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{{series infobox
|title=Paper Mario
|image=[[File:Paper Mario Series Logo.png|300px]]<br>The logo used since ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
|image=[[File:Pm3dlogo.png|300px]]
|first=''[[Paper Mario]]'' ([[List of games by date#2000|2000]])
|first=''[[Paper Mario]]'' ([[2000]])
|latest=''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|latest=''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' ([[2007]])
|number=7 (6 direct, 1 remake)
|number=4 (3 main, 1 upcoming)
|franchise=''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]''
|parent=''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]''
|staff=[[Ryota Kawade]] (2000–2007; 2024)<br> [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] (2000–2016)<br> [[Kensuke Tanabe]] (2004–2020)<br>[[Naohiko Aoyama]] (2000; 2012–present)<br>[[Taro Kudo]] (2012–present)<br>[[Masahiko Nagaya]] (2016–present)<br>[[Risa Tabata]] (2016-present)}}
}}
The '''''Paper Mario''''' series is a [[Genre#Role-playing games|role-playing]] and action-adventure spinoff series in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]], developed for [[Nintendo]] by affiliate company [[Intelligent Systems]]. The series is named after its distinctive visual style, which consists of 2D paper {{wp|Cutout animation|cutout}} characters in 3D {{wp|papercraft}} environments. It is a {{wp|spiritual successor}} to ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', the first RPG game in the ''Super Mario'' franchise, and follows many conventions established in that game. The first installment in the ''Paper Mario'' series, also called ''[[Paper Mario]]'', was released on [[Nintendo 64]] in 2000, and five further entries have since followed (four for home consoles and one handheld entry), as well as one remake. The series has also crossed over with fellow ''Super Mario'' RPG series ''[[Mario & Luigi (series)|Mario & Luigi]]'' with the game ''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''.
The '''''Paper Mario'' series''' is one of the many sub-series of the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]]. Three games have been released in this series: ''[[Paper Mario]]'', ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', and ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', with an [[Paper Mario (Nintendo 3DS)|upcoming fourth game]]. Most of the games in the series are RPGs, though ''Super Paper Mario'' is a platfomer. The three games have been released on separate consoles, the [[Nintendo 64]], the [[Nintendo GameCube]], and the [[Wii]], with the fourth game to be released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]].
 
==Chronological Overview==
==Background==
{| align=center width=100% border=1
During the {{wp|fifth generation of video games}}, {{wp|Sony Interactive Entertainment}}'s original {{wp|PlayStation (console)|PlayStation}} console overtook Nintendo's long-standing dominance in the home console market, resulting in the latter company's own console from that generation, the [[Nintendo 64]], being relegated to a distant second place. Nintendo's downfall during that era can be attributed to multiple decisions and strategies made by the company during this generation, namely launching the N64 in North America a full year behind the PlayStation,<ref name="Schilling">Schilling, Melissa A. “Technological Leapfrogging: LESSONS FROM THE U.S. VIDEO GAME CONSOLE INDUSTRY.” California Management Review, vol. 45, no. 3, Spring 2003, pp. 6–32. EBSCOhost, doi:10.2307/41166174, https://www.researchgate.net/public...ssons_from_the_US_Video_Game_Console_Industry. Accessed March 27, 2020.</ref> continuing to store games in cartridges instead of switching to the less expensive CD-ROM format,<ref>Subramanian, Annapoornima M., et al. “Capability Reconfiguration of Incumbent Firms: Nintendo in the Video Game Industry.” Technovation, vol. 31, no. 5-6, Elsevier Ltd, May 2011, pp. 228–39, doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2011.01.003, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166497211000137. Accessed 27 Mar. 2020.</ref> utilizing a pricing strategy that was not complex enough to allow it to maintain a strong position in the market, and requesting high fees and enforcing strict policies for licensing of third-party developers.<ref name="Schilling"/> The aforementioned factors resulted in multiple third-party developers abandoning Nintendo and moving development to Sony's console. One of these developers was [[Squaresoft]], creators of the ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series, which had previously developed the ''Super Mario'' franchise's first role-playing game, ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES).
|- style="background-color: whitesmoke;"
 
!width=15%|Title, Original Release and System
Square's move to developing exclusively for Sony resulted in Nintendo turning to [[Intelligent Systems]] to create Mario's next RPG title.<ref name="PM History">Scullion, Chris (December 29, 2020). [https://web.archive.org/web/20210116131625/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/feature_the_complete_history_of_paper_mario "Feature: The Complete History of Paper Mario"]. ''{{wp|Nintendo Life}}''. Retrieved January 31, 2021.</ref> Intelligent Systems was founded in the 1980s by Toru Narihiro, and started out providing auxiliary programming for games on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (known as the Family Computer in Japan) and its add-on, the [[Family Computer Disk System|Famicom Disk System]]. As its history progressed, the studio went on to develop two successful series for Nintendo: ''[[warswiki:Wars series|Wars]]'', a military-themed {{wp|turn-based strategy}} series, and ''[[fireemblem:Fire Emblem (series)|Fire Emblem]]'', a fantasy-oriented {{wp|tactical role-playing}} series; the successes of these two series' debut installments resulted in Intelligent Systems expanding its services beyond just programming and engineering, and introducing game designers, script writers, artists, and musicians into its staff. At the time Mario's new RPG was to be created, both of the aforenamed franchises were still exclusive to Japan only.
!width=85%|Synopsis and Ratings
 
Shortly after the Nintendo 64's release in Japan, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] started production work on Mario's next RPG. The game, developed (as Miyamoto stated) with amateur gamers in mind,<ref name="for the kids">[https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/22/mario-rpg-is-for-the-kids "Mario RPG is for the Kids"]. {{wp|IGN}}. November 21, 1997.</ref> was initially going to be a direct sequel to its Square-developed predecessor, using a similar graphics style, and be released for the N64's disk drive add-on, the [[Nintendo 64DD|64DD]].<ref name="PM History"/> The game utilized some gameplay mechanics carried over from ''Super Mario RPG'', such as timed button presses to deal more damage in combat, which were implemented as a means of easing fans into finding interest in the role-playing genre.<ref>Park, Gene (July 17, 2020). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/with-origami-king-paper-mario-series-leaves-role-playing-fans-behind/ "With ''Origami King'', the ''Paper Mario'' series leaves role-playing fans behind"]. ''{{wp|The Washington Post}}''. Retrieved February 4, 2021.</ref> According to Nintendo producer Hiroyasu Sasano (who worked as a support engineer for the first game only), the series' distinct paper-like style for character graphics came about from the belief that players "might be getting tired" of the computer-generated 3D graphics seen on the PlayStation and other consoles of the then-current hardware generation, as it was difficult for polygons to bring out the characters' "cuteness".<ref name="twenty">[https://www.pcmag.com/news/20-years-ago-nintendo-transformed-the-rpg-genre-with-paper-mario "20 Years Ago, Nintendo Transformed the RPG Genre with ''Paper Mario''"]. ''{{wp|PCMag}}''. August 11, 2020.</ref> The title ''Paper Mario'', used for all releases of the series except the Japanese release of the first game, was chosen to emphasize this unique graphical style.
 
==Gameplay and premise==
''Paper Mario'' combines traditional role-playing gameplay elements with concepts and features from the ''Super Mario'' franchise. The main protagonist, [[Mario]], overcomes obstacles placed in the game's {{wp|overworld}} by [[jump]]ing and using his [[hammer]]. The graphics consist of a mixture of {{wp|3D computer graphics|3D}} environments and {{wp|2D computer graphics|2D}} characters who look as if they are made of paper. Battles in the ''Paper Mario'' games borrow elements from ''Super Mario RPG'' and traditional role-playing titles; and feature a turn-based system, in which players select an attack, defense, or item from a menu; and an "[[Action Command]]s" mechanic where the player can receive substantial attack or defense bonuses when they perform a timed button press correctly or follow some other instruction. Mario's {{wp|health (gaming)|health}} is measured in [[Heart Point]]s (HP), of which one or more are consumed by attacks from the enemies he combats in battle; once his HP is reduced to zero, the game will end and the player will have to reload from the last {{wp|saved game|save point}} reached.
===''Paper Mario'' / ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''===
[[File:PMTTYD Battle.png|thumb|225px|The combat system in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.]]
The first three ''Paper Mario'' games present their stories in the context of a {{wp|novel}}, divided into eight chapters (nine counting the prologue in the first two).
 
In the first three games, Mario gathers around him partners with specialized skills required to advance progression in the game, and must often face puzzles and boundaries based around said partners' abilities. The partners are accumulated as the player advances into different locations; only one may accompany Mario in the overworld, although the player can interchange them at any time. Partner characters can also assist Mario in battle. In the first ''[[Paper Mario]]'', damage inflicted against them results in temporary paralysis. By ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', partners were given their own HP meters and were able to receive the same kinds of damage inflicted upon Mario; when their HP is reduced to zero, the partner becomes inactive for the rest of that battle and later battles until recovery.
 
The early ''Paper Mario'' games also feature special moves which Mario and his partners can perform with a finite capacity; each move consumes a particular number of [[Flower Point]]s (FP) when performed, and as with HP, these statistics were originally only assigned to Mario, but were shared among him and his party members by ''The Thousand-Year Door''. Both HP and FP can be increased upon a "[[level up]]", which occurs every time the player reaches or exceeds 100 [[Experience Point|experience points]], called "[[Star Point]]s" in-game; these are earned in various numbers once Mario has finished a battle. The first two ''Paper Mario'' games also feature an on-screen gauge to display "[[Star Power]]", which is required to perform moves of another type that accumulate in number as the player progresses through the game. The first two ''Paper Mario'' games' battles take place on a stage. ''The Thousand-Year Door'' also has Mario battle in front of an audience, who can assist him by replenishing Star Power, throwing helpful items at him, or inflicting damage on the opponent if he performs well in combat; for every 10 levels, the stage will increase by fifty audience members for a total of 200 after level 30.
 
The original ''Paper Mario'' games allow the player to locate hidden battle upgrades in the game's overworld, promoting one partner character to a new rank at a time. In ''The Thousand-Year Door'', Mario is "cursed" at different points in-game with abilities that enable special moves in the overworld, all based around the paper theme: Mario can fold into a boat or paper airplane by standing on a special activation panel, roll up into a scroll of paper, or become paper-thin. This game's environments also follow the paper theme; for example, illusory objects that conceal secret items or switches can be blown away by a gust of wind due to the environment's paper-like qualities.
 
Progression through the ''Paper Mario'' games depends upon interaction with the {{wp|non-player character}}s (NPCs), who will often offer clues or detail the next event in the storyline. As in other RPGs, the player can find or purchase stat-boosting [[item]]s from NPCs to help in and outside of combat. The effects of items range from healing Mario to damaging the opponent. [[Badge]]s can also be obtained that yield bonuses during combat, like added moves and gradual health restoration; each consumes a set number of [[Badge Point]]s (BP), meaning Mario can only equip a limited number of badges at a time. Badges, like items, can be purchased from NPCs in shops or obtained from defeated enemies. When equipped, badges can permanently enhance a particular skill or aspect; some badges, such as [[Power Jump]] or [[Quake Hammer]], can even give Mario new moves.
 
The first two entries in the series feature special sidequests, which recur upon the completion of most game chapters, where [[Princess Peach]] is playable; these transitions feature varying objectives and actions, mostly {{wp|stealth game|stealth}}-based. In ''The Thousand-Year Door'', [[Bowser]] got his own sidequests where he traverses through multiple side-scrolling levels based on the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
 
===''Super Paper Mario''===
''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' changed the series' format to blend RPG gameplay with platforming gameplay. The majority of the gameplay is in 2D, but Mario is also given the ability to "flip" into 3D. By doing so, the perspective shifts and the 2D level rotates to reveal a hidden {{wp|z-axis}}, placing Mario in a 3D environment. Mario can thereby maneuver around obstacles impassable in the 2D perspective, or find items, enemies or varying landscapes only visible along the z-axis. There is a drawback to this, however; if the player stays in the 3D perspective too long, the HP meter is depleted, one point at a time.
 
The game uses a scoring system where points are accumulated through defeating enemies and using items. Like the pre-existing Star Point system, this system allows players to level up and gain stronger attacks and higher resistance to damage from enemies or hazards. Peach, Bowser, and [[Luigi]] become secondary player characters over whom the player gains control as the game progresses, with each having their own sets of abilities independent of Mario's: Peach can float over long distances and block attacks with her parasol, Bowser can use his fire breath, and Luigi can perform a special jump where he folds and then launches into the air. The ''Super Paper Mario'' format also does not make use of the standard turn-based format; instead, enemies are fought directly upon encounter.
 
In addition to the other three heroes, ''Super Paper Mario'' features "[[Pixl]]s" as partners, digital fairy-like characters who grant the player abilities such as [[Thoreau|throwing]] or [[Boomer (Super Paper Mario)|destroying obstacles]], [[Dottie|becoming tiny]], or [[Barry|defending against enemies]]. One of these, [[Tippi]], can also allow the Wii Remote pointer to be used like a spotlight in highlighting and reading the descriptions of items and enemies, or in spotting hidden objects. However, Tippi is the only one of the Pixls who maintains substantial amounts of dialogue throughout the game and who has an individual backstory.
 
===''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' / ''Paper Mario: Color Splash''===
{{quote|Since Paper Mario: Sticker Star, it’s no longer possible to modify Mario characters or to create original characters that touch on the Mario universe.|Kensuke Tanabe}}
In ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', the gameplay was overhauled again, with this formula differing drastically from those of previous games in the series. Various critical elements of the original gameplay are absent, namely special moves points, badges, the experience point system, and the use of partners. As such, ''Sticker Star'' and its follow-up game ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'' are not classified as RPGs per se, but are instead action-platformers designed in an RPG style. Both games also mostly exclude characters unique to the series and a similar setting with previous games, the reason being that [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] felt a more complex plot was unnecessary in a ''Super Mario'' game.<ref>http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/papermario/0/2</ref> An interview in 2020 revealed that the limitation of new characters (as in age or gender) was indeed a deliberate restriction by [[Nintendo]].<ref>https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-king/</ref>
 
Instead of multiple partners as employed in the first ''Paper Mario'' and ''The Thousand-Year Door'', Mario is accompanied by a singular partner by the name of [[Kersti]], a sticker fairy, who bestows a special sticker power upon him. A major facet of this format is the extensive use of collectible [[sticker]]s, which are used to gain new abilities and make progress. Mario collects Stickers by finding them from various areas in the environment, purchasing them using coins, or receiving them from NPCs. The player has limited inventory space, and larger Stickers take up more room. Stickers are used both in combat and for interacting with the environment. The player can also make Kersti "[[Paperize]]", or flatten the visible overworld to allow Mario to place a Sticker in a certain area, activating some kind of event. Mario can also find real-world objects, known in-game as "[[Sticker#Things|Thing]]s", which can be turned into a special type of Sticker that will often help Mario solve puzzles in the overworld. Once rendered into Stickers, Things can be pasted onto strategic areas in the environment to cause certain events, or used in battle. Each Thing has its own unique function; for example, a {{wp|baseball bat}} can strike every enemy present with one hit apiece; {{wp|scissors}} can fly off the screen and cut up the display to deal damage to all enemies; and a {{wp|mechanical fan}} will blow enemies around and deal damage to all of them at once, or move and destroy overworld obstacles. What kinds of attacks are available to Mario in battle is determined by the Stickers currently on hand.
 
This format is continued in ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', but tweaked slightly so that the gameplay revolves around colors instead of stickers. Mario uses his hammer to "paint" background elements, characters, and parts of the environment that have been drained of their color, in order to make progress through the game, while collecting [[Hammer Scrap]]s as a type of EXP after battle to increase the paint capacity of his [[Paint Hammer]]. During battle, [[Battle Card (Paper Mario: Color Splash)|Battle Cards]] take the place of the Stickers from the previous game, with some needing to be painted in order to become usable. Additionally, Kersti is replaced by a paint bucket named [[Huey]].
 
===''Paper Mario: The Origami King''===
''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' has many of the same features present in ''Sticker Star'' and ''Color Splash'', as well as a handful of elements present in the first two games.
 
Combat has been changed once again; Mario fights in a ring-based arena where the enemies surround him. The player has to move the rings so the enemies face Mario in a line, so they can be all be attacked at once. There is a time limit to moving rings which can be increased by spending coins. In boss battles, Mario is on the outside of the arena and has to move arrows around to form a path to the center, attacking the boss using his standard jump or hammer attack, or use special moves: one of four special [[Vellumentals|Vellumental]] attacks, or the [[1,000-Fold Arms]] to attack the boss repeatedly by standing on [[Magic Circle]]s. Disposable items from the previous two installments have been greatly cut down; Mario permanently has jump and hammer abilities as well as temporary upgrades such as the Shiny, Flashy, and Legendary variants.
 
[[Olivia]] is Mario's main guide on his journey, similar to Kersti and Huey from the past two games. However, some other partners aid Mario such as a folded-up [[Bowser]] and [[Bob-omb (Paper Mario: The Origami King)|Bob-omb]], a few of which have a limited effect on battles. The "world/level select" feature introduced in ''Sticker Star'' has been completely removed - the game features an interconnected overworld similar to that of the original two games. There are many [[Not-Bottomless Hole]]s similar to ''Color Splash''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Colorless spot|colorless spots]], and filling these in with confetti will either produce coins or reveal [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s to unfold. Similar to ''Sticker Star'', EXP is absent, with coins and confetti earned from beating enemies acting as a replacement.
 
