Nintendo Can Finally Fix One of Its Best Series on Nintendo Switch 2

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The next Nintendo Switch could be Nintendo’s most popular console ever. The original Switch has been a huge success, and Nintendo has a great opportunity to build on that with a new version. While upgraded technology is important for this hybrid console, it also needs fantastic games. Titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond have performed well, but one franchise consistently resonates with Nintendo fans above all others.

With each new Nintendo console, a new Paper Mario game appears, consistently being a fan favorite. However, many fans believe the series peaked with its first two installments, and subsequent games haven’t lived up to that standard. Paper Mario: The Origami King showed promise, but the recent success of the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake makes it clear what players want. If Nintendo releases a new Paper Mario game on the Switch 2, it needs to recapture the magic that originally made the series so beloved.

A New Console Means a Chance for Paper Mario to Return to Its Roots

With the release of the new Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has a great opportunity to rethink the Paper Mario series. The popular remake of a classic Paper Mario game proved that fans are eager for a return to the series’ origins – a robust RPG experience with memorable characters, a charming world, and creative gameplay. Players are hoping for the deep character progression and rich storytelling that defined the early Paper Mario games, instead of the simpler, more action-focused style of recent installments.

I’ll never forget my first experience with The Thousand-Year Door on the GameCube. The game world felt vibrant and full of life, with memorable characters introduced in every chapter. Each partner character had a unique personality and helped in battles in different ways. Playing the remake recently highlighted how much of that original magic has been missing from newer games in the series. The remake wasn’t just a hit because of nostalgia; it proved that the game’s brilliant design still works wonderfully today and will continue to appeal to players for years to come.

A new, more powerful console could let Paper Mario create a bigger and more detailed world with improved gameplay, all while keeping the unique, handmade style that makes it special. With better technology, Nintendo could deliver more beautiful environments, smoother movements, and more exciting battles. It’s important that Nintendo remembers what fans loved about the original Paper Mario and The Thousand-Year Door and builds on those strengths in the next game. A Paper Mario game on the Nintendo Switch 2 has the potential to be the best in the series – a high bar, considering how beloved The Thousand-Year Door already is.

The Thousand Year Door’s Legacy Still Sets the Standard

Many fans believe Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the best game in the Paper Mario series. It built upon Super Mario RPG with improved turn-based battles, helpful partners, engaging audience interactions, and a story that was both humorous and genuinely touching. Subsequent games moved towards puzzle-solving with less character development and weaker RPG elements. This change was noticeable in fan reviews, with many newer titles receiving mixed reactions due to their departure from what made the series special.

As a huge fan, I wasn’t surprised to see the remake do so well! It just proves how much people were craving that classic style of gameplay. Honestly, even though The Thousand-Year Door is almost twenty years old, it still feels way more interesting than a lot of newer RPGs, and even its own sequels! Great writing really holds up, and that timing-based combat is still so much fun – you can see that in how popular Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is. When a remake blows past what everyone expected, it sends a clear message: we fans really want RPGs to feel meaningful again, and that means bringing back those core mechanics we love.

Nintendo now has data showing this is a good path forward. If the next Switch offers improved graphics and performance, a new Paper Mario game with the detailed RPG gameplay of past titles could be one of Nintendo’s best. The foundation for success is already there; the series just needs to build on it. The next Paper Mario should take inspiration from The Thousand-Year Door.

The Future of Paper Mario Depends on Switch 2

Each new gaming console offers Nintendo a fresh start, allowing them to try new things with their popular franchises. The next Paper Mario game is especially important – it will shape how fans think about the series for years to come. It could either ignore what fans want, or finally deliver the game they’ve been hoping for. The version released on the Switch 2 will essentially decide the future of Paper Mario. To restore the series to its former glory, Nintendo needs to focus on what originally made it great, or they risk damaging Paper Mario permanently.

I’m really excited about the possibility of revisiting a colorful, detailed world with memorable characters. A more powerful Switch 2 could mean bigger towns, more dynamic environments, and better animations, all of which would make the game’s funny moments even better. Most importantly, improved hardware could allow for more complex and strategic battles, similar to those in The Thousand-Year Door. I’d be thrilled if the series simply returned to its former glory, but it would be amazing to see Nintendo build on that foundation and create something even better.

Nintendo can revitalize the Paper Mario series by staying true to its core strengths, rather than trying to completely overhaul it. The positive response to the recent remake demonstrates that fans are eager for more. While innovation is welcome, it’s most effective when built upon elements players already love. If the next installment strikes a good balance between new ideas and classic gameplay, Paper Mario could become a flagship title on the Nintendo Switch 2 and pave the way for a variety of Mario RPGs.

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2026-02-15 23:41