Every Paper Mario Game You Can Play on Nintendo Switch Right Now

The Nintendo Switch has become a unique sanctuary for the Paper Mario franchise, hosting a collection that spans from the series' very inception to its most recent technical peaks. For years, fans debated which direction the series should take: the traditional RPG roots of the early 2000s or the experimental action-adventure paths of the modern era. Today, the Switch offers a rare opportunity to experience both philosophies side-by-side.

As of 2024, there are three distinct Paper Mario titles available on the Nintendo Switch. Each represents a different epoch of Intelligent Systems' paper-crafted world, offering vastly different combat mechanics, narrative depths, and artistic interpretations of what it means to be a "paper" hero.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024 Remake)

Released on May 23, 2024, the Nintendo Switch version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is more than just a nostalgic trip; it is a meticulously refined restoration of what many consider the greatest RPG in Mario’s history. Originally debuting on the GameCube in 2004, this title defined the gold standard for the series' writing, character development, and turn-based combat.

The Mystery of Rogueport and the Crystal Stars

The journey begins not in the Mushroom Kingdom, but in the gritty, somewhat disreputable port town of Rogueport. Mario arrives following a letter from Princess Peach, who has discovered a magical map leading to the legendary Thousand-Year Door. When Peach goes missing—kidnapped by the technologically advanced X-Nauts—Mario must collect the seven Crystal Stars to open the door and save her.

What sets The Thousand-Year Door apart is its commitment to a darker, more eccentric tone. Rogueport is a town of thieves, backstabby merchants, and hidden secrets. The narrative structure is episodic, with each "Chapter" taking Mario to a distinct locale, from a professional wrestling gladiator pit in the sky (the Glitz Pit) to a monochrome forest where the inhabitants have been turned into pigs.

Depth of the Partner System

In this title, the partners are not just gameplay tools; they are fully realized characters with personal stakes. On the Nintendo Switch, these characters shine with updated expressions and dialogue cues.

• Goombella: An archaeology student who provides "Tattle" information on enemies and environments. Her snarky commentary adds layers of world-building to every room.
• Vivian: A former antagonist whose arc regarding self-acceptance and familial abuse remains one of the most poignant storylines in any Mario game.
• Admiral Bobbery: A retired sea captain mourning his late wife. His recruitment involves a deeply emotional side quest that contrasts sharply with the series' typical lightheartedness.
• Ms. Mowz: An optional badge-hunting thief who adds a layer of completionist challenge for those observant enough to find her.

Refined Turn-Based Combat and the Stage Mechanic

The combat in The Thousand-Year Door is purely turn-based but incorporates "Action Commands." Pressing the A button at the exact moment of impact increases damage, while well-timed defensive presses reduce it. The "Superguard" mechanic—a high-risk, high-reward move performed with the B button—allows players to negate all damage and even counterattack, provided they have the frame-perfect timing required.

A standout feature is that every battle takes place on a literal theater stage. An audience of Goombas, Toads, and even enemies watches the fight. Performing well fills your Star Power, allowing for massive special attacks. However, the audience can also interact with the battle, throwing helpful items like Mushrooms or harmful rocks at Mario. In the Switch version, the stage effects and lighting have been overhauled to look like a premium paper-craft production.

What Is New in the Switch Version?

The 2024 remake introduces several quality-of-life improvements that address the few criticisms of the original:

1. Visual and Audio Overhaul: The game runs in a stunning high-definition paper aesthetic with revamped lighting and textures. The soundtrack has been completely rearranged with live instruments, though purists can equip the "Nostalgic Tunes" badge to hear the original MIDI tracks.
2. The Pipe Room: A new fast-travel hub located beneath Rogueport makes backtracking significantly less tedious, allowing Mario to warp quickly between previously completed chapters.
3. The Battle Master: A new character who provides a practice environment for mastering Action Commands and Superguards, which is invaluable given the specific timing required for the remake's updated engine.
4. Partner Ring: A quick-swap menu that allows players to change their active partner in the overworld without opening the full menu, streamlining puzzle-solving.

Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)

Representing the "modern" era of the series, Paper Mario: The Origami King was released in July 2020. It moves away from the deep RPG stats of its predecessors and leans heavily into action-adventure and environmental puzzle-solving.

A World Under Siege by Origami

The plot follows King Olly, the self-proclaimed ruler of the Origami Kingdom, who intends to fold the entire world into his image. He uproots Peach’s Castle and wraps it in five massive streamers that stretch across the land. Mario teams up with Olivia, Olly’s benevolent sister, to travel the world, sever the streamers, and restore the paper citizens.

Visually, The Origami King is perhaps the most beautiful game in the series. It utilizes the paper aesthetic not just as a style, but as a core mechanic. Mario uses "Confetti" to repair holes in the world, and "1000-Fold Arms" to peel back layers of the environment to reveal hidden paths.

The Ring-Based Battle System

The most controversial and unique aspect of The Origami King is its puzzle-combat. Battles take place in a circular arena where enemies are scattered across concentric rings. Mario stands at the center. Before the attacking phase begins, players must rotate and slide the rings to line up enemies into groups (either a 1x4 line for boots or a 2x2 square for hammers).

Correctly lining up enemies provides a significant attack boost. While this system lacks the "experience points" and "leveling up" of The Thousand-Year Door, it demands high-speed logical thinking. Boss battles flip this mechanic: the boss sits at the center, and Mario must manipulate the rings to create a path of arrows and action tiles to reach the boss’s weak point.

Exploration and the Toad Hunt

Where The Origami King truly excels is in its world-building and exploration. The game is packed with hundreds of hidden Toads who have been folded into origami shapes or stuck in crevices. Rescuing them isn't just a collectible task; the Toads fill the bleachers of your battle arena, providing cheers and assistance during combat in exchange for coins.

The game features expansive, open zones, such as the Great Sea, where Mario pilots a boat to discover islands, and the vast Scorching Sandpaper Desert. The writing remains sharp and witty, often poking fun at the Mario universe's tropes while delivering surprisingly emotional moments, particularly regarding the companion characters like Bobby the Bob-omb.

Paper Mario (N64 via Nintendo Switch Online)

For those who want to see where it all began, the original Paper Mario, released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, is available on the Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. This is not a remake, but a high-quality emulation of the original hardware experience.

The Foundation of the Franchise

Originally titled Super Mario RPG 2 during development, this game transitioned into the paper aesthetic to differentiate itself from the Square-developed SNES predecessor. It introduced the core mechanics that would define the series for two decades:

• Action Commands: The timing-based hits that made turn-based combat feel interactive.
• Partners: Eight distinct companions, including Goombario, Kooper, and Bombette, who each have unique abilities to solve puzzles in the Mushroom Kingdom.
• Badges: A customization system that allows players to choose between increasing stats or gaining new abilities, creating "builds" for Mario.

Why Play the Original Today?

Despite its age, the N64 original holds up remarkably well due to its clean art style and focused design. It offers a more traditional "Hero’s Journey" through the Mushroom Kingdom than the later, more experimental titles. For players who find The Thousand-Year Door a bit too complex or The Origami King too puzzle-heavy, the N64 version provides a perfectly balanced RPG experience. On the Switch, players also benefit from "Suspend Points" (save states) and "Rewind" features, making the game's more difficult sections more accessible.

Comparing the Switch Paper Mario Experiences

To help decide which game to play first, it is essential to understand how they differ in their core pillars.

Combat Philosophy

The Thousand-Year Door focuses on strategy and resource management. You must decide whether to spend your Badge Points (BP) on a powerful "Power Bounce" or a defensive "Close Call." In contrast, The Origami King is a test of spatial awareness. If you can't solve the ring puzzle within the time limit, the combat becomes significantly harder. The N64 original is the simplest, focusing on the fundamentals of the Action Command.

