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Paper Mario: Difference between revisions

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|{{hover|50|Can be increased to 65 with up to three HP Plus Badges}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Denote Mario's health. If they reach zero, [[Game Over|the game is over]].
|style="text-align:left;"|Denote Mario's health. If they reach zero, [[Game Over|the game is over]].
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|style="text-align:left;"|Allow Mario and his party members to perform more potent attacks.
|style="text-align:left;"|Allow Mario and his party members to perform more potent moves.
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[File:PaperMarioBP.png]] [[Badge Point]]s (BP)
|style="text-align:left;"|[[File:PaperMarioBP.png]] [[Badge Point]]s (BP)

Revision as of 18:20, June 27, 2023

This article is about the first Paper Mario game for the Nintendo 64. For the series as a whole, see Paper Mario (series). For the character in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam based on Mario's appearance in the Paper Mario series, see Paper Mario (character). For the stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, see Paper Mario (stage).
Paper Mario
North American box art for Paper Mario
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Intelligent Systems
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U), Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online
Release date Nintendo 64:
Template:Release Virtual Console (Wii):
Template:Release Virtual Console (Wii U):
Template:Release Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online:
Template:Release[?]
Language(s) English (United States)
French (France)
German
Spanish (Spain)
Italian
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Genre RPG
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
Mode(s) Single-player
Input
Nintendo 64:
iQue Player:
Wii:
Wii U:
Nintendo Switch:

Paper Mario is a 2000 role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems for the Nintendo 64. It was later re-released for the iQue Player in 2004, the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007, the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2015, and Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online in 2021.

Paper Mario has the player taking control of Mario on his quest to rescue Princess Peach and save the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser, who has stolen the mythical Star Rod of Star Haven and used its wish-granting powers to make himself invincible. To stop Bowser and rescue Princess Peach, Mario and company must save the seven Star Spirits; magical beings who have been sealed in cards by Bowser with the power to nullify the Star Rod, as well as the original owners of the Star Rod.

Paper Mario's gameplay is a blend of traditional Japanese role-playing games and Super Mario-esque platforming features; Mario has the ability to jump in both the overworld and in battle, and jumping remains one of the most important actions in the game. The player controls Mario and a party of followers as they journey through the Mushroom Kingdom, exploring dungeons, managing stats, and battling enemies. The title refers to the game's arts and crafts aesthetic; nearly every character in the game is drawn as a flat 2D sprite, revealing itself as paper-thin when turning around, and many elements of the environments are also depicted as 2D sprites.

Paper Mario was initially in development for the Nintendo 64DD under the name Super Mario RPG 2[1] (also called Mario RPG 2[2] or Mario RPG 64[3]) and intended as a sequel to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Concept art posted by Super Mario RPG artist Kazuyuki Kurashima on his Instagram account in 2019 indicated that Samus Aran and Link from the Metroid and The Legend of Zelda franchises would have appeared alongside Super Mario characters.[4]

It later became the first installment of the Paper Mario series and would go on to receive several sequels; the first in the same style of gameplay (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door), followed by four differing games; Super Paper Mario changed the style of gameplay into a platformer, while Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Paper Mario: Color Splash, and Paper Mario: The Origami King went back to turn-based gameplay, albeit not exactly like the first entries in the series.

Storyline

Opening

The story opens with a place that lies far beyond the sky and far above the clouds, called Star Haven. Within the sanctuary of Star Haven lies the Star Rod, which can grant any and all wishes. The seven Star Spirits use this artifact to watch over and protect the Mushroom Kingdom. Until one day, Bowser and Kammy Koopa appear in the sanctuary. Bowser shatters the protective seal over the Star Rod and grabs it in hopes of using its power to defeat Mario. The Star Spirits are then trapped inside cards by Kammy Koopa.

Mario defending Princess Peach while Bowser attacks him.
Bowser attacking Mario in Peach's Castle.

Mario and Luigi receive an invitation to a party from Princess Peach. Upon arriving at the castle full of guests from all over the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario proceeds to meet the Princess. However, their meeting is interrupted by Bowser's Castle rising from the earth beneath Peach's Castle and lifting both buildings into space. Bowser and Kammy Koopa then appear to kidnap the princess. Mario attempts to fight off Bowser, but finds himself outmatched when Bowser takes out the Star Rod and uses it to make himself invincible. Mario is then cast out of a window and plummets back towards the ground, which allows Bowser to kidnap the Princess.

Prologue: A Plea from the Stars

The prologue begins with the seven Star Spirits manifesting over Mario on the ground, and use their remaining power to save his life. Mario's unconscious body is then found by a family of friendly Goombas, who carry him back to their village. While knocked out, he receives a vision from one of the Star Spirits, Eldstar, urging him to go to Shooting Star Summit. After waking up, Mario meets the Goomba family who found him, including Goombario, the family's son. Kammy Koopa appears to confirm that Mario is still alive, and blocks the gate out of Goomba Village with a yellow block. When Mario goes to get a hammer from Goompa, the family's grandfather, the balcony behind the house is missing. After a short venture that involves Mario saving Goompa and a battle with a local troublemaker called Jr. Troopa, Goompa requests that Goombario join Mario on his quest and together they leave Goomba Village by breaking the block using Goompa's hammer. While traveling Goomba Road, the connecting strip of land between Goomba Village and Toad Town, Mario and Goombario are confronted by the Goomba King and his two lackeys, the Red & Blue Goomba Bros. The protagonists manage to defeat them and reach Toad Town, where they continue on towards Shooting Star Summit.

Star Spirits on top of Shooting Star Summit
Mario conversing with the Star Spirits on Shooting Star Summit.

Atop the summit, Mario is greeted by manifestations of the Star Spirits, who tell Mario the story of how Bowser stole the Star Rod. They further explain that the cards in which they have been trapped are now divided among Bowser's forces, and that Mario must save and release them. In doing that, Mario will gain a power called the Star Beam, which can be used to break Bowser's invincibility and allows Mario to defeat him.

Meanwhile, in the sky, Princess Peach finds herself trapped in her room. Not knowing what to do, she wishes for someone to help her, which summons Twink, a Star Kid who only recently ascended to Star Haven. Though unable to help Peach deal with Bowser directly, he agrees to deliver the Lucky Star, Peach's magical pendant, to Mario and help in whichever way he can.

As Mario returns from Shooting Star Summit, Twink runs into him and delivers the Lucky Star which enables Mario to use Action Commands. Upon re-entering Toad Town, Mario learns that Merlon, the local fortune-teller, is looking for him. Merlon informs Mario that his search for the Star Spirits will lead him to the fortress east of Toad Town, where the Koopa Bros. are holding a Star Spirit captive.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese プロローグ 星とマリオとクリボーと・・・[?]
Purorōgu: Hoshi to Mario to Kuribō to...
Prologue: The Stars and Mario and the Goombas and...
Chinese 序言 来自星星的请求[?]
Xùyán: Láizì Xīngxīng de Qǐngqiú
Prologue: The Request from the Stars
German Prolog: Das Flehen der Sterne[?] Prologue: The Pleading of the Stars
Spanish Prólogo: La Súplica de las Estrellas[?] Prologue: The Plea of the Stars

Chapter 1: Storming Koopa Bros. Fortress

Kooper without his shell, as seen in Paper Mario.
Mario returning Kooper's shell.

After leaving town, Mario finds the way to the Koopa Bros. Fortress inaccessible to him, so he takes another path to Koopa Village. He arrives to see the local Koopa Troopas being harassed by Fuzzies, who are stealing their shells. One of the victims is Kooper, who asks Mario for assistance in getting his shell back. Upon returning it, Kooper is so grateful that he joins Mario's group.

Mario and Bombette inside the Koopa Bros. Fortress.

With the help of Kooper's special ability, Mario is able to reach the Koopa Bros. Fortress. During his assault on the fortress, he triggers a trapdoor which drops him into a prison cell full of Bob-ombs. One of them, Bombette, explains that they were working for the Koopa Bros. but then later got locked up for revolting against them. She helps Mario and his friends escape by blowing up a crack in the cell wall and decides to accompany him. The group travels to the top of the fortress where they confront the Koopa Bros.. They initially try to scare Mario off with a fake Bowser suit, but their attempt fails, so they decide to fight Mario in a direct battle. They are eventually defeated and knocked off the arena into the prison cell from earlier. With the Koopa Bros. defeated, Eldstar is released and adds his powers to Mario, teaching him the ability to use Focus, as well as the special move Refresh.

Peach and Twink finding Bowser's Diary.

Trapped in her castle in the sky, Peach remembers the existence of a secret passage that leads out of her room. She and Twink use it to leave the room and move to another room in the castle, where they find Bowser's diary. By reading it, Peach and Twink learn that another Star Spirit is being held captive in Dry Dry Desert. At that moment, Bowser enters the room and catches the Princess reading his diary. Enraged, he summons two guardsmen to escort her back to her room, while Twink quietly leaves the scene undetected to inform Mario of the next Star Spirit's location.

After returning to Toad Town, Mario and his friends head towards the train station in the south district of Toad Town, where Dry Dry Railroad leads to Mt. Rugged.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ1 こうりゃく!ノコブロスのとりで[?]
Sutēji 1: Kōryaku! Nokoburosu no Toride
Stage 1: Strike! Koopa Bros. Fortress
Chinese 第1章 夺取喏库兄弟要塞[?]
Dì 1 Zhāng: Duóqǔ Nuòkù Xiōngdì Yàosài
Chapter 1: Capture Koopa Bros. Fortress
German Kapitel 1: Schnapp Dir die Koopa Brüder[?] Chapter 1: Get the Koopa Brothers
Spanish Capítulo 1: A por la Fortaleza[?] Chapter 1: To the Fortress

Chapter 2: The Mystery of Dry, Dry Ruins

K64
Mario riding the K64 to Mt. Rugged.

At Mt. Rugged, a mountain beyond which the desert lies, Mario runs into Parakarry, a distressed mailman who has dropped letters all over the area and asks Mario for assistance. Mario accepts to find the letters, and Parakarry joins Mario's group out of gratitude.

Dry Dry Ruins
Dry Dry Ruins rising out of the sand.

After crossing Dry Dry Desert, Mario enters a settlement called Dry Dry Outpost. After exchanging some items for information, he meets with the town leader Moustafa, who hands him a Pulse Stone and tells him to let it guide him to the resting place of Dry Dry Ruins. Following the Pulse Stone's signal through the desert, Mario finds a stone pedestal to set the stone into. The entrance to Dry Dry Ruins rises out of the sand before Mario, and he enters the ruins.

Tutankoopa, Chain Chomp
Tutankoopa getting chased off by his own Chomp.

Inside, a ghostly wail tries to warn Mario against continuing his descent. Mario keeps going until he finds Tutankoopa, the source of the voice and the guardian of the second Star Spirit. After battling Mario and losing, he is chased out by his Chomp, allowing Mario to free the Star Spirit Mamar.

In Peach's Castle, Bowser visits the Princess in her room. He tells her that, with Tutankoopa defeated, he now intends to stop Mario by using Tubba Blubba, who is allegedly invincible. However, Kammy Koopa rushes in to tell Bowser that the Star Spirit guarded by Tubba Blubba has escaped. Once they leave, Peach and Twink hypothesize that even an invincible person must have a weakness. After some investigating, their theory is confirmed by an overheard conversation between Bowser's men, though Peach never learns what the weakness is exactly.

After returning to Toad Town, Mario finds a cowardly Toad guard who claims he saw a ghost vanish into Forever Forest. Mario investigates and meets Bootler, a servant of Lady Bow who requests Mario's presence in her mansion in the heart of the forest.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ2 アラビンいせきのなぞ[?]
Sutēji 2: Arabin Iseki no Nazo
Stage 2: Mystery of the Arabin Ruins
Chinese 第2章 干旱废墟的秘密[?]
Dì 2 Zhāng: Gānhàn Fèixū de Mìmì
Chapter 2: The secret of Dry Dry Ruins
German Kapitel 2: Wie der Wind der Wüste[?] Chapter 2: Like the Wind of the Desert
Spanish Capítulo 2: El Misterio de las Ruinas[?] Chapter 2: The Mystery of the Ruins

Chapter 3: The "Invincible" Tubba Blubba

Lady Bow, Bootler
Lady Bow and Bootler welcoming Mario.

Mario follows the invitation through the maze-like forest and finds the mansion he was referred to. After overcoming the challenges inside, Mario meets Lady Bow. He is told about Tubba Blubba, the threat he poses, and the secret that may be related to his weakness. Bow then uses the Star Spirit Skolar the Boos found and captured as leverage to get Mario to defeat Tubba Blubba. She also joins Mario because she is tired of seeing her fellow Boos suffering, and because Mario will need her to get to Tubba Blubba's Castle.

Tubba Blubba eating a Boo while Mario and Lady Bow hide in the Gusty Gulch
Tubba Blubba, about to eat a Boo.

The group leaves Forever Forest and heads towards Gusty Gulch. There, they witness Tubba Blubba attacking a ghost village and devouring a Boo. Mario and his friends follow Tubba Blubba to his castle and sneak their way up to the master bedroom. In a chest next to the bed, Mario finds Yakkey, a talkative key who tells them that he is the literal key to Tubba Blubba's secret inside Windy Mill. Yakkey concludes that Mario must be a thief, so he alerts Tubba Blubba of them. With a furious Tubba Blubba chasing them, Mario and his friends escape the castle, run all the way down to Windy Mill, and unlock it with the key.

Tubba's Heart
Tubba's Heart.

Inside Windy Mill they find Tubba Blubba's secret, which turns out to be his heart that has been controlling the body remotely. After Mario beats it, the heart escapes outside the mill, where Tubba Blubba's body has caught up with Mario. Heart and body re-unite and attempt to fight Mario again, but with the heart being back inside Tubba Blubba's body, he is vulnerable again. After his defeat, Tubba Blubba decides to release all the Boos he has eaten, and reveals he is really a sensitive guy who did not like being scared by the Boos. Lady Bow, pleased with the outcome, holds up her part of the bargain and frees Skolar.

In Peach's Castle, Twink and the Princess decide to sneak out of the bedroom again. They immediately run into Bowser and Kammy Koopa, who are discussing how Mario's next target will be Shy Guy's Toy Box, and pondering what the best way to defeat him there would be. Bowser then tries to coax Peach into telling him about Mario's secret weaknesses, and sends Kammy Koopa to impede his progress using this information.

Shy Guy stealing a key in Harry's Shop
A Shy Guy stealing the storeroom key.

After returning to Toad Town from his trip to Forever Forest, Mario finds the town overrun with Shy Guys stealing people's belongings. Mario and his friends are able to trace the source of the Shy Guy attacks to one of the vacant houses in the residential area. By hiding inside with Lady Bow's ability, Mario is able to observe one of the Shy Guys open a hidden door to a secret back room hiding the Shy Guy's Toy Box.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ3 ふじみのドガボン[?]
Sutēji 3: Fujimi no Dogabon
Stage 3: Dogabon the Immortal
(Dogabon is Tubba Blubba's Japanese name.)
Chinese 第3章 “无敌的”图巴・布路巴[?]
Dì 3 Zhāng: "Wúdí de" Túbā Bùlùbā
Chapter 3: The "Invincible" Tubba Blubba
German Kapitel 3: Der Unbezwingbare[?] Chapter 3: The Invincible
Spanish Capítulo 3: El "Invencible" Tubba Blubba[?] Chapter 3: The "Invincible" Tubba Blubba

Chapter 4: Trials in the Toy Box

Inside the toy box, Mario runs into obstacles he cannot overcome by himself, such as the railway system missing a train, or Gourmet Guy blocking the way. In these cases, Mario must fight Shy Guys, retrieve items that were stolen from Toad Town citizens, and return them to their owners. At certain points, Kammy Koopa appears and attempts to execute Bowser's plan by summoning obstacles related to the answers Peach gave as Mario's weaknesses.