==Games==
===Main series===
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="2"|Title
|-
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release, and system
!width=85% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Synopsis
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Paper Mario 64 box.png|145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|Japan|August 11, 2000}} [[Nintendo 64]]</span>
|The original ''[[Paper Mario]]'', released in Japan as ''Mario Story'' and originally known as ''Super Mario RPG 2'', was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000/2001 to positive media reaction and commercial success. It is set in a paper-based version of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] where as Mario is attending a party at [[Peach's Castle|Peach's castle]], the palace is suddenly uprooted and lifted into the sky by [[Bowser's Castle#Paper Mario|Bowser's aerial fortress]]. The Koopa King invades the castle, emerges victorious over Mario, and kidnaps the princess. The story centers on Mario as he tries to reclaim the seven [[Star Spirits]], whom Bowser and his assistant [[Kammy Koopa]] had incarcerated in playing cards in an invasion of their residence, [[Star Haven]], during which the tyrant also stole their fabled treasure, the wish-granting [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]], which he had used in his defeat of Mario to make himself completely invincible.
 
The game was rereleased for the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console#Wii|Virtual Console]] in 2007, for the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console#Wii U|Virtual Console]] in 2015, and for [[Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online]] in 2021.
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:PMTTYD.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|Japan|July 22, 2004}} [[Nintendo GameCube]]</span>
|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', originally released in Japan as ''Paper Mario RPG'' and tentatively known as ''Mario Story 2'' (Japan) and ''Paper Mario 2'' (North America and Europe), was released in 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube. Like its predecessor, it was well received by critics.
 
The game is set in a cursed island across an unnamed ocean in a remote area of the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach contacts Mario about a treasure map that she had bought in [[Rogueport]], a town of thieving and notorious characters located on the aforementioned island. Once the princess goes missing, Mario takes it upon himself to search for her. Along the way, he must retrieve the seven legendary [[Crystal Stars]], which together unlock [[the Thousand-Year Door]], a mysterious portal fabled to lead to certain fortune. Little does he know, however, that Peach has actually been kidnapped by the {{wp|secret society|Secret Society}} of [[X-Nauts]], a group of cybernetic soldiers led by [[Grodus|Sir Grodus]], who are also searching for the Crystal Stars. Eventually, the X-Nauts give Peach's body to be possessed by a demon called the [[Shadow Queen]] in a bid to recover her full power, and Mario and his friends must destroy the princess's possessor in order to free her.
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Super Paper Mario]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:SuperPaperMarioBoxart.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|USA|April 9, 2007}} [[Wii]]</span>
|''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' was released for the Wii in 2007 and was the only entry to blend {{wp|side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling}} platformer gameplay with RPG gameplay. It was originally developed for the GameCube, but silently moved to its successor platform, the Wii.
 
Luigi, Bowser, and Peach are kidnapped by the villainous [[Count Bleck]], who controls a book of power called the [[Dark Prognosticus]]. To fulfill what is foretold in this tome, he arranges a wedding between Peach and Bowser, and thus summons the [[Chaos Heart]] to open a black hole known as "[[The Void]]", which will eventually grow large enough to destroy the entire universe. Mario is found by the Pixl character Tippi, who transports him to the interdimensional town of [[Flipside]], where he must travel across various dimensions to collect the eight [[Pure Hearts]], which together can be used to banish the Chaos Heart and reverse the destruction. Mario reunites with Peach and Bowser, who agree to help Mario. Count Bleck periodically sends out his minions: the warrior [[O'Chunks]], the immature shapeshifter [[Mimi]], and the mysterious dimension-traveling jester [[Dimentio]]. Luigi is brainwashed into the {{wp|gentleman thief|gentleman-thief}} alter ego "[[Mr. L]]", who also antagonizes the heroes; but upon being defeated in battle, regains his memory and joins his brother's cause. It is gradually revealed as the game progresses that "Count Bleck" is the villainous pseudonym of an insane man named Blumiere, and Tippi is a transformed version of a human figure named Lady Timpani, who was banished to wander between dimensions by Blumiere's disdainful father when he learned of her romantic relationship with his son.
 
Once all eight Pure Hearts have been collected, Mario and company enter Count Bleck's castle, where Bowser, Peach, and Luigi engage in one-on-one battles with Bleck's minions. Mario confronts Bleck but is unable to attack due to the Chaos Heart making him invincible; however, the other three heroes reappear, use the Pure Hearts to halt Bleck's defenses, and help Mario defeat him. Dimentio then becomes the game's true villain; decides to use the Chaos Heart to create a new universe in his own image; and fuses it, Luigi, and himself into a new entity called "[[Super Dimentio]]", whom Mario and his friends must use their combined might and the power of the Pure Hearts to defeat in order to restore every world and dimension in the universe.
 
Like the previous two entries, this game received positive reviews and sold well. It was rereleased on the Wii U [[Nintendo eShop#Wii U|eShop]] in 2016.
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Paper mario sticker star box-art.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|USA|November 11, 2012}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>
|''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', known as ''Paper Mario: Super Seal'' in Japan, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 and incorporates the series' papercraft style into its unique gameplay mechanics. The Mushroom Kingdom welcomes the arrival of the [[Sticker Comet]], and those who wish on it have a good chance of their wish being granted by the [[Royal Stickers]] that reside within. Mario attends the [[Sticker Fest]], a festival held in [[Decalburg]] to accommodate the comet's arrival, and as the attendees begin to make their wishes, Bowser crashes the celebration and attempts to make his own wish by touching the comet, causing it to explode, and scattering the six Royal Stickers across the kingdom. One Royal Sticker lands on Bowser, corrupting him with its power, and the Koopa King moves to kidnap Peach and knock Mario out. After regaining consciousness, Mario encounters Kersti the sticker fairy, caretaker of the Royal Stickers, who demands that Mario help her recover them. So, they embark on their journey toward Bowser's sky castle and attempt to match his sticker power, defeat him, and get the princess back. It is the first game in the series to be released for a handheld console.
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:PMCS Boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|USA|October 7, 2016}} [[Wii U]]</span>
|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'' was released for the Wii U in 2016. Mario and Peach get a letter from [[Prism Island]], which turns out to be a color-drained [[Toad (species)|Toad]], and then set sail for [[Port Prisma]], only to find it deserted, with many spots and objects drained of color. A large metal vault appears at the bottom of the dried-out fountain, which reveals Huey, the paint can character who guards the fountain. Huey asks Mario to assist him in recovering the [[Big Paint Star]]s, the main sources of color for the entire island, from Bowser and his [[Koopalings]]. While Mario is scouting the island, Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, who had tampered with the Color Fountain to create toxic [[black paint]], which then transformed him into the more malevolent and meaner-spirited [[Black Bowser]]. After recovering the Paint Stars, Mario and Huey infiltrate [[Black Bowser's Castle]], where they must halt his weapons factory's operations, defeat Bowser in battle, rescue Peach, and restore peace to the island.
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Paper Mario The Origami King Boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>July 17, 2020<br>[[Nintendo Switch]]</span>
|''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' was released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2020. The game follows the aesthetic style of its predecessor, ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', and follows [[Mario]] opposing an evil army of origami characters known as [[Folded Soldiers]], ruled by the Origami King, [[King Olly]], which have taken over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and kidnapped Princess Peach. He is assisted by King Olly's sister, [[Olivia]], throughout most of his journey. They adventure to various locations in order to defeat King Olly and his [[Legion of Stationery]], which are using [[streamer]]s to constrict Peach's Castle.
|}
===Remake===
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="2"|Title
|-
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release, and system
!width=85% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Description
|-
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]
|-
|-
!''Paper Mario
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door Nintendo Switch US box art.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>May 23, 2024<br>[[Nintendo Switch]]</span>
----
|An enhanced remake of the [[Nintendo GameCube]] [[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door|game of the same name]], was released for Nintendo Switch in 2024.
[[File:Papermario.PNG|145x145px]]
|}
|The series began in 2000 with ''[[Paper Mario]].'' This was the second Mario RPG game, the first being ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. This game was originally going to be called ''[[Super Mario RPG 2]]'', but the name was changed due to problems with [[Square Enix]], the company that made ''Super Mario RPG''. The game started of with Mario receiving an invitation to [[Princess Peach's Castle]]. But when he arrives the castle is lifted up into the sky. This was caused by [[Bowser]], who had stolen the legendary [[Star Rod]], which could grant people's wishes. Bowser throws Mario out of the castle, and so his adventure begins. This game was later released on the Wii's [[Virtual Console]].
 
|- style=font-size:8pt align=center
===Crossover===
|{{releasedate|Japan|2000}}Nintendo 64
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|[http://ign64.ign.com/objects/000/000453.html IGN &ndash; '''9.0: Outstanding'''] • [http://www.gamespot.com/n64/rpg/papermario/index.html?tag=result;title;2 Gamespot &ndash; '''9.5: Superb''']
|-
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!''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
!width=15% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="2"|Title
----
[[Image:PMTTYD.jpg|145x145px]]
|Later, in 2004 ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' was released. This time, [[Bowser]] was not the main villain. The antagonist was [[Sir Grodus]], the leader of the [[X-Naut]]s. The X-Nauts have kidnapped Peach, and Mario must save her by finding the [[Crystal Star]]s. Though he was not the main villain, Bowser still had a role to play as a minor villain. The player could even use him at certain stages. The main location of this game is [[Rogueport]], a seaside town with a nasty reputation.
|- style=font-size:8pt align=center
|{{releasedate|Japan|2004}}Nintendo GameCube
|[http://cube.ign.com/objects/573/573664.html IGN &ndash; '''9.1: Outstanding'''] • [http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/rpg/papermario2/index.html?tag=result;title;1 Gamespot &ndash; '''9.2: Superb''']
|-
|-
!''Super Paper Mario
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release, and system
----
!width=85% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Synopsis
[[Image: SuperPaperMarioBoxart.jpg|145x145px]]
|The most recent installment, ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', is a platformer and it had a very different battle style to the other games. Instead of going into a stage and choosing attacks, the characters simply had to run and jump or use one of a [[Pixl]]s' moves to defeat an enemy. The story starts with Mario and Luigi at their house, when a [[Toad (species)|Toad]] appears and tells them that Princess Peach has been kidnapped. The Mario Bros. blamed Bowser, but when they reached his castle, the real kidnapper, [[Count Bleck]], appeared. Bleck sucked everyone into a black hole except Mario, who is then found by a Pixl named [[Tippi]], who tells him that he needs to find the eight [[Pure Hearts]] to save his friends. This game also gave Mario the unique ability to flip dimensions. He could be in either 2D or 3D, but he can only stay 3D for a short time. 
|-style=font-size:8pt align=center
|{{releasedate|USA|2007}}Wii
|[http://wii.ign.com/objects/853/853822.html IGN &ndash; '''8.9: Great'''] • [http://www.gamespot.com/wii/rpg/superpapermario/index.html?tag=result;title;0 Gamespot &ndash; '''8.8: Great''']
|-
|-
!''Paper Mario'' (Nintendo 3DS)
!colspan="2"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''
----
[[File:PaperMario3ds2.PNG|145x145px]]
|The [[Paper Mario (Nintendo 3DS)|fourth installment]] of the series is confirmed to be released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. It will return to the original, turn-based system. Instead of Pixls assisting Mario, partners will assist him. One partner has been confirmed to be a Chain Chomp. One other partner has been confirmed to be a [[Toad (species)|Green Toad]]. It is also the first in the series on a handheld console.
|-style=font-size:8pt align=center
|TBA<br />Nintendo 3DS
|
|-
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Mario & Luigi - Paper Jam - NOA Boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{flag list|Japan|December 3, 2015}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]'', known as ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros.'' in PAL regions, and released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015, is a crossover between the ''Paper Mario'' games and the [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario & Luigi'' series]]. While attempting to fix a hole in Peach's castle library, Luigi trips and knocks over a mysterious book containing the ''Paper Mario'' world, causing the paper-thin residents within it to spread across the Mushroom Kingdom. Afterwards, Bowser combines his evil army with that of his [[Paper Bowser|paper counterpart]], and they kidnap Peach and her [[Paper Peach|paper version]]. Mario and Luigi must now team up with Mario's [[Paper Mario (character)|paper counterpart]] to set everything right, defeat both Bowsers, and bring all the paper people back into the book.
''Paper Jam'' can be considered the aftermath of ''Sticker Star'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]'', resulting in the sprite-based residents of the ''Super Mario'' universe meeting their paper-thin counterparts from the ''Paper Mario'' universe. Paper Mario can use his paper thin body to perform his own unique actions that will help the brothers, or make copies of himself during battle to deal extra damage or attack multiple enemies at once. Mario and other characters also gain their own papercraft versions which can be used in certain sections of the game to defeat papercraft enemies.
|}
|}
{{br}}
===Miscellaneous===
*A Flash game called ''[[Super Paper Mario Memory Match]]'' was released in 2007 to promote ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''.
*In 2016, browser games were released on the [[Play Nintendo]] website called ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash Trivia Quiz]]'' and ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash Personality Test]]''.


==Characters==
==Characters==
===Main protagonists===
===Major protagonists===
{| align=center width=100% border=1
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color: whitesmoke;"
!width=10%|Character
!width=65%|Brief Biography
!width=15%|First ''Paper Mario'' Appearance
|-
|-
!Mario
!width=100% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="3"|Character
----
[[File:Staring Mario.jpg|145x145px]]
|[[Mario]] is the main hero of the series. He is often saving Princess Peach from the evil clutches of Bowser, but in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' and ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Mario was saving Peach from other villains such as [[Sir Grodus]] and [[Count Bleck]]. Mario often carries around a [[Hammer]] which he uses as a key weapon.(For unknown reasons Mario's hammer was not in ''Super Paper Mario.'' It was instead replaced by [[Cudge]] the [[Pixl]]) Mario can also equip himself with badges, which can give him power-ups that can be useful in battle. In ''Super Paper Mario'', Mario possessed the ability to flip dimensions. This power was given to him by [[Bestovius]], the "Flip Wizard".
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Princess Peach
!width=10% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Image
----
!width=65% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Brief biography
[[File:SPM Peach.jpg|145x145px]]
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|First ''Paper Mario'' appearance
|[[Princess Peach]] is the damsel-in-distress of the series. Peach is the ruler of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and lives in [[Princess Peach's Castle|her castle]]. Though captured throughout games, Peach still is not completely helpless. In ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and its sequel, she is able to contact Mario with the help of [[Twink]] in the first game, and [[TEC]] in the second. Peach was only held hostage for a short time in the third game. As part of [[Dimentio]]'s master plan, Peach disappeared from [[Castle Bleck]] and reappered in [[Flipside]], the place where Mario was at the time. Peach decided to join Mario on his quest. Peach uses her umbrella, which can shield her from enemy attacks and allow her to glide in order to reach difficult places. Peach even played the part of the villain at one time, when she was possessed by the [[Shadow Queen]] in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.''
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Luigi
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Mario]]
----
[[File:Paper Luigi.png|145x145px]]
|[[Luigi]] is Mario's younger brother. He had a very minor role in the ''Paper Mario'' series until ''Super Paper Mario''. In ''Paper Mario'', when Mario and Luigi were invited to Princess Peach's castle, it was lifted up to the sky. Luigi managed to escape, and returned to the Bros. house to look after it while Mario is on his adventure. In the second game, Luigi arrived at Rogueport after one of the chapters, and tells Mario about his own adventures in the [[Waffle Kingdom]]. In ''Super Paper Mario'', Luigi is a much more important character. He, with many others, is kidnapped by Count Bleck and imprisoned somewhere in his castle. Luigi is later found and brainwashed into thinking he is [[Mr. L]], one of Bleck's servants. He is later rescued and joins Mario's Party and becomes playable.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Bowser
|align="center"|[[File:PMOK Mario Jumping.png|130px]]
----
|Mario is the eponymous main character of the series, often accompanied by different partners throughout each game. As in most games in the ''Super Mario'' franchise, Mario is a silent protagonist, thought he mostly communicates by nodding and hand gestures. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' and ''Super Paper Mario'', Mario also grunts and has very little quotes.
[[File:SPMBowser.png|145x145px]]
|[[Bowser]] is Mario's rival, and the king of the [[Koopa Troop]]. His main goal is, with the help of [[Kammy Koopa]], to take over the world and marry Princess Peach, but he actually isn't too evil (if evil at all) and thus appears in the series as a main villain (in ''Paper Mario'') but also as a secondary villain (''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'') or even as an anti-hero (''Super Paper Mario''). In ''Paper Mario'', he stole the [[Star Rod]] to make his own wishes come true, and thus he became invincible, but Mario could still beat him with the help of the [[Star Spirits]]. In the second game, he learned that [[Grodus|someone]] kidnapped Princess Peach and went to save her, as he claims he's the only person who has the right to kidnap Peach. Additionally, he tried to get the [[Crystal Stars]] but every of his tries fails. He accidentally fell on Grodus while Mario was fighting him, thus stopping the battle. He immediately tries to beat Mario, but loses again. In the third game, he's married to Peach by [[Count Bleck]] but that event creates the [[Chaos Heart]]. Bowser finally helped Mario and Peach to save the worlds, because if the world didn't exist anymore, he wouldn't be able take over it (although the game later hints that he may actually like the worlds and didn't want them to be destroyed).
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
|}
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Luigi]]
 
