Turn-based RPGs are not my kind of game, yet Paper Mario has so much charm, that I can still adore the game. My first experience of Paper Mario was on the Wii Virtual Console, where I remember getting to a lava boss.

Paper Mario was originally conceived as Super Mario RPG 2, given to Intelligent Studios after Square went off to make PlayStation games, which turned into its own thing with a paper style. This first game doesn’t do a whole lot with the paper element (it becomes much more integrated in later games), but it does give the game a unique and charming style.

The battle system is kept nice and simple, with HP and damage numbers kept low, and not going off to meaningless large numbers in the thousands. You have a jump attack and hammer attack, with badges that provide stronger versions of those attacks (with different effects). It’s also very satisfying to see the attacks physically connect with enemies. Mario also has a partner with him in battle, which provides another attack per round. To help keep things simple, the partners don’t have a separate HP bar, so all enemy attacks are against Mario.

But there’s also an added element of interactivity and timing. When you attack, you can perform a quick time event to boost the power of the attack – press A at the right time, tap a button quickly, hold the stick to the left and time letting go with flashing lights. It helps keep you more involved in the battles, and the various badges you unlock and equip can even grant you significantly more damage with the risk of doing no damage if you miss.

But what I love about Paper Mario is everything outside the battles. Mario is on a quest to defeat Bowser, but needs the help of seven kidnapped Star Spirits. The world is built like a simple platformer (just with no instant deaths or bottomless pits) with lots of secrets to discover and puzzles to solve. Enemies roam around and walking into one triggers a battle – so no random encounters. One really nice thing is the “first strike” mechanic where if you jump on an enemy or hit it with your hammer, you’ll automatically perform the attack on them before the first round (but enemies can also do that to Mario). Each partner you recruit also has a special ability to help navigate the world.

Helping this out is some great writing, with plenty of funny moments. The chapters are also extremely varied in structure, so you never know what to expect yet. Some are dialogue focused, some focused on exploring, some with big dungeons, and so on. Each new area is a wonder to explore and discover what’s going on, with a ton of unique NPCs to talk to, most based on known Mario creatures, but with specific designs and personalities, which all adds to the wonderful charm the game has.

While I don’t like the style of combat in the game, Paper Mario is still a lovely experience, and knows how to keep things interesting – like the intermittent Peach sections between each chapter. There’s just an immense amount of charm and joy throughout the entire experience.

Fave

The longer you play Paper Mario, the more you’ll appreciate the unorthodox styling and likeable characters, and before long you’ll have fallen for its endearing, almost enchanting, oddball ambience. So what you’re essentially looking at, then, is an RPG that caters to all. It’s cheerful enough to attract younger players, clever enough to appeal to older ones, while being sufficiently inventive, taxing and lengthy to provide enough entertainment for those who consider RPGs to be their genre of choice.

Geraint Evans, N64 Magazine #58. Review Score: 90%

Remake or remaster?

This needs the same treatment as the Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door remake.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no way to buy a new copy of Paper Mario, the only official way to play is to rent it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak.

Re-releases

2007: Wii Virtual Console

2015: Wii U Virtual Console

2021: Nintendo Switch Online (Subscription Only)