Watt
Watt, freed from the lantern.

Eventually, Mario reaches Red Station, where he encounters and battles the Big Lantern Ghost, who upon defeat drops his lantern and flees. Inside the lantern is Watt, a Li'l Sparky who was captured by the Shy Guys and used as a light source. Being grateful for being rescued, Watt joins Mario's group.

General Guy
General Guy, ready for battle.

After that, Mario locates the Shy Guys' central base of operations, where he meets their leader, General Guy. He rallies his men and sends several waves of Shy Guy infantry against Mario and his friends, who dispatch them one after another, and eventually himself. After defeat, General Guy and his Shy Guys flee, leaving Mario able to rescue Muskular, the fourth Star Spirit.

Peach, Twink
Peach and Twink inside the castle kitchen.

In Peach's Castle, the Princess encounters Gourmet Guy during one of her secret trips outside of her room. Gourmet Guy tells Peach that he is technically obligated to let the guards know he saw her wandering around, but that he might look the other way if she went into the castle kitchen and baked him a cake. Peach complies and, with Twink's help, bakes a strawberry cake, which makes Gourmet Guy ecstatic. Once he regains his composure, he informs Peach that the next Star Spirit is being held on Lavalava Island, an island to the south. The Princess ends up being spotted by Kammy Koopa and escorted back to her room.

Whale
Mario riding the whale to Lavalava Island.

Mario heads to the Toad Town harbor where he meets Kolorado the archeologist and a whale. The whale offers to carry Mario and his friends over the ocean, but only if Mario enters his belly to cure a bellyache he has been having. Inside, Mario finds a Fuzzipede irritating the whale's belly. After fighting the Fuzzipede and getting it out of the whale's belly, Mario's group ride the whale to Lavalava Island, with Kolorado joining them to find treasure.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ4 とつげき!おもちゃばこ[?]
Sutēji 4: Totsugeki! Omochabako
Stage 4: Assault inside the Toy Box!
Chinese 第4章 玩具盒里的历练[?]
Dì 4 Zhāng: Wánjùhé lǐ de Lìliàn
Chapter 4: Trials in the Toy Box
German Kapitel 4: Spiel mit dem Zeug[?] Chapter 4: Playing with the stuff
Spanish Capítulo 4: La Misteriosa Caja de Juguetes[?] Chapter 4: The Mysterious Toy Box

Chapter 5: Hot, Hot Times on Lavalava Island

Raphael the Raven
Mario and Raphael the Raven.

On the island, Mario and Kolorado find the entrance to Mt. Lavalava inaccessible due to a lava river. They head to the nearby Yoshi's Village to ask the locals for information, but the village is in a state of panic because their kids went missing in Jade Jungle. Mario heads into the jungle to search for the missing children and finds their caretaker, Sushie, stuck in a tree. After being freed, she joins Mario to locate all of the missing Yoshis and bring them back to their parents. With the kids returned and the villagers pacified, Mario is able to talk to the Village Leader about reaching Mt. Lavalava. The Yoshi suggests seeking out Raphael the Raven in Jade Jungle. Mario finds Raphael on top of a large tree in an area accessible only with the Jade Raven. Raphael offers his assistance by summoning his Raven followers to construct a set of ropeways to help Mario across the lava river.

Misstar, Mario, and Kolorado escaping Mt. Lavalava
Mario narrowly escaping the volcanic eruption with Misstar's help.

Inside, Mario and Kolorado explore the caverns of Mt. Lavalava, with the former doing most of the work and the latter suffering various injuries while trying to be useful. Deep inside the volcano, they meet Lava Piranha, the guardian of the Star Spirit. Mario defeats it and releases Misstar, but at that moment the volcano starts to erupt. As they flee, Kolorado notices a treasure chest which he presumes contains the treasure he has been looking for. Before the lava reaches them, Misstar grabs him and Mario's group and escapes the volcano through the caldera. The treasure chest gets blown out of Mt. Lavalava and into Jade Jungle.

64th Trivia Quiz-Off
Peach in the 64th Trivia Quiz-Off.

In the meantime, Peach encounters Bowser's minions setting up a quiz show. Since they are one player short, they ask Peach to participate. During the show, several of the questions reveal that there is a Star Spirit held captive in a place called Flower Fields. For her participation in the game she is handed a Sneaky Parasol, an item that can copy the appearance of whoever the holder is facing. Before she can make any use of it, Bowser enters the room, spots the Princess, and has her escorted back to her room.

In Toad Town, Twink informs Mario that the sixth Star Spirit is hidden in Flower Fields. To get there, Mario must find the four Magical Seeds from the Bub-ulbs across the world. Kolorado has found one, which he trades for Mt. Lavalava's treasure in the chest, the Volcano Vase. Planting the Magical Seeds in Toad Town creates the doorway to Flower Fields.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ5 南の海のジャンボル島[?]
Sutēji 5: Minami no umi no Janboru Tō
Stage 5: Jambol Island of the south sea
Chinese 第5章 南海中的火山岛[?]
Dì 5 Zhāng: Nánhǎi Zhōng de Huǒshān Dǎo
Chapter 5: Volcano Island in the South Sea
German Kapitel 5: Aloha auf Lavalava-Eiland[?] Chapter 5: Welcome to Lavalava Island
(Aloha is Hawaiian for "welcome".)
Spanish Capítulo 5: Calor en la Isla Lavalava[?] Chapter 5: Heat in Lavalava Island

Chapter 6: Dark Days in Flower Fields

Mario and Lakilester in Flower Fields.
Mario and Lakilester in Flower Fields after the clouds are dispelled.

When Mario enters the Flower Fields, he sees the place shrouded in clouds. The Wise Wisterwood tells Mario that the clouds are the result of Huff N. Puff, who is using his Puff Puff Machine to cover Flower Fields in clouds. Because of this, the Sun cannot rise to the sky. Mario thus needs to destroy the Puff Puff Machine to make the Sun rise to the sky, and help the local flowers to acquire a Magical Bean, Miracle Water and Fertile Soil. These will create a beanstalk up to the Cloudy Climb where Huff N. Puff is hiding with the Star Spirit. Mario also meets a strange Lakitu called Lakilester who insists his name is Michael, and then Spike. He fights Mario under the orders of Huff N. Puff, but after losing, he decides to join Mario because he sees no reason in working for Huff N. Puff. He then fights a group of Lakitus and destroys the Puff Puff Machine, before planting the Magical Bean. When the beanstalk is grown, Mario heads to the Cloudy Climb and defeats Huff N. Puff for the sixth Star Spirit, Klevar.

Back at the castle, Peach uses the Sneaky Parasol to turn herself into one of the guards, allowing her to move around the castle without fear of getting caught. Peach then learns that Kammy Koopa has finished preparations for something to defeat Mario. Before she can find out what it is, however, Kammy notices a peculiar smell coming from her disguise and turns her back to normal with a spell. She is then taken back to her room yet again.

Back in Toad Town, Mario finds a Ninji waiting for him at Merlon's house. The Ninji informs that Merle of Starborn Valley has something important to tell Mario, and that he must go there. Mario finds a Warp Pipe to Shiver City in Toad Town Tunnels.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ6 花と雲につつまれて[?]
Sutēji 6: Hana to Kumo ni Tsutsumarete
Stage 6: Shrouded in clouds and flowers
Chinese 第6章 黑暗中的鲜花原野[?]
Dì 6 Zhāng: Hēi'àn Zhōng de Xiānhuā Yuányě
Chapter 6: Flower Fields in the Darkness
German Kapitel 6: Tränen auf Blütenblättern[?] Chapter 6: Tears on Petals
Spanish Capítulo 6: Flores y Nubes...[?] Chapter 6: Flowers and Clouds...

Chapter 7: A Star Spirit on Ice

Mario and Bombette inside the Crystal Palace.

In Shiver City, Mario finds out that he cannot go to Starborn Valley unless the Mayor grants him permission. However, he finds the Mayor unconscious on the floor and becomes a suspect for the Mayor's murder. With novelist Herringway's help, the truth is revealed: the Mayor was knocked out by the falling box containing a gift for the novelist. With the mystery solved, the Mayor allows Mario to go to Starborn Valley.

On the way to Starborn Valley, Mario faces Jr. Troopa again, as well as a mini-boss called Monstar.

Once Mario reaches the Starborn Valley, he meets Merle, who tells Mario to go to the Crystal Palace, where the seventh Star Spirit is being held. He then gives Mario a scarf, telling him to use it on something special, then telling Mario to go and ask Mayor Penguin for the other special item, a bucket. Mario goes to a line of snowmen on the path between Shiver City and Starborn Valley, one missing a scarf and the other missing a hat. Mario gives the items to the respective owners. The snowmen thank him and open the way to the Crystal Palace. Along the way to the palace, they meet the spirit of Madam Merlar, who gives Mario the Star Stone, to reach the palace. Once they reach the Crystal King at the palace's back, Mario defeats him for the final Star Spirit, Kalmar.

In Peach's Castle, Kammy Koopa informs Bowser that Mario now has all seven Star Spirits. Bowser orders the Koopa Troop to their battle stations and has the princess tied up to keep her out of mischief. Twink tries attacking him, but Bowser simply swats him out of the window.

Meanwhile, Mario and the team reach Star Haven with the help of the seven Star Spirits, acquire the Star Beam, and use the power of the Star Spirits to travel to Bowser's Castle.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ7 さいはての地へ[?]
Sutēji 7: Saihate no chi e
Stage 7: To the end of the Earth
Chinese 第7章 冰雪中的星之魂[?]
Dì 7 Zhāng: Bīngxuě Zhōng de Xīngzhīhún
Chapter 7: Star Spirit in the Ice
German Kapitel 7: Kristallene Träume[?] Chapter 7: Crystalline Dreams
Spanish Capítulo 7: Una Estrella Congelada[?] Chapter 7: A Frozen Star

Chapter 8: A Star-Powered Showdown!

Mario, Goombario, Bowser, Princess Peach, and Kammy Koopa on the Power Platform.
Kammy Koopa activates the Power Platform as the final battle begins.

After going through Bowser's Castle, falling for traps, solving puzzles and getting attacked by Jr. Troopa one last time in the process, Mario and his team find Princess Peach and Bowser in the same place where Mario first encountered Bowser at the start of the game. The Star Beam lets Mario negate Bowser's invincibility and beat him, but Bowser takes his loss as a warm-up and flees with Peach to the castle roof, followed by Mario. Kammy Koopa activates her creation, the Power Platform, to pump Bowser up in both power and size; when he powers up with the Star Rod, Mario finds that the Star Beam is now ineffective.

Meanwhile, Twink frees the Princess, and the two battle Kammy. As Peach uses Focus, Twink slowly becomes stronger to the point where he becomes immune to Kammy's attacks. Kammy remembers before her defeat that the Stars get their power from the wishes of ordinary people. Twink urges the Princess to make a wish for everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom while he goes to help Mario and the Star Spirits. Peach's wish fills the Star Spirits with more power; thus enabled, as Mario recovers, the Spirits upgrade the Star Beam to Peach Beam, which cuts through Bowser's enhanced power. After a lengthy battle with Bowser that ultimately leaves the Koopa King defeated, Mario returns the Star Rod to the Star Spirits. The Power Platform and Bowser's Castle begin to self-destruct, but the Star Spirits protect Peach's Castle from the explosion and restore it to its spot.

Mario and Peach riding a float at the end of the game.

Several days later, Mario, his partners, and many others receive invitations from Princess Peach for another party. After a speech by Peach where she thanks everyone for their collective effort in restoring the peace to the Mushroom Kingdom, the staff credits begin to roll as the scene switches to a parade with nearly the entire cast participating. At the end, Mario and Peach walk to Mario's House and watch a fireworks display, which continues on until the player turns off or resets the game console.

Names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ステージ8 たいけつ!大魔王クッパ[?]
Sutēji 8: Taiketsu! Daimaō Kuppa
Stage 8: Showdown! Demon King Koopa
Chinese 第8章 与酷霸王的最后决战![?]
Dì 8 Zhāng: Yǔ Kùbàwáng de Zuìhòu Juézhàn!
Chapter 8: Final Battle with Bowser!
German Kapitel 8: Showdown unter Sternen[?] Chapter 8: Showdown under the Stars
Spanish Capítulo 8: ¡El Malvado Rey Bowser![?] Chapter 8: The Evil King Bowser!

Gameplay

Mario and Lady Bow inside of Boo Mansion.
Mario, his party member Lady Bow, and a Boo NPC.

For the majority of the game, the player controls Mario as he travels through various locations in the Mushroom Kingdom. The game is divided into chapters, with each chapter generally being set in a different area. Many of these areas contain NPCs and/or enemies. Some NPCs, such as Tayce T., can provide Mario and his party with services.

On his way, Mario and his friends use various abilities that help them progress on their adventure. Mario can jump to reach higher ground, traverse gaps, or reach blocks floating above his head. Early on, Mario obtains a hammer that is used to break larger blocks and other obstacles. Throughout the game, the player will obtain special items that upgrade Mario's jump and hammer and give him new abilities.

At the end of each chapter, an interlude occurs in which the player takes control of Princess Peach. Peach does not have access to Mario's abilities, party members, or inventory. Items picked up as Peach can be deposited in the Mysterious Treasure Chest in the castle storage room so they can later be picked up by Mario from the chest's counterpart at Merluvlee's Place.

Controls

Overworld

  • Control Stick – Move
  • A Button – Jump / Talk / Investigate
  • B Button – Hammer
  • Z ButtonSpin Dash
  • Up C Button – Toggle HUD
  • Right C Button – Open Party Member menu
  • Left C Button – Open inventory
  • Down C Button – Party Member ability
  • START Button – Open game menu

Menu

  • Control Stick – Move cursor
  • A Button – Confirm
  • B Button – Cancel
  • Z Button – Move to left register
  • R Button – Move to right register
  • START Button – Close menu

Battle

  • Control Stick – Move cursor / Used in Action Commands
  • A Button – Confirm / Used in Action Commands
  • B Button – Cancel / Used in Action Commands
  • Z Button – Change attack order
  • Down C Button – Used in Action Commands

As Princess Peach

Mario's stats

Stat Initial value Min. value Max. value Function
Mario
Mario
Stats screen level icon Level 1 1 27 Indicates Mario's progress overall. With each new level, the player may increase HP, FP, or BP.
Stats screen HP icon Heart Points (HP) 10 5 50 Denote Mario's health. If they reach zero, the game is over.
Stats screen FP icon Flower Points (FP) 5 5 50 Allow Mario and his party members to perform more potent moves.
PaperMarioBP.png Badge Points (BP) 3 3 30 Determine which and how many Badges Mario can equip.
Stats screen Star Energy icon Star Energy 0 0 7 Used to fuel Special Moves. Unavailable until at least one Star Spirit (Eldstar) has been rescued.
Image of a Star Point, from Paper Mario. Star Points 0 0 100 Denote Mario's progress towards the next level. They are awarded after battles and collecting 100 of them makes Mario level up.
Sprite of a Coin, from Paper Mario. Coins 0 0 999 Dropped by enemies, found in ? Blocks and other places. They are used to purchase items.
A Star Piece, from Paper Mario. Star Pieces 0 0 160 Can be found in hidden places or received from NPCs. Mario can exchange them for Badges with Merlow.
Stats screen Play Time icon Play Time 0:00 0:00 99:59 Measures for how long the player has played the game. It has no effect on gameplay.

