Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)
Every Paper Mario game has experimented with the paper form in some way or another. Thousand-Year Door let Mario turn into paper planes and tubes; Color Splash had paint; Sticker Star had stickers (for better or worse). Chicory: A Colorful Tale, from the makers of Wandersong, also plays with the paper form — but you yourself are the artist, bringing colour back to a world turned monochrome. The writing is lush and layered, with a lot of real-world issues hidden amongst its soft, gentle themes, but there are plenty of jokes and sweet moments in amongst all the heart-rending cutscenes. This is the Paper Mario: Color Splash we deserved.
Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan (Switch eShop)
If you can bear Rainbow Billy's heavy dose of twee — you'll be sailing around the world on a literal Friend-Ship, engaging in "combat" that's actually all about befriending your opponents by listening to their problems — then you'll find a rather fun, surprisingly challenging Paper Mario-like that wears its heart on its sleeve. The visuals are a combination of Paper Mario's simple linework and white outlines, and that classic rubberhose animation style which was brought back into the spotlight by Cuphead, which nicely sets it apart from many pretenders to the Paper Mario throne.
Demon Turf (Switch)
Featuring flat 2D characters in 3D environments, Demon Turf initially looks a bit, well, odd. In practice, the juxtaposition of visual styles actually holds a lot of charm — it's not quite Paper Mario, but it works. It stars Beebz, a 1000-year-old demon who must navigate a series of levels — or ‘turfs’ — in order to reclaim the land from the Demon King and ultimately usurp the ruler from his throne.
As a platformer, it feels satisfyingly retro, but thankfully modern, and although the combat doesn't quite match up to our expectations, it must be said that disappointing combat is sort of one of the mainstays of the Paper Mario series, anyway!
Born of Bread (Switch eShop)
Like Bug Fables, Born of Bread is very much inspired by the paper Mario franchise, right down to its visual style, tone, and gameplay. This is a turn-based RPG with charming characters and a weird, wonderful story. There are timed button-hits, a "live audience" watching every battle (this time via a stream), and plenty of exploration and puzzles. Plus, lots of bread puns. Now you can't turn down a good bread pun, can you?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Paper Mario-like?
When we talk about a Paper Mario-like, we're thinking about aesthetics and tone mostly. Fun, paper-craft visuals, humorous characters, fun dialogue, and a unique tone. Paper-themed jokes are also welcome, of course, but it's mainly about how the game looks and feels.
When is the next Paper Mario game out on Nintendo Switch?
You're in luck — a remaster of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2024. This is an HD remaster of the 2004 GameCube RPG developed by Intelligent Systems.
While we don't have an exact release date, we suspect it'll be before the game's 20th anniversary on 22nd July 2024. So, in the next six months, hopefully!
Are all Paper Mario-likes turn-based RPGs?
No, they're not! We've made sure to pick from a variety of genres for this list and not just turn-based RPGs. While Bug Fables and Born of Bread are certainly the most Paper Mario-esque games, we've included puzzle platformers like Tinykin and action-adventure games like Nobody Saves the World.
Not even every game in the Paper Mario series is a straight-up turn-based RPG, after all. Look at Super Paper Mario...
We've got our eye on Paper Animal RPG, Scrap Story, Flynt Buckler, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, and The Plucky Squire, too — all of which promise a healthy dose of Paper Mario-inspired hijinks. Things are looking up for Paper Mario fans! Especially with The Thousand-Year Door making a return.
As always, head to the comments below if you've got a game to recommend that nails the vibe of Paper Marios past, whether that's the writing, the humour, or, of course, that papery aesthetic.
- Page :
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
Comments 53
Chicory is still in my backlog. Feels like a game I'll get to while traveling sometime as I think it might be better suited in handheld mode- perhaps painting using the touchscreen rather than docked with a pro controller as I primarily play.
A good "Paper Mario-like" (in gameplay, not art style) would be a new Super Mario RPG, Mario & Luigi or Super Princess Peach though tbh.
Edit: I'd also add Restless Soul to this list in terms of that 'Paper' look
... Wun can only hope.
