Paper Mario: Color Splash

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Paper Mario: Color Splash
PMCS Boxart.png
Developer(s) Nintendo
Intelligent Systems
TOSE Software Co.
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Platform(s) Wii U
Release date USA October 7, 2016
Europe October 7, 2016
Australia October 8, 2016
Japan October 13, 2016
Genre Role-playing, action-adventure
Rating(s)
ESRB:ESRB E.svg - Everyone
PEGI:PEGI 7.svg - Seven years and older
CERO:CERO A.png - All ages
ACB:ACB G.svg - General
USK:USK 0.svg - All ages
Mode(s) Single-player
Media
Wii U:
Media CD icon.png Optical disc
Media DL icon.svg Digital download
Input
Wii U:

Paper Mario: Color Splash is an action-adventure, turn-based role-playing game for the Wii U developed by Intelligent Systems. It is the fifth installment in the Paper Mario series, as well as the twentieth and final Mario game released for the Wii U. As a direct successor to Paper Mario: Sticker Star, it expands on many gameplay elements introduced in that game. A successor, Paper Mario: The Origami King, is scheduled to release for the Nintendo Switch.

Story

It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to cover the events that happened between the yellow and green Big Paint Stars.

Princess Peach delivers a letter to Mario.

One stormy night, Princess Peach and Toad meet Mario at his house to deliver a strange letter: a Toad drained of his colors. The stamp on the letter points to Prism Island, where the three travel to. Upon arriving, they find the deserted Port Prisma full of spots drained of color. They also meet Huey, a mysterious 3D talking paint bucket, and find the cause of colorless spots to be Slurp Guys using straws to suck color out of things. Huey then asks Mario to squeeze him into paper form in order to use the power of paint to battle the Shy Guys and to repaint the colorless spots, including the local Toads. Discovering that the Big Paint Stars at Prisma Fountain are gone, Huey asks Mario to find them and return them to the fountain. However, the Koopalings are also on the island and have captured the Big Paint Stars, and Mario must find and defeat them.

The events that caused Port Prisma to be damaged and the black paint's creation are explained through the Big Paint Star's memories, told throughout the game. Bowser had jumped into the fountain and mixed the paint together, wanting his shell to turn rainbow. This created black paint, which possessed him. The Koopa Troop attacked Port Prisma, stealing its paint and sending a Toad as a letter to get Mario and Peach to Prism Island. Peach sends Mario a series of Holo-Peaches, holograms of her telling Mario what Bowser is doing while she is captured.

After saving Port Prisma, Mario and Huey set out to find the red Big Paint Star. First, they pass through Ruddy Road and Cherry Lake, learning the Cutout ability and collecting 3D real-world objects called Things. They find out that Bowser has stolen the paint from the Crimson Tower, where Morton is keeping a Big Paint Star captive. To open the gate, they must find the three Chosen Toads: Justice Toad at Cherry Lake, Surfing Kinopio at Bloo Bay Beach, and the Mountain Sage at Daffodil Peak. Additionally, Mario assembles the green and purple Rescue Squads at Indigo Underground and Ruddy Road to help him find more Mini Paint Stars. When all the Chosen Toads have been found, Mario defeats Morton at the Crimson Tower, painting in a large gate at Sunglow Ridge.

At Sunglow Ridge, Mario learns about the Unfurl ability. He searches for Prof. Kinopio at Château Chanterelle, and finds him at Mondo Woods. The professor gives Mario both an Excavation Site Permit, which he uses to enter Marmalade Valley. Here, Mario finds the professor's pet Chain Chomp, Princess, and brings her back to Château Chanterelle. The professor is happy and gives him the Sharp Spike as thanks. The spike unlocks the door to Kiwano Temple, which Mario must pass through to reach the Golden Coliseum, where Iggy is holding the yellow Big Paint Star. Mario defeats Iggy in a stadium battle and the Big Paint Star repaints an oversized coin in Mondo Woods.

Bowser under the power of black paint.

Upon rescuing all six Big Paint Stars, they create a path to Black Bowser's Castle, where Mario and Huey head off to via a kart ride from Luigi. Inside they discover a factory producing Banzai Bills loaded with black paint with the intention of using them as bombs. After destroying the factory, they escape the flood of black paint and find Bowser with Princess Peach drained of her colors. As Mario battles Bowser, Huey has himself turned back into his 3D-self to absorb the black paint off and defeat Bowser, who has no memories of the incident. Black Bowser's Castle proceeds to collapse as Mario restores Peach's colors. Mario, Peach, and Luigi return to Port Prisma while Huey stays behind to contain the black paint and release it where it cannot do any more harm, to the skies. Later, while celebrating at Port Prisma, Peach comforts Mario when he laments Huey's disappearance. When all Banners are achieved, Huey can be seen falling back into the Prisma Fountain in the end screen.[1]

Gameplay

Paper Mario: Color Splash is an action-adventure RPG game that elaborates on the mechanics of Paper Mario: Sticker Star. It is based on Mario using the Paint Hammer to paint colorless elements, characters and parts of the environment in order to progress in the game and collect Mini Paint Stars and Big Paint Stars. When a course is completed, several new courses may become available at once, and the number-based course naming that was seen in Super Paper Mario and Paper Mario: Sticker Star is gone (the game features a sort of 'world map' like the latter though).