Upgrades

Item Location Effect
Boots
Boots
Available from the start The Boots allow Mario to use the jump command in battle. His jump attack deals 1 point of damage without attack modifiers and hits twice if timed correctly.
SuperBoots PM.png
Super Boots
Boo's Mansion The Super Boots allow Mario to use the Spin Jump which can break through wooden floor panels and reveal hidden panels containing Star Pieces. They also upgrade the strength of his jump attack, making it deal 2 points of damage per hit at base power. The jump hits twice if the action command is executed.
UltraBoots PM.png
Ultra Boots
Toad Town Tunnels The Ultra Boots upgrade the Spin Jump to the Tornado Jump which retains its previous ability and allows Mario to get some extra height for his jumps. They also upgrade the strength of his jump attack, making it deal 3 points of damage per hit at base power. The jump hits twice if the action command is executed.
Hammer
Hammer
Goomba Village The Hammer allows Mario to break Yellow Blocks and use the hammer command in battle. His base hammer attack deals 1 point of damage (2 if timed correctly).
Super Hammer
Super Hammer
Dry Dry Ruins The Super Hammer allows Mario to break Stone Blocks and upgrades the base strength of his hammer attack power to 2 (4 if timed correctly).
Ultra Hammer
Ultra Hammer
Mt. Lavalava The Ultra Hammer allows Mario to break Metal Blocks, reveal hidden panels containing Star Pieces, and upgrades the base strength of his hammer attack power to 3 (6 if timed correctly).
UltraStone PM.png
Ultra Stone
Jade Jungle The Ultra Stone enables Mario to use Super Blocks to upgrade party members to Ultra Rank.
PM Sneaky Parasol.png
Sneaky Parasol
Peach's Castle With this item, Princess Peach can copy the appearance of any NPC she is facing in her castle.

Objects

A list of reoccurring devices that Mario can encounter during his quest. Some of them are beneficial and help the player by making traveling easier, containing items, or making Mario and his friends stronger. Others serve as obstacles and require a specific ability, item, or party member to overcome.

Beneficial objects

Object Effect
PM Save Block Render.png
Save Block
Hitting this block with a jump allows the player to save the game.
A Heart Block.
Heart Block
This block refills Mario's Heart Points and Flower Points when activated. Unlike Toad Houses though, it does not refill Star Power.
Super Block
Super Block
There are 16 Super Blocks in the game in total. They can be used to upgrade party members and making them stronger in battle.
Treasure Chest
Treasure Chest
Treasure chests contain valuable items, Badges, or keys. The bigger variants contain upgrades for Mario's jump and hammer abilities.
A ? Block? Block (badge)
? Block
Mario can reveal the contents of these blocks by jumping beneath them or hitting them with a hammer. The yellow ones contain coins or items, while the red ones contain Badges.
Hidden Block
Hidden Block
The same as a regular ? Block, except it is invisible. Mario can use Watt's overworld ability to make them visible. A list of all 47 hidden blocks can be found here.
PaperMarioBrickBlock.png
Brick Block
These can be broken by jumping beneath them or with the hammer. Some ? Blocks are disguised as Brick Blocks.
A trampoline from PM.
Jump pad
By jumping on a jump pad, Mario's jump gains some extra height. The blue ones allow the player to retain control of Mario's jump while the red ones launch him towards a fixed location.
Warp Pipe
Warp Pipe
Warp Pipes can be used for traveling between certain areas. Blue pipes serve as shortcuts to remote towns and have to be unlocked in Toad Town Tunnels before they can be used.

Obstacles

Object Effect
Yellow Block
Yellow block
Requires Hammer to break.
Stone Block
Stone block
Requires Super Hammer to break.
Metal Block
Metal block
Requires Ultra Hammer to break.
Floor barricade (conjectural name)
Floor barricade
These can be broken with the Spin Jump or Tornado Jump.
! Switch
! Switch
Switches trigger various events when hit or jumped on and are often involved in puzzles. The blue ones vanish after being triggered, while the red ones can be activated multiple times.
Door lock (conjectural name)
Door lock
These can be found on certain doors. They require a key to be unlocked.
Cracked rock (conjectural name)
Cracked object
Walls or other objects with visible cracks in them can be blown up by Bombette's Bomb ability.
Wooden dock
Wooden platform
These can be found on the edges of bodies of water. When near them, Mario can use Sushie's overworld ability to swim.

Party members

An important part of Paper Mario is the party member system. Throughout his journey, Mario befriends various residents of the Mushroom Kingdom who join him on his quest, known as party members. Every party member has an overworld ability that can be used by pressing Down C Button and usually serves to aid in traversing the landscape in some way, such as Parakarry's flight or Watt's ability to light up dark areas and reveal hidden blocks. Additionally, party members can aid Mario in battle by using various moves, many of which are based on their overworld abilities.

Ranking-up party members

Each party member joins Mario at their most basic rank and is able to choose from two moves in battle. If the player manages to locate a Super Block, they may upgrade one of their currently available party members to the next rank, which increases the damage output of all their attacks and lets them learn a new move.

The first time a party member is upgraded, they advance to Super Rank. To upgrade them even further, Mario needs to be in possession of the Ultra Stone, which allows party members to reach Ultra Rank. At Ultra Rank, each party member has four moves and cannot be upgraded further. There are 16 Super Blocks in the game in total, enough to advance every party member to their final rank.

List of party members

Name Info Overworld ability
Goombario from Paper Mario.
Goombario
  • Goombario is a young Goomba from Goomba Village and Mario's self-proclaimed biggest fan.
  • Very eager to impress his idol, he joins Mario immediately after his grandfather Goompa requests it.
  • Joins in: Goomba Village
  • Goombario can be asked for information about the area he and Mario are standing in at the time.
  • When this is used while Mario faces someone else, Goombario shares his knowledge or impression of the character.
Goombario's Battle information
Headbonk
(0 FP)
  • Attacks 1 enemy with a headbutt.
  • Spiked or burning enemies will injure Goombario.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button just before making contact with the enemy.
Tattle
(0 FP)
  • Provides information about the targeted enemy type.
  • Displays HP of all subsequently encountered enemies of that type.
Charge
(1 FP)
  • Raises Goombario's next attack power by 2.
  • Stackable.
Multibonk
(3 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy consecutively until the action command is failed.
  • Spiked or burning enemies will injure Goombario.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button every hit just before making contact with the enemy.
    • Missing a button press cancels the attack.
Kooper from Paper Mario.
Kooper
  • Kooper is an aspiring Koopa Troopa adventurer from Koopa Village.
  • He greatly admires his neighbor Kolorado and joins Mario to follow in the archeologist's footsteps.
  • Joins in: Koopa Village
  • Kooper withdraws into his shell and allows Mario to launch him forward in a straight line.
  • This ability can activate switches, attack enemies, and grab items remotely.
Kooper's Battle information
Shell Toss
(0 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy on the ground.
  • Can only target the first ground-bound enemy.
  • Action command: Holding Control Stick left until the red star mark appears, then releasing it.
Power Shell
(3 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies on the ground.
  • Action command: Holding Control Stick left until the red star mark appears, then releasing it.
Dizzy Shell
(4 FP)
  • Targets all enemies on the ground and has a chance to inflict dizziness.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Fire Shell
(5 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies on the ground.
  • Does two points of bonus damage to ice enemies and permanently defeats Dry Bones.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Bombette from Paper Mario.
Bombette
  • Bombette is a rebellious Bob-omb who was thrown into the Koopa Bros. Fortress dungeon after violently disagreeing with her poor work conditions.
  • She joins Mario as thanks for helping her escape her predicament.
  • Joins in: Koopa Bros. Fortress
  • Bombette walks forward for a while and then explodes.
  • The explosion can destroy cracked walls or boulders and can also attack enemies.
Bombette's Battle information
Body Slam
(0 FP)
  • Attacks 1 enemy on the ground.
  • Can only target the first ground-bound enemy.
  • Action command: Holding A Button until the red star mark appears, then releasing it.
Bomb
(3 FP)
  • Attacks 1 enemy on the ground.
  • Can only target the first ground-bound enemy.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Power Bomb
(6 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies on the ground.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Mega Bomb
(8 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies regardless of their position.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Parakarry from Paper Mario.
Parakarry
  • Parakarry is a Paratroopa mailman working for the Toad Town Post Office.
  • He has a reputation for being slow and tends to drop the letters he is supposed to deliver.
  • He joins Mario in exchange for help with looking for his lost letters.
  • Joins in: Mt. Rugged
  • Parakarry grabs hold of Mario and carries him over gaps that are too wide for him to jump over by himself.
Parakarry's Battle information
Sky Dive
(0 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy with a kick regardless of position.
  • Spiked or burning enemies will injure Parakarry.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button just before making contact with the enemy.
Shell Shot
(3 FP)
  • Parakarry withdraws into his shell and attacks one enemy regardless of position.
  • Action command: Holding Control Stick left until targeting reticule lines up with the enemy.
    • Failing the action command causes this attack to miss.
Air Lift
(3 FP)
  • May remove one enemy from the battle.
  • Bosses and spiked or burning enemies are unaffected by this attack.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Air Raid
(6 FP)
  • Parakarry withdraws into his shell and attacks all enemies regardless of their position and ignores their defense rating.
  • Action command: Tapping Control Stick left repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Lady Bow from Paper Mario.
Lady Bow
  • Lady Bow is an aristocratic Boo who owns the haunted mansion in Forever Forest.
  • She first enlists Mario's help against Tubba Blubba by blackmailing him and then stays with him because she feels like it.
  • Joins in: Boo's Mansion
  • Lady Bow can make Mario and herself intangible and undetectable.
  • This can be used to sneak past enemies or in some cases move through solid objects.
Lady Bow's Battle information
Smack
(0 FP)
  • Repeatedly attacks one enemy regardless of position.
  • Action command: Tapping Control Stick left repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Outta Sight
(2 FP)
  • Makes Mario and herself immune to all enemy attacks.
  • Using this move renders her unable to act during the following turn.
Spook
(3 FP)
  • Targets all enemies and may scare them from the battle.
  • Bosses are unaffected by this attack.
  • Action command: Tapping Control Stick left repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Fan Smack
(5 FP)
  • Repeatedly attacks one enemy regardless of position.
  • Action command: Tapping Control Stick left repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Watt from Paper Mario.
Watt
  • Mario holds Watt in front of him, which illuminates dark areas and reveals the positions of hidden blocks.
Watt's Battle information
Electro Dash
(0 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy regardless of position.
  • The attack ignores the enemy's defense rating.
  • Action command: Holding A Button until the red star mark appears, then releasing it.
Power Shock
(2 FP)
  • Targets one enemy and may immobilize it.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Turbo Charge
(3 FP)
  • Temporarily raises the damage of all of Mario's attacks by one point.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button every time a red star mark lights up.
Mega Shock
(5 FP)
  • Targets all enemies and may immobilize them.
  • Action command: Pressing both A Button and B Button together repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Sushie from Paper Mario.
Sushie
  • Sushie is a mother Cheep Cheep who lives on Lavalava Island and serves as a caretaker for the local Yoshi children.
  • Enamored by Mario's quest to rescue his love interest, she decides to accompany him.
  • Joins in: Jade Jungle
  • When standing at a wooden platform near water, Mario can jump on Sushie's back and ride her through the water.
  • Pressing Down C Button again makes her dive underwater.
Sushie's Battle information
Belly Flop
(0 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy on the ground or in the air.
  • Action command: Holding Control Stick left until the red star mark appears, then releasing it.
Squirt
(3 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy with water.
  • It causes 2 points of bonus damage to fire-based enemies.
  • Action command: Holding A Button to fill up gauge without letting it overflow.
Water Block
(3 FP)
  • Temporarily raises Mario's defense by one point.
  • Raises Mario's defense by two for fiery attacks.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button every time a red star mark lights up.
Tidal Wave
(6 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies regardless of position.
  • It causes 2 points of bonus damage to fire-based enemies.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button, B Button, and Down C Button as shown.
Lakilester from Paper Mario.
Lakilester
  • Lakilester allows Mario to ride on his back, moving faster than Mario's walking speed.
  • His cloud can transport them over hazardous surfaces such as spikes or lava.
Lakilester's Battle information
Spiny Flip
(0 FP)
  • Attacks one enemy regardless of position.
  • Action command: Moving a cursor with Control Stick and aligning it with the enemy.
    • If the cursor is not properly aligned, the attack fails.
Spiny Surge
(4 FP)
  • Attacks all enemies regardless of position.
  • Action command: Tapping Control Stick left repeatedly to fill up gauge.
Cloud Nine
(4 FP)
  • Temporarily boosts Mario's evasiveness, making enemy attacks miss randomly.
  • Action command: Pressing A Button every time a red star mark lights up.
Hurricane
(5 FP)
  • Targets all enemies and may blow them from the battle.
  • Bosses are unaffected by this attack.
  • Action command: Pressing both A Button and B Button together repeatedly to fill up gauge.

Battle system

The battle interface of Paper Mario.

Paper Mario uses a turn-based side-view battle system. Enemies are visible on the overworld and initiate a battle if the player makes contact with them. The manner in which this happens also determines whether the battle starts in Mario's or the enemies' favor; successfully attacking an enemy on the overworld nets Mario a preemptive hit on an enemy, referred to as a first strike, whereas getting hit by an enemy attack gives the enemy a free turn to damage Mario before the fight starts proper.

On the battle screen itself, Mario and one party member of his choice find themselves on the left side of the screen, with the enemy group occupying the right side. What kind of enemies Mario faces is determined by which type of enemy initiated the battle on the overworld, with several different formations being possible.

Mario with low health.

To win a battle, the player must eliminate all enemies on the opposite side, either by defeating them or by making them run away. An enemy counts as defeated if their Heart Points (HP) are dropped to zero. Likewise, if Mario's HP drop to zero without a Life Shroom in his inventory, the battle is lost. The player can keep track of Mario's HP and various other stats with the battle statistic on the top side of the screen.

During battle, the player and the enemies take turns attacking. The damage an attack will do is determined by the attack's power minus the target's defense rating. During the player's turn, Mario and the currently active party member each get an action, the order being changeable by pressing Z Button.

Mario's action

Mario's main attack options all fall into the two categories of "hammer" and "jump". The condition of the targeted enemy may make one or both of these options either inaccessible or inadvisable. Hammer attacks have a limited range and can only attack the first ground-bound enemy of a group. Jump attacks on the other hand can reach past enemies standing in the way, or attack enemies flying out of reach, but jumping on a spiked or otherwise hazardous foe cancels the attack and makes Mario take 1 HP of damage.

Both hammer and jump attacks can be customized by outfitting Mario with certain Badges. Custom hammer or jump attacks usually consume Flower Points (FP) and cannot be used if the required amount is not available.

Mario using the special move Star Storm

Once unlocked by finding the correlating Star Spirits, Mario is also able to use special moves. These can have a wide variety of effects depending on the move used, but all of them consume a certain amount of Star Power (SP). Mario's SP is represented by a series of colored bars at the top of the screen, and each bar equals one unit. A small amount of SP is regained with each turn, but more may be restored by using the Focus command.

