Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – Analysis (Review)

GAME SHEET: Release:  May 23, 2024 Players:  1 player Genre:  RPG, Adventure. Developer:  Intelligent Systems Publisher:  Nintendo Available languages:  German, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Dutch, English, Italian, Japanese. Available on platforms:  Nintendo Switch. Rating:  Free – Suitable for all ages. Game version analyzed:  Japanese version for Nintendo Switch.

If there is a game that marked the childhood of many players, it is Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door; the game was originally released for the GameCube (Nintendo’s 128-bit console, competing with the following consoles: Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 and Xbox). This game is a great Nintendo classic and won hearts with its unique RPG style and enchanting narrative. Now, almost two decades later, we have the opportunity to relive this experience on the Nintendo Switch, with a version that promises not only to revive nostalgia, but also to bring significant improvements. As an avid fan of RPGs and the Paper Mario series, I dove head first into this new version and I’m here to share every detail of my journey.

The game’s premise remains faithful to the original: Mario receives a letter from Princess Peach, containing a magical map that guides him to Rogueport, a city full of mysteries and secrets. Peach, as usual, has disappeared and it’s up to Mario to not only rescue her, but also find the seven Star Crystals needed to open the legendary Thousand Year Door. What follows is an adventure full of humor, charm and heartwarming moments, which takes on new life in this remaster for Switch.

Mechanics and Gameplay

The essence of The Thousand-Year Door lies in its RPG mechanics, which combine traditional elements with unique innovations. Turn-based combat is dynamic and engaging, keeping players on their toes with action commands that require precise timing to maximize damage or defend against enemy attacks. The introduction of “Stylish Moves” adds an extra layer of depth, allowing Mario and his partners to perform special moves that fill up the star meter used for powerful abilities.

Mario’s partners are another highlight, each with unique abilities that are crucial to progression. From the ability to fly over chasms to the ability to hide from enemies, each character brings something new to the table. Quickly switching partners without having to access complex menus is a welcome addition, making the gaming experience more fluid and less interrupted.

However, the gameplay is not perfect. One of the most criticized points over the years is excessive backtracking, which can make progression slow and, at times, frustrating. Fortunately, the Switch version introduces clever shortcuts that minimize this problem. For example, all of the teleportation tubes in the Rogueport sewer are now centralized, making it easier to navigate between different areas of the game.

Graphics

Visually, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Switch is very, very, very beautiful! The paper-style art, which was already charming on the GameCube, has been improved to take advantage of the Switch’s more powerful hardware. The environments are vibrant and detailed, with eye-popping colors and textures that bring Mario’s world to life.

One of the most spectacular improvements I found was in the Boggly Woods forest, where the rainbow vegetation contrasts beautifully with the monochromatic backdrop. The wider aspect ratio also contributes to better visualization of environments and enemies, providing a more immersive experience.

However, I felt a little uncomfortable with the game’s graphics effects: it’s the excess of reflective surfaces that, although interesting at first, end up taking a bit away from the game’s paper and craftsmanship aesthetic.

Sound

The Thousand-Year Door’s soundtrack has always been one of its strong points, and the Switch version doesn’t disappoint. The songs have been reimagined, bringing new versions of the classic themes that accompany each area of ​​the game. The ability to switch between the original and new soundtrack is a bonus that will please both nostalgic fans and new players.

In addition to the music, the sound effects received special attention. Now, each character has specific dialogue sounds, replacing the generic “blip” of previous versions. This adds an extra level of immersion and personality, making every interaction feel more alive and authentic.

Fun

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is, above all, fun. The narrative is captivating and full of humor, with dialogues that bring genuine laughter. The combination of a well-constructed plot and memorable characters makes it difficult to put down the control.

The challenges and puzzles are well balanced, offering a mix of combat and exploration that keeps the game’s pace enjoyable. Side quests, like those in the Trouble Center, add even more content for players who want to explore every corner of the world of Rogueport. Even with the occasional backtracking, the overall fun the game provides is undeniable.

Performance and Optimization

In terms of performance, The Thousand-Year Door runs smoothly on the Switch, but not without some compromises. The game operates at 30FPS, a reduction compared to the 60FPS of the original version. Despite this, I didn’t feel like it negatively impacted gameplay, especially when it comes to action commands that require precision.

Loading times are quick and the game’s stability is exemplary, with no notable crashes or bugs during my experience. Quality of life improvements like the ability to skip repeating dialogue scenes and the ease of switching partners contribute to a more polished and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Conclusion

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Switch is a remaster that does the original justice, improving it in key areas while retaining everything that made the game a classic. From its engaging combat mechanics to its charming and humorous narrative, the game offers a rich and rewarding RPG experience.

The graphical and sound improvements, along with gameplay adjustments to reduce backtracking, show that Nintendo and Intelligent Systems listened to fan feedback and worked to improve the game where it mattered most. Although it is not perfect and still carries some of the problems of the original, such as excessive backtracking, the additions and improvements make this an essential purchase for fans of RPGs and the Paper Mario series.

If you’ve played the original and are eager to relive that adventure, or if you’re new to the series and curious about what makes it so special, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is highly recommended .

Trust me, if you like RPG games, you will really like this Paper Mario! The game is a nostalgic trip that stands the test of time, providing hours of fun and an unforgettable story.

Strengths:

• Significant graphic and sound improvements;
• Dynamic and engaging combat mechanics;
• Captivating and humorous narrative;
• Quality of life additions that improve the gaming experience.

Negative points:

• Nintendo did not include the Portuguese language in the game, which makes playing an RPG-style game difficult for Brazilians, Portuguese and other native speakers of the language;
• It still has a considerable level of backtracking;
• Excessive reflections on some surfaces;
• Reducing FPS to 30 may bother some players.

Rating:
Graphics: 9.5
Fun: 9.0
Gameplay: 8.5
Sound: 9.0
Performance and Optimization: 8.0
FINAL RATING: 8.8 / 10.0