Narrative and Humor

All three games share the series' signature wit, but the delivery varies. The N64 version is charming and lighthearted. The Thousand-Year Door is often sarcastic and explores more mature themes (for a Mario game). The Origami King leans into meta-humor and physical comedy, using the "paper" nature of the world for visual gags and existential dread regarding being "folded."

The Missing Titles: What You Can't Play on Switch

While the Switch library is impressive, it is not yet complete. Several titles remain locked to older hardware, and there is currently no official word on their porting to the Switch:

• Super Paper Mario (Wii): This game traded turn-based combat for a 2D/3D platforming hybrid. It features what many consider the deepest and most complex story in the entire Mario franchise.
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS): The first major departure from RPG mechanics, focusing on consumable stickers for every action. It is generally the least-liked entry among long-time fans but was a significant commercial success.
• Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U): A visual precursor to The Origami King, this game focused on painting a bleached world. It improved on the Sticker Star formula but remained hampered by its card-based combat system.

Maximizing the Experience on Nintendo Switch

For players diving into these games, there are a few tips to enhance the experience.

Using the NSO Features for the N64 Title

Since the N64 version is an emulation, take advantage of the Nintendo Switch Online app's ability to use the N64 Controller (if you can find one in stock). The button mapping for the original Paper Mario was designed specifically for the N64’s unique layout, and playing with a modern Pro Controller can occasionally feel slightly unintuitive during high-speed Action Commands.

Badge Strategy in The Thousand-Year Door

In the Switch remake of The Thousand-Year Door, the "Badge" system is where the true depth lies. Early in the game, it is tempting to dump all your level-up points into HP (Health). However, veteran players recommend prioritizing BP (Badge Points). Having more BP allows you to equip badges like "Power Plus" or "Multibounce," which let you end fights before the enemies can even touch your HP. The remake also includes new badges that weren't in the GameCube version, so even returning players should experiment.

Handling the Ring Timer in Origami King

If the puzzle-solving in The Origami King feels too stressful, don't forget the "Toad Cheer" mechanic. By spending coins during a battle, the rescued Toads will literally jump onto the stage and solve parts of the puzzle for you, or even heal you. In the late game, coins are abundant, so there is no shame in "buying" your way through a particularly tricky ring alignment.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch offers the most comprehensive Paper Mario experience of any console to date. Whether you are looking for a deep, character-driven RPG experience in The Thousand-Year Door, a vibrant and creative puzzle-adventure in The Origami King, or a trip back to the series' roots with the N64 original, there is a version of Mario’s papery world that fits your preference.

Each game stands as a testament to Nintendo's willingness to experiment with its most famous mascot. While the mechanics have shifted over twenty years, the core charm—the humor, the vibrant art, and the clever use of a paper-thin world—remains constant across all three Switch offerings.

Summary of Paper Mario Games on Switch

1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024): The definitive turn-based RPG experience. High narrative depth and strategic combat.
2. Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020): A visually stunning action-adventure with a unique ring-based puzzle system.
3. Paper Mario (N64 - NSO): The classic origin of the series, offering pure nostalgic RPG gameplay.

FAQ

Is Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Switch a new game?

No, it is a remake of the 2004 Nintendo GameCube title. However, it features completely new graphics, re-recorded music, and several new gameplay features and locations that were not in the original.

Do I need a subscription to play all Paper Mario games on Switch?

You need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to play the original N64 Paper Mario. The Thousand-Year Door and The Origami King are standalone purchases available physically or on the eShop.

Which Paper Mario game should I play first?

If you enjoy traditional RPGs with leveling and deep stories, start with The Thousand-Year Door. If you prefer exploration and puzzles, The Origami King is an excellent entry point.

Can I play Super Paper Mario on the Switch?

Not currently. Super Paper Mario was released for the Wii and has not been ported or remade for the Nintendo Switch as of early 2024.

Are there any missable partners in the Switch version of The Thousand-Year Door?

Ms. Mowz is the only optional and potentially "missable" partner, though you can go back and recruit her at almost any point after Chapter 4 by completing a specific request at the Trouble Center in Rogueport.