Aside from hammer and jump attacks or special moves, Mario can also use items from his inventory, do nothing, or attempt to run away. During an escape attempt, a bar appears that may be anywhere between empty and completely full, depending on the number and level of enemies. The player can slowly fill the bar by repeatedly tapping A Button. While escaping is in progress, an indicator slides back and forth between the right and left side of the bar until it stops. If it stops on the filled portion of the bar, the escape attempt is successful and Mario returns to the overworld (while losing a few coins in the process). Otherwise Mario wastes his action and the battle continues.

Party member action

Goombario using his Tattle ability

The party member's options are more limited than Mario's, but can be increased by equipping Badges. Under normal circumstances, a party member can either attack or do nothing, the latter of which skips their action. Depending on their level, a party member can have up to four attacks in their repertoire. At least one of these attacks is always free to use, whereas other, more potent attacks cost Flower Points.

The party members do not have their own FP and instead draw from the same pool as Mario does. Special care has to be taken with party members who use jump-type attacks, because they are susceptible to the same hazards as Mario's jump command, which means the party member can get injured by jumping on certain enemies.

Only one party member can be used during battle, but the currently active one can be swapped out for a different party member during battle. This uses a turn unless the Quick Change Badge is equipped.

Enemy action

Mario, Kooper, Pokeys
Mario being hit by an attack.

After both Mario and his party member have taken their actions, all able enemies will then attack one after another. In most cases, enemies will target Mario, but some attacks can hit the party member, either separately or additionally to Mario. Since Mario's party members do not have HP themselves, every time they get hit, they will acquire the injured status effect, which prevents them from taking action for a few turns.

Once all enemies have attacked, the current turn ends and the next one starts from the beginning again, with the player choosing Mario and his party member's actions.

Status effects

Some items and attacks afflict their targets with conditions that affect their battle performance. In most cases, these status effects are temporary and the number of turns they will last is denoted along with an icon that indicates what the status effect is. Status effects only apply in battle and wear off once the player returns to the overworld.

Regular effects

Appearance Name Effect
Attack up icon Attack power up Boosts the damage of all attacks by the specified amount.
Defense up icon Defense up Reduces damage from incoming attacks by the specified amount.
Dizzy effect icon Dizzy The target is unable to execute actions until the effect wears off.
Frozen effect icon Frozen
Immobilized effect icon Immobilized
Paralysis effect icon Paralyzed
Sleepy effect icon Sleepy
Electrified effect icon Electrified If the target is hit by a contact attack, the attacker receives one point of damage. If the attack is part of a sequence, it will be canceled after the first hit.
Invisible effect icon Invisible Forces all attacks against the target to miss.
Poison effect icon Poison The target's sprite gets a green tint and they take one point of damage every turn.
Tiny effect icon Tiny The target is shrunk and the power of their attacks is cut in half.

Unique effects

Appearance Name Effect
Cloud Nine Cloud Nine Mario is encased in a cloud which randomly causes enemy attacks to miss.
Danger icon

Tired (Danger/Peril) Mario in the game Paper Mario.
Danger This state triggers when Mario's HP are equal to or less than 5. It has no immediate effect on battle, but some Badges require him to be in this state to work.
Flipped Koopa Troopa Flipped A state unique to shell-wearing enemies and Clefts. An enemy that has been flipped upside-down has reduced defense and may not be able to attack for one or more turns.
Goombario injured Injured This state is exclusive to party members and triggers every time they take damage. An injured party member is immobilized and cannot be switched out until the effect wears off.
Peril icon

Tired (Danger/Peril) Mario in the game Paper Mario.
Peril This state triggers when Mario's HP drops down to 1. It has no immediate effect on battle, but some Badges require him to be in this state to work.
Stone Cap Mario Stone Mario becomes impervious to all enemy attacks, but also cannot move.

Action Commands

After Mario receives the Lucky Star at the foot of Shooting Star Summit, the player is able to use action commands in battle. From then on, whenever Mario or his party member execute an attack, a prompt shows up and input from the player is required. If the action command is successful, attacks will do bonus damage or have other additional effects.

Likewise, if during an enemy's turn the player presses A Button right before an attack connects, Mario will guard against it and the damage will be reduced by 1. Additionally, if an enemy attack would cause a status effect, successfully guarding against it cancels the effect.

End of battle

Mario leveling up in Paper Mario.
With every 100th Star Point comes a new level.

Once all enemies have been eliminated, Mario receives experience in form of Star Points. The amount of Star Points received depends on the levels of the defeated enemies as well as that of Mario himself, and may be anywhere between none and 100. Whenever Mario's Star Point count reaches 100, his level increases by one and the player gets to choose whether to increase Heart Points, Flower Points, or Badge Points. Once any statistic is maxed out, it is impossible to give further points to that specific statistic.

After the battle ends, the game shifts back to the overworld. The enemy that triggered the battle disappears and leaves behind coins, hearts or flowers that restore HP and FP respectively, or items.

Items

Items in Paper Mario come in two categories: Regular items and key items.

Regular items are helpful goodies with a variety of effects, like restoring HP or FP, or dealing damage to enemies. This type of item is commonly sold in shops. They also occasionally get dropped by defeated enemies, can be found in ? Blocks, or acquired by having Tayce T. cook.

Mario can carry up to ten of these items, and they can be used by pressing Left C Button. If an eleventh item is picked up, one of the other 10 has to be discarded before it can be added to the inventory. Up to 32 regular items can be stored by using the check system in shops.

Key items are unique objects that are used to progress through the story, or for the completion of sidequests. They are listed separately from regular items and do not affect Mario's carrying capacity. If a situation requires a key item and Mario has said item in his possession, a prompt shows up and the item can be given away. Key items stay with Mario until they are needed; They cannot be dropped, sold, or stored.

Regular items

Item Effect
A red apple from Paper Mario.
Apple
Restores 5 HP.
Apple Pie that appeared in Paper Mario
Apple Pie
Restores 5 HP and 15 FP.
A Big Cookie that appears in Paper Mario
Big Cookie
Restores 20 FP.
PaperMario Items BlandMeal.png
Bland Meal
Restores 10 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items BlueBerry.png
Blue Berry
Restores 5 FP and is necessary to pass through the blue flower gate in Flower Fields.
PaperMario Items BoiledEgg.png
Boiled Egg
Restores 8 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items BubbleBerry.png
Bubble Berry
Restores 5 FP and is necessary to use the Bubble Plant in Flower Fields.
PaperMario Items Cake.png
Cake
Restores 15 FP and is necessary to get past Gourmet Guy in Shy Guy's Toy Box.
PaperMario Items CakeMix.png
Cake Mix
Restores 1 FP. Synergizes well with other cooking ingredients.
A Coconut
Coconut
Deals 3 HP of damage to a single enemy, ignoring its Defense Power.
PaperMario Items CocoPop.png
Coco Pop
Restores 3 HP and 15 FP.
PaperMario Items DeluxeFeast.png
Deluxe Feast
Restores 40 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items DizzyDial.png
Dizzy Dial
May inflict dizziness on all enemies.
A Dried Fruit that appears in Paper Mario
Dried Fruit
Restores 15 HP.
PaperMario Items DriedPasta.png
Dried Pasta
Restores 3 HP and 2 FP.
PaperMario Items DriedShroom.png
Dried Shroom
Restores 1 HP.
PaperMario Items DustyHammer.png
Dusty Hammer
Deals 1 HP of damage to a single enemy, ignoring its Defense Power.
An egg in Paper Mario
Egg
Restores 5 HP.
An Egg Missile that appears in Paper Mario
Egg Missile
Deals 6 HP of explosion damage to a single enemy, ignoring its Defense Power.
PaperMario Items ElectroPop.png
Electro Pop
Restores 15 HP and electrifies Mario if used in battle.
PaperMario Items FireFlower.png
Fire Flower
Deals 3 HP of fire damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power.
PaperMario Items FirePop.png
Fire Pop
Restores 20 FP, but deals 1 HP of damage to Mario when used.
PaperMario Items FriedEgg.png
Fried Egg
Restores 10 HP.
PaperMario Items FriedShroom.png
Fried Shroom
Restores 6 HP and 2 FP.
PaperMario Items FrightJar.png
Fright Jar
May make all enemies flee.
PaperMario Items FrozenFries.png
Frozen Fries
Restores 15 HP.
PaperMario Items Goomnut.png
Goomnut
Restores 3 FP.
PaperMario Items HealthyJuice.png
Healthy Juice
Restores 40 FP.
PaperMario Items HoneyCandy.png
Honey Candy
Restores 20 FP.
PaperMario Items HoneyShroom.png
Honey Shroom
Restores 5 HP and 5 FP.
PaperMario Items HoneySuper.png
Honey Super
Restores 10 HP and 5 FP.
Honey Syrup from Paper Mario.
Honey Syrup
Restores 5 FP.
PaperMario Items HoneyUltra.png
Honey Ultra
Restores 50 HP and 5 FP.
PaperMario Items HotShroom.png
Hot Shroom
Restores 15 HP and 5 FP.
PaperMario Items IcedPotato.png
Iced Potato
Restores 5 HP.
PaperMario Items JamminJelly.png
Jammin' Jelly
Restores 50 FP.
PaperMario Items JellyPop.png
Jelly Pop
Restores 64 FP.
PaperMario Items JellyShroom.png
Jelly Shroom
Restores 5 HP and 50 FP.
PaperMario Items JellySuper.png
Jelly Super
Restores 10 HP and 50 FP.
PaperMario Items JellyUltra.png
Jelly Ultra
Restores 50 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items KookyCookie.png
Kooky Cookie
Restores 15 HP.
PaperMario Items KoopaLeaf.png
Koopa Leaf
Restores 3 FP.
PaperMario Items Koopasta.png
Koopasta
Restores 7 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items KoopaTea.png
Koopa Tea
Restores 7 FP.
Item Effect
PaperMario Items Lemon.png
Lemon
Restores 1 HP and 2 FP and is necessary to get past Sheek in Dry Dry Outpost.
PaperMario Items LemonCandy.png
Lemon Candy
Restores 5 HP and 15 FP. It can be used to bribe Anti Guy and get access to his Power Plus Badge without a fight.
PaperMario Items LifeShroom.png
Life Shroom
If this item is in Mario's inventory, it is consumed and automatically revives Mario with 10 HP whenever his HP run out in battle.
PaperMario Items Lime.png
Lime
Restores 3 FP.
PaperMario Items LimeCandy.png
Lime Candy
Restores 20 FP.
PaperMario Items MapleShroom.png
Maple Shroom
Restores 5 HP and 10 FP.
PaperMario Items MapleSuper.png
Maple Super
Restores 10 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items MapleSyrup.png
Maple Syrup
Restores 10 FP.
PaperMario Items MapleUltra.png
Maple Ultra
Restores 50 HP and 10 FP.
PaperMario Items Melon.png
Melon
Restores 15 HP.
Mistake from Paper Mario.
Mistake
Restores 1 HP and FP. Mistakes result from Tayce T. cooking with invalid or incompatible ingredients.
PaperMario Items Mushroom.png
Mushroom
Restores 5 HP.
PaperMario Items Mystery.png
Mystery?
When used in battle, it takes on the effects of one of several items or deals 1 HP of damage to Mario.
PaperMario Items NuttyCake.png
Nutty Cake
Restores 10 FP.
PaperMario Items Pebble.png
Pebble
Deals 1 HP of damage to a single enemy.
PaperMario Items PotatoSalad.png
Potato Salad
Restores 10 HP.
PaperMario Items POWBlock.png
POW Block
Deals 2 HP of damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power. It also causes enemies with shells to flip over.
PaperMario Items RedBerry.png
Red Berry
Restores 5 HP and is necessary to pass through the red flower gate in Flower Fields.
PaperMario Items RepelGel.png
Repel Gel
Makes Mario invisible for three turns.
PaperMario Items ShootingStar.png
Shooting Star
Deals 6 HP of damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power.
PaperMario Items ShroomCake.png
Shroom Cake
Restores 10 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items ShroomSteak.png
Shroom Steak
Restores 30 HP and 10 FP.
PaperMario Items SleepySheep.png
Sleepy Sheep
May cause all enemies to fall asleep.
PaperMario Items SnowmanDoll.png
Snowman Doll
Deals 4 HP of ice damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power.
PaperMario Items Spaghetti.png
Spaghetti
Restores 6 HP and 4 FP.
PaperMario Items SpecialShake.png
Special Shake
Restores 20 HP.
PaperMario Items SpicySoup.png
Spicy Soup
Restores 4 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items StinkyHerb.png
Stinky Herb
Restores 5 HP.
PaperMario Items StoneCap.png
Stone Cap
Inflicts Stone status on Mario for three turns.
A Stop Watch from Paper Mario.
Stop Watch
Immobilizes all enemies.
PaperMario Items StrangeCake.png
Strange Cake
Makes Mario either Electrified, Invisible, or Sleepy.
PaperMario Items StrangeLeaf.png
Strange Leaf
Restores 5 HP.
PaperMario Items SuperShroom.png
Super Shroom
Restores 10 HP.
PaperMario Items SuperSoda.png
Super Soda
Restores 5 FP.
PaperMario Items SweetShroom.png
Sweet Shroom
Restores 30 HP and 20 FP.
PaperMario Items TastyTonic.png
Tasty Tonic
Removes all negative status effects from Mario.
PaperMario Items ThunderBolt.png
Thunder Bolt
Deals 5 HP of electric damage to one enemy, ignoring its Defense Power.
PaperMario Items ThunderRage.png
Thunder Rage
Deals 5 HP of electric damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power.
PaperMario Items UltraShroom.png
Ultra Shroom
Restores 50 HP.
PaperMario Items VoltShroom.png
Volt Shroom
Electrifies Mario for four turns.
PaperMario Items WhackasBump.png
Whacka Bump
Restores 25 HP and FP.
Yellow Berry
Yellow Berry
Restores 3 HP and FP and is necessary to pass through the yellow flower gate in Flower Fields.
PaperMario Items YoshiCookie.png
Yoshi Cookie
Restores 15 HP and FP.
PaperMario Items YummyMeal.png
Yummy Meal
Restores 20 HP and FP.