My favorite paper mario like is the persona series followed by skullgirls. 😂
I absolutely love Tinykin, but no way would I say it gives a Paper Mario sort of gameplay experience, apart from flat characters. Even saying it's similar to Pikmin is really barely true at all. It's a platformer, plain and simple.
From what I've heard, Bug Fables is the most authentic Paper Mario-like experience out there.
I'll tell you which one I want to come to Switch:
I played the original Paper Mario for the first time via NSO EP when it originally came out back in December and wow: what an introduction. Lovely characters, an infectiously addicting battle system, collectables and upgrades up the wazoo and some brilliant music/moments (I'll never forget Tubba Blubba's chase for as long as I live). Definitely need to get around to games like Bug Fables and Chicory whenever possible.
Bug fables is better than any paper Mario game. Coming from someone who has the series in their top five of all time.
Waiting for The Outbound Ghost to come to Switch
My fave paper mario like games are both South Park games. Turn based rpg with action commands, check. Partners with overworld exploration abilities, check. Great, funny writing, check. Apply badges (patches) to get new augments for your main character, check. Lots of sidequests, check.
Check em out, on sale all the time because ubisoft
Cris Tales could be on this list
Paper Mario (NSO N64 app) 😉
...this article has an extremely loose definition of what a "Paper Mario Like" is. Turnip Boy is more like a silly little Zeldalike with not very good controls.
and Undertale... is its own beast entirely at this point.
I love how many paper mario like indie-games are coming out. Chicory is in my backlog and were just added to psplus, but it looks like it would be great on the OLED
Are the South Park games not on switch too? Stick of Truth and Fractured but Whole are also incredibly Paper Mario 1-2 esque in their game design as well.
The Outbound Ghost needs to be added to this list once it's released.
Ahh, I forgot to mention, I think fans of Paper Mario would also enjoy West of Loathing. It's surprisingly well-written, with an amazing sense of humour too.
@EarthboundBenjy
It seems as though anything with rpg elements is considered paper Mario like. Probably so their list wouldn’t have like three games on it.
If you want old school paper Mario and haven’t played bug fables, why?
It really is old school paper Mario, just with bugs
@blindsquarel
I've played through the console Paper Mario's each several times over, and I've played through Bug Fables before and after the big update......I think claiming that it's objectively better than 1,000 Year Door is a stretch. I do think it's a good game
Thought about Bug Fables but never got around to it...I dunno. It just makes me want TTYD on the Switch already or something. Why can't we get a remake/port? >.<
@blindsquarel I've been meaning to pick up that game for so long, your comment convinced me to get it. Thanks!
@daveMcFlave
It is just my opinion. But in reality most objective opinions are really subjective just due to personal biases, and whether they make you judge a game more harshly or are blind to its flaws.
Basically most “objective” opinions are really subjective. Some things in a game might be better for me than you and visa versa.
@Jimmy_G_Buckets
You won’t regret it. It takes all the good about thousand year door, and improves on everything wrong with thousand year door.
Bug Fables is great, just that right amount of comedic writing with good storyline, a lot of side quests too, some of the bosses were a bit of a pain, but once you learned them it was ok
I say absolutely more power to everyone who liked Bug Fables. You were able to have an aesthetic experience that I wasn't, so clearly you win, and I'm obviously in an extreme minority, but I found the "clever" dialogue so unbearably nails-on-a-chalkboard grating that I had to stop playing. It was just painful.
I know it's a weird fit, but listen to me
in a way
Snipperclips
I have played all but 2 of those games. I need to complete a couple of them but it interesting how they are actually really quite good playthroughs. Chicory is the one that stands out for me. However, Bug Fables, Cat Quest series (underrated household liked game) are of particular enjoyment.
@Ironcore I know this is an old comment but it speaks the truth. "Cris Tales" SHOULD be on this list. The gameplay is straight out of Paper Mario - Nintendo Life's own review even said so! - but the time travel mechanics give it a unique flair.
"Turn-based battles" are the main things that come to my plate whenever "Paper Mario-likes" are brought up for me.
Any who, here are my thoughts on the games (I played) on the list...
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
I would say "great game" because it brought back the "Paper Mario" vibe I longed for (even though I enjoyed Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and Paper Mario: Color Splash for what they were) and it is quite a magnificent effort for an indie version of it...but I wasn't too keen on how "rigid" many of the mechanics were in comparison and a lot of its charm, while great, didn't quite hit home for me. Either way, Moonsprout Games gets a medal from me.