Super Flags return as well, this time found in the main square of Port Prisma. The battles are based on Battle Cards that can be painted to increase their effect. Said cards can be bought at the Prisma Cardware. Once used, cards are discarded, it is however possible to buy them directly in battle using the Battle Spin and choosing one of the flipped cards. There are three types of cards. Basic Cards are used for various purposes, including attacking, healing and replenishing paint. Many attacks are similar to those featured in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, with the hammer attacks now having a charging sign indicating at which point an "Excellent" attack can be obtained. Thing Cards, which do not deplete Mario's paint, are used to summon Things, both in battle and in the course to solve puzzles. Such cards can be obtained by directly squeezing Things into Thing cards. There is a shop in Port Prisma allowing the player to directly buy Things to squeeze them into Thing Cards, and there are Replica versions of Thing Cards as well. Finally Enemy Cards, dropped by defeated enemies, are used to summon an enemy into the battle as an ally. Only one ally can be present at a time. Such an ally attacks other enemies and, when the enemies attack, position itself in front of Mario to protect him, and stays in battle until defeated. However, it runs away in front of bosses. At the beginning of a battle, Kamek can sometimes appear and either flip all the cards or steal many cards, once the battle is won, all the stolen cards are regained and additional coins are obtained as well. The number showing the HP of the enemies as well as the number showing the amount of damage dealt in HP are both missing, while the health of each enemy is shown in the form of color that is gradually drained starting from the bottom.

Both the use of the Paint Hammer and the painting of most cards requires paint, whose levels are indicated by bars. After winning a battle, defeated enemies can drop coins, paint, Battle Cards and cardboard hammers called Hammer Scraps. They exist in four different varieties and are worth 1 point, 5 points, 10 points and 20 points, depending on how much the colors are saturated and on the amount of glittery parts. Such points are used to fill a bar that when fully filled, increases the maximum amount of paint that can be carried.

It is also possible to permanently increase the number of cards playable in a turn during a battle by collecting special power-ups. Similarly, the maximum amount of Mario's HP can be increased by collecting HP-Up Hearts that are obtained when saving a Big Paint Star. Each HP-Up Heart increases the maximum amount of HP by 25 and increases the power of the First Strike as well.

Big Paint Star obtained Max HP Power of First Strike (Damage in HP)
Jump Hammer
None 50 3 3
Red Big Paint Star.png 75 5 6
Yellow Big Paint Star.png 100 7 9
Blue Big Paint Star.png 125 10 11
Purple Big Paint Star.png 150 13 13
Orange Big Paint Star v2.png 175 14 14
Green Big Paint Star.png 200 15 15

In order to gain additional coins, there are side quests and mini-games that can be played. One of them is finding Luigi who is hiding in some places, another is playing Super Roshambo against several opponents at the Roshambo Temples, a further one is fighting and defeating The Shy Bandit on the world map.

The Flip technique used in the course dedicated to Super Mario Bros. 3.

Furthermore, it is possible to use a move similar to paperization called "Cutout" in order to cut part of the courses. Likewise, the Flip technique from Super Paper Mario returns as well, in a course dedicated to Super Mario Bros. 3 found at the Green Energy Plant. Key items also return.

Characters

Playable

Allies

Toads

Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Enemies

Main article: Paper Mario: Color Splash bestiary

Other

Locations

Ruddy RoadCherry LakeThe Crimson TowerRedpepper VolcanoRedpepper CraterDaffodil PeakSunglow RidgeChâteau ChanterelleThe Golden ColiseumMustard CaféIndigo UndergroundBloo Bay BeachDark Bloo InnCobalt BaseFort CobaltPlum ParkViolet PassageVortex IslandLighthouse IslandFortune IslandMarmalade ValleyKiwano TempleToad TrainworksTangerino GrillSunset ExpressMondo WoodsSacred ForestGreen Energy PlantMossrock TheaterThe Emerald CircusPort PrismaBlack Bowser's CastleRoshambo Temple
Click an area to open the relevant article.

The game is set on Prism Island, shaped like a paint brush, and on nearby islands, similar to drops of paint, which have been drained of their color. The locations are organized according to the game's seven main colors, with the three primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and the three secondary colors (violet, orange and green) having each four courses and a course with a main boss, Port Prisma being dedicated to the game's three primary colors and Bowser's Castle being dedicated to the game's tertiary color, black. The map is colored in as Mario collects Mini Paint Stars, though it is not possible to view it completely colorless, as the world map is only unlocked after Mario collects the red Mini Paint Star from Port Prisma.

Locations include:

Course Red Yellow Blue Violet Orange Green Black Blue, red and yellow Various colors
1 Ruddy Road Daffodil Peak Indigo Underground Plum Park Marmalade Valley Mondo Woods Black Bowser's Castle Port Prisma Roshambo Temples
2 Cherry Lake Sunglow Ridge Bloo Bay Beach Violet Passage Kiwano Temple Sacred Forest
3 Redpepper Volcano Château Chanterelle Dark Bloo Inn Vortex Island Toad Trainworks Green Energy Plant
4 Redpepper Crater Mustard Café Cobalt Base Lighthouse Island Tangerino Grill Mossrock Theater
Boss The Crimson Tower The Golden Coliseum Fort Cobalt Fortune Island Sunset Express The Emerald Circus

Items and Objects

HammerCard.pngPMCS Red Slurp Guy Card.pngFanCard.png
From left to right: a Hammer card, a Slurp Guy card, and a Fan card.