Key items

Item Location Effect
Artifact PM.png
Artifact
Dry Dry Ruins Can be brought to Kolorado in exchange for a Star Piece.
Sprite of Luigi's Autograph
Autograph
Mario's House Luigi's signature, requested by Koopa Koot as one of his favors.
Sprite of Merluvlee's autograph
Autograph
Shooting Star Summit Merluvlee's signature, requested by Koopa Koot as one of his favors.
PM BlueKey.png
Blue Key
Crystal Palace Opens the blue door inside Crystal Palace.
Boo'sPortrait PM.png
Boo's Portrait
Boo's Mansion A sentient painting of an old Boo. Mario needs to return it to its picture frame to access the mansion's third floor.
Bucket PM.png
Bucket
Shiver City These two items are necessary to open the path to Shiver Mountain.
PM Scarf.png
Scarf
Starborn Valley
Calculator PM.png
Calculator
Shy Guy's Toy Box Stolen from Rowf, the owner of the Badge Shop, during the events of Chapter 4. It can be returned for an I Spy Badge.
A Castle Key from Tubba Blubba's Castle.
Castle Key
Tubba Blubba's Castle Opens a door in Tubba Blubba's Castle.
The Castle Key used in Peach's Castle in Paper Mario.
Castle Key
Peach's Castle Opens a door in Princess Peach's Castle.
PM Bowser Castle Key.png
Castle Key
Bowser's Castle Opens a door in Bowser's Castle.
Butter PM.png
Butter
Peach's Castle One of the ingredients available for Princess Peach to bake a cake for Gourmet Guy during one of her interludes.
Sprite of Cleanser, from Paper Mario.
Cleanser
PM Cream.png
Cream
An egg used by Princess Peach after Chapter 4 of Paper Mario
Egg
PM Flour.png
Flour
PM Milk.png
Milk
PM Salt.png
Salt
A Strawberry from Paper Mario.
Strawberry
PM Sugar.png
Sugar
Sprite of Water, from Paper Mario.
Water
Cook Book Paper Mario.png
Cookbook
Shy Guy's Toy Box Once this book is returned to Tayce T. during Chapter 4, she will be able to cook with two ingredients at once.
The Crystal Ball from Paper Mario
Crystal Ball
Dry Dry Outpost Involved in one of Koopa Koot's favors. Mario needs to fetch this item from Merlee to get Merluvlee's autograph.
CrystalBerry PM.png
Crystal Berry
Flower Fields
(Posie area)
Given to Mario by Posie during Chapter 6. Mario can bring this item to Rosie and exchange it for the Water Stone.
DiamondStone PM.png
Diamond Stone
Dry Dry Ruins A set of stone carvings that act as keys to Tutankoopa's chamber.
LunarStone PM.png
Lunar Stone
PyramidStone PM.png
Pyramid Stone
UltraStone PM.png
Ultra Stone
Jade Jungle The Ultra Stone enables Mario to use Super Blocks to upgrade party members to Ultra Rank.
PM Sneaky Parasol.png
Sneaky Parasol
Peach's Castle With this item, Princess Peach can copy the appearance of any NPC she is facing.
The Dictionary from Paper Mario.
Dictionary
Shy Guy's Toy Box Stolen from Russ T. during the events of Chapter 4. It can be returned for a Star Piece.
Diploma.png
Diploma
Toad Town Dojo Documents that certify Mario's victory over the challenges of the Toad Town Dojo.
Fourth-DegreeCard PM.png
Fourth-Degree Card
Third-DegreeCard PM.png
Third-Degree Card
Second-DegreeCard PM.png
Second-Degree Card
First-DegreeCard PM.png
First-Degree Card
PeachDoll PM.png
Dolly
Goomba Village Goombaria lost this doll before the events of the game. It can be returned to her for a Star Piece.
PM Empty Wallet.png
Empty Wallet
Koopa Village Dropped by Koopa Koot during a shopping trip. One of his favors involves returning it to him.
Some Fertile Soil from Paper Mario.
Fertile Soil
Flower Fields
(Posie area)
Used to grow a giant beanstalk and access Cloudy Climb, where Huff N. Puff is fought.
MagicBean PM.png
Magical Bean
Flower Fields
(Petunia area)
MiracleWater PM.png
Miracle Water
Flower Fields
(Lily area)
FortressKey PM.png
Fortress Key
Koopa Bros. Fortress Opens a door in the Koopa Bros. Fortress.
PM Frying Pan.png
Frying Pan
Shy Guy's Toy Box Stolen from Tayce T. during the events of Chapter 4. It is necessary to return it to her so she will bake a Cake for Gourmet Guy.
Glasses
Glasses
Koopa Village Appears during one of Koopa Koot's favors.
GoldCredit PM.png
Gold Credit
Koopa Village Allows Mario to play the game Smash Attack in the Toad Town Playroom.
JadeRaven PM.png
Jade Raven
Yoshi's Village Given to Mario for finding the Yoshi kids in Jade Jungle. Must be placed inside the Raven statue in Jade Jungle to meet Raphael the Raven.
KoopaLegends PM.png
Koopa Legends
Koopa Village Involved in one of Koopa Koot's favors. Mario needs to fetch this item from Kolorado's wife.
Kooper'sShell PM.png
Kooper's Shell
Koopa Village One of the shells stolen during the Fuzzy attack in Koopa Village. Kooper needs this item before he can join Mario.
LuckyStar PM.png
Lucky Star
Shooting Star Summit Allows Mario and his friends to perform action commands.
Lyrics PM.png
Lyrics
Toad Town
(Club 64)
Involved in the quest to make Pop Diva sing again. Mario must deliver this item to the Composer in Dry Dry Outpost to receive the Melody in return.
Sprite of the cyan seed from Paper MarioSprite of the cyan seed from Paper MarioSprite of the cyan seed from Paper MarioSprite of the purple seed from Paper Mario
Magical Seed
Toad Town
Mt. Rugged
Forever Forest
Yoshi's Village
Four seeds given to Mario by the Bub-ulbs strewn about the Mushroom Kingdom, as well as Kolorado. They open the path to Flower Fields when planted in the Toad Town garden.
Mailbag PM.png
Mailbag
Shy Guy's Toy Box Stolen from the Postmaster during the events of Chapter 4. It can be returned for a Star Piece.
PM Melody.png
Melody
Dry Dry Outpost Involved in the quest to make Pop Diva sing again. Mario receives this item in exchange for the Lyrics and must return it to the Master Poet in Club 64.
Sprite of the Mystery Note
Mystery Note
Shy Guy's Toy Box A note that reveals the order to hit the four colored boxes in Shy Guy's Toy Box.
The icon of Yakkey from Paper Mario
Mystical Key
Tubba Blubba's Castle A sentient key that guards the secret to Tubba Blubba's invincibility. It unlocks Windy Mill.
OddKey PM.png
Odd Key
Toad Town Unlocks the house next to Tayce T.'s.
Sprite of the Old Photo
Old Photo
Boo's Mansion Required in one of Koopa Koot's favors.
Sprite of Package from Paper Mario
Package
Boo's Mansion Involved in one of Koopa Koot's favors. Mario must fetch this item from one of the Boos in the mansion to complete it.
The Palace Key from Paper Mario
Palace Key
Crystal Palace Opens the last locked door in Crystal Palace.
OddKey PM.png
Prison Key
Bowser's Castle Unlocks a prison in Bowser's Castle.
PulseStone PM.png
Pulse Stone
Dry Dry Outpost Given to Mario by Moustafa. It is needed to enter Dry Dry Ruins.
Record PM.png
Record
Boo's Mansion A record for the phonograph on the mansion's second floor. It is necessary for using the phonograph to obtain the Weight.
PM Red Jar.png
Red Jar
Dry Dry Outpost Involved in one of Koopa Koot's favors. Mario must travel to Little Mouser's shop and buy a series of items to obtain the jar.
PM Red Key.png
Red Key
Crystal Palace Opens the red door in Crystal Palace.
RuinsKey PM.png
Ruins Key
Dry Dry Ruins Opens a door in Dry Dry Ruins.
PM Silver Credit.png
Silver Credit
Koopa Village Allows Mario to play the game Jump Attack in the Toad Town Playroom.
StarStone PM.png
Star Stone
Shiver Mountain Opens the way to Crystal Palace. Mario receives this item from Madam Merlar after meeting with her.
OddKey PM.png
Storeroom Key
Shy Guy's Toy Box Opens the door to the storage room in Harry's Shop.
Tape PM.png
Tape
Goomba Village Involved in one of Koopa Koot's favors. Mario must fetch this item from Goompa to complete it.
ToyTrain PM.png
Toy Train
Toad Town
(Harry's Shop)
Received during Chapter 4. Mario must place it into Shy Guy's Toy Box from the outside to be able to ride it.
VolcanoVase PM.png
Volcano Vase
Jade Jungle Originally hidden in Mt. Lavalava, it lands in Jade Jungle after the volcano erupts. If given to Kolorado, he will trade it for a Magical Seed.
OddKey PM.png
Warehouse Key
Shiver City Opens the door to the Shiver City warehouse.
Water Stone
Water Stone
Flower Fields
(Rosie area)
A gemstone that was once situated in Lily's pond and supplied her with water. Mario needs to retrieve it from Rosie by giving her a Crystal Berry, so he can return it to its original owner.
Weight PM.png
Weight
Boo's Mansion Stored inside a treasure chest on the mansion's second floor. It must be attached to the main room's chandelier to open the door to the basement.

Badges

Main article: List of Badges in Paper Mario

Badges are helpful items that grant Mario and his friends a number of active or passive bonuses when he equips them. The effects can range from changing the way Mario's overworld abilities work, to affecting his stats or giving him new attacks, to increasing the versatility of his party members.

Mario has a stat called Badge Points (BP), which affects how many Badges can be equipped at the same time. Every Badge has also a BP rating, which tells the player how many free BP are needed to equip the Badge in question. Equipping a Badge will disable an amount of Mario's BP equal to the Badge's BP rating, and unequipping it will free those BP up again. Mario starts the game with three BP and gains an additional three every time the player chooses to upgrade BP during a level up.

Badges can be found in red ? Blocks, in some treasure chests, or lying around in dungeons. They can also be purchased from Rowf's Badge Shop in central Toad Town, gotten as rewards from side quests, and traded in exchange for Star Pieces by Merlow at Merluvlee's Place.

List of Badges

Star Spirits and Special Moves

The seven Star Spirits live in Star Haven as the guardians of the Star Rod. The story of Paper Mario begins with their fall from power, when Bowser and Kammy Koopa attack Star Haven, steal the Star Rod, and capture the Star Spirits. Rescuing them is one of the main objectives of the game, as they are the only ones who can counter the Star Rod's power and help Mario triumph over Bowser.

The captured Star Spirits are kept separately and spread all over the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario rescues one Star Spirit at the end of every chapter, bar the final one, after defeating the chapter boss. With every Star Spirit returning to Star Haven, Mario's Star Power increases by one and he learns a new Special Move.

Once every Star Spirit has been rescued, Mario gains access to Star Haven, where he obtains the ultimate star power: the Star Beam. The spirits also permit him to use the Star Ship, a vessel able to reach Bowser's Castle in the sky.

Regular powers

Special Moves gained at the end of every chapter, except chapter 8.

Special Move Star Spirit Chapter Boss Effect
Refresh
(1 SP)
Eldstar PM.png
Eldstar
Chapter 1:
Storming Koopa Bros. Fortress
Koopa Bros. Restores 5 HP and FP, and cures negative status effects.
Lullaby
(1 SP)
Mamar PM.png
Mamar
Chapter 2:
The Mystery of Dry, Dry Ruins
Tutankoopa May put enemies to sleep for a few turns.
Star Storm
(2 SP)
Skolar PM.png
Skolar
Chapter 3:
The "Invincible" Tubba Blubba
Tubba Blubba Deals 7 HP of damage to all enemies, ignoring their Defense Power.
Chill Out
(2 SP)
Muskular PM.png
Muskular
Chapter 4:
Trials in the Toy Box
General Guy Decreases enemies' Attack Power by 3.
Smooch
(3 SP)
Misstar PM.png
Misstar
Chapter 5:
Hot, Hot Times on Lavalava Island
Lava Piranha Replenishes Mario's HP by 20 with a kiss.
Time Out
(2 SP)
Klevar PM.png
Klevar
Chapter 6:
Dark Days in Flower Fields
Huff N. Puff May immobilize enemies for a few turns.
Up and Away
(2 SP)
Kalmar PM.png
Kalmar
Chapter 7:
A Star Spirit on Ice
Crystal King Turns enemies into stars, removing them from battle. Does not work on bosses.

Special case powers

Special Moves that cost no SP to use and serve a unique purpose.

Special Move Star Spirit Chapter Circumstance Effect
Focus Eldstar PM.png
Eldstar
Chapter 1:
Storming Koopa Bros. Fortress
Usable after receiving the ability to use Special Moves. Used to refill SP at a faster rate.
Star Beam The Seven Star Spirits.
All together
Chapter 8:
A Star-Powered Showdown!
Granted by the Star Spirits in Star Haven Removes any status buffs on all enemies, and negates the effects of the Star Rod after Bowser uses it.
Peach Beam The Seven Star Spirits.PM Twink.png
All together
+ Twink
Chapter 8:
A Star-Powered Showdown!
Upgraded form of the Star Beam, obtained after Twink defeats Kammy Koopa. Negates the combined effects of the Star Rod and the Power Platform.

Enemies and bosses

Main article: Paper Mario bestiary

Chapter bosses

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location Chapter
Battle idle animation of Bowser from Paper Mario
Bowser (1)
10 1 0 Peach's Castle Pre-prologue
Battle idle animation of the Goomba King from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Goomba King
10 1 0 Goomba Road Prologue
Model of Bowser???, from Paper Mario.
Bowser???
10 1 1 Koopa Bros. Fortress Chapter 1
Battle idle animation of Red Ninjakoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of Black Ninjakoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of Yellow Ninjakoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of Green Ninjakoopa from Paper Mario
Koopa Bros.
5 1 1 Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of Tutankoopa from Paper Mario
Tutankoopa
30 3 0 Dry Dry Ruins Chapter 2
Battle idle animation of Tubba's Heart from Paper Mario
Tubba's Heart
50 6/12 0 Windy Mill Chapter 3
Battle idle animation of Tubba Blubba after reuniting with his heart from Paper Mario
Tubba Blubba
10 4 0 Gusty Gulch
Battle idle animation of the Shy Squad from Paper Mario
Shy Squad
15 Equal to the amount of their HP remaining, in increments of 1 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box Chapter 4
Battle idle animation of a Stilt Guy from Paper Mario
Stilt Guy
7 4 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Shy Stack from Paper Mario
Shy Stack
10 1 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
General Guy's tank
General Guy
30 4 2 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Sprite of Lava Piranha, from Paper Mario.
Lava Piranha (1)
40 5 0 Mt. Lavalava Chapter 5
Sprite of Lava Piranha, from Paper Mario.
Lava Piranha (2)
40 7 0 Mt. Lavalava
Battle idle animation of Huff N. Puff from Paper Mario
Huff N. Puff
60 5 0 Cloudy Climb Chapter 6
Battle idle animation of the Crystal King from Paper Mario
Crystal King
70 6 2 Crystal Palace Chapter 7
Battle idle animation of Bowser from Paper Mario
Bowser (2)
50 6 1 Peach's Castle Chapter 8
Battle idle animation of Kammy Koopa from Paper Mario
Kammy Koopa
10 4 0 Peach's Castle
(Power Platform)
Battle idle animation of final Bowser from Paper Mario
Bowser (big)
99 8 2 Peach's Castle
(Power Platform)

Jr. Troopa

The game's most recurring boss, Jr. Troopa has his own theme music and subplot, and as such is treated separately from standard miniboss encounters.

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his first battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (1)
5 1 0 Goomba Village
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his second battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (2)
15 2 1 Pleasant Path
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his third battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (3)
40 5 1 Forever Forest
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his fourth battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (4)
40 (starts with 20) 6 1 Toad Town port
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his fifth battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (5)
50 8 1 Shiver Snowfield
Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his first battle from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his fourth battle from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of Jr. Troopa in his fifth battle from Paper Mario
Jr. Troopa (6)
60 8 2 Bowser's Castle

The Master

The Master acts as the game's "superboss," an optional boss that is far stronger than any other fight in the game, including the standard final boss. Like Jr. Troopa, he has his own battle theme. He can be fought multiple times at virtually any point in the game, being stronger for each fight.

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location
Battle idle animation of The Master from Paper Mario
The Master (1)
50 6 0 Toad Town Dojo
Battle idle animation of The Master powered up from Paper Mario
The Master (2)
75 8 0 Toad Town Dojo
Battle idle animation of The Master powered up from Paper Mario
The Master (3)
99 10 1 Toad Town Dojo

Minibosses

Note that at several points throughout the game, groups of standard enemies are treated as minibosses; as such, this list is for those which are exclusively treated as such. Additionally, some minibosses are optional, and as such may be skipped entirely or fought later when Mario is at a higher level.