===Secondary protagonists===
{| align=center width=100% border=1
|- style="background-color: whitesmoke;"
!width=10%|Character
!width=65%|Brief Biography
!width=15%|First ''Paper Mario'' Appearance
|-
|-
!Twink
|align="center"|[[File:PMTOK Luigi.png|110px]]
----
|Luigi often acts as an NPC. In ''Paper Mario'', he stays at the [[Mario Bros.' House]], and in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', he goes on his own adventure off-screen which Mario can learn about if he talks to him. Luigi takes on a more major role in ''Super Paper Mario'', where for most of the game he is brainwashed and turned into [[Mr. L]] to work for [[Count Bleck]], but after Chapter 6 he is turned back to normal and becomes one of the main playable characters, having his characteristic higher jump height and lower ground traction in addition to being able to do a [[Super jump (Super Paper Mario)|super jump]], which can be used to jump higher or deal double damage to enemies directly above him. In ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' and ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', Luigi hides in certain spots in some levels and can be pulled out by using [[Paperize]] and [[Cutout]] respectively. In the latter, he also helps Mario reach [[Black Bowser's Castle]]. In ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', Luigi's role in the story is to find the [[Key to Peach's Castle]]; however, he usually ends up finding different keys that he mistakes for the right key instead, although these keys are still helpful to Mario.
[[File:Twink.gif|75x75px]]
|[[Twink]] is a young [[Star Kid]]. Twink is Peach's assistant while in Bowser's Castle. Peach often uses Twink as a messenger to Mario, when she finds out the locations of the Star Spirits. When Mario arrives at [[Starborn Valley]], many of the Star Kids speak of Twink wondering how he has been since he left the Valley.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Professor Frankly
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Princess Peach]]
----
[[File:Frankly2.jpg|145x145px]]
|[[Professor Frankly]] is an old [[Goomba]] who lives in Rogueport. He was [[Goombella]]'s teacher, and he helps Mario to find the Crystal Stars by telling him where the next star is, after analyzing the map.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Merlon
|align="center"|[[File:PMCS - Princess Peach.png|100px]]
----
|Princess Peach is usually the damsel in distress in most of the installments. In ''Paper Mario'' and ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', the player briefly takes control of her while she tries to find out more about the plans of her kidnappers and give this information to Mario. In ''Super Paper Mario'', she is a more major playable character available after Chapter 1. She can duck under her parasol to become invulnerable to enemy attacks and can also use her parasol to float a long distance in the air. In ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'' before she is kidnapped (which happens after obtaining the first [[Big Paint Star]]), she can heal Mario fully whenever he speaks with her. In ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', Peach is turned into Origami and brainwashed by King Olly to do his bidding.
[[File:Merlon.jpg|145x145px]]
|[[Merlon]] actually covers three different characters. In ''Paper Mario'', he's a [[Shaman]] who lives in Toad Town. He can see the future. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' he lives in Rogueport and can level up Mario's partners in exchange of [[Shine Sprite]]s. In ''Super Paper Mario'', he lives in Flipside and is the one who transformed Timpani into [[Tippi]] and gives the first [[Pure Heart]] to Mario. In that game, he has a counterpart: [[Nolrem]].
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Tippi
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Tippi]]
----
|-
[[File:SPM Tippi.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:SPM_Tippi.png|100px]]
|[[Tippi]] is the main [[Pixl]] in ''Super Paper Mario.'' She is able to help Mario and can even reveal hidden things. Before she became a Pixl, Tippi's name was Lady Timpani. Tippi fell in love with a young man named Blumiere, but when they were unable to be together, Blumirere found the [[Dark Prognosticus]], and transformed into Count Bleck. Timpani wandered the dimensions, and lost her memory of Blumirere. She was finally found by [[Merlon]], who transformed her into a Pixl. Tippi later was of interest to [[Francis]], a nerd who believes her to be a rare collectible. At the end of the game, the player can buy [[Tiptron]], a robotic version of Tippi.
|Tippi is Mario's primary partner in ''Super Paper Mario''. She was originally a human called Lady Timpani and the lover of [[Count Bleck|Lord Blumiere]] until Blumiere's father banished her. [[Merlon]] found her in [[Flipside]] and, to save her life, turned her into a Pixl. Tippi brings Mario to Flipside after [[The Void]] was opened and joined him for the adventure. Whenever the player points their Wii Remote at the screen, Tippi can Tattle enemies and reveal hidden objects & doorways.
 
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Kersti]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Kersti PMSS.png|100px]]
|Kersti is Mario's partner in ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''. She arrived at the Mushroom Kingdom on the [[Sticker Comet]], but after Bowser stole the [[Royal Sticker]]s, she was stuck to a sign when she and Mario first met. She allows Mario to use the [[Paperize]] move in the field, and in battle, allows him to use the [[Battle Spin]], which lets Mario use multiple stickers in one turn.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Huey]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMCS-Huey.png|100px]]
|Huey is Mario's partner in ''Paper Mario: Color Splash''. He resides under the [[Prisma Fountain]] in [[Port Prisma]], and first meets Mario after uncovering him. Huey allows Mario to use the [[Cutout]] and [[Paint Hammer]] moves in the field, and in battle allows Mario to paint his Battle Cards. For the latter ability though, Huey had to be wrung out from his 3D form into his 2D form.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Olivia]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTOK Olivia Artwork 2.png|100px]]
|Olivia is Mario's primary partner in ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', and the younger sister of King Olly whose nefarious plan she tries to stop. She can transform into past Vellumental bosses when on certain magic circles, and gives Mario usage of the 1,000-Fold Arms.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''</center>
|}
|}


