With a legacy title like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door getting a remake, it’s a sign that Nintendo is either planning to continue the RPG side of the franchise or perhaps they’re brewing a new idea yet to be revealed. This potential for a fresh direction, whether a continuation of the RPG legacy or an entirely new concept, is part of what makes Paper Mario more than just an RPG-it’s a source of endless possibilities that we can look forward to exploring in the future. 

Where does Nintendo go from here?

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The commercial success of the Nintendo Switch port for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door shows a reemergence of fans and audiences wanting the Mario developers to keep the same formula from the critically acclaimed entry as the best, and the blueprint to make it even better to many is found in the execution.  The last time fans saw the character of Mario in his loveable 2-D paper form before this year was back in 2020 when the plumber showed up in Paper Mario: The Origami King.

This title truly stood out, as it was clear that the publisher took advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware, allowing for various unique enhancements such as pristine and surreal graphics and a total rehaul of the battle system. I will confess that when I first had the chance to play the title through completion, I was a bit skeptical, https://://gty.im/124796113 as the ring system took some time to get used to.

Once I did, I felt it was a significant change of scenery from the standard turn-based RPG gameplay mechanisms. In the background, a stunning paper-mache-style environment perfectly deconstructed the hallowed Mushroom Kingdom. The story was well-written, relied on humor, and was cohesive.  Most notably, in recent years, since release, the title has obtained a positive reaction, with some even declaring the entry as one of the best, even rivaling Thousand-Year Door for the title of the greatest in the franchise.

Nonetheless, it should be known that with each entry, Nintendo looks at what worked and what didn’t to stay ahead of innovation.  For example, before Origami King, there was Paper Mario: Color Splash for the WiiU, which, to many, was a misstep due to factors such as a confusing battle system and outdated presentation, but once again, the question of where the series could head next is one of determining if past titles deserve the ‘remake’ treatment or build to the future. 

Remakes or Originals

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Also, Nintendo usually unveils a new Paper Mario or a main-stay 3-D platformer with a new console. As of now, rumors circulate about the next life cycle, which many are coining as the Nintendo Switch 2.  Even though no details have been revealed, one could feel that if a new Zelda game gets made for the console, then it wouldn’t be wise to consider whether the next Paper Mario could follow as well. It would only seem natural to think so. 

Another remake, such as the third installment in the series, Super Paper Mario, could be considered and given a second chance at reviving shelf life among fans and gamers due to a variety of factors, such as the creativity of the title and the annoyance of the hardware at the time with Wii. Fans always talk about the title with caution, but if you sit down and play it, despite knowing it could be a pricy investment, you are left with a Mario experience that works like none other. For example, players can choose from characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser, with each bringing something new to the overall enjoyment. 

The criticism of the Wii not being the best platform for that title is justifiable. Still, it also raises the question of whether Nintendo is looking to adapt to a possibly 3-D Paper Mario platform with the scale and precision of, say, a Mario Odyssey or if the developers will look to retire the side expansion of a fabled legacy and stick to platformers with the primary installment. But then again, the market for RPG titles is always ripe, most notably with Mario and Luigi: Brothership, slated to release later this year on Nintendo Switch.

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