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location
Battle idle animation of Blue Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Blue Goomba
6 1 0 Goomba Road
Battle idle animation of Red Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Red Goomba
7 1 0 Goomba Road
Battle idle animation of a Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
Magikoopa (1)
8 3 0 Shooting Star Summit
Battle idle animation of a Bill Blaster from Paper Mario
Bill Blaster
4 0 1 Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of a Blooper from Paper Mario
Blooper
30 3 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of Buzzar from Paper Mario
Buzzar
(optional)
40 3 0 Mt. Rugged
Battle idle animation of a Stone Chomp from Paper Mario
Stone Chomp
4 3 1 Dry Dry Ruins
Battle idle animation of an Electro Blooper from Paper Mario
Electro Blooper
(optional unless the Blooper is fought elsewhere before Chapter 7)
50 4 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of Tubba Blubba while invincible from Paper Mario
Tubba Blubba
(optional)
10 4 ? Tubba Blubba's Castle
Battle idle animation of an Anti Guy from Paper Mario
Anti Guy
(optional)
50 10 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of the Big Lantern Ghost from Paper Mario
Big Lantern Ghost
40 5 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of the Fuzzipede from Paper Mario
Fuzzipede
20 3 0 Toad Town
Battle idle animation of a Super Blooper from Paper Mario
Super Blooper
(optional unless the Blooper and the Electro Blooper are fought elsewhere before Chapter 7)
70 5 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of Kent C. Koopa from Paper Mario
Kent C. Koopa
(optional)
70 10 6 Pleasant Path
(After chapter 5)
Battle idle animation of Lakilester as an enemy from Paper Mario
Spike?
50 4 0 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of Monstar from Paper Mario
Monstar
20 1 0 Shiver Snowfield

Boss helpers

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Superordinate of
Battle idle animation of Blue Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Blue Goomba
6 (starts with 2) 1 0 Goomba King
Battle idle animation of Red Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Red Goomba
7 (starts with 2) 1 0 Goomba King
Battle idle animation of a Chomp from Paper Mario
Chomp
4 3 3 Tutankoopa
The bulb on General Guy's tank from Paper Mario
Bulb
8 0 1 General Guy
Battle idle animation of a Blooper Baby from Paper Mario
Blooper Baby
6 2 0 Super Blooper
Sprite of a Lava Bud, from Paper Mario.
Lava Bud (1)
8 4 0 Lava Piranha
Sprite of a flaming Lava Bud, from Paper Mario.
Lava Bud (2)
8 0 0 Lava Piranha
Battle idle animation of a Petit Piranha from Paper Mario
Petit Piranha
1 6 0 Lava Bud
Battle idle animation of a small Tuff Puff from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a big Tuff Puff from Paper Mario
Tuff Puff
1 2 0 Huff N. Puff
Battle idle animation of a Crystal Bit from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Crystal Bit from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Crystal Bit from Paper Mario
Crystal Bit
1 0 0 Crystal King

Regular enemies

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location
Battle idle animation of a Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Goomba
2 1 0 Goomba Village
Goomba Road
Pleasant Path
Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Spiked Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Spiked Goomba
2 2 0 Goomba Village
Goomba Road
Pleasant Path
Battle idle animation of a Paragoomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Paragoomba
2 1 0 Goomba Village
Goomba Road
Pleasant Path
Battle idle animation of a Koopa Troopa from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Koopa Troopa
4 1 1 Pleasant Path
Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of a Paratroopa from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Paratroopa
4 1 1 Pleasant Path
Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of a Fuzzy from Paper Mario
Fuzzy
3 1 0 Koopa Village
Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Bob-omb from Paper Mario
Bob-omb
3 1 0 Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of a Bullet Bill from Paper Mario
Bullet Bill
2 2 0 Koopa Bros. Fortress
Battle idle animation of Chan from Paper Mario
Chan
(single battle)
15 2 2 Toad Town Dojo
Battle idle animation of Lee from Paper Mario
Lee
(single battle)
20 5 0 Toad Town Dojo
Battle idle animation of a Gloomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Gloomba
7 2 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a Spiked Gloomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Spiked Gloomba
7 3 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a Monty Mole from Paper Mario
Monty Mole
3 2 0 Mt. Rugged
Battle idle animation of a Cleft from Paper Mario
Cleft
2 2 2 Mt. Rugged
Battle idle animation of a Bandit from Paper Mario
Bandit
5 2 0 Dry Dry Desert
Battle idle animation of a Pokey from Paper Mario
Pokey
4 2 0 Dry Dry Desert
Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Pokey Mummy from Paper Mario
Pokey Mummy
4 2 0 Dry Dry Ruins
Battle idle animation of a Buzzy Beetle from Paper Mario
Buzzy Beetle
3 2 2 Dry Dry Ruins
Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a flying Swooper from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a hanging Swooper from Paper Mario
Swooper
4 2 0 Dry Dry Ruins
Battle idle animation of a Paragloomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Paragloomba
7 2 0 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a Piranha Plant from Paper Mario
Piranha Plant
5 3 0 Forever Forest
Battle idle animation of a Forest Fuzzy from Paper Mario
Forest Fuzzy
6 1 0 Forever Forest
Battle idle animation of a Bzzap! from Paper Mario
Bzzap!
3 6 0 Forever Forest
Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of a Hyper Goomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Hyper Goomba
7 1 0 Gusty Gulch
Battle idle animation of a Hyper Paragoomba from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Hyper Paragoomba
7 1 0 Gusty Gulch
Battle idle animation of a Hyper Cleft from Paper Mario
Hyper Cleft
4 3 3 Gusty Gulch
Battle idle animation of a Clubba from Paper Mario
Clubba
8 3 0 Tubba Blubba's Castle
Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Dark Koopa from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation) Battle idle animation of a Dark Koopa from Paper Mario preparing its dizzy attack (discounting the occasional sidling and spinning, which are done at random and technically considered separate animation)
Dark Koopa
8 3 2 Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a red Shy Guy from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a yellow Shy Guy from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a green Shy Guy from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a blue Shy Guy from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a pink Shy Guy from Paper Mario
Shy Guy
7 2 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Groove Guy from Paper Mario
Groove Guy
7 2 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Sky Guy from Paper Mario
Sky Guy
7 3 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Spy Guy with its slingshot from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Spy Guy with its hammer from Paper Mario
Spy Guy
7 2 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Medi Guy from Paper Mario
Medi Guy
7 1 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Pyro Guy from Paper Mario
Pyro Guy
7 4 0 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Battle idle animation of a Jungle Fuzzy from Paper Mario
Jungle Fuzzy
7 2 0 Jade Jungle
Battle idle animation of a Spear Guy with its spear up from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Spear Guy with its spear forward from Paper Mario
Spear Guy
7 3 0 Jade Jungle
Battle idle animation of a Hurt Plant from Paper Mario
Hurt Plant
8 2 0 Jade Jungle
Battle idle animation of an M. Bush from Paper Mario
M. Bush
8 3 0 Jade Jungle
Battle idle animation of a Putrid Piranha from Paper Mario
Putrid Piranha
12 3 0 Jade Jungle
Mt. Lavalava
Battle idle animation of a White Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a White Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
W Magikoopa
11 3 0 Jade Jungle
Mt. Lavalava
Flower Fields
Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a Lava Bubble from Paper Mario
Lava Bubble
9 4 0 Mt. Lavalava
Battle idle animation of a Spike Top from Paper Mario
Spike Top
4 3 4 Mt. Lavalava
Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a Red Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Red Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
R Magikoopa
11 3 0 Mt. Lavalava
Flower Fields
Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a Crazee Dayzee from Paper Mario
Crazee Dayzee
8 4 0 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of an Amazy Dayzee from Paper Mario
Amazy Dayzee
20 20 1 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of a green Monty Mole from Paper Mario
Monty Mole
12 3 0 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of a Ruff Puff from Paper Mario
Ruff Puff
10 4 0 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of a Spiny from Paper Mario
Spiny
5 4 3 Flower Fields
Toad Town Tunnels
Battle idle animation of a Lakitu from Paper Mario
Lakitu
12 3 0 Flower Fields
Battle idle animation of a Green Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Green Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
GRN Magikoopa
11 3 0 Flower Fields
Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a Yellow Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Yellow Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
Y Magikoopa
11 3 0 Flower Fields
Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a Frost Piranha from Paper Mario
Frost Piranha
10 4 0 Shiver Snowfield
Shiver Mountain
Battle idle animation of a Gulpit from Paper Mario
Gulpit
12 2 0 Shiver Snowfield, Shiver Mountain
Battle idle animation of a Duplighost from Paper Mario
Duplighost
15 4 0 Shiver Mountain
Crystal Palace
Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a White Clubba from Paper Mario
White Clubba
12 5 0 Shiver Mountain
Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a flying Swoopula from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a hanging Swoopula from Paper Mario
Swoopula
8 2 0 Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of a Gray Magikoopa from Paper Mario
GRY Magikoopa
11 3 0 Crystal Palace
Battle idle animation of an Ember from Paper Mario
Ember
10 4 0 Star Way
Battle idle animation of a Koopatrol from Paper Mario (discounting the occasional sidling, which is done at random and technically considered a separate animation)
Koopatrol
8 4 3 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a Hammer Bro from Paper Mario
Hammer Bro
12 5 1 Shy Guy's Toy Box
Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a Magikoopa from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Magikoopa riding a broomstick from Paper Mario
Magikoopa (2)
11 6 0 Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a Bony Beetle from Paper Mario Battle idle animation of a Bony Beetle with its spikes out from Paper Mario
Bony Beetle
8 3 4 Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a Bombshell Bill from Paper Mario
Bombshell Bill
3 6 0 Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a B. Bill Blaster from Paper Mario
B. Bill Blaster
10 0 4 Bowser's Castle
Battle idle animation of a Dry Bones from Paper Mario
Dry Bones
8 4 2 Bowser's Castle

Unused enemies

Enemy Heart Points Attack Defense Location
AlbinoDino PM.png
Albino Dino
8 4 4 Crystal Palace
Dark Paratroopa as it would've appeared in Paper Mario.
Dark Paratroopa
8 3 2 Toad Town Tunnels

Friendly NPCs

Mort T.
Mario talking to Mort T.

The overworld of Paper Mario is filled with many characters that Mario can talk to. When approached, a speech bubble icon will appear above their head which signifies they can be spoken to.

List of named / notable NPCs in Paper Mario

Goomba Village

Toad Town

Mario's House

Shooting Star Summit

Koopa Village

Mt. Rugged

Dry Dry Desert

Dry Dry Outpost

Forever Forest

Boo's Mansion

Gusty Gulch

Tubba Blubba's Castle

Shy Guy's Toy Box

Yoshi's Village

Jade Jungle

Flower Fields

Shiver City

Starborn Valley

Shiver Mountain

Bowser's Castle

Roaming characters

Locations

Bowser's CastlePeach's CastleStar HavenStar WayShiver CityShiver SnowfieldStarborn ValleyShiver MountainCrystal PalaceGoomba VillageGoomba King's FortressMario's HouseShy Guy's Toy BoxClub 64Toad Town DojoShooting Star SummitKoopa VillageKoopa Bros. FortressWindy MillTubba Blubba's CastlePleasant PathDry Dry RailroadToad TownGoomba RoadFlower FieldsBoo's MansionForever ForestDry Dry OutpostDry Dry DesertMt. RuggedGusty GulchYoshi's VillageMt. LavalavaJade JungleLavalava Island
Click an area to open the relevant article.
Paper Mario takes place in the Mushroom Kingdom, spanning several different areas around Princess Peach's Castle. Toad Town serves as the game's central hub and gives Mario a place to return to after every chapter.

Settlements

Transitional Areas

Dungeons/Boss arenas

Side activities

Star Pieces

Mario getting a Star Piece from Goombaria in Paper Mario
Mario earning a Star Piece from Goombaria.
Main article: List of Star Pieces in Paper Mario

Star Pieces are golden octahedral star fragments that can be found all over the Mushroom Kingdom. There are 160 in total. They can be collected and brought to Merlow at Shooting Star Summit in exchange for Badges.

A lot of Star Pieces can be found lying around in the overworld, usually hidden behind objects. Some Star Pieces are buried beneath hidden floor panels that require either the Spin Jump or the Ultra Hammer to collect. Star Pieces are also often given away as rewards or sold as wares by NPCs.

Chuck Quizmo's quizzes

Mario and Kooper playing on Chuck Quizmo's quiz show
Chuck Quizmo's trivia quiz.
Main article: Chuck Quizmo

Chuck Quizmo is a character who can randomly be encountered in one of the game's many towns, along with his assistant Vanna T. Upon finding him, the player has the opportunity to partake in a quiz show. Chuck Quizmo will ask the player a trivia question about the game and present them with three possible answers. If the correct choice is selected, the player receives a Star Piece. Otherwise Chuck Quizmo has to be found again for another try. There are 64 questions in total the player can answer.

Toad Town Dojo

Toad Town Dojo
The Toad Town Dojo.

After Mario talks to the Star Spirits on Shooting Star Summit and obtains the Lucky Star, the Toad Town Dojo opens. The dojo is located on the second story of the Shroom Grocery building. Here Mario can fight against Chan and Lee, as well as the dojo's Master himself.

Fighting in the dojo does not give Mario Star Points, but with each win the player receives a degree and unlocks the next fight. Defeating the Master's third form earns Mario the Diploma for besting the strongest enemy in Paper Mario.

Koopa Koot's favors

Koopa Koot
Koopa Koot requesting a favor from Mario.
Main article: Koopa Koot

Once the player reaches Koopa Village in chapter 1, they have the opportunity to meet Koopa Koot, an elderly Koopa Troopa infamous among his acquaintances for asking favors of people.

When speaking to Koopa Koot after resolving Koopa Village's Fuzzy problem, he will ask Mario for a favor, which usually entails obtaining a specific item and bringing it to him. Upon completion of the favor, Koopa Koot will usually reward Mario with a single coin. In some cases however, the reward will be three Star Pieces in a bulk, or an item that unlocks new minigames in the Toad Town Playroom.

Tayce T.'s recipes

Mario, in Tayce T.'s kitchen.
Mario visiting Tayce T.
Main article: List of Tayce T. recipes

Tayce T. is an elderly Toad woman who lives in Toad Town. She is initially inaccessible due to debris blocking the road to her house, but can be talked to after the Koopa Bros. have been defeated.

Mario can give Tayce T. ingredients which she will turn into new items by cooking them. At first only one item can be given to her at a time, but after bringing her the Cookbook from Shy Guy's Toy Box in Chapter 4, the player unlocks the ability to have her use two ingredients. The blackboard in Mario's House is keeping track of how many recipes have been found and can be checked at any time.

Letter delivery

Main article: List of letters in Paper Mario § Normal letters|List of letters in Paper Mario § Normal Letters|List of letters in Paper Mario § Normal letters
Parakarry delivering mail to Kolorado.

In various locations of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario can find letters that have been dropped by Parakarry. Once Parakarry has joined Mario's group, Mario can deliver these lost letters to their intended recipients by talking to them while Parakarry is the active party member. Doing so rewards the player with Star Pieces, another letter, or other items.

Services

A lot of different vendors, establishments, and merchants can be found all over the Mushroom Kingdom. Most of them offer their services for coins which can be found inside ?-Blocks or earned from battling enemies.

Toad Houses

Toad House in Goomba Village.

Toad Houses are establishments that can be found in all major towns featured in Paper Mario. They can be recognized by their signs which show a picture of a Toad's head. Toad Houses serve as hotels and Mario and his friends can rest in them to restore Heart Points, Flower Points, and Star Power. Unlike inns in traditional RPGs, they do not charge money for this service.