General

Key items

Battle Cards

Main article: Battle Card (Paper Mario: Color Splash)

Nintendo eShop description

PMCS Wii U icon.png

A mystery is afoot on Prism Island and only Mario™ can solve it——by restoring the land's vanishing colors with his new Paint Hammer. Puzzling battles await, but never fear; there's always a clever way to dish out the powerful Battle Cards up his sleeve. These fresh layers of strategy make this one of the most action-packed Paper Mario™ adventures ever!

It all begins when Mario receives an odd letter in the mail and heads for the unknown in a small boat. What he finds is a series of hilariously mysterious moments, each a clue that inches him closer to answering the riddle of Prism Island. To restore its former glory, he must first rescue the Big Paint Stars. Luckily, Mario's new companion Huey has granted him the power of paint, which can be used to recolor the exotic locales he'll hit up on his journey. Examine environments for clues, revive color-drained Toads, and even participate in strange events like the game show "Whifit or Snifit." Whatever it takes to make a splash on Prism Island!

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of Paper Mario: Color Splash pre-release and unused content
Concept art showing Decalburg and an unused location.
The inside of the unused location.

The game features a concept art gallery in which concept art is gradually unlocked by donating Battle Cards to the museum. The concept art allows players to see how the characters, objects and settings were gradually changed during development. It also reveals two locations that were cut from the game.

The first location is the east side of Decalburg, from the previous game, that would have featured new objects, including postboxes, differently placed Coins and ? Blocks and, most importantly a river with sewage pipes, that it would have been possible to cross using a bridge to reach an area not present in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. The second one is an unused location similar to a temple in a mountainous area of a rocky desert, that would have featured blue torches and at least three buildings connected by staircases and bridges. Many warp pipes would have been present as well, as in the concept art five of them can be observed, of which four are in a row.

The unused location on the inside would have featured blue torches, cacti, sandfalls, broken walls that allow some light to enter, drawings of a Coin, a mushroom and a star on the walls, very high pillars, bridges made of blocks of a different material, possibly sand, and spiked pits, thus making it similar to Kiwano Temple, suggesting, along with the rocky desert setting, that this unused location might have been a preliminary version of said location.

Staff

Main article: List of Paper Mario: Color Splash staff

Promotion

A game on the Play Nintendo website was released in 2016 called Paper Mario: Color Splash Trivia Quiz.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon being shown at the March 3, 2016 Nintendo Direct, Paper Mario: Color Splash received negative reception from some fans, the main complaint focusing around the game's similarities to Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Within hours of the game's reveal, a petition on Change.org ordered the game to be canceled, which TechRadar described as "a frightening example of how quickly, and harshly, we judge games we know next to nothing about."[2]

Despite this, the game received generally positive reviews at release. Most critics praised the game's art direction and humorous writing, though the lack of original characters and still-simplistic storyline were points of contention. In addition, while several reviewers noted gameplay improvements from Paper Mario: Sticker Star, some elements still drew criticism, such as the battle system and linear level design.

Reviews
Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Terri Schwartz, IGN 7.3/10 "Paper Mario: Color Splash is a step in the right direction for the series after the 3DS’s Paper Mario: Sticker Star, continuing its shift from RPG to action-adventure game while also introducing some smart changes to its battle system. The beautiful Wii U graphics and playful humor stay true to the spirit of the Paper Mario franchise, but the story is straightforward and a bit bland. Inventive level design in the second act offers some much needed diversity to some of Color Splash's otherwise linear gameplay before the disappointing third act regresses into simple and uninteresting battles. Though Color Splash still isn't back to the high points of the first three games in the Paper Mario series, it's a strong step in the right direction."
Miguel Concepcion, GameSpot 7/10 "At its most imaginative, Color Splash's visual gags and thoughtful manipulation of 2D objects rival any "wow" moment from Sony's Tearaway games. What Color Splash lacks in moment-to-moment paper tricks, it more than makes up for in persistent visual appeal and a wholly adorable cast, including antagonists from all pay grades. Its only frustrating feature is its Cutout interface, which can leave one stumped, disrupting the game's pacing and enjoyment of levels considerably. The novelty of the paint splashing doesn't grow tiresome, but it does take a backseat to the visual allure for which the series is known. Color Splash makes a solid case for a Paper Mario sequel that doesn’t need to rely on shtick like stickers or paint, though I won't be surprised if Nintendo’s considering using crayons in the future."
Ben Reeves, GameInformer 8.5/10 "Color Splash’s RPG elements might be paper thin, but fans of the series won’t be disappointed with this latest adventure. While the game’s combat isn’t much deeper than Mario’s paper-thin body, this plumber’s antics and colorful world are worth the price of admission."
CJ Andriessen, Destructoid 8.5/10 "If you didn't like Paper Mario: Sticker Star because it wasn't like the first two games in the series, I don't think you'll be satisfied here. For everyone else willing to give it a chance, Paper Mario: Color Splash is a charming journey that will delight your senses, your funny bone, and the part of your brain that houses your nostalgic feelings towards Nintendo."
Emma Schaefer, EGM 8/10 "Color Splash presents a beautifully crafted paper and cardboard world, populated by witty paper Toads and existential minions. Though it’s got its share of backtracking and battle system quirks, the new painting mechanics are satisfying, and the mini-story arcs are almost creative and clever enough to make you forget that your princess is (yet again) in another castle."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 76
GameRankings 76.25%

Sales

In its opening week - October 10 through 16, 2016 - Paper Mario: Color Splash sold 20,894 copies in Japan.[3] It left the top 20 after the week of October 31 with 37,093 copies sold.[4] Famitsu reported the game as selling a total of 65,316 copies over its entire lifetime in Japan, making it one of the lowest-selling retail Mario games in the country[5].

