ThePaper Marioseries has always been popular among Mario and RPG fans alike, with 5 mainline titles. WhilePaper Mario: Sticker StarandPaper Mario: Color Splashare far less praised than the three that came before them, many players are clamoring for anewPaper Mariogame for the Nintendo Switch.
While nothing is confirmed by Nintendo, rumors are flying around the internet abouta newPaper Mariocoming out sometime in 2020. Considering how much the series has changed over the years and through different installments, it’s almost impossible to predict what could happen in a new title. However, there are possibilities that there will be echoes left over from past games.
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A Return to Form
What many players and fans ofPaper Mariohave made known is the desire to return to the classic RPG gameplay shown in the N64 originalPaper Marioand the Gamecube’sPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
A system like this would have players battling in the traditional turn-based RPG battles after touching an enemy in the overworld. Mario has the option to attack via jumping or using his hammer, which can be strengthened via the usage of badges or story progress. Players also have access to Mario’s various partners that join Mario throughout his adventure. Thesepartners have their own abilitiesthat can be used in battle, as well as having their own personalities that interact with the story around Mario while active.
An upgrade to these partners that was first madeavailable inPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doorwas in how Mario could swap with a partner in battle. By doing this, Mario can play more defensively and partners could make their move before Mario.
All attacks in battle required following specific timing, with better timing dealing better damage. For example, if players pressed the A button just as Mario was touching an enemy with his feet in battle while jumping, more damage would be dealt. These timing mini-games helped make these battles more interesting and allowed more skilled players to pull off fancy footwork.
Another well loved feature that was introduced inPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doorwas the audience that watches all battles in-game. As the battles appear to be on a stage, the audience can interact with players in various ways such as throwing helpful items, throwing trash, and dropping things from the rafters that can either hit Mario or the enemies. Appealing to the audience will also give players more Star Power for more powerful attacks.
Of course, what players also greatly enjoyed aboutthe original twoPaper Mariogameswas the vast amount of world-building and character interactions. A new title in the series would need to live up the standards set by these two when it comes to interesting levels and characters to be encountered.
Something Completely New
If players are to get a newPaper Mario, it’s entirely possible for something completely unexpected to be designed for 2020. Despite the desire for many fans to go back to the old ways, Nintendo may have different plans for the series, asPaper Mariohas gone through drastic changes ever sinceSuper Paper Mario’s release in 2007. While Nintendo may not turn it back into a platformer title, anything can be possible for the new title.
As stated before, the matters of a newPaper Mariotitle are just rumorsand nothing is definitely known. As 2020 is the 35th anniversary ofSuper Mario Bros., players should still expect something big from Nintendo involving the famous plumber.
A newPaper Mariois rumored to be in development, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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