web \|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/11/09/nominees-for-spike-tvs-video-game-awards-2007-revealed/ \|title=Nominees for Spike TV's 'Video Game Awards 2007' revealed\|access-date=February 14, 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163815/https://www.engadget.com/2007/11/09/nominees-for-spike-tvs-video-game-awards-2007-revealed/ \|last1=Dormer\|first1=Dan\|website=Engadget\|date=November 9, 2007\|archive-date=June 19, 2018 \|url-status=live }}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2007 \|rowspan="1"\|12th Satellite Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Super Paper Mario \|Outstanding Role Playing Game \|{{won}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite news \|last=Maxwell \|first=Erin \|date=December 17, 2007 \|work=Variety \|title=Satellite Award winners announced \|url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/satellite-award-winners-announced-1117977840/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226122539/https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/satellite-award-winners-announced-1117977840/ \|archive-date=December 26, 2022 \|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2012 \|rowspan="1"\|16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: Sticker Star \|Best Handheld Game of the Year \|{{won}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite news \|last=Khan \|first=Calvin \|date=February 8, 2013 \|work=IGN Southeast Asia \|title=16th Annual D.I.C.E Awards Winners List \|url=https://sea.ign.com/news/60644/16th-annual-dice-awards-winners-list \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710003954/https://sea.ign.com/news/60644/16th-annual-dice-awards-winners-list \|archive-date=July 10, 2022 \|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2017 \|rowspan="1"\|2017 Kids' Choice Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: Color Splash \|Favorite Video Game \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7718233/kids-choice-awards-2017-the-winners-list\|title=Kids' Choice Awards 2017: The Winners List\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=February 16, 2021\|archive-date=August 9, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809142834/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7718233/kids-choice-awards-2017-the-winners-list\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="2"\|2020 \|rowspan="2"\|2020 Golden Joystick Awards \|rowspan="2"\|Paper Mario: The Origami King \|Best Family Game \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web\|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/animal_crossing_pokemon_mario_and_more_nominated_in_golden_joystick_awards_2020\|title=Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Mario And More Nominated in Golden Joystick Awards 2020\|date=October 1, 2020\|website=Nintendo Life\|last=Craddock\|first=Ryan\|access-date=December 2, 2020\|archive-date=October 21, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021073832/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/animal_crossing_pokemon_mario_and_more_nominated_in_golden_joystick_awards_2020\|url-status=live}}{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020\|title=Every winner at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020\|date=November 24, 2020\|website=GamesRadar+\|last=Tyrer\|first=Ben\|access-date=December 8, 2020\|archive-date=November 30, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130235012/https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/\|url-status=live}}
Nintendo Game of the Year \|{{nom}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2020 \|rowspan="1"\|The Game Awards 2020 \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: The Origami King \|Best Family Game \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite news \|last=Stedman \|first=Alex \|date=December 10, 2020 \|work=Variety \|title=The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List \|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922061955/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ \|archive-date=September 22, 2022 \|url-status=live}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2025 \|rowspan="1"\|14th New York Game Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door \|Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake \|{{nominated}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/new-york-game-awards-2025-all-nominees/2900-6106/\|title=New York Game Awards 2025 - All Nominees\|last=Lewis\|first=Claire\|date=January 7, 2025\|website=GameSpot\|access-date=March 8, 2025}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\|2025 \|rowspan="1"\|36th GLAAD Media Awards \|rowspan="1"\|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door \|Outstanding Video Game \|{{nom}} \|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web\|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-nominated-for-glaad-award-for-trans-representation-in-paper-mario\|title=Nintendo nominated for GLAAD award for trans representation in Paper Mario\|last=Nightingale\|first=Ed\|date=January 22, 2025\|website=Eurogamer\|access-date=March 8, 2025\|archive-date=January 27, 2025\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127150125/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-nominated-for-glaad-award-for-trans-representation-in-paper-mario\|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Awards and nominations of the Paper Mario series

scope="col"|Year

!scope="col"|Publication or ceremony

!scope="col"|Nominated game

!scope="col"|Award

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|{{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2002

|5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario

|Console Role-Playing Game of the Year

|{{nominated}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=2001 Academy Awards for Games|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games|website=IGN|access-date=March 8, 2025|date=February 7, 2002|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225151852/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games|url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2005

|8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

|Console Role-Playing Game of the Year

|{{won}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2007

|rowspan="1"|4th British Academy Games Awards

|rowspan="1"|Super Paper Mario

|Innovation

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |last=Burchfield |first=Evan |date=October 24, 2007 |work=Nintendo World Report |title=Nintendo Wins at BAFTA Awards |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/14666/nintendo-wins-at-bafta-awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708060712/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/14666/nintendo-wins-at-bafta-awards |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2007

|rowspan="1"|Spike Video Game Awards 2007

|rowspan="1"|Super Paper Mario

|Best Wii Game

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/11/09/nominees-for-spike-tvs-video-game-awards-2007-revealed/ |title=Nominees for Spike TV's 'Video Game Awards 2007' revealed|access-date=February 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163815/https://www.engadget.com/2007/11/09/nominees-for-spike-tvs-video-game-awards-2007-revealed/ |last1=Dormer|first1=Dan|website=Engadget|date=November 9, 2007|archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2007

