The Mario games are incredibly diverse. Over the years, Mario has become Nintendo’s most recognizable character, able to star in almost any kind of game. The series has a charming, lighthearted feel, with bright colors and a welcoming world that’s perfect for young players. Beyond the classic platforming and adventure games, Mario titles have successfully introduced players to many other genres, including racing, sports, and the unpredictable, fun chaos of games like Mario Party.
Released in North America on February 5, 2001, Paper Mario is still considered a prime example of a perfect RPG for all ages. Its clever gameplay, engaging story, and unique art style made it a great entry point for new RPG players, while also offering enough challenge and complexity for veterans. Twenty-five years later, Paper Mario remains a beloved classic and one of the best RPGs for players of any age.
Paper Mario Was Designed For Everyone
As a huge fan of Nintendo RPGs, I think Intelligent Systems is one of the best developers out there! They’ve given us so many amazing games like those in the Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, and WarioWare series, but for me, Paper Mario is their masterpiece – it’s pretty much a perfect RPG for anyone to enjoy. It was originally supposed to be a continuation of Super Mario RPG, but when Square Enix decided to focus on Final Fantasy VII instead of working with Nintendo again, things changed. Nintendo then teamed up with HAL Laboratory, the folks behind Super Smash Bros., to write the story, while Intelligent Systems still took the lead on actually developing the game.
Inspired by classic cartoons and games like PaRappa the Rapper, Art Director Naohiko Aoyama chose a bright, paper-like art style for Paper Mario. This helped the Nintendo 64 create a colorful and cartoonish world despite its technical limitations. Like other Mario games, Paper Mario centers on Mario rescuing Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser. He teams up with a variety of partners, each with special abilities that help in battles and exploration. The turn-based combat system was made more engaging with timed button presses and action commands.
This design choice appealed to both new and veteran RPG players. It kept younger players entertained with the battles, while offering a fresh experience for those familiar with the genre. This made the game very accessible, which critics praised upon its release. It earned an outstanding Metacritic score of 93/100, and even the tough critics at Famitsu were impressed enough to later dedicate a retrospective piece to the game, celebrating its initial release in Japan before it came to North America.
Why Paper Mario Is So Timeless
Shigeru Miyamoto, a producer and consultant on the game, explained that it was specifically created for players new to gaming. This focus is evident in its simple design, appealing visuals, and easy-to-follow story. While the plot itself wasn’t complex, Paper Mario truly shined thanks to its polished gameplay, witty writing, and lovable characters. The intentionally basic character designs and animations allowed for surprisingly expressive moments, something that was difficult to achieve with typical 3D graphics at the time. The game’s unique paper-craft inspired world creates a charming atmosphere, and it always feels like a classic Mario adventure, with familiar gameplay elements like timed jumps for extra damage or defense.
As a huge Mario fan, I think the Paper Mario games are just perfectly made for everyone. Seriously, it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or a seasoned gamer – they’re easy to pick up and play. The power-ups are simple, you can usually figure out what enemies are going to do, and the worlds are just a blast to explore. What I especially love is how lighthearted the stories are, which is great for younger players, but there’s also a really clever humor that adults will appreciate. Characters like Bowser and Peach feel so much more vibrant and funny in Paper Mario than anywhere else, and it’s honestly shaped how I see those characters in all other Mario games. Even after all these years, Paper Mario is still a shining example of Nintendo doing what they do best: taking a familiar genre and making something truly special that everyone can enjoy. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first RPG or your hundredth, you’ll find something to love about it.
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2026-02-05 22:41