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
A quirky little The Legend of Zelda-like that manages to convey neat ideas to help make up for its shortcomings in the mechanics department, but that's pretty much all I'll say.
Cat Quest II
I enjoyed this a bit more than its predecessor, but that's mainly because of the added depth and meat to it that made its predecessor fairly barebones otherwise. Either way, decent game and hopefully the upcoming third game will be actually "good".
Undertale
Pretty good game for the unique danmaku sections (on defense) and its ACT system. As much as I enjoyed the overall presentation on many angles, the game didn't really leave me highly impressed as the crowd did and even then, I do wish that the game still statistically rewarded me on Pacifist Route runs.
Nobody Saves the World
Amazing game by (one of) my favorite developer(s) DrinkBox Studios, blending many of its ideas together beautifully into one jam-packed Action RPG, especially with its great DLC.
As for the rest, I never played them, so I can't say much about them. I will say, though, that I don't mind trying Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Born of Bread out (I did play the latter's demo and I enjoyed it, but I never bought the full game), especially the former as its "It's the Paper Mario: Color Splash we all deserved" thing has me intrigued since I actually greatly enjoyed Paper Mario: Color Splash (and Paper Mario: Sticker Star for that matter), therefore I'm wondering how much better Chicory: A Colorful Tale is in comparison.
Maybe the direction Paper Mario took wasn't such a bad thing - otherwise, a bunch of these games would probably never exist.
Seeing this reminded me of something. Do you remember that game that was announced? It was a dude with a sword. The gameplay styles change. He could jump in and out of the different gameplay styles. I think it's an indie game.
Edit: I just remembered the game. The Plucky Squire. I see its been delayed.
Only one I've tried out is Bug Fables and I couldn't get into it at all. Just felt like a soulless retread.
A lot of these games are quite good but besides Bug Fables and Born of Bread none of the ones I played particularly reminded me of Paper Mario (I've played at least demos of most of the list).
Demon Turf is my favorite from the list.
Bug Fables was a game I wanted to love but something about it really bothered me (I honestly don't know what) so I quit playing pretty early on. Edit: @happydeathman I just read your comment and I think I agree. There can be a fine line between hilarious dialogue and painful dialogue and for me personally I think the game was on the wrong side of that line. Also, there are surprisingly many comments like this so Bug Fable dislikers may be less of a minority than I would have guessed.
I am jealous of those who enjoyed bug fables. I don't know what it is about it, but I didn't enjoy my time with it. I think it may have tried to be too much like Paper Mario and didn't try to push things and that alone may have brought the game down for me. I am honestly unsure.
For me Paper Mario is like From Software games. They are fantastic if you play one rarely. I think the timing based battle system is just to nerve wrecking if too many games have it. And recently too many games had such a battle system.
Objection! Origami King is one of the best. What a contrast to (boo) Color Splash.
First off, in my opinion, Origami King is secretly one of the very best games Nintendo has released on Switch, regardless of its differences to the "Paper Marios of old".
Second, I don't see how some of the games in this list could be considered more similar to those "Paper Marios of old" than any of the recent Paper Mario games. I mean, Chicory is one of my absolute favorite indie games from the last few years, but anyone looking for a "Paper Marios of old" experience in it, will be extremely disappointed.
@Kochambra I've read a lot of comments saying that the battle system in Origami King makes the game extremely tedious, which has kept me off buying the game. What's your take on the battle system?
@Poodlestargenerica to be fair, that comment is from before TTYD was announced to come to Switch, or Super Mario RPG for that matter.
@Jiggies Yeah it’s annoying that this issue was so blown out of proportion that it actually kept people (like yourself) from playing the game. Do play it, it’s one of the best entries. Setting and storytelling and everything, wonderful. I actually thought the battles were quite fun, I’d much rather have those than some traditional RPG turn-based battles (case in point, I hated the battles in Persona 5 so I stopped after one dungeon).