|rowspan="1"|12th Satellite Awards

|rowspan="1"|Super Paper Mario

|Outstanding Role Playing Game

|{{won}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |last=Maxwell |first=Erin |date=December 17, 2007 |work=Variety |title=Satellite Award winners announced |url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/satellite-award-winners-announced-1117977840/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226122539/https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/satellite-award-winners-announced-1117977840/ |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2012

|rowspan="1"|16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: Sticker Star

|Best Handheld Game of the Year

|{{won}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |last=Khan |first=Calvin |date=February 8, 2013 |work=IGN Southeast Asia |title=16th Annual D.I.C.E Awards Winners List |url=https://sea.ign.com/news/60644/16th-annual-dice-awards-winners-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710003954/https://sea.ign.com/news/60644/16th-annual-dice-awards-winners-list |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2017

|rowspan="1"|2017 Kids' Choice Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: Color Splash

|Favorite Video Game

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7718233/kids-choice-awards-2017-the-winners-list|title=Kids' Choice Awards 2017: The Winners List|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 16, 2021|archive-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809142834/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7718233/kids-choice-awards-2017-the-winners-list|url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|2020

|rowspan="2"|2020 Golden Joystick Awards

|rowspan="2"|Paper Mario: The Origami King

|Best Family Game

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/animal_crossing_pokemon_mario_and_more_nominated_in_golden_joystick_awards_2020|title=Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Mario And More Nominated in Golden Joystick Awards 2020|date=October 1, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021073832/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/animal_crossing_pokemon_mario_and_more_nominated_in_golden_joystick_awards_2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020|title=Every winner at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020|date=November 24, 2020|website=GamesRadar+|last=Tyrer|first=Ben|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130235012/https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/|url-status=live}}

Nintendo Game of the Year

|{{nom}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2020

|rowspan="1"|The Game Awards 2020

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: The Origami King

|Best Family Game

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |last=Stedman |first=Alex |date=December 10, 2020 |work=Variety |title=The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922061955/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2025

|rowspan="1"|14th New York Game Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

|Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake

|{{nominated}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/new-york-game-awards-2025-all-nominees/2900-6106/|title=New York Game Awards 2025 - All Nominees|last=Lewis|first=Claire|date=January 7, 2025|website=GameSpot|access-date=March 8, 2025}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"|2025

|rowspan="1"|36th GLAAD Media Awards

|rowspan="1"|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

|Outstanding Video Game

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-nominated-for-glaad-award-for-trans-representation-in-paper-mario|title=Nintendo nominated for GLAAD award for trans representation in Paper Mario|last=Nightingale|first=Ed|date=January 22, 2025|website=Eurogamer|access-date=March 8, 2025|archive-date=January 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127150125/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-nominated-for-glaad-award-for-trans-representation-in-paper-mario|url-status=live}}

= In other media =

Various Paper Mario elements have been featured in the Super Smash Bros. series. The most prominent is the "Paper Mario" stage, a map based on multiple games in the series{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-paper-mario-stage|title=Super Smash Bros. For 3DS Has A Paper Mario Stage|date=2014-07-19|website=Siliconera|last=Sahdev|first=Ishaan|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214203954/https://www.siliconera.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-paper-mario-stage/|url-status=live}} that folds into multiple areas with themes of specific games, such as Sticker Star and The Thousand-Year Door.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/07/multi_generational_paper_mario_stage_confirmed_for_super_smash_bros_for_nintendo_3ds|title=Multi-Generational Paper Mario Stage Confirmed for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS|date=2014-07-29|website=Nintendo Life|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214045433/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/07/multi_generational_paper_mario_stage_confirmed_for_super_smash_bros_for_nintendo_3ds|url-status=live}} The map first appeared in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in 2014, and later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/10-12-2018-super-smash-bros-ultimate-stages-guide|title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate Stages – All New Super Smash Bros Ultimate Stages|date=2018-12-10|website=USGamer|last=Cryer|first=Hirun|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214045434/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/10-12-2018-super-smash-bros-ultimate-stages-guide|url-status=live}} Additionally, Ultimate has featured "spirits"{{snd}}in-game collectibles representing various video game characters based on characters from the series. The most recently added were three characters from The Origami King in August 2020, being King Olly, Olivia, and Princess Peach after having been folded into origami.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/08/three_brand_new_paper_mario_spirits_are_being_added_to_smash_bros_ultimate|title=Three Brand New Paper Mario Spirits Are Being Added To Smash Bros. Ultimate|date=2020-08-26|website=Nintendo Life|last=Doolan|first=Liam|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014715/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/08/three_brand_new_paper_mario_spirits_are_being_added_to_smash_bros_ultimate|url-status=live}}

Notes

References

Category:Intelligent Systems games

Category:Nintendo franchises

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2000