Similarities to other Paper Mario games

  • Huey is Mario's companion in the game, fulfilling the role of Goombario from Paper Mario, Goombella from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Tippi from Super Paper Mario, Kersti from Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and Olivia from Paper Mario: The Origami King.
  • Huey turns himself into a Battle Card to help Mario defeat Bowser, similar to how Kersti sacrificed herself by turning into a sticker during the final boss in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  • Bowser returns as the main antagonist, like he was in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
    • Also, the black paint controls Bowser and makes him more powerful, much like the Royal Sticker in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  • There is a level in which Mario must go on a game show.
    • Snifit or Whiffit returns from Paper Mario: Sticker Star with new games involving Battle Cards.
  • Mini Paint Stars function like the Comet Pieces from Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  • Battle Cards replace stickers.
  • Jumps, Hammers, their Worn-Out variants, Line Jumps, Hopslippers, Iron Jumps, Eekhammers, Hurlhammers, Blazehammers, Fire Flowers, Ice Flowers, POW Blocks, Mushrooms, Tails, Spike Helmets, and Frog Suits all return from Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  • Things from Paper Mario: Sticker Star return, including the Fan, Cat-o-Luck, Basin, Lightbulb, and the Hair Dryer, along with the Teapot, although it has a different appearance.
  • Like in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Luigi can be found hiding in some levels.
  • Like previous home console installments of the Paper Mario series, the game starts at the Mario Bros.' House.
  • Much like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario, there is a generic enemy character named Johnson. In the former games' cases, he was an X-Naut and a Koopa Troopa respectively, whereas in this game, Johnson is a Shy Guy.
  • Bowser's castle floats, like it does in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  • A parade takes place during the ending credits, just like in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
    • Luigi leads the parade, just like in those games.

Differences from other Paper Mario games

  • Lakitus are completely absent from this game, though they are mentioned by Luigi.
  • While fought, enemies say phrases to provoke Mario.
  • Parakarry makes no appearance in any form and is not mentioned either.
    • As a result, this is the first game to not reference a partner from a previous game.
  • A giant Blooper does not appear as a boss or mini boss.
  • There is no story-related recurring mini boss.
  • The HP of enemies cannot be seen. However, when attacking an enemy, paint is drained from the enemy, indicating the amount of health remaining.
    • The amount of damage inflicted on enemies can also not be seen.
  • There are no individual save files.
    • Players can only remove save data through the settings.
  • When Mario hits a Save Block, the game does not ask the player if they want to save, instead automatically saving the game by default.
  • There are no Recovery Blocks.
  • When Mario collects a Big Paint Star, his maximum HP increases by 25 points. Comparatively, in previous Paper Mario games, Mario's health only increased by 5 points at a time (either after leveling up or collecting an HP-Up Heart).
  • Unlike in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, where several Things can be used for the same puzzle, only one set Thing is required to change a level.
  • Characters and enemies in this game have a more papery appearance than in the rest of the Paper Mario series. They have a white outline, similar to Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, and they have no shading on their colors.
  • This is the only Paper Mario game where Boos are enemies, but no Big Boo variations are present.
  • This is the first game in the series to be released after its corresponding Mario & Luigi game (being released after Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam).

