Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)

Developer(s)	Intelligent Systems
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release Date(s)
Nintendo Switch	WW: May 23, 2024
Nintendo Switch	WW: May 23, 2024
Platform(s)
Genre(s)	Role-playing
Download Size	5.1 GB
Rating(s)
ESRB	03
PEGI	02
CERO	02
ACB	02
USK	02
SMECCV	01
GRAC	01
CID	01
GSRR	02

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year-Door is a 2024 Nintendo Switch turn based RPG game. It is a remake of the original game of the same name originally released on the Nintendo GameCube in 2004. The game appeared to be mostly the same mechanically. The major difference being that its art style has been altered to be more in line with the paper aesthetic of Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and the games that came afterward.

It was released on May 23, 2024.

Gameplay

Mario in combat mode.

The game maintains the classic combat style of the original game, with revamped button inputs for the Switch.

Differences from the original game

These are the following changes made to this version:

• Aside from adjustments and improvements, the game notably has graphical changes resembling more of the original game.
• The soundtrack is remastered, some with live performances - along with a few new tracks.
• The game runs at 30fps, unlike the original game at 60fps. (see more details below)
• Improvements to character swapping and quick-travel warp pipes.
• It has a higher resolution and is in widescreen.
• UI and HUD changes.
• New characters such as the Battle Master in Glitzville appear to be in the game where he serves to help the player improve their battles.
• New music player and gallery modes.
  • The music player also lets players listen to the original GameCube version soundtrack.

    

    New wrestler looking toad seen in Glitzville.

• Vivian's status as non-binary is made more explicit, with a line being added in the Japanese version explicitly stating Vivian had the form of a boy, yet the heart of a girl. On a similar note, the Shadow Sirens are renamed to The Three Shadows.
• The Shadow Queen decapitates Sir Grodus before the latter has a chance to finish his threat to seal her back up. On a similar note, the remake also adds a line that has Grodus explicitly state that the Crystal Stars are what allowed the Shadow Queen to be unsealed.

Plot

Performance

The game runs at 30 frames-per-second, in contrast to the original game.

The game's resolution is a maximum of 900p, an upgrade from the GameCube version.

Reception

The remaster was equally well-received upon release, with an average score of 88/100 on Metacritic. While some criticism was directed towards the game's lower frame rate and lack of additional material, praise was directed toward the improved visuals and improvements made to reduce backtracking, which was a common criticism of the original. Many critics directed praise that had already been given to the GameCube original, including the story, battle system and locations.

Music

The soundtrack for the game is based on the original, however has a much more modern sound. For those who prefer the original music from the Gamecube version, the original soundtrack can be heard over the new soundtrack through an easter egg in the opening stage.

Release

The game is was released on the Nintendo Switch system on May 23, 2024.

Trivia

• It is the first Paper Mario game:
  • To be a remake.
  • To be announced/released following Charles Martinet's departure as Mario and Luigi's voice actor.
  • Since the original game to return to a classic combat style.
• Along with the Super Mario RPG remake, the colored button commands have led to speculations regarding the Switch's successor.
• The remake reuses the same box art from the original Japanese version for all countries.
• In addressing the frame rate downgrade, PlatinumGames' Abebe Tinari compared his directing experience in Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon to the game on Twitter. Tinari said that since "[Paper Mario] is a full rebuild", visual changes "have a processing cost" and "ultimately you simply cannot have everything."
• This is the first time since the Nintendo GameCube period that the Nintendo logo was ever shown before a game.
• The Game Got A CERO B Rating Because It Is Not Suitable For Children Under 12, But It Is Currently Not Restricted.