===Partners===
===Partners===
{| align=center width=100% border=1
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color: whitesmoke;"
|-
!width=10%|Character
!width=100% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="3"|Character
!width=65%|Brief Biography
!width=15%|First ''Paper Mario'' Appearance
|-
|-
!Goombario
!width=10% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Image
----
!width=65% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Brief biography
[[File:Goombario.jpg|95x95px]]
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|First ''Paper Mario'' appearance
|[[Goombario]] is a young, intelligent [[Goomba]] from [[Goomba Village]]. Goombario's family finds Mario after he is been knocked away from Bowser's  Castle. When he recovers, Goombario joins him on his quest. Goombario is able to Tattle on enemies, giving Mario information on their health and strategies to defeat them. His main attack is a Headbonk, with which he can knock enemies on the head with. When powered up, he can use Charge, which boosts his Headbonk attack power, and Multibonk, which lets him headbonk as many times as possible on an enemy until he misses an action command.
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Goombario]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Goombario.jpg|100px]]
|Goombario is Mario's first partner in ''Paper Mario''. He was named after Mario himself, and has admired him for a long time. He joins Mario at the beginning of the adventure right when Mario leaves Goombario's house in [[Goomba Village (location)|Goomba Village]]. In the field, he can give a description of the current area or of anyone. In battle, Goombario can use his [[Headbonk]] move to damage an enemy, or he can use [[Tattle]] to reveal enemy stats and display their HP permanently. When Super-Ranked, he can [[Charge (move)|Charge]] which boosts his power for his next attack by 2. When Ultra-Ranked, he can [[Multibonk]] where he attacks an enemy until the player misses an action command.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Kooper
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Kooper]]
----
|-
[[File:PM Kooper.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PM Kooper.jpg|100px]]
|[[Kooper]] is a very brave, young [[Koopa]] in the first Paper Mario game. Mario meets him in [[Koopa Village]] when it is being raided by [[Fuzzy|Fuzzies]]. One of the Fuzzies has stolen [[Kooper's Shell]], and Mario agrees to find it. After Mario retrieves the shell, Kooper joins his group. Kooper is able to retreat inside his shell and hit things such as switches in areas Mario cannot reach. This move can be used in battle to hit enemies. Kooper's other moves include Power Shell, which attacks all enemies in battle, Dizzy Shell, a move which makes enemies dizzy, making them miss attacks, and Fire Shell, an attack which can defeat enemies such as [[Dry Bones]] in one hit.
|Kooper is Mario's second partner in ''Paper Mario''. [[Kolorado]] is his idol, and has dreamed of adventuring with him. He joins Mario after retrieving his shell from [[Fuzzy|Fuzzies]] in [[Koopa Village]]. In the field, he can be used to hit switches or collect items from far away or deal a [[First Strike]] to enemies. In battle, he can use [[Shell Toss]] to attack the enemy at the front or use [[Power Shell]] to attack all enemies on the ground. When Super-Ranked, he can use [[Dizzy Shell]] to make enemies dizzy. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use [[Fire Shell]] to deal fire-damage to all enemies on the ground.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Bombette
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Bombette]]
----
|-
[[File:PM Bombette.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PM Bombette.png|100px]]
|[[Bombette]] is a Pink [[Bob-omb]], in ''Paper Mario''. Mario meets her in the [[Koopa Bros. Fortress]] when she is imprisoned there by the [[Koopa Bros.#Yellow Ninjakoopa|Yellow Ninjakoopa]]. Bombette agrees to join Mario and assists him in getting the first [[Star Spirit]]. Bombette is able to explode and destroy cracks in walls to open up hidden rooms. In battle, Bombette is able to do a Body Slam against enemies, or use a Power Bomb, which can destroy all grounded enemies. Or a Mega Bomb which can destroy all enemies.
|Bombette is Mario's third partner in ''Paper Mario''. She was initially one of many Bob-ombs working at [[Koopa Bros. Fortress]] until the [[Koopa Bros.]] imprisoned her and most of the other Bob-ombs. She joins Mario after he helps her escape her jail cell. In the field, she can blow up cracks in walls or deal a [[First Strike]] to an enemy. In battle, she can [[Body Slam (Paper Mario)|Body Slam]] into the enemy at the front or [[Bomb (Paper Mario series)|Bomb]] it. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Power Bomb]] to damage all enemies on the ground. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Mega Bomb]] to damage all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Parakarry
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Parakarry]]
----
|-
[[File:Parakarry.gif|165x165px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PM Mario and Parakarry Artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Parakarry]] is the [[Paratroopa]] mailman of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. Mario first meets him on [[Mt. Rugged]], where he is upset. Parakarry explains to him that he has lost some of his letters. Mario finds them and then Parakarry joins him. Parakarry is able to get Mario across large gaps that can't be jumped over. Parakarry's attacks include Sky Dive, in which he dives onto an enemy from midair, Shell Shot, when Parakarry retreats into his shell and flings himself at an enemy, Air Lift, where Parakarry picks up an enemy and removes it from battle, and Air Raid, where he flies around crazily and attacks enemies. Parakarry is one of Mario's only partners who reappers in another ''Paper Mario'' game. In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', Parakarry is the mailman again, and he delivers a letter from Princess Peach to Mario.
|Parakarry is Mario's fourth partner in ''Paper Mario''. In this game and in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', he delivers a letter to Mario which starts off the adventure. He lost a lot of [[List of letters in Paper Mario|letters]] throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, and joins Mario after finding his lost letters on [[Mt. Rugged]]. In the field, Parakarry can deliver letters to recipients if Mario talks to them while he is active, and he can carry Mario over large gaps. In battle, he can use [[Sky Dive (Paper Mario)|Sky Dive]] or [[Shell Shot]] to damage one enemy. When Super-Ranked, he can use [[Air Lift]] to carry an enemy out of the battle. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use [[Air Raid]] to damage all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Lady Bow
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Lady Bow]]
----
|-
[[File:Bow.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Bow.png|100px]]
|[[Lady Bow]] is the leader of the [[Boo]]s in [[Boo's Mansion]]. Bow crosses paths with Mario when he arrived at the mansion looking for a Star Spirit. Bow, in fact, had the Star Spirit. It had escaped from its prison at [[Tubba Blubba's Castle]] only to be captured there. Bow told Mario that if he wanted the Star Spirit, he'd have to defeat [[Tubba Blubba]], who had been eating the Boos. Bow decided to go with Mario, and when he succeeded in riding the boos of Tubba Blubba, she still accompanied him. Bow has the ability to make Mario invisible. In battle, she is able to smack an enemy, scare them away from the battlefield, or hit them with her fan. Bow was also one of the few partners in the ''Paper Mario'' series to make an appearance in another ''Paper Mario'' game. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', after the player has finished the game, Bow can be seen in [[Poshley Heights]], alongside [[Bootler]].
|Lady Bow is Mario's fifth partner in ''Paper Mario''. She is the master of [[Boo's Mansion]], and after [[Tubba Blubba]] began eating Boos, [[Bootler]] brought Mario to her where she offers to set free the [[Star Spirit]] [[Skolar]] (who escaped from [[Tubba Blubba's Castle]]) in exchange of defeating Tubba Blubba. She joins Mario to help him do this, then decides to stick with him for the rest of the adventure. In the field, she can make Mario transparent to avoid detection from enemies or pass through obstacles while on a moving surface (e.g a Lava waterfall in Bowser's Castle). In battle, she can [[Smack]] one enemy or use [[Outta Sight]] to make herself and Mario immune to the next enemy turn, although this will also skip Bow's next turn. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Spook (move)|Spook]] to scare enemies away. When Ultra-Ranked, she can [[Fan Smack]] an enemy.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Watt
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Watt]]
----
|-
[[File:Watt.gif|105x105px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Paper Mario Watt Artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Watt]] is a Li'l Sparky, that lives in [[Shy Guy's Toy Box]]. Mario meets her when he was there looking for a Star Spirit. Mario found a particularly dark room, which contained a [[Big Lantern Ghost]]. Mario fights the lantern ghost, defeats it, and finds Watt trapped inside of the lantern. After Mario frees her, Watt volunteers to join him. She is able to light up dark rooms to reveal hidden objects. In battle, Watt can do an Electro Dash to attack an enemy and pierce through their defenses, do a Power Shock to paralyze an enemy, do a Turbo Charge to increase Mario's attack power, or do a Mega Shock which paralyzes all enemies.
|Watt is Mario's sixth partner in ''Paper Mario''. She was trapped in a lantern held by a [[Big Lantern Ghost]] in [[Shy Guy's Toy Box]], and joins Mario after he rescues her. In the field, she can light up dark areas and reveal [[List of hidden blocks in Paper Mario|hidden blocks]]. In battle, she can use [[Electro Dash]] to attack one enemy and pierces its defense, or use [[Power Shock]] to paralyze one enemy. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Turbo Charge]] to boost Mario's attack power. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Mega Shock]] to paralyze all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Sushie
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Sushie]]
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[[File:Sushie.gif|100x100px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PM Sushie Artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Sushie]] is a [[Cheep-Cheep]] that lives on [[Lavalava Island]]. She is the babysitter of the five [[Fearsome 5|Yoshi]] kids in [[Yoshi's Village]]. Mario meets her upon entering the village. When the five Yoshi kids went missing into the jungle, Mario went in after them where he finds Sushie (who, was also looking for the Yoshi kids had fallen into one of their traps) stuck in a tree. Mario helps her and Sushie team up with him to find the young Yoshi kids. After recusing the young five Yoshis, Mario tells Sushie about his quest. Sushie is touched by this and join Mario's party permanently. Sushie is able to get Mario through the surface of water and dive underneath when riding on her back. In battle, Sushie is a able to do a [[Belly Flop]] to jump on an enemy, do a [[Squirt (move)|Squirt]] to shoot water at an enemy, uses a [[Water Block]] create to water barrier that increase Mario's defense and reduced any fire attacks against him, and [[Tidal Wave]] to launch a blasts of water against all enemies on screen.
|Sushie is Mario's seventh partner in ''Paper Mario''. She is a babysitter for five Yoshi children on [[Lavalava Island]]. After they go missing in [[Jade Jungle]], she joins Mario to find them and then decides to stick with him. In the field, she can ferry Mario across water at certain docks, and can dive briefly. In battle, she can [[Belly Flop]] or [[Squirt (move)|Squirt]] one enemy, the latter dealing Water damage. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Water Block]] to boost Mario's defense. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Tidal Wave]] to deal Water damage to all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Lakilester
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Lakilester]]
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[[File:Lakilester.gif|95x95px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Paper Mario Lakilester Artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Lakilester]] is a [[Lakitu]] from [[Flower Fields]]. Lakilester originally started as one of [[Huff N. Puff]]'s minions, and attacked Mario, but Mario bested him in the fight, and right before it looked like the end for Lakilester, his girlfriend, [[Lakilulu]], shows up. Lakilulu pleads for Mario to spare Lakilester's life. Mario listens and Lakilester joins his party. Lakilester can hover Mario over surfaces that would injure Mario if he tried, such as spikes or lava. Lakilester's attacks are a Spiny Flip, where he throws a Spiny Egg at an enemy, Spiny Surge, where he throws a massive amount of Spinies at enemies, Cloud Nine, where he creates a cloud that raises Mario's evasion, and Hurricane, a powerful move that blows enemies out of battle. Lakilester prefers to be called Spike rather than his real name.
|Lakilester is Mario's eighth and final partner in ''Paper Mario''. He was a minion of [[Huff N. Puff]] and picks a fight with Mario under orders from him. After losing the fight, Lakilester decides to betray Huff N. Puff and joins Mario's side. In the field, Mario can ride on Lakilester's cloud to move at a faster speed than normal, and can hover across spikes and lava. In battle, he can use [[Spiny Flip]] to throw a Spiny Egg at an enemy, or use [[Spiny Surge]] to throw a bunch of Spiny Eggs at all enemies. When Super-Ranked, he can use [[Cloud Nine]] to make enemy attacks sometimes miss Mario. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use [[Hurricane (move)|Hurricane]] to blow all enemies away.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Goombella
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Goombella]]
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[[Image:Goombella2.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:TTYD NS Goombella.png|100px]]
|[[Goombella]] is a partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She is a [[Goomba]] going to the University of Goom in [[Rogueport]]. She is found once Mario arrives in Rogueport. She is being followed by [[Lord Crump]] who wants to know how she found out about [[Crystal Stars]]. As Mario comes closer to the scene Goombella sees Mario and hides behind him. A battle begins, where Goombella explains how to battle. Lord Crump then commands his army on Mario and Goombella, which they easily escape from. Goombella also helps Mario through the Rogueport sewers along with [[Professor Frankly]], and continues to help Mario throughout the game. She is cute, if not sassy, and she commonly says ''"What is HIS beef?"''. She also has a small crush on Mario.
|Goombella is Mario's first partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She went to [[Rogueport]] to learn about the Legendary Treasure under the city, and joins Mario after he rescues her from [[Lord Crump]] and some [[X-Naut]]s. She behaves exactly like Goombario in the field and in battle, except she learns [[Multibonk]] when Super-Ranked, and when Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Rally Wink]] which lets Mario use another action.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Koops
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Koops]]
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[[File:Koops2.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Koops Artwork 2.png|140px]]
|[[Koops]] is a timid Koopa that lives in [[Petalburg]]. When Mario arrives in Petalburg, Koops begs for him to let him come and fight the dragon, [[Hooktail]]. Koops's father, [[Koopley]], had been defeated by Hooktail sometime before Mario's arrival, and Koops wanted to assist in finally defeating it. After Hooktail's defeat, Koopley was found to be alive in Hooktail's belly. Koops's first attacks are the same as Kooper's but his others are Shell Shield, which defends Mario with a large shell for several turns, and Shell Slam, which attacks all ground enemies, piercing through their defense.
|Koops is Mario's second partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. Ten years before the events of the game, [[Koopley|his father]] went to fight [[Hooktail]] but is believed to have died. Wanting to avenge his father, Koops goes with Mario to [[Hooktail Castle]]. After defeating Hooktail and realizing his father is alive, Koops decides to continue traveling with Mario. He behaves exactly like Kooper in the field and in battle, except his shell toss in the field can be held down while Mario can move around. When Super-Ranked, he can protect Mario in a [[Shell Shield]]. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use [[Shell Slam]] to attack all enemies on the ground and pierce their defense.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Flurrie
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Flurrie]]
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[[File:Flurrie2.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYD NS Flurrie Artwork 2.png|150px]]
|[[Flurrie]] is a starstruck wind spirit that resides in [[Boggly Woods]]. When Mario tries to open the secret entrance to the great tree and fails, [[Punio]] informs Mario about Flurrie, who could probably move the leaves in front of the entrance. Once Mario finds Flurrie, she is missing her necklace, the one that [[Vivian]] had picked up. After beating the [[Shadow Sirens]] and retrieving the necklace, they give it to Flurrie, who then decided to help the [[Puni]]s. Throughout the level she came in handy. After defeating [[Lord Crump]], she decided to come with Mario, seeing how she could get the thrill of stardom by traveling with him.
|Flurrie is Mario's third partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She was a retired actress who lives in [[Boggly Woods]] and was planning a stage comeback. She joins Mario after he finds her [[Necklace (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|necklace]] for her. In the field, she can exhale to reveal hidden things and stop enemies in their tracks. In battle, she can [[Body Slam (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|Body Slam]] an enemy from above or use [[Gale Force]] to blow all enemies away. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Lip Lock]] to damage an enemy and heal her own HP. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Dodgy Fog]] to make enemy attacks sometimes miss Mario.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Yoshi
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Yoshi Kid]]
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[[File:Yoshikid.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:TTYD NS MiniYoshi.png|100px]]
|[[Yoshi Kid|Yoshi]] is Mario's fourth party member in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He started off as an egg, which was imported from a southern island to be an extra ingredient for [[Mr. Hoggle]]'s [[Hot Dog]]s. However, that plan backfired, since the Yoshi was still alive in the egg, and began jumping around. Unable to catch it himself, Mr. Hoggle asked Mario and his partners to get it for him. They succeeded, but eventually Mr. Hoggle decided that he didn't want the egg anymore, since he figured that no one would want to eat anything that "jumps around". Yoshi, while inside the egg, started to accompany Mario and his party, until he eventually hatched during their battle against the [[Iron Adonis Twins]]. After the Yoshi hatched from the egg, he thanked  Mario and company for saving him from Mr. Hoggle, and agreed to fight alongside them for the rest of the game. Outside of battle, Mario can ride Yoshi to move faster, or to get across narrow gaps that Mario cannot jump across on his own, much like [[Parakarry]] from the first ''Paper Mario''. Yoshi's default abilities in battle are [[Ground Pound]], which takes up one of an enemy's HP at a time (much like [[Lady Bow]] in the first one), and [[Gulp]], where he'll use his tongue to get an enemy into his mouth, and then spit it back out, and hit another enemy. When powered up, Yoshi gains the [[Mini-Egg]] attack, which is capable of lowering enemies' attack power, as well as [[Stampede]], where he summons an army of [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshis]] to attack.
|A Yoshi Kid is Mario's fourth partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He hatches from his egg in [[Glitzville]] while Mario is fighting in the [[Glitz Pit]], and joins Mario not long afterwards. The player gives him a name beforehand. In the field, Mario can ride him to move at a faster pace and hover over large gaps. In battle, he can [[Ground Pound]] an enemy or can [[Gulp]] the enemy at the front and spit it at the enemy behind it damaging them both (this is the only way to defeat [[The Iron Adonis Twins]]). When Super-Ranked, he can throw [[Mini-Egg]]s at enemies to shrink them. When Ultra-Ranked, he can summon a [[Stampede (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|Stampede]] of Yoshis to attack all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Vivian
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Vivian]]
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[[File:Vivian.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Vivian Artwork 2.png|100px]]
|[[Vivian]] is the fifth party member in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. At the beginning of the game, she was a member of the [[Shadow Sirens]] and [[Secret Society of X-Nauts]], but she eventually switched sides, due to the fact that she was constantly being belittled and verbally abused by her older sister, [[Beldam]]. Outside of battle, Vivian can use the [[Veil]] technique to sink into the shadows with Mario to avoid enemies and obstacles. In battle, Vivian's default ability, in addition to Veil, is [[Shade Fist]], where she can punch enemies and set them on fire. After she's leveled up, Vivian gains the abilities, [[Fiery Jinx]] and [[Infatuate]]. Fiery Jinx allows her to burn all enemies on screen, while her Infatuate ability confuses enemies, causing them to attack one another, instead of Mario and his party.
|Vivian is Mario's fifth partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She was a member of the [[Three Shadows]] and fought alongside them against Mario in [[Boggly Woods]]. Later, after Mario's identity was stolen by [[Doopliss]], Vivian felt [[Beldam]] mistreated her too much and helped Mario recover his identity and joined his party afterwards. In the field, she can hide herself and Mario in the shadows, which has the same mechanics as Bow's field ability. In battle, she can use [[Shade Fist]] to punch an enemy and set it on fire, and she can use [[Veil]] which works like Bow's Outta Sight move. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Fiery Jinx]] to damage all enemies, piercing their defense and setting them on fire. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use [[Infatuate]] to confuse all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Admiral Bobbery
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Bobbery]]
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[[File:Bobbery1.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYD NS Admiral Bobbery Artwork.png|150px]]
|[[Admiral Bobbery]] is the sixth and final required party member in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He was a renowned [[Bob-omb]] sailor who spent most of his life traveling around the sea. Eventually, his wife, [[List of Implied Characters#Scarlette|Scarlette]], succumbed to a fatal illness while he was away, and by the time Bobbery came back home, Scarlette had long since passed away. After this, Bobbery was overcome with guilt and fell into a state of depression. He felt that if he hadn't been away, then he could have nursed his wife back to health. As a result, he vowed to never set sail again. That is, until Mario and his party came to his house, in need of a navigator for their expedition to [[Keelhaul Key]]. Bobbery refused to go with them at first, until Mario and company delivered a letter to him, which was written by Scarlette before she died. Outside of battle, Bobbery's abilities are nearly identical to that of [[Bombette]]'s from the first ''Paper Mario''. He could explode near cracked walls and uncover hidden areas. Unlike Bombette, however, Mario could throw him in higher areas. In battle, Bobbery's standard abilities are [[Bomb (attack)|Bomb]], which allows him to explode on a single enemy at a time, and [[Bomb Squad]], where he throws miniature time bombs, which can gradually damage the enemies. After being powered up, he gains [[Hold Fast]], which can damage direct attackers, and [[Bob-ombast]], which has the ability to damage or kill all enemies on screen.
|Bobbery is Mario's sixth or seventh partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', depending on if Ms. Mowz has been recruited or not. He is a retired sailor who quit after his wife [[Scarlette]] passed away due to blaming himself for her death. However, when Mario gives him a letter from Scarlette, he decides to help Mario reach [[Keelhaul Key]]. He joins Mario's party after Mario saves him from [[Ember]]s and gives him [[Chuckola Cola (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|Chuckola Cola]]. In the field, he behaves like Bombette except he can be thrown onto ledges and over short walls. In battle, he can [[Bomb (Paper Mario series)|Bomb]] like Bombette and can use [[Bomb Squad]] to throw three bombs that explode on the next turn. When Super-Ranked, he can use [[Hold Fast]] to damage enemies that attack him directly. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use [[Bob-ombast]] to damage all enemies.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''
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!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Ms. Mowz]]
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|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYD NS Ms Mowz Artwork.png|150px]]
|Ms. Mowz is the only optional partner in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She is initially seen robbing storerooms in [[Hooktail Castle]], [[The Great Tree]], and the [[Glitz Pit]] for Badges. After clearing Chapter 4, Mario can choose to solve [[Elusive badge!|her trouble]], after which she will join Mario. In the field, she can sniff to see if there are any items nearby. In battle she can use [[Love Slap]] to damage the enemy at the front, piercing its defense, or she can use [[Kiss Thief]] to steal an item or badge from the enemy at the front. When Super-Ranked, she can use [[Tease]] to make enemies dizzy. When Ultra-Ranked, she can [[Smooch (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|Smooch]] Mario to restore his HP.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Ms. Mowz
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Thoreau]]
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[[File:MsMowz2.jpg|145x145px]]
|[[Ms. Mowz]] is an optional party member in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She is the manager of the [[Lovely Howz of Badges]] in [[Rogueport]]. Whenever she isn't running the shop, she's usually out, hunting for rare [[Badges]] to sell at her store. After the player takes on her trouble, Ms. Mowz will join Mario's party. Outside of battle, she has the ability to sniff out and locate nearby items. In battle, her standard abilities are [[Love Slap]], which has the ability to piece enemy defenses, and [[Kiss Thief]], where she could steal items from enemies and add them to Mario's inventory. After being powered up, Ms. Mowz gains [[Tease]] and [[Smooch (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)|Smooch]]. Tease is an ability that can make enemies dizzy (much like the [[Dizzy Dial]]), while Smooch can refill 10 of Mario's HP.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
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!Thoreau
|align="center"|[[File:SPM Thoreau.png|100px]]
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|Thoreau is the first Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found in the basement of a building in [[Yold Town]]. He can grab objects or enemies for Mario to throw.
[[File:SPM_Thoreau.png|145x145px]]
|[[Thoreau]] is first [[Pixl]] party member in ''Super Paper Mario'' that gives Mario a new ability. He is one of the original twelve Pixls involved in the [[Pixl Queen|Pixl uprising]] that took place 1,500 years prior to the events of ''Super Paper Mario''. Thoreau, as with the rest of them, was put in a "hibernation" state, and was locked inside of a treasure chest until awakened by the legendary hero that was mentioned in the [[Light Prognosticus]], which just-so-happened to be Mario. Thoreau was needed in order for Mario to prove to [[Old Man Watchitt]] that he was the hero that was mentioned in the Light Prognosticus. Thoreau gives the heroes the ability to hold and throw enemies, similar to ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''. He could also be used to press switches that the heroes cannot reach on their own.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Boomer
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Boomer (Super Paper Mario)|Boomer]]
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[[File:BoomerPixl.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:BoomerPixl.png|100px]]
|[[Boomer (Pixl)|Boomer]] is the second Pixl party member in ''Super Paper Mario'' to lend Mario and the rest of the heroes a new ability. As with Thoreau, Boomer was also involved in the Pixl uprising that took place 1,500 years prior to ''Super Paper Mario''. Like [[Bombette]] and [[Admiral Bobbery]] from the first two ''Paper Mario'' titles, Boomer has the ability to destroy enemies by exploding on them, as well as blowing up cracked walls to reveal hidden areas for Mario and the rest of the heroes to access.
|Boomer is the second Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found in an underground area in [[Gloam Valley]]. He can blow up cracks in walls, destroy [[Brick Block|brick block]]s or deal double-damage to enemies.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Slim
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Slim (Pixl)|Slim]]
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[[File:Slim.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Slim.png|100px]]
|[[Slim]] is the third Pixl party member to give Mario and the rest of the heroes a new ability in ''Super Paper Mario''. He was another of the twelve Pixls involved in the uprising that took place 1,500 years prior to the game. Slim's ability is slightly similar to [[Lady Bow]]'s [[Outta Sight]] and Vivian's [[Veil]] technique, since it allows Mario and company to evade attacks from enemies and obstacles (such as spikes). This ability also allows Mario to go through narrow passageways.
|Slim is the third Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found in [[Merlee's Mansion]] after [[Mimi]] enslaves Mario. He can make Mario thin to pass through tight areas while in 3D or if Mario stands still, he will be invisible and can pass through obstacles while on a moving platform.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Thudley
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Thudley]]
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[[File:Thudley.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Thudley.png|100px]]
|[[Thudley]] is the fourth Pixl party member to lend his power to Mario and the rest of the heroes in ''Super Paper Mario''. He, just like all the others, was involved in the Pixl uprising incident that happened 1,500 prior to the game. Thudley allows Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi to use a [[Ground Pound]] technique, much like the [[Spin Jump]] from the first two ''Paper Mario'' titles. This ability allows the heroes to pound pillars (which usually has to be done in a certain order) to access the next area. This ability also does a lot more damage to enemies than an average jump would.
|Thudley is the fourth Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found in [[The Tile Pool]]. He allows Mario to perform a Ground Pound which can activate certain switches or deal double-damage to enemies.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Carrie
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Carrie]]
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[[File:Carrie.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Carrie.png|100px]]
|[[Carrie]] is the fifth Pixl party member in ''Super Paper Mario'' to lend her power to the heroes. Carrie, as with all the others, was involved in the Pixl uprising that took place 1,500 prior to the game. Unlike most of the others, however, Carrie was not contained within a treasure chest. She was instead locked inside of a jail cell within [[Fort Francis]]. Carrie, like [[Lakilester]] and [[Yoshi Kid|Yoshi]], gives Mario and the rest of the heroes the ability to move faster and/or cross hazardous areas without taking any damage. She also allows the heroes to damage spiked enemies by jumping on top of them.
|Carrie is the fifth Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. She is found in a cage in the basement of [[Fort Francis]]. She can carry Mario, moving at a faster pace and can go over spikes.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Cudge
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Fleep]]
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[[File:Cudge.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Fleep.png|100px]]
|[[Cudge]] is the sixth Pixl party member to lend his power to the four heroes in ''Super Paper Mario''. He, like all the others, was one of the original twelve Pixls that was involved in the Pixl uprising incident. Similar to Carrie, Cudge was not contained within a treasure chest. Instead, he was imprisoned behind a stone block, which required tablets to be inserted in a certain order. Cudge allows the heroes to hit enemies with a [[Hammer]], as well as breaking yellow blocks to access other areas.
|Fleep is the sixth Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found in an outhouse on [[Planet Blobule]], and comes out once Mario gives him the [[Ancient Clue]] to use as toilet paper. He can flip a part of the background, if used on a sparkling rift it will reveal an item or switch. This ability can also stun enemies.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Dottie
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Cudge]]
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[[File:Dottie.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Cudge SPM artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Dottie]] is the seventh and final required Pixl party member to lend power to the four heroes of ''Super Paper Mario''. She was also involved in the Pixl uprising incident that took place 1,500 years prior to the game. As with Carrie and Cudge, Dottie was not contained within a treasure chest. Instead, she was behind a locked door in [[Floro Caverns]], helping [[Gabbro]] hide from the [[Floro Sapiens]]. Dottie has the ability to shrink the heroes, allowing them to access hidden areas that they're normally too big to get through. This ability also allows the heroes to enter areas without being detected by enemies.
|Cudge is the seventh Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is revealed after placing the [[elemental tablets]] in the correct spots in the [[Gap of Crag]]. He allows Mario to swing a [[Hammer]] which can destroy yellow blocks and deal double-damage to enemies.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Barry
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Dottie]]
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[[File:Barry.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Dottie.png|100px]]
|[[Barry]] is an optional Pixl party member in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is another of the original twelve Pixls that was involved in the Pixl uprising that took place 1,500 years prior to the events of ''Super Paper Mario''. Barry was first seen in [[The Bitlands]], after [[Tippi]] had gotten herself kidnapped by [[Francis]]. He stayed behind to give tips to the heroes whenever they were needed. After Francis was defeated, Barry joined Mario's party. He is notable for being the only Pixl who did not have knowledge of the fact that Mario was the hero that was mentioned in the Light Prognosticus. Barry has the ability to briefly surround one of the heroes with a barrier to deal damage against enemies. This ability can also reflect enemy projectiles.
|Dottie is the eighth and final Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. She is found accompanying [[Gabbro]] in the [[Floro Caverns]], but leaves him to join Mario. She can shrink Mario to let him go under tiny gaps and avoid detection from enemies.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Dashell
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Barry]]
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[[File:SPM_Dashell.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Barry.png|100px]]
|[[Dashell]] is another optional Pixl party member in ''Super Paper Mario''. The player can find him at the bottom of the [[Flipside Pit of 100 Trials]], after defeating [[Wracktail]]. Dashell gives Mario and the rest of the heroes the ability to run with super speed, much like the [[NES]] titles.
|Barry is an optional Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He hides behind a bush in [[The Bitlands]], and the first time he is seen, he gives Mario advice on how to reach [[Fort Francis]]. After Tippi is rescued, Barry joins Mario if he visits him again. He can briefly create a shield around Mario to damage enemies that attack him directly or deflect enemy projectiles.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
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!Piccolo
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Dashell]]
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[[File:Piccolo.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:SPM Dashell.png|100px]]
|[[Piccolo]] is the third and final optional Pixl party member in ''Super Paper Mario''. The player can obtain her by doing favors for [[Merlee]], [[Merluvlee]], [[Bestovius]], and [[Old Man Watchitt]]. After that, Merlee will award the heroes a key to a locked door in [[Flopside]], where Piccolo is contained inside of a treasure chest. Piccolo has the ability to change the characters' jump sound effects, as well as Bowser's flame. She also has the ability to cure status ailments, as well as putting the [[Underchomp]] to sleep.
|Dashell is an optional Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. He is found at the bottom of the [[Flipside Pit of 100 Trials]] after defeating [[Wracktail]]. He allows Mario to run at high speed.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Piccolo]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Piccolo.png|x100px]]
|Piccolo is an optional Pixl in ''Super Paper Mario''. She is found in an empty house in [[Flopside]], which can be accessed after completing a trading quest starting and ending with [[Merlee]]. She can cure any status effects and make Mario's jumping & Bowser's fire breath sound effects the same as the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' She can also put the [[Underchomp]] to sleep.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Tiptron]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:SPM Tiptron.png|100px]]
|Tiptron is a replacement of Tippi in the post-game of ''Super Paper Mario''. She is a robotic replica of Tippi created by [[Francis]], and can be bought from him for 999 Coins. She functions exactly the same as the real Tippi.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Bob-omb (Paper Mario: The Origami King)|Bob-omb]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTOK Bobby.png|100px]]
|Bob-omb, nicknamed Bobby by Olivia, is an amnesiac Bob-omb without a fuse in ''Paper Mario: The Origami King''. He meets Mario in a cable car, and joins Mario during the blue streamer area. In battle, Bob-omb attacks one enemy using a Bomb Bump move.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Professor Toad]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMOK Professor Toad.png|100px]]
|Professor Toad is a Toad archaeologist in ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'' who joins Mario while in the yellow streamer area. In the field, he can dig items from certain areas and translate ancient texts. In battle, he attacks up to four enemies using a Dig This move.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''</center>
|}
|}