References to other games

  • Super Mario Bros.: The Goal Pole makes an appearance in both the 8-bit sprite from said game which appears in Green Energy Plant and in Black Bowser's Castle. The Springboard uses this games sprite in Green Energy Plant as well. A Toad in the audience of Emerald Circus throws the Super Mushroom sprite from this game and Mario uses his idle based on his sprite while he grows.
  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels: When Huey realizes that the red Mini Paint Star in Ruddy Road has lost most of its color, he exclaims, "What in The Lost Levels is going on here?"
  • Super Mario Bros. 2: The overworld music is rearranged, titled "Spinning-Door Game." The vases also make an appearance in Château Chanterelle. Wart is mentioned in the game by a yellow Toad at Sunglow Ridge.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3: The Angry Sun is mentioned by one of the Five Fun Guys during Toad and Go Seek, and again by the Roshambo announcer while introducing Green Pokey. It is mentioned again when the Roshambo Temple announcer introduces Green Pokey. The Green Energy Plant is based on this game. When accessing the level, the soundtrack during normal gameplay is taken directly from the NES game, although flipping to 3D mode has it instead play a slightly orchestral cover. When Mario and Huey confront Larry on top of the train and the latter explains his motives, he makes clear he us doing his actions regarding hijacking the train to get the orange Big Paint Star solely to make sure Bowser isn't upset otherwise, which is what Larry stated in the Japanese manual for the game. The Recorder from this game (which, in turn, is from the original The Legend of Zelda game) appears as its 8-bit sprite in Green Energy Plant and can be squeezed into a more realistic-looking Thing Card; when used, the original notes are played by the flute itself, and it has the same effect of summoning a whirlwind, while three other flutes play the "Coin Heaven" theme in the background. Additionally, to board the airship, Mario hangs on an anchor, similar to how he did in this game. The Shy Guy Stack in Cherry Lake, upon seeing Mario, says, "HA! It looks like your upper lip found a Tanooki Suit!" Peach also uses Holo-Peachs to send Mario tips during the game after beating the various Koopalings, similar to her letters from Super Mario Bros. 3. Also like in that game, she'll be unable to send a message to Mario after all objectives have been completed, although for different reasons (in Super Mario Bros. 3, Bowser sends a letter in her stead stating he kidnapped her again. In Color Splash, her message is cut off via Black Bowser draining her color off-screen).
  • Super Mario Land: An arranged version of the credits theme is present in the Roshambo Temples.
  • Dr. Mario series: After talking to the injured Purple Rescue Squad member on Daffodil Peak, if the player talks to Huey before helping the Toad, he'll mention Mario part timing as a doctor.
  • Super Mario World: Dino Rhinos return from this game.
  • Paper Mario: The jingle played when collecting a Big Paint Star is remixed from the first few notes of this game's opening theme.
  • Luigi's Mansion series: One of the Toads in Dark Bloo Inn references Luigi's role in these games, noting that he has dealt with paranormal activity before.
  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door: The running gag that originated from this game in which an implied grunt character is referred to as Johnson returns after being absent from Sticker Star. Additionally, Port Prisma has an almost identical layout to Rogueport, with a staircase leading to the square where the major collectibles of the game are put in place in Prisma Fountain, like in Rogueport Sewers. In addition, Peach sends messages to Mario like in that game, and was ultimately responsible for getting him to the main area of the game in the first place, and late into the game, she also has her message cut off due to interference from the primary antagonist.
  • Super Princess Peach: The colors used in Roy's battle represent the vibes in this game; red representing Rage, yellow representing Joy, green representing Calm, and blue representing Gloom.
  • Super Paper Mario: Mario can use flip in the Super Mario Bros. 3 part of Green Energy Plant in a similar way to this game.
  • Mario Party 8: The Five Fun Guys troupe name originates from the Mario and Toad team name featured in this game.[6]
  • Mario Party 9: Toad and Go Seek is named after a minigame from this game.
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Iggy taunts Mario by slapping his behind, like in this game. A Junior Clown Car, which is shown to be Koopa Clown Car in concept art, is seen in the back room of The Emerald Circus.
  • Paper Mario: Sticker Star: Many of this game's elements and physics return. Photographs of the Yoshi Sphinx, a location in World 2, and Hither Thither Hill can be seen on the left wall in Dark Bloo Inn's lobby. Also, sound effects from this game are recycled. The music for Bowser's introduction is also the same music used for his introduction from the same game. When Mario gets a Big Paint Star, the music that plays when the areas color is restored is the same theme that plays when the flashbacks explaining how each of the bosses in that game got their respective Royal Stickers. Also, there are plenty of music tracks from this game that are remixed. The Koopalings' introduction themes were also taken from the Warning themes for the "Sticker Star" boss introductions. Snifit or Whiffit is also taken from this game as well. The fight against Wendy is a music-based fight similar to the Gooper Blooper battle in this game. Huey turning into a battle card mirrors Kersti turning into a sticker.
  • Mario Kart series: Luigi appears driving a Standard Kart modeled after the ones from Mario Kart 8. Additionally, the "Luigi's death stare" meme, which originated from that game, is referenced. Also, the title theme and the countdown timer to begin racing are taken from this game as well. Rainbow Road appears in the game and the music of that course is a remix from Mario Kart 64. When Luigi decides to floor it to rush to the castle despite its creepy appearance, he states they'd better be careful, stating Lakitu isn't there to save them this time around, alluding to how various characters in the Mario Kart series, if caught in various hazards (falling into water, quicksand, lava, or bottomless pits) is fished out by Lakitu and brought back onto the main course. After being beaten, Bowser asks Mario if he's at Black Bowser's Castle because they have a kart race scheduled for the day, referencing the Bowser's Castle tracks in the series. Just before leaving Black Bowser's Castle in the ending, Luigi reassures Mario that Huey is alright, mentioning that he fell off Rainbow Road lots of times, alluding to the difficulty of the courses in the game.
  • New Super Mario Bros. U: Similar to the ending of this game, the Koopalings and Bowser's last appearance before the credits was them and their already damaged airship crash landing. Unlike in this game, however, it crashing was not Bowser's fault, as it got hit by a stray firework. Morton Koopa Jr. has his Hammer (based on Mario's) and Roy Koopa has his Bill Blaster for their respective fights.
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: Draggadon makes his paper debut. After using the Basin Thing in Redpepper Volcano, a bump comes out of its head, just like in this game after a rock falls on it. Also, when this happens, Mario can ride Draggadon as Captain Toad does in this game. One of the yellow Rescue Squad members says they used "sophisticated Toad treasure-tracking technology" to track a stolen bone from Marmalade Valley to The Golden Coliseum.
  • Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam: Enemies can sometimes appear in stacks, just as the paper enemies do in this game. Also, the Koopalings have their first paper appearances, after it being foreshadowed by Wendy in this game.

References in later games

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Paper Mario: Color Splash.

Media

Main article: List of Paper Mario: Color Splash media
Audio.svg Port Prisma

File infoMedia:PMCS Port Prisma.oga
Audio.svg Fight!