Almost all Toad Houses are managed by Toads, the sole exception being the one in Star Haven which is owned by a Star instead.

Item Shops

Image of Mario and Goombario in Shroom Grocery in Toad Town, in Paper Mario.
The Shroom Grocery in Toad Town.
Main article: List of shops in Paper Mario

Scattered across the Mushroom Kingdom are various common goods stores, identifiable by their Fire Flower sign. Here the player can take their coins to buy items that cause different effects in and out of battles. Additionally, they may get a coin refund by selling items they do not want.

Most items can be sold to the shopkeepers for a set price at every shop, however, some items will sell at a higher price depending on the location of the shop and the item itself. Mario can make a profit by purchasing an item at a low price from one store and selling it to another that will buy it at a higher price.

Item Shops also offer a check system that allows the player to store and withdraw items. This storage space is shared by all stores, which means the player can store an item in one shop and then later withdraw it from another. Up to 32 items can be stored that way.

Merlon's house

Inside Merlon's house.

Merlon is Toad Town's local fortune-teller. His services become available after Mario has visited Shooting Star Summit and gotten the Lucky Star. For a fee of five coins, Merlon will foresee Mario's future and give the player a hint about the next game objective.

Merluvlee's Place

Merluvlee introduces herself to Mario in Paper Mario
The magic treasure chest to the left of Mario that belongs to Merluvlee.

Merluvlee is another fortune-teller who lives at the foot of Shooting Star Summit. She will divine the locations of Star Pieces, Badges, and Super Blocks. She charges 5 coins, 20 coins, and 30 coins for each of them respectively.

Her house also contains the counterpart to the Mysterious Treasure Chest in Peach's Castle. Any items that Princess Peach puts into the chest on her end can be retrieved by Mario here.

Merluvlee's brother Merlow can be found on the second floor of the house. He informs Mario that he collects Star Pieces and is willing to trade Badges for them. Getting Badges from Merlow is the main purpose of collecting Star Pieces.

Toad Town Post Office

Main article: List of letters in Paper Mario
Mario inside the Toad Town Post Office.

The Toad Town Post Office is a building located in central Toad Town, across the street from Merlon's house. Over the course of the game, letters addressed at Mario's party members arrive there, written by different characters Mario met on his journey. The player can visit the post office at any time and talk to the postal worker in charge to view the letters. There is no benefit to reading the letters, but the service is free and reveals what became of the sender after their encounter with Mario.

Mario himself also receives letters during the game. These letters are not stored at the post office and can be found in the bedroom of Mario's House.

Badge Shop

Main article: Rowf and Rhuff
Rowf and Rhuff
Badge Shop.

The Badge Shop is an open-air store located in the central part of Toad Town, across the street from the gate to Flower Fields. It opens for business after the Koopa Bros. have been defeated in Chapter 1. The player can purchase Badges in exchange for coins.

Sixteen different Badges can be purchased from the Badge Shop, although only three will be available at a time. The selection changes randomly over time until all Badges have been bought.

Oink-Oink Farm

Li'l Oinks
Lil' Oinks in their pen.
Main article: Li'l Oink

Once the Koopa Bros. have been defeated and the road to the southern part of Toad Town has been cleared of debris, Mario can visit Oink-Oink Farm. For 10 coins, the player can purchase an egg that will hatch into a Li'l Oink and move into the nearby pigpen.

The pen can hold a maximum of 10 animals. If an additional egg is bought while the pen is full, the oldest Li'l Oink will escape and leave behind an item correlating to its color. The player can use this to obtain various items, including ones that are hard to obtain otherwise.

Merlee's tent

Merlee's tent in Dry Dry Outpost.

Merlee is a wizard who set up her shop in the back alley of Dry Dry Outpost. For a fee of either 5, 20, or 50 coins she can cast a magic spell on Mario that has a variety of positive effects. The amount of coins paid determines how long the spell is going to last; The more coins were paid, the longer the spell remains.

From the moment it is cast until it runs out, the spell will randomly take effect before or after certain actions, mostly during battles.

  • If it takes effect before Mario attacks, the damage of his attack will increase by three.
  • If it takes effect during the enemies' turn, Mario's defense will increase by three.
  • If it takes effect once all enemies have been defeated, it doubles the amount of Star Points received.
  • If it takes effect right after a battle, it will increase the amount of coins dropped by the enemy.

Once the spell has ran out, the player has to return to Merlee and pay her again if they wish to keep the beneficial effects.

Chet Rippo

Chet Rippo is a pudgy bird-like creature located in the residential area of Toad Town. When talked to, he informs Mario that he is able to increase one of his stats for 39 coins. If the player decides to use Chet Rippo's services, the stat they selected will increase by two stages, while the two stats that weren't selected each drop by one stage. This service can be used to re-adjust Mario's stats in case the player does not feel content with their past level up choices.

Rip Cheato

Rip Cheato is a merchant living underneath the blue house next to Tayce T.'s. Initially the front door to his domicile is locked and thus it has to be accessed through Toad Town Tunnels by having Bombette destroy a wall. After Rip Cheato has been found, his house can be unlocked from the inside for easier access.

The merchant's services are similar to that of a regular item shop, offering wares in exchange for coins. However, Rip Cheato only sells one item at a time, all of his goods cost 64 coins, and the player does not know in advance what is being offered. Rip Cheato's offers follow a certain order and once his stock is exhausted after ten purchases, he only sells Dried Shrooms from then on.

Virtual Console differences

The Wii Virtual Console version has more framerate drops than the Nintendo 64 version, but also loads more quickly when moving between areas. Special effect attributes have been altered to reduce the risk of seizure or are different due to emulation issues: the brightness of light effects from Super Blocks have been reduced, the screen dims when an explosion occurs, fire/explosion effects are now solid colors, and magic/transformation wave effects no longer have flashing colors of white and yellow and are waves of purple and pink.

The Wii U Virtual Console version is darker throughout the whole game, but has a smoother framerate not unlike the Nintendo 64 version. Fire/explosion effects match that of the original version (albeit darker), but the magic/transformation wave effects are altered, but in a different way than in the Wii version. In addition, the light effects are malformed and have a black glow. Loading is as fast as the Wii version.

Wii eShop Description

Paper Mario is a graphically innovative game that breaks the confines of the RPG genre. Now slimmed down, everyone's favorite plumber flips, spins, jumps, and hammers his way through scads of exotic worlds that teem with a huge and hugely entertaining supporting cast. Players control numerous characters, both old and new, in a complex, nonlinear story that follows different scenarios depending on player choices. A dizzying collection of spells, attacks, skills, and special items can be collected by players willing to thoroughly explore the lush 3-D environments!

Wii U eShop Description

After Bowser™ steals the Star Rod and kidnaps Princess Peach™, Mario™ plots to rescue the seven Star Spirits and free the Mushroom Kingdom from the Koopa's rule. As Mario travels from the tropical jungles of Lavalava Island to the frosty heights of Shiver Mountain, he'll need all the help he can get.

Master the abilities of the seven Star Spirits and the other allies joining the adventure to aid our hero on the battlefield. There are over 50 Badges to locate that, when equipped, will grant special abilities and powerful attacks. The turn-based battle system will make fighting Bowser's baddies equal parts strategy and timing. Discover over 100 items, mix them together, and cook up fantastic creations that will send your enemies' spinning and fleeing.

Close the book on Bowser's story before his evil deeds turn the world upside down and only his wishes come true!

Relation to other games

Similarities with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Paper Mario shares many elements with its spiritual predecessor Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, seeing as it was initially intended to be a sequel. These similarities include:

  • Paper Mario was originally going to be called Super Mario RPG 2, but was later renamed "Super Mario Adventure" (while still in development) due to legal reasons. Eventually, it received its finalized international title to emphasize the unique graphical style of the game.
  • As with Super Mario RPG, Bowser is the very first boss to be fought in the game.
  • After the cutscene that takes place when Mario is defeated by Bowser, the Paper Mario logo is displayed similarly to how the Super Mario RPG logo (sans subtitle) is displayed after Exor crashes into Bowser's Keep and destroys the Star Road.
  • Revised versions of Star Hill and the Chancellor from Super Mario RPG reappear, although this is lost in translation in the international versions, with the former being renamed Shooting Star Summit and the latter the Toad Minister.
  • The Shy Guy riot in Toad Town is similar to Mack and the Shysters' takeover of the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario RPG.
  • Both Paper Mario and Super Mario RPG contain karate dojos.
  • The Master is Paper Mario's equivalent of Jinx, as they are both powerful senseis that are fought three times (with each battle getting harder), and are completely optional. The Master also shares the role of an optional boss harder than the final, main boss, like Culex.
  • Both games have plots that involve finding seven stars and have something to do with wishes not being granted due to what the games' main antagonists have done.
  • The opening storylines of both games begin with the usual "Mario battling Bowser to save Peach" scenario when Mario suddenly becomes overpowered and sent hurtling a great distance away. In Super Mario RPG, as Mario goes to free Peach after defeating Bowser, Smithy's gang sends Exor crashing into the castle, the impact sending Mario flying, landing back at his house. In Paper Mario, as Mario is fighting Bowser, Bowser makes himself invincible with the Star Rod, then dispatches Mario out a window, and he crash lands in a field just outside Goomba Village.
  • In both games, Bowser's castle is unreachable throughout most of the story. In Super Mario RPG, it cannot be reached because the bridge is down; in Paper Mario, the castle is up in the sky. Also, both games feature a special vehicle that is used to reach the castle (the Royal Bus and Star Ship, respectively).
  • Mario uses jump and hammer attacks, which in both games have regular, super, and ultra variations. Both have the three hammer variants, but the jump variants in Super Mario RPG are special moves Mario learns, whereas Paper Mario has these variants as the boots Mario finds to improve his jumping ability.
  • The Power Bounce Badge is reminiscent of Mario's Super Jump ability in Super Mario RPG.
  • Mario's first party member in both games has a special move that identifies the enemy (Mallow's "Psychopath" and Goombario's "Tattle").
  • Both games feature a special area where Mario can turn into 8-bit Mario, complete with 8-bit sounds and music.
  • In both games, Mario can travel to an island where Yoshis live.
  • During the second boss battle with Bowser, he can temporarily disable some of Mario's commands, similar to how Bowyer disables certain button commands during his battle in Super Mario RPG.
  • When Lava Piranha re-emerges from the lava after the first phase of the battle, it resembles Czar Dragon's resurrection as Zombone.
  • Both games feature a volcano as a location where a star is hidden. Both areas have an escape sequence after locating the star, though the reason behind it is different (in Super Mario RPG, the Axem Rangers are escaping with the Star; in Paper Mario, the volcano is erupting).
  • The endings in both games feature a parade that is led by Luigi and ends with a fireworks display.
  • Both Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario feature a Hammer Bro who hosts a quiz game.
  • During the parade in the ending of Paper Mario, Twink flies by with Mario and Peach waving at him on a starlit float, as Geno does in Super Mario RPG.
  • Both games feature antagonist groups that are based on characters from TV series (the Koopa Bros. are based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while the Axem Rangers are based on Super Sentai).
  • In both games, the battle for the sixth star takes place in the sky (the Axem Rangers battle and the Huff N. Puff battle).
  • Both games have a party member who fights against Mario first before joining him (Bowser and Lakilester).
  • Both Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario have three-headed Piranha Plant bosses (Smilax and Lava Piranha).
  • The battle systems of both games contain a feature where correctly timed player input makes the protagonists perform better overall. Super Mario RPG has "timed hits", while Paper Mario has "action commands".
  • Both games feature a sidequest involving helping an artist (Toadofsky in Super Mario RPG and the Master Poet in Paper Mario) complete a piece of music, though the specifics of how they are resolved is different.

References to other games

In addition to its many similarities to Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario has many elements that reference other games:

  • Donkey Kong - The opening theme plays when confronting the Koopa Bros. in Koopa Bros. Fortress, followed by the Koopa Bros. theme. Also, Mario's pixel form's colors is based on his colors from the game's artwork and sprite.
  • Super Mario Bros. - By entering a vase in Boo's Mansion, Mario can assume his appearance from this game's sprites, albeit with the color scheme used for him in the game's artwork. Also, if the player waits fifteen or more seconds when a chapter title is shown on screen, the overworld theme will play. There is a Candy Pop on Pleasant Path which will give free hearts and play the invincibility theme if Mario runs around it. The coloration of Luigi's parade outfit during the credits matches his outfit from this game, including the gold-colored emblem on his cap. The opening theme for the 64th Trivia Quiz-Off features the jingle for clearing a course in this game at the beginning.
  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels - The ending theme for the 64th Trivia Quiz-Off has the same beginning notes as the bonus theme from the All-Stars version of this game. Additionally, at the end of the game, when Peach thanks all of the friendly characters for helping restore peace to the Mushroom Kingdom, the music that plays is this game's ending theme.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2 - After saving Luigi from a Shy Guy, he says "I'm a great jumper, but my running needs some work", referencing his higher jumps and lower speed from this game.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3 - Elements from the castle theme is incorporated in the background music for the Koopa Bros. Fortress. When the Koopa Bros. fire Bullet Bills at Mario and his party members, a cover of the Koopalings' Airship theme plays. The Koopa Bros. fight theme is a cover of the Hammer Bros. theme from this game. The level up music is a cover of the overworld theme from World 1. When Mario finds a new hammer or pair of boots, an arrangement of the boss clear theme plays. When Mario rescues a Star Spirit, an arrangement of the "King Saved" theme is played. Another arrangement plays when Mario wins the Star Rod back from Bowser.
  • Dr. Mario - When Mario defeats the Fuzzipede boss, the whale exclaims that "they should call him Dr. Mario!"
  • Super Mario World - The Attack FX E Badge makes the same sound that Yoshi makes when Mario jumps on his back. Also, the main melody for the overworld, underwater, and athletic themes is a cover for Paper Mario's title screen music, with notable modifications. This melody can also be heard during the first half of the parade during the game's ending. The switch theme can be heard as part of the battle music during the fight with Bowser???. The song that plays on the Golden Oldies station of the radio is a cover of the credits theme. The sound effect heard when the player presses Start and brings up the file select is similar to the sound effect for Message Blocks in this game. Lastly, Dry Bones borrow their style and behavior from their Super Mario World iteration, including red shoes and the ability to throw bones at Mario.
  • Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - Bandits (the red kind, that only take coins), Spear Guys, Pyro Guys, a Lantern Ghost, forward-facing Piranha Plants, and Crazee Dayzees appear as enemies. Goombas, Boos, and Chain Chomps use their designs from this game, with the Boos and Chomps closely resembling Bigger Boo's artwork and Chomp Sharks respectively. The Clubbas' face design resemble the Spikes' design from this game, with the White Clubbas closely resembling to them. Sushie's coloration and Squirt attack favor the appearance and abilities of the Spray Fish, Spy Guys wear flowers on their heads like Petal Guys. Stone Chomps appear similar to the brown Chomp Rocks. The music used for Yoshi's Village and when the Fearsome 5 are missing is a cover of this game's title screen music. Little Mousers (being blue based on their in-game sprite and purple based on their artwork), Ravens (including Raphael) and Bumpties (simply called "penguins" in-game) make an appearance as NPCs. Lava Piranha and Kent C. Koopa are similar in appearance to Naval Piranha and Hookbill the Koopa respectively. The final boss battle against Bowser had some similarities to the final boss fight in Yoshi's Island, namely that his right-hand minion enchants Bowser to become larger in order to increase the odds of beating his nemesis (with the only notable difference being that Kamek cast the spell on Bowser directly, while Kammy Koopa merely activated the Power Platform to have Bowser become larger). Poochy, a blue-colored Bandit, and a Nep-Enut appear in one of the game's early builds.
  • Super Mario 64 - Peach's Castle design is similar to that used in this game's box art and is near identical inside, but without the paintings. Both games begin with a letter from Peach. Also, Mario jumps into a painting to access the third floor of Boo's Mansion similar to the way he accessed areas in this game. The Stone Cap is an item based on the powered-up caps and it functions similar to the Metal Cap.
  • Mario Kart 64 - When riding the K64 train, a cover of the Kalimari Desert theme plays. Also, the concept of a train running through a desert and the train itself originates from this game.
  • Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Mario Party series - On page 1 of Luigi's Diary, it says, "I remember the carefree days when we played Golf and Tennis and had Parties." The capital letters specifically hint at their respective games.
  • The Legend of Zelda series - If Goombario uses tattle on Sheek after he reveals his true identity, he will start his tattle with "da da da dum", a reference to the "item get" theme from this series. Also, Sheek himself is a reference to Sheik from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
  • Luigi's Mansion - On page 2 of Luigi's Diary, he talks about how much he is afraid of ghosts. On page 7, it says, "I want to play the lead in an adventure! Of course, my name would have to be in the title. That'd be sweet... But I know it'll never happen..." Less than year after Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion was released for the Nintendo GameCube, with Luigi as the main character tasked with fighting ghosts.