===Main Antagonists===
===Major antagonists===
{| align=center width=100% border=1
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color: whitesmoke;"
|-
!width=10%|Character
!width=100% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="3"|Character
!width=65%|Brief Biography
|-
!width=15%|First ''Paper Mario'' Appearance
!width=10% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Image
|-  
!width=65% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Brief biography
!Bowser
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|First ''Paper Mario'' appearance
----
|-
[[File:PaperBowserStarRod.gif|150×149px]]  
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Bowser]]
|[[Bowser]] is the main antagonist of ''Paper Mario''. In this game, Bowser stole the [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]], a magical device that grants wishes, and imprisoned the seven [[Star Spirits]] who are supposed to protect said Star Rod. Bowser also used his castle to hijack [[Princess Peach's Castle]], with Peach still in it, and lifted the castle high into the sky. He wished to become invincible and to beat Mario, but the heroic plumber eventually defeated him with the help of the Star Spirits he saved. In the end, Bowser's Castle explodes, Bowser isn't invincible anymore, and the Star Rod is returned to [[Star Haven]].
|-
|align="center"|[[File:SPM Bowser Artwork.png|200px]]
|Bowser is the main antagonist and final boss in ''Paper Mario'', ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', and ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', a minor villain in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', and an ally to Mario in ''Super Paper Mario'' and ''Paper Mario: The Origami King''. In ''Paper Mario'', Bowser steals the Star Rod from Star Haven and captures the seven Star Spirits to prevent wishes from being granted. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', Bowser attempts to find the Crystal Stars before Mario, and he is briefly playable in intermissions after each chapter; some of these involve a ''Super Mario Bros.''-style level. In ''Super Paper Mario'' he is a more major playable character unlocked after defeating him during chapter 3 and siding with Mario to defeat Count Bleck and save the universe. He moves slower than the other characters, but his attack power is double of everyone else's and he can breathe fire to decimate enemies or light torches. In ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', Bowser breaks the Sticker Comet and scatters the Royal Stickers, one of which he wears and gains great power from. In ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', Bowser gets covered in and possessed by black paint and attempts to paint the whole world black. In ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', Bowser plays the role as a partner to Mario while in Origami Castle and helps him defeat King Olly.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Sir Grodus
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Grodus]]
----
|-
[[File:Grodus.jpg|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Sir Grodus Artwork.png|150px]]
|[[Sir Grodus]] appears in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He is the ruthless leader of the [[Secret Society of X-Nauts]], an extraterrestrial organization whose sole mission is to conquer the world. Throughout the entire course of the game, Grodus and his minions were seeking the [[Crystal Stars]] in order to open [[The Thousand-Year Door]]. Grodus intended to use the "treasure" that lies behind the door to aid him in his quest for world domination. As it turns out, this "treasure" is a demon who destroyed [[Rogueport]] 1,000 years ago, and caused the town to sink underground. Grodus intended to use her powers to destroy the world and remake it in his own image. However, the demon - the [[Shadow Queen]] - partially destroyed him, but was finally killed by Mario and his party. The last time Grodus was seen was in [[Poshley Heights]]. He is no longer evil, and is just a head due to the Shadow Queen's attack.
|Grodus is the supreme leader of the [[X-Naut]]s and the main antagonist for most of ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He sought to gather the [[Crystal Star]]s to awaken the [[Shadow Queen]] and take over the world, and kidnapped Princess Peach to use as the vessel. However, the Three Shadows had tricked him and his body is decimated by the Shadow Queen.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Beldam]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Beldam Artwork.png|100px]]
|Beldam is the leader of the Three Shadows and a major antagonist in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. Throughout the whole game, she was the one plotting the revival of the Shadow Queen and achieved this by using Sir Grodus and spreading rumors about a "legendary treasure" beneath Rogueport.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Beldam
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Shadow Queen]]
----
|-
[[File:Beldam.png]]  
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Tattle Log - Shadow Queen 2.png|220px]]
|[[Beldam]] is the leader of the [[Shadow Sirens]] in ''Paper Mario:The Thousand-Year Door''. She is a demon over 1,000 years old who once worked under the [[Shadow Queen]]. She serves [[Sir Grodus]] for the majority of the game. But in the end, it is revealed that she is the one who orchestrated the events, using the [[Secret Society of X-Nauts]] as pawns. She spread rumors of a fake treasure and found a pure maiden, all in order to resurrect the Shadow Queen, making her the true mastermind of the game. After the Shadow Queen is defeated, she renounces her evil ways and lives with her sisters in [[Twilight Town]].
|The Shadow Queen is the final boss in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. She is the soul of an ancient demon that destroyed the town where Rogueport is now located 1000 years ago, and was sealed away in the [[Palace of Shadow]] by four heroes. Once she is summoned from her tomb by Sir Grodus, the sky turns dark and she possesses Princess Peach. However, after a long grueling battle, Mario defeats her for good and releases Princess Peach from her control.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Shadow Queen
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Count Bleck]]
----
|-
[[File:Shadow queen.PNG|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:CountBleck2 SPM.png|100px]]
|The [[Shadow Queen]] is the final Boss of ''Paper Mario:The Thousand-Year Door''. Many years before this game's events took place, she came into the [[Mushroom World]], intent on enslaving it and becoming its ruler. Her ambitions were thwarted by four heroes. They sealed her up using the Crystal Stars, and trapped her in the Palace of Shadows where her soul would sleep for one thousand years. She is reborn by Sir Grodus, the leader of the X-Nauts, but she almost destroys him. She then possesses [[Princess Peach]]'s body, but she's weakened by the [[Crystal Stars]] and is destroyed at Mario's hands.
|Count Bleck is the main antagonist in ''Super Paper Mario''. He was initially Lord Blumiere and in love with [[Tippi|Lady Timpani]] until she was banished by Blumiere's father. Blumiere took the alias of Count Bleck and attempted to use instructions from the Dark Prognosticus to put an end to all worlds; his reasoning to destroy all that took Timpani away from him.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Dimentio]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:DimentioSuperPaperMario.png|150px]]
|Dimentio is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions. However, throughout the course of the game, he has his own agenda to use the heroes and the [[Pure Heart]]s to overthrow Count Bleck and take control of the [[Chaos Heart]] himself and thus he is the game's final boss, in a form merged with the Chaos Heart and [[Mr. L]] called [[Super Dimentio]].
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Mr. L]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Mr. L.jpg|100px]]
|Mr. L is a brainwashed version of Luigi who serves Count Bleck temporarily. In Chapters 4 and 6, he uses his [[Brobot|robotic]] [[Brobot L-type|creations]] to try to stop Mario, Peach, and Bowser. After his second defeat, Dimentio sends him to [[The Underwhere|the Underwhere]], thereby reverting his hypnosis and turning him back into Luigi. He also returns later on, when Dimentio uses a [[Floro Sprout]] to control Luigi and fuses him with the Chaos Heart to form Super Dimentio.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[King Olly]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTOK King Olly Artwork.png|150px]]
|King Olly, also known as the Origami King, is the main antagonist of ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''. He turns Princess Peach and Bowser's minions into origami figures and brainwashes them into siding with him as the [[Folded Soldiers]]. He also takes over Peach's Castle by covering it in giant streamers and placing it on a mountain.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''</center>
|}
 
===Supporting antagonists===
{|align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=100% style="background-color:#d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left"colspan="3"|Character
|-
!width=10% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Image
!width=65% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|Brief biography
!width=15% style="background-color:#e0e0e0;"|First ''Paper Mario'' appearance
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Kammy Koopa]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Kammy Artwork.png|150px]]
|Kammy Koopa is Bowser's right-hand minion in ''Paper Mario'' and ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. In the former, she helped Bowser steal the Star Rod and constructed the Power Platform for the final battle. In the latter, she assisted Bowser in searching for the Crystal Stars and fights alongside him in the [[Palace of Shadow]].
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Lord Crump]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMTTYDNS Lord Crump Artwork.png|150px]]
|Lord Crump is second-in-command of the X-Naut army, and a recurring boss in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. He is the first enemy battled in the game and later fights while controlling his robot [[Magnus von Grapple]], and eventually an [[Magnus von Grapple 2.0|upgraded version of it]]. Despite his high rank, Sir Grodus refers to him as his least-competent underling.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Count Bleck
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[O'Chunks]]
----
|-
[[File:Normal bleck2.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:O'Chunks Artwork- Super Paper Mario.png|150px]]
|[[Count Bleck]] is the main villain of ''Super Paper Mario''. His goal is to use power of the [[Chaos Heart]] to wipe out all of existence, and every dimension ; he does so because he's lost his love, [[Lady Timpani]], and lost his sanity. Following the instructions of the [[Dark Prognosticus]], Count Bleck got Peach and Bowser married in order to create the Chaos Heart, which would form [[The Void]], a [[Black Hole|black hole]] that slowly eats every world until nothing exists anymore. Although he promised his minions that he'd recreate a better world after that, a world where there would be no war, he actually didn't plan to do anything like that and rather wanted to destroy everything that separated him from Timpani: everything, even himself. However, in the end, he was betrayed by Dimentio, reunited with Timpani (who became [[Tippi]]), and he sacrificed himself in the end to save the worlds, although he may be still alive.
|O'Chunks is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions, and the most fought one throughout ''Super Paper Mario''. He is a huge bulky warrior who is very loyal to Count Bleck and volunteered to stop Mario the moment they learnt that he was opposing them.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|-
!Dimentio
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Mimi]]
----
|-
[[File:DimentioSuperPaperMario.png|145x145px]]
|align="center"|[[File:MimiSuperPaperMario.png|115px]]
|[[Dimentio]] is the final boss and the true main villain of ''Super Paper Mario''. His plans were to take over the universe by destroying the current one and rebuilding it in his own image, but in order to do that, he needed to side with [[Count Bleck]] and [[Count Bleck's Army|his army]]. Throughout the course of the game, he played both sides of the battle, using and manipulating both the heroes and Count Bleck's army to do his evil bidding. His plan all along was to steal the Chaos Heart from Count Bleck, in which he did after the heroes defeated him. Afterwards, he brainwashed [[Luigi]] with a [[Floro Sprout]], and then combined Luigi, the Chaos Heart, and himself to create [[Super Dimentio]]. However, he was weakened by the [[Pure Hearts]] and finally died, while leaving Luigi alive. However, he could still control the Chaos Heart, and Count Bleck and Tippi had to sacrifice themselves to stop it.
|Mimi is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions. She is a shape-shifter who often uses this ability to trick Mario and the other heroes into falling for her traps. Her true form is a Spider-like creature. Like O'Chunks, Mimi is very loyal to Count Bleck.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Nastasia]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:SPM_Nastasia.png|115px]]
|Nastasia is a high-ranking minion of Count Bleck, who uses her powers of hypnosis to brainwash a large amount of [[Bowser's Minions]] as well as Luigi (to create Mr. L). She was also able to force Princess Peach to say "I do" in order to help Bleck create the Chaos Heart. [[Carson]]'s story, ''Of Bats and Men'', implies she was created when [[Blumiere]] freed a bat from a trap, who later transformed into a woman and pledged loyalty to him out of love.
|<center>''[[Super Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Bowser Jr.]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMOK Bowser Jr.png|115px]]
|Bowser Jr. is the tertiary antagonist and a recurring boss in ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', as well as a supporting character in ''Paper Mario: The Origami King''. In ''Sticker Star'', he fights Mario three times; the first and second times to steal rare stickers from him and the third to seek revenge. In ''The Origami King'', Bowser Jr. sides with Mario while in the Green Streamer area to rescue his father from the Folded Soldiers.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3"style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|[[Kamek]]
|-
|align="center"|[[File:PMOK Kamek.png|125px]]
|Kamek is the secondary antagonist in ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' and ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', and a supporting character in ''Paper Mario: The Origami King''. In ''Sticker Star'', he fights Mario three times; the second and third times turning all of Mario's stickers into Flip-Flop stickers. In ''Color Splash'', in random battles he does something to mess with Mario's battle cards and fights him once towards the end of the game. In ''The Origami King'', Kamek teams up with Mario in the Green Streamer area, and can attack enemies by firing magic shots at them.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''</center>
|}
|}
==Similarities between the games==
[[File:Paper Mario Series EU Art.png|thumb|75px|Artwork of the first four ''Paper Mario'' games]]
*Despite their differences in genre, all games feature role-playing game elements:
**Each game includes turn-based combat, although in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' this is limited to the battle against the [[Underchomp]].
**Characters have numeric stats such as [[Heart Point]]s that are relevant in battle.
**The main playable characters can increase their stats. The first three games award [[Experience Point|experience points]] for defeating enemies in battle. In subsequent games, Mario can increase his stats with [[MAX UP Heart]]s (which increase both maximum {{hover|HP|Heart Points}} and [[First Strike]] power) and [[Hammer Scrap]]s.
**Each game includes status effects. In ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'', only certain bosses apply status effects.
**[[Partner]]s contribute to battle and puzzle-solving in some way, and speak on Mario's behalf. The first three games have multiple partners that can be controlled to use additional moves in combat. In later games, there are still characters that temporarily follow Mario on the field, evocative of partners. In ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', some of these characters have field abilities and automatically use moves to help in battle.
**Each game fleshes out its world by including towns and members of enemy species with dialogue.
*In each game, Mario can use a [[hammer]]. This is least prominent in ''Super Paper Mario'', where [[Cudge]] does not appear until Chapter 5.
*Each game has at least one game show event:
**In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', there is the [[64th Trivia Quiz-Off]] and [[Chuck Quizmo]]'s quizzes.
**In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', there are the [[65th Trivia Quiz-Off]] and [[66th Trivia Quiz-Off]].
**In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', there is the [["That's My Merlee!" show]].
**In ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', there is [[Snifit or Whiffit]].
**In ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', there is ''[[Snifit or Whiffit|Snifit or Whiffit Seabed Edition]]''.
**In ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'', there is ''[[Shy Guys Finish Last]]''.
*Each game has an arrangement of the [[Invincibility Theme]]. In ''Paper Mario'', it starts playing when Mario runs around a certain [[Candy Pop|Candy Cane]] in [[Pleasant Path]]. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', when playing the Bowser segments, if the player collects enough [[Meat]] in a level, Bowser grows huge and the theme plays. In ''Super Paper Mario'', when the player obtains a [[Mega Star]], the theme plays. In ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'' and ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', the theme plays when the player grabs a Star.
*The plot of the first five games involves collecting powerful beings based on simple shapes, usually stars. In the first three games, the final boss is invincible at first, and the stars or [[Pure Heart|hearts]] collected make them vulnerable to damage.
*[[Bowser]] is fought in all of the first five games, even when he is a side character (in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'') or ally (in ''Super Paper Mario'').
*Between chapters in the first five games, there are intermissions or flashbacks focusing on other characters.
*The bridges that mark loading zones use the same design until ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', aside from ''Super Paper Mario'' which instead uses doors.
*Each game after the first introduces gameplay mechanics based on the paper art style:
**''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' introduces the "curses" granted by the [[black chest]]: [[Plane Mode]], [[Paper Mode]], [[Tube Mode]], and [[Boat Mode]].
**''Super Paper Mario'' introduces the [[Flip]] ability, which plays off of the world itself being presented as flat.
**''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' introduces the [[Paperize]] ability and the use of [[sticker]]s in combat.
**''Paper Mario: Color Splash'' introduces [[Battle Card (Paper Mario: Color Splash)|Battle Cards]] that are used to perform moves in combat.
**''Paper Mario: The Origami King'' introduces the [[1,000-Fold Arms]] ability.
*In Western languages, all games after [[Paper Mario|the first]] use the font [[List of fonts#Pop Joy|Pop Joy]].
*There are item upgrade systems in the first four games. The first three feature [[cooking]]. ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' has special [[paperization]] spots that upgrade inserted stickers.
*From ''Super Paper Mario'' onwards, the main partner specific to each game ultimately sacrifices themself to destroy the main threat wielded by the antagonist.
*From ''Super Paper Mario'' onwards, there is one partner that stays with Mario the whole adventure.
*In the first three games, there is at least one battle between Mario and one of his allies.
*In the first three games, Mario can temporarily transform into an 8-bit sprite based on those of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
*In each of the first three games, someone tells a long story, Mario falls asleep, the storyteller asks if he has been listening when he wakes up, and Mario lies by nodding. In ''Paper Mario'' and ''Super Paper Mario'', the storyteller claims to be telling the "short version" of the story.
*In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', ''Super Paper Mario'', and ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'', there is an implied or minor enemy character named [[Johnson]].
*Starting in ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', there are [[Thing|giant photorealistic objects]] in each game.
*In ''Paper Mario'' and games following ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', the regular battle themes and all unique variants of them have unique intros depending on if Mario or the enemies get the First Strike. This is also reintroduced in the Nintendo Switch remake of ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Pm3dlogo.png|The previous logo of the series
Paper Mario logo JP current.png|The current Japanese logo of the series
File:Paper Mario Logo Kor.png|The current Korean logo of the series
</gallery>
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ペーパーマリオ
|JapR=Pēpā Mario
|JapM=Paper Mario
|Kor=페이퍼 마리오
|KorR=Peipeo Mario
|KorM=Paper Mario
|ChiS=纸片马力欧
|ChiSR=Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu
|ChiSM=Paper Mario
|ChiT=紙片瑪利歐<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com.hk/topics/article/a_200514_01.html 敵人是摺紙!?《紙片瑪利歐》系列最新作Nintendo Switch《紙片瑪利歐:摺紙國王》將於7月17日發售!] ''Nintendo''. Retrieved May 18, 2020.</ref>
|ChiTR=Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu
|ChiTM=Paper Mario
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*''Paper Mario'' is directly referenced by name in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''; one of the four blocks in the examination rooms of [[Woohoo Hooniversity]] is that of ''Paper Mario'', and is identified as such when struck.
*The ''Paper Mario'' title itself is mentioned in several games. In the party at the end of ''Paper Mario'', a [[Bumpty]] mentions that [[Herringway]] is writing a novel called "Paper Mario". The same occurs in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' with the blue [[Toad (species)|Toad]] living in a house in the [[Rogueport]] west side, who also writes a Paper Mario novel based off Mario's adventures, which gets adapted into a play.  
*All three games have the final boss being invincible at first and the stars (or hearts) Mario has collected making them vulnerable.
**The novel written by Herringway is titled "Mario Story" in Japanese. In ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'', [[Neville]] can be seen reading a book with the same title.
*In all three games, Mario has to fight one of his allies at least once. In ''Paper Mario'' he fights [[Lakilester]], in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door'' he fights [[Vivian]] along with [[Shadow Sirens|her sisters]] and the tricked [[Goombella]], [[Koops]], [[Flurrie]] and [[Yoshi Kid|Yoshi]] with [[Doopliss]], and in ''Super Paper Mario'' he fights Bowser and [[Mr. L]] twice.
 