File infoMedia:PMCS Fight!.oga
Audio.svg Bloo Bay Beach

File infoMedia:PMCS Bloo Bay Beach.oga
Audio.svg ME WILL ROCK ME

File infoMedia:PMCS ME WILL ROCK ME.oga
Audio.svg You Got the Paint Star!

File infoMedia:PMCS You Got the Paint Star!.oga
Audio.svg Sunset Express

File infoMedia:PMCS Sunset Express.oga
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ペーパーマリオ カラースプラッシュ
Pēpā Mario Karā Supurasshu		 Paper Mario: Color Splash
German Paper Mario: Color Splash Paper Mario: Color Splash
Italian Paper Mario: Color Splash Paper Mario: Color Splash

Trivia

  • The seven main colors on which the game is based (red, yellow, and blue as the primary colors; violet, orange, and green as the secondary colors; and black as the tertiary color) are actually the colors of the Koopalings' Magic Wands, first introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988.
  • On September 23, 2016, it was discovered that purchased Nintendo eShop pre-load data was actually the full game, granting players early access two weeks ahead of schedule in North America.[7] Nintendo, however, removed the pre-order option within hours, and stated that this was inadvertent.[8]
  • In some English-speaking countries (e.g. the United Kingdom and Australia), the correct spelling for color is "colour". Despite this, the title was not changed outside of the Americas to reflect this difference.