Hmm apart from 2 games the majority of these are nothing like Paper Mario...and bug fables just looks too much like paper mario where other than it being bugs its a straight up copy.. the thing is there is no comparison nor even a modern equivalent...which is why its just worth waiting for the the thousand year door remake and in the mean time play the original one
@HammerGalladeBro Well, stupid me, I deleted my comment. I thought this was a new article. So few comments.
@Jiggies Regarding the combat system, I think its effectiveness and depth varies depending on the type of enemy:
1) The combat with regular enemies you encounter while exploring is relatively simple, fun at first but it can get tiresome in the latter half of the game (this happens to me with other turn based games too). Thankfully, by that time you can use an auto-win mechanic that makes them easy to skip.
2) The combat against special enemies and bosses is where the combat system truly shines. It keeps the basic mechanics you have learned fighting against regular enemies, but each boss introduces interesting variations and limitations that makes these encounters challenging without the usual lack of clarity and unfairness that spoils so many boss encounters in turn based games.
In fewer words: Regular encounters are a fun way to learn the ins and outs of the combat system and can be skipped safely when they get repetitive. Boss fights are great (this comes from someone who usually isn't particularly fond of boss fights).
That's my opinion, anyway.
They’re not to hard to beat, are they? I’m very wary of indie games with a frustratingly high difficulty, even on the “easiest” setting, which is pretty much why I don’t own a lot of indie games. (Thanks a lot, Cuphead 🙄)
@Poodlestargenerica no problem. I wish NL had a way to say "These comments were posted before update #X" when they update an article or list.
Play Super Mario RPG while you wait!
Interesting article, since old school Paper Mario is awesome. I've played Bug Fables and heard about two other titles, but there are some new games for me here. Nice!
Once again, considering I'm not a pc man, thanks to series x retroarch, can play paper mario thousand year door on there in hd glory!
Or just wait for the real deal when Thousand Year Door hits Switch later this year. I still can't believe that remake is a thing.
I do enjoy born of bread, but it is a bit on the buggy side. I do recommend it, but maybe in a bit when it’s had more time to bake. It’s a good game! At least, it will be
Bug fables is amazing! I played every ounce of it and got all the stuff.
As a dude who doesn’t care for old paper mario, I unironically think Bug Fables is one of the greatest games ever made (in my opinion)
It’s so charming.
The writing is funny and good, the story is quite solid, the character dynamics are perfection, the music is amazing, the gameplay is spectacular, the visuals are alright, everything is great!
I can understand why some people may not dig this game, it has a slow start and is an RPG after all, but I don’t think it’s a “paper mario ripoff” as some people put it, it has its own soul and identity from it. And unlike what some people in this thread said, it DOES innovate on the paper mario.
For writing, it’s pretty great. For this part being done all by one person (meaning every little corner, every minus button press in an area was done by a normal dude), somehow manages to work.
It’s funny, the story was crafted well with a solid twist and fun characters, but also manages to craft a perfect character dynamic between the 3 characters.
Arlo put it best. “At the end, many games like this try to say “Look at how far we’ve grown!” but that statement has no weight to it, because we don’t actually see the growth. But in Bug Fables, you can see the characters gradually becoming stronger and bonding together to where when they say that in the end, it feels earned.”
The gameplay is amazing too, the TBC truly shines as (in my opinion) possibly the best combat system a TBC format can have. 3 characters with their own abilities, team relay, medals, team moves, items, spying, and yielding all combine together perfectly.
I ain’t turning this into a review, that ain’t my job, so I’ll end this here.
I just love this game lol
@Jiggies Personally, despite still preferring the older Paper Mario games I quite enjoyed Origami King its own way including the battle system (and while I didn't mind regular fights as much I overall agree with @Kochambra) so I'd definitely recommend giving it a try at least, but your mileage may vary.
@DiamondCore Couldn't agree more with you, I really don't get those who call Bug Fables "soulless" etc. while I can definitely see where the criticism by @StephenYap3 comes from despite how much I personally enjoyed the game - it definitely feels more "rigid" than Paper Mario, especially in the overworld exploration, and of course its charm might not be everyone's cup of tea!
@NintendoWife @Kochambra @JohnnyMind Thank you all for your replies. I put a lot of value on the opinions of people who genuinely enjoy games for what they are. I'll be getting The Origami King this weekend!
Tap here to load 53 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...