*In all three installments, Mario is able to temporarily transform into an 8-bit version of himself, where the sprites are almost identical to the ones in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''.
==References==
*All three games each have a person telling a long story with Mario falling asleep. When he wakes up, the storyteller asks if he's been listening, followed by Mario lying by nodding. In ''Paper Mario'', [[Madam Merlar]] tells the story. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', [[Luigi]] and the shopkeeper in [[Twilight Town]] tell the stories. In ''Super Paper Mario'', [[Merlumina]] tells the story.
<references/>
**Also, in ''Paper Mario'' and ''Super Paper Mario'', the storyteller claims she's telling the "short version" of the story after Mario wakes up.
 
[[Category:Paper Mario Series|*]]
{{Game series}}
[[Category:Game Series]]
{{Super Mario games}}
[[Category:Paper Mario series|*]]
[[Category:Game series]]
[[de:Paper Mario-Serie]]
[[it:Paper Mario (serie)]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, November 14, 2024

Paper Mario
The current logo of the Paper Mario series
The logo used since Paper Mario: Color Splash
First installment Paper Mario (2000)
Latest installment Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) (2024)
Number of installments 7 (6 direct, 1 remake)
Franchise Super Mario
Key staff Ryota Kawade (2000–2007; 2024)
Shigeru Miyamoto (2000–2016)
Kensuke Tanabe (2004–2020)
Naohiko Aoyama (2000; 2012–present)
Taro Kudo (2012–present)
Masahiko Nagaya (2016–present)
Risa Tabata (2016-present)

The Paper Mario series is a role-playing and action-adventure spinoff series in the Super Mario franchise, developed for Nintendo by affiliate company Intelligent Systems. The series is named after its distinctive visual style, which consists of 2D paper cutout characters in 3D papercraft environments. It is a spiritual successor to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the first RPG game in the Super Mario franchise, and follows many conventions established in that game. The first installment in the Paper Mario series, also called Paper Mario, was released on Nintendo 64 in 2000, and five further entries have since followed (four for home consoles and one handheld entry), as well as one remake. The series has also crossed over with fellow Super Mario RPG series Mario & Luigi with the game Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.

Background[edit]

During the fifth generation of video games, Sony Interactive Entertainment's original PlayStation console overtook Nintendo's long-standing dominance in the home console market, resulting in the latter company's own console from that generation, the Nintendo 64, being relegated to a distant second place. Nintendo's downfall during that era can be attributed to multiple decisions and strategies made by the company during this generation, namely launching the N64 in North America a full year behind the PlayStation,[1] continuing to store games in cartridges instead of switching to the less expensive CD-ROM format,[2] utilizing a pricing strategy that was not complex enough to allow it to maintain a strong position in the market, and requesting high fees and enforcing strict policies for licensing of third-party developers.[1] The aforementioned factors resulted in multiple third-party developers abandoning Nintendo and moving development to Sony's console. One of these developers was Squaresoft, creators of the Final Fantasy series, which had previously developed the Super Mario franchise's first role-playing game, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

Square's move to developing exclusively for Sony resulted in Nintendo turning to Intelligent Systems to create Mario's next RPG title.[3] Intelligent Systems was founded in the 1980s by Toru Narihiro, and started out providing auxiliary programming for games on the Nintendo Entertainment System (known as the Family Computer in Japan) and its add-on, the Famicom Disk System. As its history progressed, the studio went on to develop two successful series for Nintendo: Wars, a military-themed turn-based strategy series, and Fire Emblem, a fantasy-oriented tactical role-playing series; the successes of these two series' debut installments resulted in Intelligent Systems expanding its services beyond just programming and engineering, and introducing game designers, script writers, artists, and musicians into its staff. At the time Mario's new RPG was to be created, both of the aforenamed franchises were still exclusive to Japan only.

Shortly after the Nintendo 64's release in Japan, Shigeru Miyamoto started production work on Mario's next RPG. The game, developed (as Miyamoto stated) with amateur gamers in mind,[4] was initially going to be a direct sequel to its Square-developed predecessor, using a similar graphics style, and be released for the N64's disk drive add-on, the 64DD.[3] The game utilized some gameplay mechanics carried over from Super Mario RPG, such as timed button presses to deal more damage in combat, which were implemented as a means of easing fans into finding interest in the role-playing genre.[5] According to Nintendo producer Hiroyasu Sasano (who worked as a support engineer for the first game only), the series' distinct paper-like style for character graphics came about from the belief that players "might be getting tired" of the computer-generated 3D graphics seen on the PlayStation and other consoles of the then-current hardware generation, as it was difficult for polygons to bring out the characters' "cuteness".[6] The title Paper Mario, used for all releases of the series except the Japanese release of the first game, was chosen to emphasize this unique graphical style.

Gameplay and premise[edit]

Paper Mario combines traditional role-playing gameplay elements with concepts and features from the Super Mario franchise. The main protagonist, Mario, overcomes obstacles placed in the game's overworld by jumping and using his hammer. The graphics consist of a mixture of 3D environments and 2D characters who look as if they are made of paper. Battles in the Paper Mario games borrow elements from Super Mario RPG and traditional role-playing titles; and feature a turn-based system, in which players select an attack, defense, or item from a menu; and an "Action Commands" mechanic where the player can receive substantial attack or defense bonuses when they perform a timed button press correctly or follow some other instruction. Mario's health is measured in Heart Points (HP), of which one or more are consumed by attacks from the enemies he combats in battle; once his HP is reduced to zero, the game will end and the player will have to reload from the last save point reached.

Paper Mario / Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]

Mario and Goombella battling Gus
The combat system in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

The first three Paper Mario games present their stories in the context of a novel, divided into eight chapters (nine counting the prologue in the first two).

In the first three games, Mario gathers around him partners with specialized skills required to advance progression in the game, and must often face puzzles and boundaries based around said partners' abilities. The partners are accumulated as the player advances into different locations; only one may accompany Mario in the overworld, although the player can interchange them at any time. Partner characters can also assist Mario in battle. In the first Paper Mario, damage inflicted against them results in temporary paralysis. By Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, partners were given their own HP meters and were able to receive the same kinds of damage inflicted upon Mario; when their HP is reduced to zero, the partner becomes inactive for the rest of that battle and later battles until recovery.

The early Paper Mario games also feature special moves which Mario and his partners can perform with a finite capacity; each move consumes a particular number of Flower Points (FP) when performed, and as with HP, these statistics were originally only assigned to Mario, but were shared among him and his party members by The Thousand-Year Door. Both HP and FP can be increased upon a "level up", which occurs every time the player reaches or exceeds 100 experience points, called "Star Points" in-game; these are earned in various numbers once Mario has finished a battle. The first two Paper Mario games also feature an on-screen gauge to display "Star Power", which is required to perform moves of another type that accumulate in number as the player progresses through the game. The first two Paper Mario games' battles take place on a stage. The Thousand-Year Door also has Mario battle in front of an audience, who can assist him by replenishing Star Power, throwing helpful items at him, or inflicting damage on the opponent if he performs well in combat; for every 10 levels, the stage will increase by fifty audience members for a total of 200 after level 30.

The original Paper Mario games allow the player to locate hidden battle upgrades in the game's overworld, promoting one partner character to a new rank at a time. In The Thousand-Year Door, Mario is "cursed" at different points in-game with abilities that enable special moves in the overworld, all based around the paper theme: Mario can fold into a boat or paper airplane by standing on a special activation panel, roll up into a scroll of paper, or become paper-thin. This game's environments also follow the paper theme; for example, illusory objects that conceal secret items or switches can be blown away by a gust of wind due to the environment's paper-like qualities.

Progression through the Paper Mario games depends upon interaction with the non-player characters (NPCs), who will often offer clues or detail the next event in the storyline. As in other RPGs, the player can find or purchase stat-boosting items from NPCs to help in and outside of combat. The effects of items range from healing Mario to damaging the opponent. Badges can also be obtained that yield bonuses during combat, like added moves and gradual health restoration; each consumes a set number of Badge Points (BP), meaning Mario can only equip a limited number of badges at a time. Badges, like items, can be purchased from NPCs in shops or obtained from defeated enemies. When equipped, badges can permanently enhance a particular skill or aspect; some badges, such as Power Jump or Quake Hammer, can even give Mario new moves.

The first two entries in the series feature special sidequests, which recur upon the completion of most game chapters, where Princess Peach is playable; these transitions feature varying objectives and actions, mostly stealth-based. In The Thousand-Year Door, Bowser got his own sidequests where he traverses through multiple side-scrolling levels based on the original Super Mario Bros.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Super Paper Mario changed the series' format to blend RPG gameplay with platforming gameplay. The majority of the gameplay is in 2D, but Mario is also given the ability to "flip" into 3D. By doing so, the perspective shifts and the 2D level rotates to reveal a hidden z-axis, placing Mario in a 3D environment. Mario can thereby maneuver around obstacles impassable in the 2D perspective, or find items, enemies or varying landscapes only visible along the z-axis. There is a drawback to this, however; if the player stays in the 3D perspective too long, the HP meter is depleted, one point at a time.

The game uses a scoring system where points are accumulated through defeating enemies and using items. Like the pre-existing Star Point system, this system allows players to level up and gain stronger attacks and higher resistance to damage from enemies or hazards. Peach, Bowser, and Luigi become secondary player characters over whom the player gains control as the game progresses, with each having their own sets of abilities independent of Mario's: Peach can float over long distances and block attacks with her parasol, Bowser can use his fire breath, and Luigi can perform a special jump where he folds and then launches into the air. The Super Paper Mario format also does not make use of the standard turn-based format; instead, enemies are fought directly upon encounter.

In addition to the other three heroes, Super Paper Mario features "Pixls" as partners, digital fairy-like characters who grant the player abilities such as throwing or destroying obstacles, becoming tiny, or defending against enemies. One of these, Tippi, can also allow the Wii Remote pointer to be used like a spotlight in highlighting and reading the descriptions of items and enemies, or in spotting hidden objects. However, Tippi is the only one of the Pixls who maintains substantial amounts of dialogue throughout the game and who has an individual backstory.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star / Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]

“Since Paper Mario: Sticker Star, it’s no longer possible to modify Mario characters or to create original characters that touch on the Mario universe.”
Kensuke Tanabe

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the gameplay was overhauled again, with this formula differing drastically from those of previous games in the series. Various critical elements of the original gameplay are absent, namely special moves points, badges, the experience point system, and the use of partners. As such, Sticker Star and its follow-up game Paper Mario: Color Splash are not classified as RPGs per se, but are instead action-platformers designed in an RPG style. Both games also mostly exclude characters unique to the series and a similar setting with previous games, the reason being that Shigeru Miyamoto felt a more complex plot was unnecessary in a Super Mario game.[7] An interview in 2020 revealed that the limitation of new characters (as in age or gender) was indeed a deliberate restriction by Nintendo.[8]

Instead of multiple partners as employed in the first Paper Mario and The Thousand-Year Door, Mario is accompanied by a singular partner by the name of Kersti, a sticker fairy, who bestows a special sticker power upon him. A major facet of this format is the extensive use of collectible stickers, which are used to gain new abilities and make progress. Mario collects Stickers by finding them from various areas in the environment, purchasing them using coins, or receiving them from NPCs. The player has limited inventory space, and larger Stickers take up more room. Stickers are used both in combat and for interacting with the environment. The player can also make Kersti "Paperize", or flatten the visible overworld to allow Mario to place a Sticker in a certain area, activating some kind of event. Mario can also find real-world objects, known in-game as "Things", which can be turned into a special type of Sticker that will often help Mario solve puzzles in the overworld. Once rendered into Stickers, Things can be pasted onto strategic areas in the environment to cause certain events, or used in battle. Each Thing has its own unique function; for example, a baseball bat can strike every enemy present with one hit apiece; scissors can fly off the screen and cut up the display to deal damage to all enemies; and a mechanical fan will blow enemies around and deal damage to all of them at once, or move and destroy overworld obstacles. What kinds of attacks are available to Mario in battle is determined by the Stickers currently on hand.

This format is continued in Paper Mario: Color Splash, but tweaked slightly so that the gameplay revolves around colors instead of stickers. Mario uses his hammer to "paint" background elements, characters, and parts of the environment that have been drained of their color, in order to make progress through the game, while collecting Hammer Scraps as a type of EXP after battle to increase the paint capacity of his Paint Hammer. During battle, Battle Cards take the place of the Stickers from the previous game, with some needing to be painted in order to become usable. Additionally, Kersti is replaced by a paint bucket named Huey.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[edit]

Paper Mario: The Origami King has many of the same features present in Sticker Star and Color Splash, as well as a handful of elements present in the first two games.

Combat has been changed once again; Mario fights in a ring-based arena where the enemies surround him. The player has to move the rings so the enemies face Mario in a line, so they can be all be attacked at once. There is a time limit to moving rings which can be increased by spending coins. In boss battles, Mario is on the outside of the arena and has to move arrows around to form a path to the center, attacking the boss using his standard jump or hammer attack, or use special moves: one of four special Vellumental attacks, or the 1,000-Fold Arms to attack the boss repeatedly by standing on Magic Circles. Disposable items from the previous two installments have been greatly cut down; Mario permanently has jump and hammer abilities as well as temporary upgrades such as the Shiny, Flashy, and Legendary variants.

Olivia is Mario's main guide on his journey, similar to Kersti and Huey from the past two games. However, some other partners aid Mario such as a folded-up Bowser and Bob-omb, a few of which have a limited effect on battles. The "world/level select" feature introduced in Sticker Star has been completely removed - the game features an interconnected overworld similar to that of the original two games. There are many Not-Bottomless Holes similar to Color Splash's colorless spots, and filling these in with confetti will either produce coins or reveal Toads to unfold. Similar to Sticker Star, EXP is absent, with coins and confetti earned from beating enemies acting as a replacement.

Games[edit]

Main series[edit]

Title
Cover, original release, and system Synopsis
Paper Mario
North American box art for Paper Mario
Japan August 11, 2000[?]
Nintendo 64
The original Paper Mario, released in Japan as Mario Story and originally known as Super Mario RPG 2, was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000/2001 to positive media reaction and commercial success. It is set in a paper-based version of the Mushroom Kingdom where as Mario is attending a party at Peach's castle, the palace is suddenly uprooted and lifted into the sky by Bowser's aerial fortress. The Koopa King invades the castle, emerges victorious over Mario, and kidnaps the princess. The story centers on Mario as he tries to reclaim the seven Star Spirits, whom Bowser and his assistant Kammy Koopa had incarcerated in playing cards in an invasion of their residence, Star Haven, during which the tyrant also stole their fabled treasure, the wish-granting Star Rod, which he had used in his defeat of Mario to make himself completely invincible.