External links

References

  1. ^ Crunchii. (September 30 2016) [Spoilers] 100% Ending - Paper Mario: Color Splash. YouTube. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  2. ^ http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/paper-mario-color-splash-has-been-around-30-minutes-and-people-already-hate-it-1316232
  3. ^ Romano, Sal. Media Create Sales 10/10/16 - 10/16/16 (October 19, 2016). Gematsu. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  4. ^ Romano, Sal. Media Create Sales: 10/31/16 – 11/6/16 (November 9, 2016). Gematsu. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  5. ^ https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search
  6. ^ McWhertor, Michael (June 23, 2016). Nintendo denies Paper Mario: Color Splash makes jokes about 'online hate campaign'. Polygon. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  7. ^ http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/23/13028328/paper-mario-color-splash-leaks
  8. ^ http://kotaku.com/nintendos-big-fall-wii-u-game-briefly-went-on-sale-two-1786995541
Paper Mario: Color Splash
Main characters Mario • Huey • Peach
Minor characters Action Toad • Banzai Bill • Bowser • Big Thwomp • Big Urchin • Birdo • Bloo • Card Connoisseur Toad • Chosen Toads (Justice Toad · Mountain Sage · Surfing Kinopio) • "Deep Cuts" Toad • Draggadon • Five Fun Guys • Foreman • Giant Bob-omb • Ghost Toads • Greenie • Know-it-All Toad • Legendary Captain • Lighthouse Keeper • Luigi • Mustard Café Chef • Pentabros • Piper • Princess • Prof. Kinopio • Purp • Redd • Rescue Squad • Rock Paper Wizard • Tangerino Grill Chef • Toad • Toad Captain • Toad Conductor • Toadmaster General • Toads • Wringer • Yella • Yoshi • Yoshis
Bosses Morton Koopa Jr. • Iggy Koopa • Ludwig von Koopa • Wendy O. Koopa • Larry Koopa • Lemmy Koopa • Roy Koopa • Black Bowser
Mini-Bosses Big Lava Bubble • Big Spiny • Kamek • Petea Piranha • Steak • The Shy Bandit
Enemies Blooper (10-Stack · Poison) • Bob-omb • Boo (10-Stack) • Buzzy Beetle (Gang · Small (Gang) · Spike Top · Tower) • Cheep Cheep (Small) • Dino Rhino (Wild) • Dry Bones (5-Stack) • Fuzzy (Stack) • Goomba (Accordion · Bone · Mega · Paper-Cone · Para · Small (Gang · Wheel)) • Hammer Bro (Boomerang · Chariot · Circus · Fire (8-Stack) · Ice · Juggler · Sledge (Shady) · Small) • Koopa Troopa (6-Stack · Para (10-Stack)) • Lava Bubble (Black) • Ninji • Piranha Plant (Fire · Ptooie) • Pokey (Green) • Rocky Wrench • Scaredy Rat (10-Stack) • Shy Guy (4-Stack · 5-Stack · Animal Trainer · Coal · Gold · Laundry · Paint · Pry · Roller · Shield · Shunned · Silver · Slurp · Soggy · Sombrero · Spike · Trampoline · Unicycle) • Snifit (Chariot · Slurp · Spike · Whistle) • Spike • Spiny • Swoop
Locations Red Courses Ruddy Road • Cherry Lake • Redpepper Volcano • Redpepper Crater • The Crimson Tower
Yellow Courses Daffodil Peak • Sunglow Ridge • Château Chanterelle • Mustard Café • The Golden Coliseum
Blue Courses Indigo Underground • Bloo Bay Beach • Dark Bloo Inn • Cobalt Base • Fort Cobalt
Purple Courses Plum Park • Violet Passage • Vortex Island • Lighthouse Island • Fortune Island
Orange Courses Marmalade Valley • Kiwano Temple • Toad Trainworks • Tangerino Grill • Sunset Express
Green Courses Mondo Woods • Sacred Forest • Green Energy Plant • Mossrock Theater • The Emerald Circus
Black Course Black Bowser's Castle
Blue, Red and Yellow Course Port Prisma (Action Command Dojo • Prisma Cardware • Prisma Fountain • Prisma Museum)
Other Roshambo Temples
Items Battle Card • Coins • Roshambo Card
Special Items Birdcage • Blissful Beach Key • Café Key • Caged "Bird" • Excavation Site Permit • Fishing Pole • Fresh Sheets • Hero's Journal • Holo-Peach • It • Journal Entries • Letter from Chest • Magma Burger • Mamma Mia Pizza • Mountain Climbing Permit • Paint Star Pieces • Sharp Spike • Snifit's Card Key • Tea Recipe Book • Toad's Pants • Toad's Shoes • Toad's Vest • Trunk Key
Objects ? Block • Big Paint Star • Mini Paint Star • Save Block • Super Ludship • Super Ludsub • Super Star • Unfurl Block
Status effects Blue • Crumpled • Dizzy • Poison • Rage • Rhythm • Self-conscious • Unmotivated
Miscellaneous Bestiary • Flip • Gallery • Glitches • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes • Staff • Super Roshambo
Mario games
Platformers Super Mario series Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES) • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986, FCD) • Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, NES) • Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988, NES) • Super Mario Land (1989, GB) • Super Mario World (1990, SNES) • Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992, GB) • Super Mario 64 (1996, N64) • Super Mario Sunshine (2002, GCN) • New Super Mario Bros. (2006, NDS) • Super Mario Galaxy (2007, Wii) • New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009, Wii) • Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010, Wii) • Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS) • New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012, 3DS) • New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, Wii U) • Super Mario 3D World (2013, Wii U) • Super Mario Maker (2015, Wii U) • Super Mario Run (2016, iOS/Android) • Super Mario Odyssey (2017, NS) • Super Mario Maker 2 (2019, NS)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004, GBA) • Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (2006, DS) • Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! (2009, DSiWare) • Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (2010, DS) • Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (2013, 3DS) • Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (2015, 3DS/Wii U) • Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (2016, 3DS/Wii U)
Other Donkey Kong (1981, Arcade) • Mario Bros. (1983, Arcade) • Mario's Cement Factory (1983, G&W) • Mario Bros. Special (1984, PC88) • Punch Ball Mario Bros. (1984, PC88) • VS. Wrecking Crew (1984, Arcade) • Wrecking Crew (1985, NES) • Super Mario Bros. Special (1986, PC88) • Mario & Wario (1993, SNES) • Hotel Mario (1994, Philips CD-i) • Donkey Kong (1994, Game Boy) • Mario Clash (1995, VB) • Wrecking Crew '98 (1998, SFC) • Super Princess Peach (2005, DS)
Ports and remakes Crazy Kong (1981, Arcade) • Donkey Kong (1982, G&W) • Mario Bros. (1983, G&W) • VS. Super Mario Bros. (1986, Arcade) • All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. (1986, FCD) • Super Mario Bros. (1987, G&W) • Kaettekita Mario Bros. (1988, FCD) • Super Mario All-Stars (1993, SNES) • Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World (1994, SNES) • BS Super Mario USA (1996, SNES) • BS Super Mario Collection (1997, SNES) • Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (1999, GBC) • Super Mario Advance (2001, GBA) • Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (2002, GBA) • Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (2003, GBA) • Famicom Mini Series (2004, GBA) • Classic NES Series (2004-2005, GBA) • Super Mario 64 DS (2004, NDS) • Virtual Console (2006-current, Wii/3DS/Wii U) • Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition (2010, Wii) • New Super Luigi U (2013, Wii U) • Luigi Bros. (2013, Wii U) • Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (2016, 3DS) • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019, NS)
Role-playing games Paper Mario series Paper Mario (2000, N64) • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004, GCN) • Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii) • Paper Mario: Sticker Star (2012, 3DS) • Paper Mario: Color Splash (2016, Wii U) • Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020, NS)
Mario & Luigi series Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA) • Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005, NDS) • Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009, NDS) • Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (2013, 3DS) • Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (2015, 3DS)
