Nintendo Fans Still Crave This N64 and GameCube Classic

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As a long-time Nintendo fan, I’ve always admired how they can take their classic characters and games – like Mario going 3D or Zelda becoming open-world – and reinvent them in amazing ways while still keeping what makes them special. But there’s one series that’s been consistently disappointing lately. Honestly, it feels like Nintendo has lost the magic touch with it. Fans, including me, are really hoping they’ll go back to what made the games on the Nintendo 64 and GameCube so great. I’m just getting frustrated with each new release because it doesn’t feel like the same beloved series anymore.

The series initially won fans over with its clever writing, fun gameplay, and unique sense of humor. However, over time, these elements have been watered down, making the games feel very different from the originals. For the next game on the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo should revisit what made early titles like *Paper Mario* and *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door* so special.

Nintendo Needs to Return Paper Mario to Its Roots

The original *Paper Mario* game launched on the Nintendo 64 and was a unique take on both the classic Mario platformer and role-playing games. Players enjoyed its creative idea of a paper-flat Mushroom Kingdom and characters, which was reflected in the game’s design. However, it was the game’s writing and story that really made it stand out. Mario felt more expressive than before, the conversations were funny and touching, and the characters who joined you on your adventure felt like real people, not just tools to help you play.

The gameplay formula really came into its own with *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door*. The game built on what came before with a bigger world, more developed characters, and more complex puzzles. Battles were satisfying because they required thinking and skillful timing. Plus, the game included a particularly enjoyable and difficult post-game experience, adding even more to the fun.

As a big fan, I loved the first few *Paper Mario* games, but lately, the series just hasn’t felt the same. *Super Paper Mario* took some risks, but *Paper Mario: Sticker Star* really changed things for the worse. They took out companions – something I and so many others really enjoyed – and made the RPG battles way too simple. Honestly, it felt like there was no reason to even bother fighting! Getting rid of experience points was a really strange choice, and it’s something the series hasn’t brought back yet, which is a huge disappointment.

The games still look lovely, and Nintendo has continued to develop the unique papercraft style, but recent entries haven’t been as enjoyable and have simplified the characters. I stopped playing after *The Thousand-Year Door*, which remains one of my all-time favorite RPGs. While I appreciate the humor, story, and world-building, the combat just isn’t satisfying. *Paper Mario: The Origami King* tried to improve things, but it still relied too much on new tricks instead of focusing on what made the original games so good.

Switch 2 Is Nintendo’s Chance to Revive Paper Mario’s True Spirit

Most Nintendo consoles have featured a Paper Mario game, so it’s probable the next Switch will too. The recent remake of *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door* confirmed what many fans, including myself, already believed: people are eager to see the unique style of Paper Mario return. Its success gives me confidence that Nintendo will consider fan desires when developing the next game in the series.

Look, I’m a huge Paper Mario fan, and it’s awesome to see people realize the original games weren’t just about rose-tinted glasses. There’s a real desire for that classic style of gameplay! Nintendo *needs* to understand that, especially with the Switch 2 on the way. What made Paper Mario great was always getting involved in combat with timed button presses, and the new system could let them really build on that. They don’t need to go crazy with gimmicks, just focus on what worked in the first two games – that mix of exploration, story, and engaging battles. Let’s get back to the roots of *Paper Mario* and *The Thousand-Year Door*!

I’m envisioning a game with memorable, well-developed companions you meet while exploring a beautiful, connected world made of paper. The turn-based battles should be engaging and satisfying, feeling integral to the experience rather than just a typical JRPG element. I want a story, puzzles, and characters that are rich and varied, creating a real sense of discovery and amazement. Importantly, all of this needs to be combined with the same humor and emotional core that made the previous games so beloved.

Why the Franchise Must Look Back to Move Forward

Nintendo’s most successful game series consistently innovate while staying true to their core elements. The Paper Mario series, which began on the Nintendo 64, seems to have lost sight of what originally made it so appealing. While it’s important for the series to grow and change, future installments need to build upon its strengths. As Nintendo develops Paper Mario for the next console, it should remember what fans loved about the earlier games.

The next Nintendo Switch could be the perfect opportunity to bring the *Paper Mario* series back to its former glory. Nintendo has the chance to create a role-playing game that feels both nostalgic and fresh, blending beloved gameplay elements with innovative features. The game could strike a balance between lighthearted humor and more serious storylines, and expand the unique world of *Paper Mario* without straying too far from what fans love. To really recapture the magic, Nintendo should essentially start over, moving past the direction of *Paper Mario: Sticker Star*, *Paper Mario: Color Splash*, and *Paper Mario: The Origami King*.

The game should take inspiration from titles like *Paper Mario* and *The Thousand-Year Door*, just as *Bug Fables* did. Even *Mario & Luigi: Brothership*, while similar in some ways, didn’t quite capture the magic of the *Paper Mario* series, suggesting Nintendo actually prefers that style. It’s puzzling that Nintendo keeps experimenting with new ideas when they’ve already created a winning formula with *Paper Mario*. The success of *The Thousand-Year Door* remake clearly demonstrates this, making it hard to understand why Nintendo won’t revisit it.

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2025-09-21 22:14