Super Mario is arguably Nintendo’s most popular property, and the titular plumber has been the publisher’s mascot for decades. When we think of franchises, gamers’ minds are often drawn to nostalgic platform games or the high-octane Mario Kart series. However, Mario RPGs are involved in the franchise as well.
Whether you’re looking for a union between brothers or a visually fun adventure with Paper Mario, Nintendo’s RPG corner of the Mario games has something for everyone. Here is a list of every Mario RPG and where their popularity among fans stands.
12 Paper Mario: Star Sticker
Paper Mario: Sticker Star was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012, and it often divides audiences, with some saying it’s at least better than Super Paper Mario and others calling for more appreciation for it. Its decent music and graphics are often praised for the time it was made.
While none of the Mario RPGs on this list are inherently bad, the lackluster story made for Sticker Star always stays in the crossfire, so there are many other titles that have more respect from fans.
11 Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi’s first union RPG was released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003 and was later revamped for the 3DS along with Bowser’s Minions and also appeared on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2014.
Superstar Saga remains a middling Mario RPG and thus ranks lower despite receiving more praise. However, the title’s unique sense of humor and relatively simple gameplay made it a great entry point for younger gamers newly entering the franchise.
10 Mario and Luigi: Dream Team
The second Mario and Luigi team on this list comes in the form of Dream Team, known in Japan as Dream Adventure, which was released on Nintendo 3DS in 2013. The title was created to celebrate Luigi’s year – the character’s 30th anniversary.
Despite being appreciated in fan pockets for its unique concept, Dream Team doesn’t do enough to push the series to its fullest potential, even though some consider Antasma the best villain out of all the antagonists in the RPG series.
9 Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam
Released two years later on the 3DS, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam or Paper Mario Mix was an underrated title that was a mash-up of the Paper Mario and the Brothers series and was often praised for its paper battles.
One of the main criticisms found after playing Paper Jam has to do with its vanilla level design and overarching story, which holds this entry back in the lower ranks of our list. However, fanbase reception towards the boss fights and the accompanying score was largely positive, with some favoring it more than others.
8 Paper Mario: Color Splash
The second Paper Mario entry on the list belongs to Color Splash which was released on Wii U back in 2016 and was the first of the series to feature HD. It was also another RPG to head into the action-adventure genre and make good use of the Nintendo Wii U GamePad.
While many Mario fans insist that Color Splash should be higher than Sticker Star and other previous titles, its influence on the RPG genre isn’t inconsistent with the higher-rated games on our list.
7 Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time
One of the most underrated Mario RPGs, according to fanlist, Partners in Time was released in 2005 on the Nintendo DS and later on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2014. It’s also one of the classic Mario games to join Nintendo’s catalog Switch Online for new generations to play.
Combining one of the best storytelling arcs on the list with inviting locations and memorable bosses gives Partners in Time replayability, but the entry misses out on the lead.
6 Super Paper Mario
Released in 2007 for the Wii, Super Paper Mario was a gateway for the series to delve into the action-adventure genre – a controversial move that wasn’t well-received by every fan of the franchise – but remained a ground-breaking achievement in the eyes of some.
While it deserves a higher rating on this list for its story, villains, and ability to balance a range of genres in one title, some gamers still can’t stand a showdown with a meme and Nintendo is best keeping this antagonist away from anything. Recreate the future.
5 Paper Mario: King of Origami
The latest Paper Mario iteration was The Origami King launched back in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. It is beloved by fans who consider it an amazing entry in the modern era and a fitting evolution of the series on Nintendo’s modern console.
The Origami King was a decent midway entry into the series, boasting a vibrant world with quirky characters, but it left more to be desired with our ranking in the top four.
4 Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Legend of the Seven Stars has received four releases in the past 20 years, starting with its debut on the SNES in 1996 and then on the Wii U virtual console. It has its reputation as a Super Mario classic and has paved the way for several entries on this list.
As the first RPG to feature Mario, this entry is the epitome of Super Mario fun, complete with stellar music and another great plot that gets emotional more than once. Being developed by Square, it is considered a rare and often cherished project between the two companies.
3 paper mario
The original Paper Mario, released on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, is responsible for ushering in an exciting new idea in the huge Super Mario franchise and setting the benchmark for future titles.
Despite this entry dividing the fandom once again, there’s no denying its impact on the IP and its position as a solid Mario RPG. The music for this title in particular is often identified as a staple of the series, being honored with the release of a soundtrack by Famitsu in 2000.
2 Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
The final Mario & Luigi outing on our list is Bowser’s Inside Story which is awarded the second spot in the ranking for being the Mario RPG with the highest replay factor in the series. It was also one of the first titles to take advantage of the Nintendo DS’ touch screen, which added a novelty to the title version.
Bowser’s Inside Story was originally released on the DS in 2009, and was initially praised for allowing you to play as Bowser. Now, the battle system, storytelling, and music still hold up to this day.
1 Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Topping the Mario RPG list was the popular Paper Mario title, The Thousand-Year Door, originally released on the Nintendo GameCube in 2004. Many fans consider this to be the staple of the Paper Mario series and one of the best games on the console. retro control.
It is rumored that this title is coming to Nintendo Switch Online which will allow modern gamers to immerse themselves in this classic game. The Thousand-Year Door is an easy steal at the top for its ability to hone the essence of a Mario game, packing humor, storytelling, music, and more into one charming title.
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