The game was rereleased for the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, for the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015, and for Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online in 2021.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
North American box art for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Japan July 22, 2004[?]
Nintendo GameCube
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, originally released in Japan as Paper Mario RPG and tentatively known as Mario Story 2 (Japan) and Paper Mario 2 (North America and Europe), was released in 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube. Like its predecessor, it was well received by critics.

The game is set in a cursed island across an unnamed ocean in a remote area of the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach contacts Mario about a treasure map that she had bought in Rogueport, a town of thieving and notorious characters located on the aforementioned island. Once the princess goes missing, Mario takes it upon himself to search for her. Along the way, he must retrieve the seven legendary Crystal Stars, which together unlock the Thousand-Year Door, a mysterious portal fabled to lead to certain fortune. Little does he know, however, that Peach has actually been kidnapped by the Secret Society of X-Nauts, a group of cybernetic soldiers led by Sir Grodus, who are also searching for the Crystal Stars. Eventually, the X-Nauts give Peach's body to be possessed by a demon called the Shadow Queen in a bid to recover her full power, and Mario and his friends must destroy the princess's possessor in order to free her.

Super Paper Mario
Super Paper Mario North American cover art
USA April 9, 2007[?]
Wii
Super Paper Mario was released for the Wii in 2007 and was the only entry to blend side-scrolling platformer gameplay with RPG gameplay. It was originally developed for the GameCube, but silently moved to its successor platform, the Wii.

Luigi, Bowser, and Peach are kidnapped by the villainous Count Bleck, who controls a book of power called the Dark Prognosticus. To fulfill what is foretold in this tome, he arranges a wedding between Peach and Bowser, and thus summons the Chaos Heart to open a black hole known as "The Void", which will eventually grow large enough to destroy the entire universe. Mario is found by the Pixl character Tippi, who transports him to the interdimensional town of Flipside, where he must travel across various dimensions to collect the eight Pure Hearts, which together can be used to banish the Chaos Heart and reverse the destruction. Mario reunites with Peach and Bowser, who agree to help Mario. Count Bleck periodically sends out his minions: the warrior O'Chunks, the immature shapeshifter Mimi, and the mysterious dimension-traveling jester Dimentio. Luigi is brainwashed into the gentleman-thief alter ego "Mr. L", who also antagonizes the heroes; but upon being defeated in battle, regains his memory and joins his brother's cause. It is gradually revealed as the game progresses that "Count Bleck" is the villainous pseudonym of an insane man named Blumiere, and Tippi is a transformed version of a human figure named Lady Timpani, who was banished to wander between dimensions by Blumiere's disdainful father when he learned of her romantic relationship with his son.

Once all eight Pure Hearts have been collected, Mario and company enter Count Bleck's castle, where Bowser, Peach, and Luigi engage in one-on-one battles with Bleck's minions. Mario confronts Bleck but is unable to attack due to the Chaos Heart making him invincible; however, the other three heroes reappear, use the Pure Hearts to halt Bleck's defenses, and help Mario defeat him. Dimentio then becomes the game's true villain; decides to use the Chaos Heart to create a new universe in his own image; and fuses it, Luigi, and himself into a new entity called "Super Dimentio", whom Mario and his friends must use their combined might and the power of the Pure Hearts to defeat in order to restore every world and dimension in the universe.

Like the previous two entries, this game received positive reviews and sold well. It was rereleased on the Wii U eShop in 2016.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Paper Mario: Sticker Star North America box art.
USA November 11, 2012[?]
Nintendo 3DS
Paper Mario: Sticker Star, known as Paper Mario: Super Seal in Japan, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 and incorporates the series' papercraft style into its unique gameplay mechanics. The Mushroom Kingdom welcomes the arrival of the Sticker Comet, and those who wish on it have a good chance of their wish being granted by the Royal Stickers that reside within. Mario attends the Sticker Fest, a festival held in Decalburg to accommodate the comet's arrival, and as the attendees begin to make their wishes, Bowser crashes the celebration and attempts to make his own wish by touching the comet, causing it to explode, and scattering the six Royal Stickers across the kingdom. One Royal Sticker lands on Bowser, corrupting him with its power, and the Koopa King moves to kidnap Peach and knock Mario out. After regaining consciousness, Mario encounters Kersti the sticker fairy, caretaker of the Royal Stickers, who demands that Mario help her recover them. So, they embark on their journey toward Bowser's sky castle and attempt to match his sticker power, defeat him, and get the princess back. It is the first game in the series to be released for a handheld console.
Paper Mario: Color Splash
North American boxart of Paper Mario: Color Splash.
USA October 7, 2016[?]
Wii U
Paper Mario: Color Splash was released for the Wii U in 2016. Mario and Peach get a letter from Prism Island, which turns out to be a color-drained Toad, and then set sail for Port Prisma, only to find it deserted, with many spots and objects drained of color. A large metal vault appears at the bottom of the dried-out fountain, which reveals Huey, the paint can character who guards the fountain. Huey asks Mario to assist him in recovering the Big Paint Stars, the main sources of color for the entire island, from Bowser and his Koopalings. While Mario is scouting the island, Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, who had tampered with the Color Fountain to create toxic black paint, which then transformed him into the more malevolent and meaner-spirited Black Bowser. After recovering the Paint Stars, Mario and Huey infiltrate Black Bowser's Castle, where they must halt his weapons factory's operations, defeat Bowser in battle, rescue Peach, and restore peace to the island.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Box art for Paper Mario: The Origami King
July 17, 2020
Nintendo Switch
Paper Mario: The Origami King was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. The game follows the aesthetic style of its predecessor, Paper Mario: Color Splash, and follows Mario opposing an evil army of origami characters known as Folded Soldiers, ruled by the Origami King, King Olly, which have taken over the Mushroom Kingdom and kidnapped Princess Peach. He is assisted by King Olly's sister, Olivia, throughout most of his journey. They adventure to various locations in order to defeat King Olly and his Legion of Stationery, which are using streamers to constrict Peach's Castle.

Remake[edit]

Title
Cover, original release, and system Description
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
United States and Latin American cover for the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
May 23, 2024
Nintendo Switch
An enhanced remake of the Nintendo GameCube game of the same name, was released for Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Crossover[edit]

Title
Cover, original release, and system Synopsis
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
Mario & Luigi - Paper Jam - NOA Boxart.png
Japan December 3, 2015[?]
Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, known as Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. in PAL regions, and released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015, is a crossover between the Paper Mario games and the Mario & Luigi series. While attempting to fix a hole in Peach's castle library, Luigi trips and knocks over a mysterious book containing the Paper Mario world, causing the paper-thin residents within it to spread across the Mushroom Kingdom. Afterwards, Bowser combines his evil army with that of his paper counterpart, and they kidnap Peach and her paper version. Mario and Luigi must now team up with Mario's paper counterpart to set everything right, defeat both Bowsers, and bring all the paper people back into the book.

Paper Jam can be considered the aftermath of Sticker Star and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, resulting in the sprite-based residents of the Super Mario universe meeting their paper-thin counterparts from the Paper Mario universe. Paper Mario can use his paper thin body to perform his own unique actions that will help the brothers, or make copies of himself during battle to deal extra damage or attack multiple enemies at once. Mario and other characters also gain their own papercraft versions which can be used in certain sections of the game to defeat papercraft enemies.

Miscellaneous[edit]

Characters[edit]

Major protagonists[edit]

Character
Image Brief biography First Paper Mario appearance
Mario
Mario jumping in Paper Mario: The Origami King. Mario is the eponymous main character of the series, often accompanied by different partners throughout each game. As in most games in the Super Mario franchise, Mario is a silent protagonist, thought he mostly communicates by nodding and hand gestures. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario, Mario also grunts and has very little quotes.
Paper Mario
Luigi
Luigi in Paper Mario: The Origami King Luigi often acts as an NPC. In Paper Mario, he stays at the Mario Bros.' House, and in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, he goes on his own adventure off-screen which Mario can learn about if he talks to him. Luigi takes on a more major role in Super Paper Mario, where for most of the game he is brainwashed and turned into Mr. L to work for Count Bleck, but after Chapter 6 he is turned back to normal and becomes one of the main playable characters, having his characteristic higher jump height and lower ground traction in addition to being able to do a super jump, which can be used to jump higher or deal double damage to enemies directly above him. In Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Paper Mario: Color Splash, Luigi hides in certain spots in some levels and can be pulled out by using Paperize and Cutout respectively. In the latter, he also helps Mario reach Black Bowser's Castle. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Luigi's role in the story is to find the Key to Peach's Castle; however, he usually ends up finding different keys that he mistakes for the right key instead, although these keys are still helpful to Mario.
Paper Mario
Princess Peach
Artwork of Princess Peach from Paper Mario: Color Splash. Princess Peach is usually the damsel in distress in most of the installments. In Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the player briefly takes control of her while she tries to find out more about the plans of her kidnappers and give this information to Mario. In Super Paper Mario, she is a more major playable character available after Chapter 1. She can duck under her parasol to become invulnerable to enemy attacks and can also use her parasol to float a long distance in the air. In Paper Mario: Color Splash before she is kidnapped (which happens after obtaining the first Big Paint Star), she can heal Mario fully whenever he speaks with her. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Peach is turned into Origami and brainwashed by King Olly to do his bidding.
Paper Mario
Tippi
Tippi Tippi is Mario's primary partner in Super Paper Mario. She was originally a human called Lady Timpani and the lover of Lord Blumiere until Blumiere's father banished her. Merlon found her in Flipside and, to save her life, turned her into a Pixl. Tippi brings Mario to Flipside after The Void was opened and joined him for the adventure. Whenever the player points their Wii Remote at the screen, Tippi can Tattle enemies and reveal hidden objects & doorways.
Super Paper Mario
Kersti
Artwork of Kersti from Paper Mario: Sticker Star Kersti is Mario's partner in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. She arrived at the Mushroom Kingdom on the Sticker Comet, but after Bowser stole the Royal Stickers, she was stuck to a sign when she and Mario first met. She allows Mario to use the Paperize move in the field, and in battle, allows him to use the Battle Spin, which lets Mario use multiple stickers in one turn.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Huey
Huey Huey is Mario's partner in Paper Mario: Color Splash. He resides under the Prisma Fountain in Port Prisma, and first meets Mario after uncovering him. Huey allows Mario to use the Cutout and Paint Hammer moves in the field, and in battle allows Mario to paint his Battle Cards. For the latter ability though, Huey had to be wrung out from his 3D form into his 2D form.
Paper Mario: Color Splash
Olivia
Artwork of Olivia from Paper Mario: The Origami King Olivia is Mario's primary partner in Paper Mario: The Origami King, and the younger sister of King Olly whose nefarious plan she tries to stop. She can transform into past Vellumental bosses when on certain magic circles, and gives Mario usage of the 1,000-Fold Arms.
Paper Mario: The Origami King

Partners[edit]

Character
Image Brief biography First Paper Mario appearance
Goombario
Goombario Goombario is Mario's first partner in Paper Mario. He was named after Mario himself, and has admired him for a long time. He joins Mario at the beginning of the adventure right when Mario leaves Goombario's house in Goomba Village. In the field, he can give a description of the current area or of anyone. In battle, Goombario can use his Headbonk move to damage an enemy, or he can use Tattle to reveal enemy stats and display their HP permanently. When Super-Ranked, he can Charge which boosts his power for his next attack by 2. When Ultra-Ranked, he can Multibonk where he attacks an enemy until the player misses an action command.
Paper Mario
Kooper
Paper Mario promotional artwork: Kooper Kooper is Mario's second partner in Paper Mario. Kolorado is his idol, and has dreamed of adventuring with him. He joins Mario after retrieving his shell from Fuzzies in Koopa Village. In the field, he can be used to hit switches or collect items from far away or deal a First Strike to enemies. In battle, he can use Shell Toss to attack the enemy at the front or use Power Shell to attack all enemies on the ground. When Super-Ranked, he can use Dizzy Shell to make enemies dizzy. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use Fire Shell to deal fire-damage to all enemies on the ground.
Paper Mario
Bombette
Paper Mario promotional artwork: Bombette doing the "going to explode" pose Bombette is Mario's third partner in Paper Mario. She was initially one of many Bob-ombs working at Koopa Bros. Fortress until the Koopa Bros. imprisoned her and most of the other Bob-ombs. She joins Mario after he helps her escape her jail cell. In the field, she can blow up cracks in walls or deal a First Strike to an enemy. In battle, she can Body Slam into the enemy at the front or Bomb it. When Super-Ranked, she can use Power Bomb to damage all enemies on the ground. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use Mega Bomb to damage all enemies.
Paper Mario
Parakarry
Mario and Parakarry Parakarry is Mario's fourth partner in Paper Mario. In this game and in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, he delivers a letter to Mario which starts off the adventure. He lost a lot of letters throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, and joins Mario after finding his lost letters on Mt. Rugged. In the field, Parakarry can deliver letters to recipients if Mario talks to them while he is active, and he can carry Mario over large gaps. In battle, he can use Sky Dive or Shell Shot to damage one enemy. When Super-Ranked, he can use Air Lift to carry an enemy out of the battle. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use Air Raid to damage all enemies.
Paper Mario
Lady Bow
Lady Bow Lady Bow is Mario's fifth partner in Paper Mario. She is the master of Boo's Mansion, and after Tubba Blubba began eating Boos, Bootler brought Mario to her where she offers to set free the Star Spirit Skolar (who escaped from Tubba Blubba's Castle) in exchange of defeating Tubba Blubba. She joins Mario to help him do this, then decides to stick with him for the rest of the adventure. In the field, she can make Mario transparent to avoid detection from enemies or pass through obstacles while on a moving surface (e.g a Lava waterfall in Bowser's Castle). In battle, she can Smack one enemy or use Outta Sight to make herself and Mario immune to the next enemy turn, although this will also skip Bow's next turn. When Super-Ranked, she can use Spook to scare enemies away. When Ultra-Ranked, she can Fan Smack an enemy.
Paper Mario
Watt
Watt Watt is Mario's sixth partner in Paper Mario. She was trapped in a lantern held by a Big Lantern Ghost in Shy Guy's Toy Box, and joins Mario after he rescues her. In the field, she can light up dark areas and reveal hidden blocks. In battle, she can use Electro Dash to attack one enemy and pierces its defense, or use Power Shock to paralyze one enemy. When Super-Ranked, she can use Turbo Charge to boost Mario's attack power. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use Mega Shock to paralyze all enemies.
Paper Mario
Sushie
Sushie Sushie is Mario's seventh partner in Paper Mario. She is a babysitter for five Yoshi children on Lavalava Island. After they go missing in Jade Jungle, she joins Mario to find them and then decides to stick with him. In the field, she can ferry Mario across water at certain docks, and can dive briefly. In battle, she can Belly Flop or Squirt one enemy, the latter dealing Water damage. When Super-Ranked, she can use Water Block to boost Mario's defense. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use Tidal Wave to deal Water damage to all enemies.
Paper Mario
Lakilester
Lakilester Lakilester is Mario's eighth and final partner in Paper Mario. He was a minion of Huff N. Puff and picks a fight with Mario under orders from him. After losing the fight, Lakilester decides to betray Huff N. Puff and joins Mario's side. In the field, Mario can ride on Lakilester's cloud to move at a faster speed than normal, and can hover across spikes and lava. In battle, he can use Spiny Flip to throw a Spiny Egg at an enemy, or use Spiny Surge to throw a bunch of Spiny Eggs at all enemies. When Super-Ranked, he can use Cloud Nine to make enemy attacks sometimes miss Mario. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use Hurricane to blow all enemies away.
Paper Mario
Goombella
Goombella in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch). Goombella is Mario's first partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. She went to Rogueport to learn about the Legendary Treasure under the city, and joins Mario after he rescues her from Lord Crump and some X-Nauts. She behaves exactly like Goombario in the field and in battle, except she learns Multibonk when Super-Ranked, and when Ultra-Ranked, she can use Rally Wink which lets Mario use another action.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Koops
Artwork of Koops from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Koops is Mario's second partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Ten years before the events of the game, his father went to fight Hooktail but is believed to have died. Wanting to avenge his father, Koops goes with Mario to Hooktail Castle. After defeating Hooktail and realizing his father is alive, Koops decides to continue traveling with Mario. He behaves exactly like Kooper in the field and in battle, except his shell toss in the field can be held down while Mario can move around. When Super-Ranked, he can protect Mario in a Shell Shield. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use Shell Slam to attack all enemies on the ground and pierce their defense.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Flurrie
Artwork of Flurrie from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Flurrie is Mario's third partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. She was a retired actress who lives in Boggly Woods and was planning a stage comeback. She joins Mario after he finds her necklace for her. In the field, she can exhale to reveal hidden things and stop enemies in their tracks. In battle, she can Body Slam an enemy from above or use Gale Force to blow all enemies away. When Super-Ranked, she can use Lip Lock to damage an enemy and heal her own HP. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use Dodgy Fog to make enemy attacks sometimes miss Mario.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Yoshi Kid
Yoshi in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch). A Yoshi Kid is Mario's fourth partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. He hatches from his egg in Glitzville while Mario is fighting in the Glitz Pit, and joins Mario not long afterwards. The player gives him a name beforehand. In the field, Mario can ride him to move at a faster pace and hover over large gaps. In battle, he can Ground Pound an enemy or can Gulp the enemy at the front and spit it at the enemy behind it damaging them both (this is the only way to defeat The Iron Adonis Twins). When Super-Ranked, he can throw Mini-Eggs at enemies to shrink them. When Ultra-Ranked, he can summon a Stampede of Yoshis to attack all enemies.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Vivian
Vivian Vivian is Mario's fifth partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. She was a member of the Three Shadows and fought alongside them against Mario in Boggly Woods. Later, after Mario's identity was stolen by Doopliss, Vivian felt Beldam mistreated her too much and helped Mario recover his identity and joined his party afterwards. In the field, she can hide herself and Mario in the shadows, which has the same mechanics as Bow's field ability. In battle, she can use Shade Fist to punch an enemy and set it on fire, and she can use Veil which works like Bow's Outta Sight move. When Super-Ranked, she can use Fiery Jinx to damage all enemies, piercing their defense and setting them on fire. When Ultra-Ranked, she can use Infatuate to confuse all enemies.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Bobbery
Artwork of Bobbery from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Bobbery is Mario's sixth or seventh partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, depending on if Ms. Mowz has been recruited or not. He is a retired sailor who quit after his wife Scarlette passed away due to blaming himself for her death. However, when Mario gives him a letter from Scarlette, he decides to help Mario reach Keelhaul Key. He joins Mario's party after Mario saves him from Embers and gives him Chuckola Cola. In the field, he behaves like Bombette except he can be thrown onto ledges and over short walls. In battle, he can Bomb like Bombette and can use Bomb Squad to throw three bombs that explode on the next turn. When Super-Ranked, he can use Hold Fast to damage enemies that attack him directly. When Ultra-Ranked, he can use Bob-ombast to damage all enemies.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Ms. Mowz
Artwork of Ms. Mowz from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Ms. Mowz is the only optional partner in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. She is initially seen robbing storerooms in Hooktail Castle, The Great Tree, and the Glitz Pit for Badges. After clearing Chapter 4, Mario can choose to solve her trouble, after which she will join Mario. In the field, she can sniff to see if there are any items nearby. In battle she can use Love Slap to damage the enemy at the front, piercing its defense, or she can use Kiss Thief to steal an item or badge from the enemy at the front. When Super-Ranked, she can use Tease to make enemies dizzy. When Ultra-Ranked, she can Smooch Mario to restore his HP.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Thoreau
Thoreau Thoreau is the first Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found in the basement of a building in Yold Town. He can grab objects or enemies for Mario to throw.
Super Paper Mario
Boomer
Boomer Boomer is the second Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found in an underground area in Gloam Valley. He can blow up cracks in walls, destroy brick blocks or deal double-damage to enemies.
Super Paper Mario
Slim
Slim Slim is the third Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found in Merlee's Mansion after Mimi enslaves Mario. He can make Mario thin to pass through tight areas while in 3D or if Mario stands still, he will be invisible and can pass through obstacles while on a moving platform.
Super Paper Mario
Thudley
Thudley Thudley is the fourth Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found in The Tile Pool. He allows Mario to perform a Ground Pound which can activate certain switches or deal double-damage to enemies.
Super Paper Mario
Carrie
Carrie Carrie is the fifth Pixl in Super Paper Mario. She is found in a cage in the basement of Fort Francis. She can carry Mario, moving at a faster pace and can go over spikes.
Super Paper Mario
Fleep
Fleep Fleep is the sixth Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found in an outhouse on Planet Blobule, and comes out once Mario gives him the Ancient Clue to use as toilet paper. He can flip a part of the background, if used on a sparkling rift it will reveal an item or switch. This ability can also stun enemies.
Super Paper Mario
Cudge
Cudge Cudge is the seventh Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is revealed after placing the elemental tablets in the correct spots in the Gap of Crag. He allows Mario to swing a Hammer which can destroy yellow blocks and deal double-damage to enemies.
Super Paper Mario
Dottie
Dottie Dottie is the eighth and final Pixl in Super Paper Mario. She is found accompanying Gabbro in the Floro Caverns, but leaves him to join Mario. She can shrink Mario to let him go under tiny gaps and avoid detection from enemies.
Super Paper Mario
Barry
Barry Barry is an optional Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He hides behind a bush in The Bitlands, and the first time he is seen, he gives Mario advice on how to reach Fort Francis. After Tippi is rescued, Barry joins Mario if he visits him again. He can briefly create a shield around Mario to damage enemies that attack him directly or deflect enemy projectiles.
Super Paper Mario
Dashell
Dashell Dashell is an optional Pixl in Super Paper Mario. He is found at the bottom of the Flipside Pit of 100 Trials after defeating Wracktail. He allows Mario to run at high speed.
Super Paper Mario
Piccolo
Piccolo Piccolo is an optional Pixl in Super Paper Mario. She is found in an empty house in Flopside, which can be accessed after completing a trading quest starting and ending with Merlee. She can cure any status effects and make Mario's jumping & Bowser's fire breath sound effects the same as the original Super Mario Bros. She can also put the Underchomp to sleep.
Super Paper Mario
Tiptron
Tiptron Tiptron is a replacement of Tippi in the post-game of Super Paper Mario. She is a robotic replica of Tippi created by Francis, and can be bought from him for 999 Coins. She functions exactly the same as the real Tippi.
Super Paper Mario
Bob-omb
Artwork of Bob-omb from Paper Mario: The Origami King Bob-omb, nicknamed Bobby by Olivia, is an amnesiac Bob-omb without a fuse in Paper Mario: The Origami King. He meets Mario in a cable car, and joins Mario during the blue streamer area. In battle, Bob-omb attacks one enemy using a Bomb Bump move.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Professor Toad
Professor Toad in Paper Mario: The Origami King Professor Toad is a Toad archaeologist in Paper Mario: The Origami King who joins Mario while in the yellow streamer area. In the field, he can dig items from certain areas and translate ancient texts. In battle, he attacks up to four enemies using a Dig This move.
Paper Mario: The Origami King

