The Most Popular Paper Mario Game, Ranked

Choose the game you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:28
In the colorful world of Paper Mario, each game brings its unique twist on storytelling, gameplay, and graphics. However, with several releases over the years, fans often debate which title stands out as the best. Ranking these games is not just about personal preferences; it's about seeing which game resonates the most with the wider audience and understanding the elements that make it particularly special. By participating in this dynamic ranking, every vote contributes to a clearer picture of the community's favorites. This isn't just a reflection of popularity; it's an active part in shaping a collective memory around the Paper Mario series. It's interesting to see how new interactions and perspectives can shift preferences and rankings over time, adding to the ongoing narrative of why certain games capture our hearts more than others.

What Is the Most Popular Paper Mario Game?

  1. 1
    37
    votes
    This game is widely considered the best in the series, with its engaging story, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It was released for the GameCube console in 2004. The game follows the story of Mario as he embarks on a journey to rescue Princess Peach and uncover the secrets behind the Thousand-Year Door. Featuring an innovative paper-themed aesthetic and a unique turn-based battle system, the game offers a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and RPG elements.
    • Release Date: 2004
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Platform: GameCube
    • Gameplay Style: Turn-based
    • Publisher: Nintendo
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in other rankings
  2. 2
    33
    votes

    Paper Mario

    Intelligent Systems
    The original Paper Mario game introduced the unique visual style and RPG gameplay that the series is known for, and remains a fan favorite.
    Paper Mario is a role-playing video game series developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. The series combines the traditional gameplay elements of the Super Mario franchise with a unique papercraft art style, creating a visually distinct and charming world. In these games, players control Mario, who is depicted as a 2D paper character exploring various paper-themed worlds and engaging in turn-based battles.
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Platform: Nintendo consoles
    • First release: Paper Mario (Nintendo 64) - 2000
    • Latest release: Paper Mario: The Origami King (Nintendo Switch) - 2020
    • Gameplay: Turn-based battles, exploration, puzzle-solving
  3. 3
    23
    votes

    Super Paper Mario

    Intelligent Systems
    This game took a departure from the traditional RPG format and added platforming elements, creating a fresh and exciting experience.
    Super Paper Mario is an action-adventure role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. Unlike traditional RPG-style gameplay of the previous Paper Mario games, Super Paper Mario incorporates platforming elements and a unique storyline that combines the Mario universe with a dimensional twist.
    • Release Date: April 9, 2007
    • Platform: Nintendo Wii
    • Genre: Action-Adventure, RPG
    • Players: Single-player
    • Modes: Story Mode, Challenge Mode
  4. 4
    11
    votes

    Paper Mario: Sticker Star

    Intelligent Systems
    While it received mixed reviews, Sticker Star introduced a unique sticker-based battle system and added a new layer of strategy to the series.
    Paper Mario: Sticker Star is a popular video game in the Paper Mario series, known for its unique gameplay mechanics and charming paper-craft art style. The game was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS. Instead of using traditional RPG elements, Sticker Star focuses on stickers as the primary form of attacks and abilities. Players collect and use stickers throughout the game to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress in the story.
    • Platform: Nintendo 3DS
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Release Date: November 11, 2012
    • Publisher: Nintendo
  5. 5
    17
    votes

    Paper Mario: Color Splash

    Intelligent Systems
    This game improved upon the sticker system introduced in Sticker Star, adding a new paint mechanic and vibrant visuals.
    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game follows the adventures of Mario as he sets out to restore color to the land of Prism Island, which has been drained of its hues by an evil Shy Guy. Like other Paper Mario games, Color Splash combines platforming elements with turn-based battles and puzzle-solving. The game is known for its charming paper-craft art style and witty writing.
    • Platform: Wii U
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Release Date: October 7, 2016
    • ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
  6. 6
    7
    votes

    Paper Mario: Origami King

    Intelligent Systems
    The most recent entry in the series, Origami King introduced a new origami theme and added puzzle-solving elements to the gameplay.
    Paper Mario: The Origami King is a popular role-playing game released in 2020. It is the sixth installment in the Paper Mario series, combining RPG elements with puzzle-solving and a unique paper aesthetic. The game is set in a paper-crafted world where the devious King Olly has transformed Princess Peach into origami and taken over the Mushroom Kingdom. As Mario, players embark on a quest to unfold the mystery surrounding King Olly's plot and save the kingdom.
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Platform: Nintendo Switch
    • Genre: Role-playing game
    • Release Date: July 17, 2020
    • Graphics: 2D with 3D elements
  7. 7
    4
    votes

