The GameCube was one of my favourite consoles despite the small amount of games I had for it. Throughout the years, I’ve wanted to try out many of those games I’ve missed. There’s been quite a few from the GameCube that Nintendo and other companies have been remaking for the Nintendo Switch. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the latest of those.

This is the Paper Mario that many herald as the best of the series. Great, varied characters, great, fun story, and the best mechanics the series has ever had. For years I had considered using other means to play it, but then last year it was announced to be coming to the Switch. It was obviously going onto my waiting for list, ready for when it released. And from my playing of it, I can see why people say this is the best.

The story goes that underneath Rogueport is the treasure of a sunken city, which can only be accessed through the Thousand-Year Door. That door will only open when seven Crystal Stars are gathered. A map will help with that, but it is locked in a chest only those pure of heart can open. That pure of heart person is Princess Peach, holidaying in Rogueport. Aware of what the map is, she sends it to Mario, and thus the adventure begins.

Immediately, the paper aesthetic is visible. Everything is made of paper, with all the locations being dioramas. Those dioramas are wonderfully designed, with many elements coming together to create some great biomes. Rogueport feels like a seedy city with plenty of browns in its design and water patches on the ground. It’s a stark difference to the greenery and blue skies of Petal Meadows, the first location visited on the hunt for the Crystal Stars.

Just from exploring around Rogueport, there were many great moments to find. Such as having some money stolen upon entering the east side of the city, the back alleys where a wanted Goomba resides, and the Toads who have names such as Zess T. and other delightful puns. This sets the tone for the rest of game, where each city will have its own collection of delightful characters to interact with.

The first party members encountered right from the off is Goombella, a Goomba who is also hunting for the Crystal Stars, which gets the attention of the villainous X-Nauts. Each party member has something useful they can do out on the field, such as Goombella’s academic side helping to identify every resident and foe encountered. Even in battle. Later party members have abilities which help solve the puzzles of the world and even uncover secrets.

Combat is turn-based, and holds quite a bit of depth. As the game progressed, more just seems to always be opening up, increasing the variety of battles. Mario has his usual jump, and also a hammer. Both are attack options, but are basic. The same can be said for those of party members. Enemies have variety, with some attacks not being viable for a particular one.

Each move has an action command which, if performed well, increases the damage that move will do. Even defence comes with action commands, whereby a simple guard reduces damage taken while a riskier to time superguard will perform a counterattack. With battles taking place on a stage, the game make sure the audience plays a part. Good moves will draw in the crowd while bad ones will see them go. Pulling off an action command will see the audience provide star power.

At first, only one special move is possible to use. As more Crystal Stars are found, the amount of star power held increases and a new special move is unlocked. These special moves also come with their own action commands, increasing the power of them for successful timing of those action commands. These things can really turn the tide of battle, so it always pays to keep the crowd on your good side.

There is a lot of fun to be found with Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Experimenting with the badges and the effects they have on battle. Marvelling at just how good everything looks. Enjoying the writing that provides plenty of laughs. Completing the puzzles, whether for questing or secrets. It truly is a fantastic RPG experience, and one that I can easily recommend.

Images Taken From:
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Nintendo Switch [Handheld]