Major antagonists[edit]

Character
Image Brief biography First Paper Mario appearance
Bowser
Bowser Bowser is the main antagonist and final boss in Paper Mario, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and Paper Mario: Color Splash, a minor villain in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and an ally to Mario in Super Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Origami King. In Paper Mario, Bowser steals the Star Rod from Star Haven and captures the seven Star Spirits to prevent wishes from being granted. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Bowser attempts to find the Crystal Stars before Mario, and he is briefly playable in intermissions after each chapter; some of these involve a Super Mario Bros.-style level. In Super Paper Mario he is a more major playable character unlocked after defeating him during chapter 3 and siding with Mario to defeat Count Bleck and save the universe. He moves slower than the other characters, but his attack power is double of everyone else's and he can breathe fire to decimate enemies or light torches. In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Bowser breaks the Sticker Comet and scatters the Royal Stickers, one of which he wears and gains great power from. In Paper Mario: Color Splash, Bowser gets covered in and possessed by black paint and attempts to paint the whole world black. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Bowser plays the role as a partner to Mario while in Origami Castle and helps him defeat King Olly.
Paper Mario
Grodus
Artwork of Grodus from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Grodus is the supreme leader of the X-Nauts and the main antagonist for most of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. He sought to gather the Crystal Stars to awaken the Shadow Queen and take over the world, and kidnapped Princess Peach to use as the vessel. However, the Three Shadows had tricked him and his body is decimated by the Shadow Queen.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Beldam
Artwork of Beldam from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Beldam is the leader of the Three Shadows and a major antagonist in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Throughout the whole game, she was the one plotting the revival of the Shadow Queen and achieved this by using Sir Grodus and spreading rumors about a "legendary treasure" beneath Rogueport.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Shadow Queen
A Tattle Log image from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) The Shadow Queen is the final boss in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. She is the soul of an ancient demon that destroyed the town where Rogueport is now located 1000 years ago, and was sealed away in the Palace of Shadow by four heroes. Once she is summoned from her tomb by Sir Grodus, the sky turns dark and she possesses Princess Peach. However, after a long grueling battle, Mario defeats her for good and releases Princess Peach from her control.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Count Bleck
Concept artwork of Count Bleck with his cape remaining closed, from Super Paper Mario Count Bleck is the main antagonist in Super Paper Mario. He was initially Lord Blumiere and in love with Lady Timpani until she was banished by Blumiere's father. Blumiere took the alias of Count Bleck and attempted to use instructions from the Dark Prognosticus to put an end to all worlds; his reasoning to destroy all that took Timpani away from him.
Super Paper Mario
Dimentio
Dimentio from Super Paper Mario. Dimentio is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions. However, throughout the course of the game, he has his own agenda to use the heroes and the Pure Hearts to overthrow Count Bleck and take control of the Chaos Heart himself and thus he is the game's final boss, in a form merged with the Chaos Heart and Mr. L called Super Dimentio.
Super Paper Mario
Mr. L
Artwork of Mr. L from Super Paper Mario Mr. L is a brainwashed version of Luigi who serves Count Bleck temporarily. In Chapters 4 and 6, he uses his robotic creations to try to stop Mario, Peach, and Bowser. After his second defeat, Dimentio sends him to the Underwhere, thereby reverting his hypnosis and turning him back into Luigi. He also returns later on, when Dimentio uses a Floro Sprout to control Luigi and fuses him with the Chaos Heart to form Super Dimentio.
Super Paper Mario
King Olly
Character artwork for King Olly from Paper Mario: The Origami King King Olly, also known as the Origami King, is the main antagonist of Paper Mario: The Origami King. He turns Princess Peach and Bowser's minions into origami figures and brainwashes them into siding with him as the Folded Soldiers. He also takes over Peach's Castle by covering it in giant streamers and placing it on a mountain.
Paper Mario: The Origami King

Supporting antagonists[edit]

Character
Image Brief biography First Paper Mario appearance
Kammy Koopa
Artwork of Kammy Koopa from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Kammy Koopa is Bowser's right-hand minion in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. In the former, she helped Bowser steal the Star Rod and constructed the Power Platform for the final battle. In the latter, she assisted Bowser in searching for the Crystal Stars and fights alongside him in the Palace of Shadow.
Paper Mario
Lord Crump
Artwork of Lord Crump from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Lord Crump is second-in-command of the X-Naut army, and a recurring boss in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. He is the first enemy battled in the game and later fights while controlling his robot Magnus von Grapple, and eventually an upgraded version of it. Despite his high rank, Sir Grodus refers to him as his least-competent underling.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
O'Chunks
O'Chunks from Super Paper Mario. O'Chunks is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions, and the most fought one throughout Super Paper Mario. He is a huge bulky warrior who is very loyal to Count Bleck and volunteered to stop Mario the moment they learnt that he was opposing them.
Super Paper Mario
Mimi
Super Paper Mario promotional artwork: Mimi Mimi is one of Count Bleck's right-hand minions. She is a shape-shifter who often uses this ability to trick Mario and the other heroes into falling for her traps. Her true form is a Spider-like creature. Like O'Chunks, Mimi is very loyal to Count Bleck.
Super Paper Mario
Nastasia
SPM Nastasia.png Nastasia is a high-ranking minion of Count Bleck, who uses her powers of hypnosis to brainwash a large amount of Bowser's Minions as well as Luigi (to create Mr. L). She was also able to force Princess Peach to say "I do" in order to help Bleck create the Chaos Heart. Carson's story, Of Bats and Men, implies she was created when Blumiere freed a bat from a trap, who later transformed into a woman and pledged loyalty to him out of love.
Super Paper Mario
Bowser Jr.
Artwork of Bowser Jr. from Paper Mario: The Origami King Bowser Jr. is the tertiary antagonist and a recurring boss in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, as well as a supporting character in Paper Mario: The Origami King. In Sticker Star, he fights Mario three times; the first and second times to steal rare stickers from him and the third to seek revenge. In The Origami King, Bowser Jr. sides with Mario while in the Green Streamer area to rescue his father from the Folded Soldiers.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Kamek
Kamek in Paper Mario: The Origami King Kamek is the secondary antagonist in Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Paper Mario: Color Splash, and a supporting character in Paper Mario: The Origami King. In Sticker Star, he fights Mario three times; the second and third times turning all of Mario's stickers into Flip-Flop stickers. In Color Splash, in random battles he does something to mess with Mario's battle cards and fights him once towards the end of the game. In The Origami King, Kamek teams up with Mario in the Green Streamer area, and can attack enemies by firing magic shots at them.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Similarities between the games[edit]

Official art strip of the four Paper Mario series installments
Artwork of the first four Paper Mario games
  • Despite their differences in genre, all games feature role-playing game elements:
    • Each game includes turn-based combat, although in Super Paper Mario this is limited to the battle against the Underchomp.
    • Characters have numeric stats such as Heart Points that are relevant in battle.
    • The main playable characters can increase their stats. The first three games award experience points for defeating enemies in battle. In subsequent games, Mario can increase his stats with MAX UP Hearts (which increase both maximum HP and First Strike power) and Hammer Scraps.
    • Each game includes status effects. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, only certain bosses apply status effects.
    • Partners contribute to battle and puzzle-solving in some way, and speak on Mario's behalf. The first three games have multiple partners that can be controlled to use additional moves in combat. In later games, there are still characters that temporarily follow Mario on the field, evocative of partners. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, some of these characters have field abilities and automatically use moves to help in battle.
    • Each game fleshes out its world by including towns and members of enemy species with dialogue.
  • In each game, Mario can use a hammer. This is least prominent in Super Paper Mario, where Cudge does not appear until Chapter 5.
  • Each game has at least one game show event:
  • Each game has an arrangement of the Invincibility Theme. In Paper Mario, it starts playing when Mario runs around a certain Candy Cane in Pleasant Path. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, when playing the Bowser segments, if the player collects enough Meat in a level, Bowser grows huge and the theme plays. In Super Paper Mario, when the player obtains a Mega Star, the theme plays. In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Paper Mario: Color Splash and Paper Mario: The Origami King, the theme plays when the player grabs a Star.
  • The plot of the first five games involves collecting powerful beings based on simple shapes, usually stars. In the first three games, the final boss is invincible at first, and the stars or hearts collected make them vulnerable to damage.
  • Bowser is fought in all of the first five games, even when he is a side character (in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door) or ally (in Super Paper Mario).
  • Between chapters in the first five games, there are intermissions or flashbacks focusing on other characters.
  • The bridges that mark loading zones use the same design until Paper Mario: The Origami King, aside from Super Paper Mario which instead uses doors.
  • Each game after the first introduces gameplay mechanics based on the paper art style:
    • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door introduces the "curses" granted by the black chest: Plane Mode, Paper Mode, Tube Mode, and Boat Mode.
    • Super Paper Mario introduces the Flip ability, which plays off of the world itself being presented as flat.
    • Paper Mario: Sticker Star introduces the Paperize ability and the use of stickers in combat.
    • Paper Mario: Color Splash introduces Battle Cards that are used to perform moves in combat.
    • Paper Mario: The Origami King introduces the 1,000-Fold Arms ability.
  • In Western languages, all games after the first use the font Pop Joy.
  • There are item upgrade systems in the first four games. The first three feature cooking. Paper Mario: Sticker Star has special paperization spots that upgrade inserted stickers.
  • From Super Paper Mario onwards, the main partner specific to each game ultimately sacrifices themself to destroy the main threat wielded by the antagonist.
  • From Super Paper Mario onwards, there is one partner that stays with Mario the whole adventure.
  • In the first three games, there is at least one battle between Mario and one of his allies.
  • In the first three games, Mario can temporarily transform into an 8-bit sprite based on those of Super Mario Bros.
  • In each of the first three games, someone tells a long story, Mario falls asleep, the storyteller asks if he has been listening when he wakes up, and Mario lies by nodding. In Paper Mario and Super Paper Mario, the storyteller claims to be telling the "short version" of the story.
  • In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Super Paper Mario, and Paper Mario: Color Splash, there is an implied or minor enemy character named Johnson.
  • Starting in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, there are giant photorealistic objects in each game.
  • In Paper Mario and games following Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the regular battle themes and all unique variants of them have unique intros depending on if Mario or the enemies get the First Strike. This is also reintroduced in the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ペーパーマリオ[?]
Pēpā Mario
Paper Mario
Chinese (simplified) 纸片马力欧[?]
Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu
Paper Mario
Chinese (traditional) 紙片瑪利歐[9]
Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu
Paper Mario
Korean 페이퍼 마리오[?]
Peipeo Mario
Paper Mario

Trivia[edit]

  • The Paper Mario title itself is mentioned in several games. In the party at the end of Paper Mario, a Bumpty mentions that Herringway is writing a novel called "Paper Mario". The same occurs in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door with the blue Toad living in a house in the Rogueport west side, who also writes a Paper Mario novel based off Mario's adventures, which gets adapted into a play.
    • The novel written by Herringway is titled "Mario Story" in Japanese. In Luigi's Mansion, Neville can be seen reading a book with the same title.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Schilling, Melissa A. “Technological Leapfrogging: LESSONS FROM THE U.S. VIDEO GAME CONSOLE INDUSTRY.” California Management Review, vol. 45, no. 3, Spring 2003, pp. 6–32. EBSCOhost, doi:10.2307/41166174, https://www.researchgate.net/public...ssons_from_the_US_Video_Game_Console_Industry. Accessed March 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Subramanian, Annapoornima M., et al. “Capability Reconfiguration of Incumbent Firms: Nintendo in the Video Game Industry.” Technovation, vol. 31, no. 5-6, Elsevier Ltd, May 2011, pp. 228–39, doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2011.01.003, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166497211000137. Accessed 27 Mar. 2020.
  3. ^ a b Scullion, Chris (December 29, 2020). "Feature: The Complete History of Paper Mario". Nintendo Life. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "Mario RPG is for the Kids". IGN. November 21, 1997.
  5. ^ Park, Gene (July 17, 2020). "With Origami King, the Paper Mario series leaves role-playing fans behind". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "20 Years Ago, Nintendo Transformed the RPG Genre with Paper Mario". PCMag. August 11, 2020.
  7. ^ http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/papermario/0/2
  8. ^ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-king/
  9. ^ 敵人是摺紙!?《紙片瑪利歐》系列最新作Nintendo Switch《紙片瑪利歐:摺紙國王》將於7月17日發售! Nintendo. Retrieved May 18, 2020.