References in later games

The castle in the background of Rainbow Road.
  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit - Peach's castle is seen on top of Bowser's castle just like in Paper Mario, located in the background of the course Rainbow Road. The Goombas and Hammer Bros. at the award ceremony use their design from Paper Mario.
  • Mario Party 5 - The Star Spirits return as hosts, but here are named the Star Guards instead.
  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions - A block from Paper Mario appears in Woohoo Hooniversity, along with blocks from other games. The name of the game is even mentioned in the block's description.
  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - Parakarry makes a brief cameo at the beginning of the game, and delivers a letter to Mario from Peach, just like the previous game. Lady Bow also makes a cameo appearance, and makes a direct reference to Boo's Mansion, as well as the adventure they had. There is also a random Toad at the Excess Express (after Chapter 6 is completed) that will ask Mario a quiz question, ("What did Bowser steal in the first Paper Mario?"), and the answer is, "Star Rod". The videogame-obsessed Toad kid from Petalburg also mentions that he has been playing this game, describing Bow as the "cutest Boo of ALL TIME!!!" Jr. Troopa also appears in the background in the picture that Zip Toad attached to his e-mail. Several parallels exist between bosses in the two games. The first chapter boss in both games resides in a gray fortress, the third chapter boss in both games are members of the Spike species, the fifth chapter boss in both games have "cognizant limbs" and can be found in caves of some sort on tropical islands, and the sixth chapter boss in both games is one entity consisting of multiple, smaller members of their species (and both explode when defeated, releasing the smaller units toward the screen). Additionally, puzzles in some places are solved identically or similarly. The Riddle Tower has many puzzles from Crystal Palace, including walking through or blowing up seemingly solid walls, and the Palace of Shadow has puzzles and traps from Bowser's Castle, including an area wherein Mario only makes progress by following a pattern (though this is actually taken from the final castle level in Super Mario Bros.) and rooms with stairs where Mario has to defeat Bullet Bill Blasters to reach the next level.
  • Mario Pinball Land - Koopatrols appear as enemies in Bowser's castle.
  • Super Mario 64 DS - The Goomba King returns in this game, renamed to Goomboss.
  • Super Princess Peach - Koopatrols appear as statues in Bowser's Villa.
  • Mario Party 7 - The board Pyramid Park has a Bowser Sphinx whose crown has the same colors and Chain Chomp ornament as Tutankoopa's crown.
  • Mario Kart DS - Goomboss also appears in this game's Mission mode.
  • Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - Star Hill appears once again and is north of the castle just like in this game.
  • Super Paper Mario - Every party member here returns as a Catch Card in this game. Francis also has posters of Lady Bow and Bootler in his castle. Tubba Blubba was also mentioned, and had his own TV show called, "The Blubbening". At the beginning of this game, all of Mario's party members, as well as his ones from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, are all seen together in a photo. The "chapter parallels" return, though to a lesser extent. For Chapter 3 in both games, Mario travels through a castle with chambers/rooms similar to those of real-world large homes and castles, and both contain security entities that will remove Mario from the area if he is caught. For Chapter 5 in both games, the bosses once again have "cognizant limbs", and both happen to be plant-based.
  • Super Mario Galaxy - Both games begin with a letter from Peach to Mario, also Bowser's way of kidnapping Peach (by lifting her castle into the sky) is reused here.
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Kooper, Lady Bow, General Guy, and Kammy Koopa appear as Stickers. Three of the Star Spirits - Eldstar, Muskular, and Misstar - are also represented by Stickers, but use their Mario Party 5 artworks.
  • Paper Mario: Sticker Star - Similar to Bowser's role in this game, Bowser ends up being the main villain as well as being superpowered by a wish-granting object. Unlike in Paper Mario, however, his gaining the object was completely accidental.
  • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS - In the Paper Mario stage, the whale from Chapter 5 appears under the S.S. Flavion variation of the stage lifting the ship up above the water.
  • Paper Mario: Color Splash - When Mario collects a Big Paint Star, an arrangement of the first few notes of this game's title theme is played.
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Piranha Plant turns into a Putrid Piranha during its Poison Breath move, and spits poisonous gas to damage other fighters. It is also mentioned briefly by Viridi during Palutena's Guidance dialogue for Piranha Plant.
  • Paper Mario: The Origami King - Peach's Castle is once again lifted into the sky, this time placed on top of a volcano.

Trophy information from the Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Type Image Description
Paper Mario Paper Mario The Star Rod: Bowser stole it, and Mario wants it back. Bowser vs. Mario is familiar for Mario aficionados, but Paper Mario is novel. What this game brings to the 3D polygon-filled gaming world is its art style: everything is wafer thin! What the visuals lack in realism, they more than make up for in unique artistry.

Development

Paper Mario started development as a sequel to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and production was initially handled by staff that worked on the game. Ryota Kawade was brought in as the chief director and designer,[5] with Shigeru Miyamoto co-producing the game. Early in development, it was decided to divorce the project from Super Mario RPG and the developers took a year and a half to experiment with character and graphical style ideas, including pre-rendered sprites (like Super Mario RPG) and polygons. Although development was initially done with Silicon Graphics workstations as with most first-party Nintendo 64 games, the final game's graphics were done with internal Super Famicom tools. Art director Naohiko Aoyama was responsible for creating the series' distinct paper-like style for character graphics,[6] taking inspiration from the graphics of the PlayStation's PaRappa the Rapper and traditional animated films, such as those in the Disney animation canon or the Looney Tunes franchise.[7] Aoyama believed that players would prefer a game with "cute" paper-like character designs over one with low-polygon 3D graphics.[6]

The original characters introduced in Super Mario RPG were not featured as the developers felt it was better to stick to "the main road" of the Super Mario franchise.[5] The story was conceived early in development and the developers decided to focus on making other aspects of the game appealing to all players in the long run rather than making it "about some grand enticing story", especially as it was felt serious and dramatic themes would be at odd with the lighthearted feel of the franchise.[5]

Particular focus was placed on the battle system, its designing taking up about half of the game's production time.[5] As the developers were aware the game would be primarily played by a young audience, the game was balanced around the idea that combat would not be so easy as to be mindless but not so difficult that it would discourage players. The Action Commands were included to appeal to more seasoned players and the Badge system was put in place to simulate the traditional RPG feeling of growing stronger as the game progresses without featuring equipable weapons or a large amount of stats.[5]

The development of Paper Mario took four years, a very long development cycle for the time.[5] Outside of Intelligent Systems, the development involved auxiliary work by uncredited personnel from LucasArts, Sonic Team, Rare Ltd., and Ubisoft, according to Miyamoto.[8]

Soundtrack

The main soundtrack was composed by Yuka Tsujiyoko, with event jingles and music-based sound effects written by Taishi Senda, while Koji Kondo was credited as the original composer of themes arranged from previous Super Mario and Yoshi games. Tsujiyoko stated that she used pieces of music that originated from games like Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World, and expanded them to make the theme music fit in the game.[9]

A soundtrack for Paper Mario was issued in 2001 by Nintendo of America in limited quantities as a bonus gift for subscribers to Nintendo Power. 78 of the game's 167 music cues appear here, stored across two discs. Before that, another soundtrack for the game had been released in Japan only by Enterbrain, which offered it to subscribers of its magazine Famitsu.

The musical score was entirely sequenced using instrumentation from the Roland Sound Canvas SC-88 module.[10]

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Paper Mario media.
Video.svg Paper Mario - Prologue
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Audio.svg Paper Mario - Title screen theme
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Audio.svg Paper Mario - Attack of the Koopa Bros.
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Audio.svg Paper Mario - Koopa Bros. Keep Cool
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Reception

Paper Mario received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its battle system, graphics, and soundtrack. Numerous critics compared Paper Mario to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, owing to their similar RPG mechanics.

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
N64 Adam Riley, Cubed3 9/10 "It really is a difficult task for a team of game makers to follow on from what was already a brilliant game, but Intelligent Systems did just that. Taking their vast amount of previous experience, it built upon the Nintendo-Squaresoft foundation and made tweaks to the gameplay and length that move the series from entry-level role-playing to out-and-out RPG heaven, but still without the heavy statistics. Want a fun, but not too brief RPG adventure? Get this, get it now!"
N64 Marcel van Duyn, Nintendo Life 10/10 "Paper Mario was, much like Super Mario RPG was to the SNES, the swansong of the N64. It was followed by a sequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, in 2004. It's still a frequent debate which of the two is better, though I would have to go with the sequel. Still, the original Paper Mario is also brilliant! Since the Wii can play GameCube games, you can just buy Paper Mario on VC and hunt down a copy of the sequel if you don't already own it. Any self-respecting Nintendo fan should play at least one of them."
N64 Ben Stahl, GameSpot 9.5/10 "With stunning graphics, excellent sound, and extremely solid gameplay, Paper Mario is a quality game on all fronts. The sprite-based graphics combined with classic Mario gameplay make this a must-own for any Mario lover, and the simplified RPG system makes this a compelling game for both RPG fans and non-fans alike. Games of this caliber are few and far between, and it's too bad that Paper Mario might be the last great 2D Mario game."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 93
GameRankings 88.81%

Staff

Main article: List of Paper Mario staff

Paper Mario was developed by Intelligent Systems, an affiliate studio of Nintendo. Shigeru Miyamoto was the game's co-producer, alongside Kenji Miki. Ryota Kawade was the chief director and game designer, with sub-directors including Toshitaka Muramatsu, Takahiro Ōgi, and Hironobu Suzuki. Kumiko Takeda and Kaori Aoki wrote the game's script, while Naohiko Aoyama was the art director and character designer. The programming team was led by Kenji Nakajima and Kaoru Kita.

Quotes

Main article: List of Paper Mario quotes
  • "Welcome to Boo's Shop. How can I scare you today?" – Igor
  • "Hm! You have great hidden strength for one clothed like a plumber." – The Master
  • "I'm actually a really sensitive guy, trapped in a huge body. I don't wanna be invincible anymore if I have to fight guys like you!" – Tubba Blubba
  • "You!! You ignored all those very scary warnings! Don't you have the common sense to get scared and run away? What's wrong with you!?" – Tutankoopa
  • "Oh no! I can't believe I left my secret diary lying out! It would be totally embarrassing if someone were to read that thing." – Bowser
  • "Kaaaa-wiiiizzz! It's everyone's favorite quizmaster, Chuck Quizmo!" – Chuck Quizmo
  • "Shucks! First I think I get away from that ol' fishin' man... and then I get all swallowed up by some huge fish... and then this fella with the mustache goes upside my head." – Fuzzipede
  • "Nyeah heh heh heh!!! Ooh, I can't wait until Mario gets here! He's gonna get beaten so bad! He'll probably start crying!" – Kammy Koopa
  • "Old man, you are simply the cat's meow!" – Kolorado
  • "I see. Great, just great. You're on an exciting adventure with Mario. Talk about unfair." – Luigi

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of Paper Mario pre-release and unused content

Early screenshots of Paper Mario showed that Poochy was originally intended to play some sort of role in the game. Another screenshot showed that Nep-Enuts were going to be in the game (indicating that Lavalava Island was going to be more like Yoshi's Island). Also, a pre-release screenshot of Forever Forest showed that it would have originally been much smaller than it is in the final game, and that all of the forest's trees would have had sinister faces.

Glitches

Main article: List of Paper Mario glitches

Herringway glitch

Herringway can be morphed into a normal Bumpty or become invisible if the player pauses the game right after Mario and Herringway go into the Mayor's room and right before initiating the conversation with the detective during Chapter 7. If invisible, he will reappear when the room is left. If Herringway becomes a normal Bumpty, the game will freeze when the Mayor gives him the present. Upon freezing, a debug screen will appear.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Paper Mario.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese マリオストーリー[?]
Mario Sutōrī
Mario Story
Chinese (simplified) 纸片马力欧[?]
Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu
Paper Mario
Chinese (traditional) Mario Story[11] Same as Japanese
German Paper Mario[?] -
Italian Paper Mario[?] -
Korean 마리오 스토리[?]
Malio Seutoli
Mario Story

Trivia

  • The name "Paper Mario" appears in transcribed form in certain Japanese materials related to this game, including on the back of that region's packaging, despite it not being the title of the game itself there. It is also said aloud in Japanese advertisements for the game.[12]
  • Paper Mario was released in China on the iQue Player just one month before Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was released in Japan.
  • Paper Mario was the final Super Mario game released for the Nintendo 64 in Australia, while in the rest of the world, Mario Party 3 was the last Super Mario game to be released for said console.
  • Several tracks were adjusted between the Japanese and American releases. The theme for Mt. Rugged uses slightly different instruments, and the themes for Bowser's Castle and the final Bowser fight after gaining the Peach Beam have been pitch-corrected. The music played when a party member joins Mario has also been changed, although the credits theme was not adjusted to match.

References

  1. ^ Owsen, Dan (January 1998). Nintendo Power Volume 104, "Insider Collector's Edition". Page 16.
  2. ^ IGN: Miyamoto Reveals Secrets: Fire Emblem, Mario Paint 64 - interview from 1997 where Paper Mario (under the name Mario RPG 2) is mentioned as a 64DD title in development
  3. ^ Iwata Asks: Paper Mario: Sticker Star: "Going All Out with Stickers"
  4. ^ Template:Media link
  5. ^ a b c d e f GSLA (English translation by "Blackoak", August 20), "Paper Mario – 2000 Developer Interview" (GSLA)". Shmuplations, Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "20 Years Ago, Nintendo Transformed the RPG Genre with Paper Mario". PCMag. August 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Mario RPG is for the Kids". IGN. November 21, 1997.
  8. ^ Imamura, Takao; Miyamoto, Shigeru (1997). Nintendo Power August 1997 - Pak Watch E3 Report "The Game Masters". Nintendo. pp. 104–105.
  9. ^ Kohler, Chris. Wired: Paper Mario: Then and Now, posted 7/26/07; retrieved 4/25/10
  10. ^ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JJBlHHDc65fhZmKUGLrDTLCm6rfUU83-kbuD8Y0zU0o/edit?pli=1#gid=717751203
  11. ^ Official Chinese website for the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  12. ^ [https://youtu.be/K95QKgD1s-g Japanese television spots for Mario Story

External links