    Paper Mario: Partners in Time

    Intelligent Systems
    This game introduced time-traveling elements and added a new layer of strategy to battles with the addition of baby versions of Mario and Luigi.
    Paper Mario: Partners in Time is a popular role-playing video game released for the Nintendo DS console. It is the second installment in the Paper Mario series and follows the adventures of Mario and his partners as they travel through time to save the Mushroom Kingdom. The game combines traditional RPG elements with a unique paper-based art style, creating a charming and visually distinct world.
    • Platform: Nintendo DS
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Release Date: November 28, 2005
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Developer: Nintendo SPD Group No. 3
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    The game received mixed reviews, but some fans appreciated its creative story and unique origami-themed gameplay.
  9. 9
    4
    votes

    Paper Mario: Color Splash

    Intelligent Systems
    While it was criticized for its lack of originality, Color Splash was praised for its beautiful visuals and charming characters.
    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game follows the adventures of Mario as he sets out to restore color to the land of Prism Island, which has been drained of its hues by an evil Shy Guy. Like other Paper Mario games, Color Splash combines platforming elements with turn-based battles and puzzle-solving. The game is known for its charming paper-craft art style and witty writing.
    • Platform: Wii U
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Release Date: October 7, 2016
    • ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
  10. 10
    0
    votes

    Paper Mario: Sticker Star

    Intelligent Systems
    Despite its divisive reception, some players enjoyed the game's puzzle-solving mechanics and unique sticker-based battle system.
    Paper Mario: Sticker Star is a popular video game in the Paper Mario series, known for its unique gameplay mechanics and charming paper-craft art style. The game was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS. Instead of using traditional RPG elements, Sticker Star focuses on stickers as the primary form of attacks and abilities. Players collect and use stickers throughout the game to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress in the story.
    • Platform: Nintendo 3DS
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Release Date: November 11, 2012
    • Publisher: Nintendo

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Ranking factors for popular game

  1. Reviews and ratings
    Look at both professional and user reviews for each game. Higher ratings and more positive reviews from both players and critics are an indication of a more popular game.
  2. Gameplay and mechanics
    Consider the gameplay elements and mechanics for each Paper Mario game. A more popular game would typically have more engaging gameplay, intuitive controls, and unique features that set it apart from its competitors.
  3. Story and characters
    Look at the plot and the characters in each Paper Mario installment. A game with a well-written story, memorable characters, and an engaging narrative is likely to be more popular among players.
  4. Graphics and art style
    Examine the visual appeal of each game, including the quality of the graphics and the art style used. A game with attractive visuals and a distinct art style could potentially be more popular.
  5. Soundtrack and audio
    Consider the quality of the music, sound effects, and voice acting in each game. A rich and memorable soundtrack, along with high-quality audio elements, contribute to the overall popularity of a game.
  6. Replayability and content
    A game with more side quests, collectibles, and unlockables, as well as varying gameplay paths and choices that lead to different outcomes, is likely to have higher replayability value and thus, greater popularity among players.
  7. Platform availability
    Is the game available on multiple platforms, or is it exclusive to one? A game that is accessible to more players on different devices has a higher chance of being popular.
  8. Awards and recognitions
    Games that have received critical acclaim and won awards for various aspects like gameplay, design, and story are more likely to be popular among players.
  9. Nostalgia factor and timelessness
    Consider how well each Paper Mario game has aged and its lasting appeal. A game that continues to be enjoyable and relevant long after its release is likely to be more popular among players.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Paper Mario game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1443 views
  • 148 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular paper mario game

Paper Mario is a beloved video game series that has been entertaining gamers for over two decades. Developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo, the franchise has spawned several critically acclaimed titles, each with their own unique storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics. The series has come a long way since its debut on Nintendo 64 back in 2000. Since then, it has seen releases on various consoles such as GameCube, Wii, 3DS, and Switch. Fans of the series have been treated to a plethora of memorable moments, engaging battles, and charming paper-themed environments. But with so many Paper Mario games out there, it can be tough to determine which one is the most popular among fans. Thankfully, StrawPoll has compiled a comprehensive list of the most highly rated Paper Mario games. So, let's dive in and see which one takes the top spot!

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