Other Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996, SNES)
Remakes Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions (2017, 3DS) • Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey (2018, 3DS)
Dr. Mario series Main Dr. Mario (1990, NES) • Dr. Mario 64 (2001, N64) • Dr. Mario Online Rx (2008, WiiWare) • Dr. Mario Express (2008, DSiWare) • Dr. Luigi (2013, Wii U) • Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure (2015, 3DS) • Dr. Mario World (2019, iOS/Android)
Other VS. Dr. Mario (1990, Arcade)
Remakes Tetris & Dr. Mario (1994, SNES) • Nintendo Puzzle Collection (2003, GCN) • Dr. Mario & Puzzle League (2005, GBA)
Mario Kart series Main Super Mario Kart (1992, SNES) • Mario Kart 64 (1996, N64) • Mario Kart 64 (slot machine) (1997, Arcade) • Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001, GBA) • Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GCN) • Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005, Arcade) • Mario Kart DS (2005, NDS) • Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (2007, Arcade) • Mario Kart Wii (2008, Wii) • Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS) • Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013, Arcade) • Mario Kart 8 (2014, Wii U) • Mario Kart Arcade GP VR (2017, Arcade) • Mario Kart Tour (2019, iOS/Android)
Remakes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017, NS)
Mario Party series Mario Party (1998, N64) • Mario Party 2 (1999, N64) • Mario Party 3 (2000, N64) • Mario Party 4 (2002, GCN) • Mario Party-e (2003, GBA) • Mario Party 5 (2003, GCN) • Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party (2004, Arcade) • Mario Party 6 (2004, GCN) • Mario Party Advance (2005, GBA) • Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2 (2005, Arcade) • Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN) • Mario Party 8 (2007, Wii) • Mario Party DS (2007, NDS) • Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher (2009, Arcade) • Mario Party Kurukuru Carnival (2012, Arcade) • Mario Party 9 (2012, Wii) • Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher 2 (2013, Arcade) • Mario Party: Island Tour (2013, 3DS) • Mario Party 10 (2015, Wii U) • Mario Party Challenge World (2016, Arcade) • Mario Party: Star Rush (2016, 3DS) • Mario Party: The Top 100 (2017, 3DS) • Super Mario Party (2018, NS)
Luigi's Mansion series Main Luigi's Mansion (2001, GCN) • Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013, 3DS) • Luigi's Mansion Arcade (2015, Arcade) • Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019, NS)
Remakes Luigi's Mansion (2018, 3DS)
Sports games Mario Baseball series Mario Superstar Baseball (2005, GCN) • Mario Super Sluggers (2008, Wii)
Mario Golf series Golf (1984, NES) • Family Computer Golf: Japan Course (1987, FCD) • Family Computer Golf: U.S. Course (1987, FCD) • NES Open Tournament Golf (1991, NES) • Mario Golf (1999, N64) • Mario Golf (1999, GBC) • Mobile Golf (2001, GBC) • Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003, GCN) • Mario Golf: Advance Tour (2004, GBA) • Mario Golf: World Tour (2014, 3DS)
Mario Strikers series Super Mario Strikers (2005, GCN) • Mario Strikers Charged (2007, Wii)
Mario Tennis series Mario's Tennis (1995, VB) • Mario Tennis (2000, N64) • Mario Tennis (2000, GBC) • Mario Power Tennis (2004, GCN) • Mario Tennis: Power Tour (2005, GBA) • Mario Tennis Open (2012, 3DS) • Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (2015, Wii U) • Mario Tennis Aces (2018, NS)
Ports New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (2009, Wii)
Other NBA Street V3 (2005, GCN) • SSX on Tour (2005, GCN) • Mario Hoops 3-on-3 (2006, NDS) • Mario Sports Mix (2010, Wii) • Mario Sports Superstars (2017, 3DS)
Crossovers Mario & Sonic series Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007, Wii) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2008, NDS) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009, Wii) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009, NDS) • Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2011, Wii) • Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2012, 3DS) • Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (2013, Wii U) • Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (2016, Wii U) • Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (2016, 3DS) • Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition (2016, Arcade) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019, NS) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition (2020, Arcade)
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. (1999, N64) • Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, GCN) • Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008, Wii) • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014, 3DS) • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014, Wii U) • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018, NS)
Other Itadaki Street‎ DS (2007, NDS) • Fortune Street‎ (2011, Wii) • Nintendo Land (2012, Wii U) • Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition (2015, 3DS) • Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (2017, NS)
Edutainment games Mario Discovery series Mario is Missing! (1993, MS-DOS/SNES/NES) • Mario's Time Machine (1993, MS-DOS/SNES/NES) • Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters (1993, MS-DOS/SNES) • Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers (1994, MS-DOS/SNES) • Mario's Early Years! Preschool Fun (1994, MS-DOS/SNES)
Other Mario Teaches Typing (1991, MS-DOS) • Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up (1991, MS-DOS) • Mario Teaches Typing 2 (1996, MS-DOS)
Ports Mario's Early Years! CD-ROM Collection (1995, PC)
Art utilities Super Mario Bros. Print World (1991, MS-DOS) • Mario Paint (1992, SNES) • Super Mario Collection Screen Saver (1997, PC) • Mario no Photopi (1998, N64) • Mario Artist: Paint Studio (1999, N64DD) • Mario Artist: Talent Studio (2000, N64DD) • Mario Artist: Communication Kit (2000, N64DD) • Mario Artist: Polygon Studio (2000, N64DD)
Miscellaneous Main Mario's Bombs Away (1983, G&W) • Yoshi's Safari (1993, SNES) • Undake30 Same Game (1995, SFC) • Mario's Game Gallery (1995, MS-DOS) • Mario's Picross (1995, GB) • Mario's Super Picross (1995, SFC) • Donkey Kong (slot machine) (1996, Arcade) • Picross 2 (1996, GB) • Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium (1997, Satellaview) • Mario's FUNdamentals (1998, Windows) • Picross NP (1999-2000, SFC) • Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land (2003, Arcade) • Mario Pinball Land (2004, GBA) • Yakuman DS (2005, NDS) • Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix (2005, GCN) • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014, Wii U)
Ports Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2018, NS/3DS)
Wii U games
Mario franchise Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker • New Super Mario Bros. U • New Super Luigi U • Mario Kart 8 • Mario Party 10 • Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash • Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars • Paper Mario: Color Splash • Super Mario 3D World • Super Mario Maker
Donkey Kong franchise Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Wario franchise Game & Wario
Yoshi franchise Yoshi's Woolly World
Crossovers Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games • Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games • Minecraft: Wii U Edition • Nintendo Land • Skylanders: SuperChargers • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Compilations New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U • NES Remix Pack
Nintendo eShop amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits • Dr. Luigi • Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge • NES Remix • NES Remix 2 • Virtual Console games
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