Paper Mario

Paper Mario, known as Mario Story (マリオストーリー Mario Sutōrī) in Japan, is a role-playing game that was released for the Nintendo 64, and later for the iQue Player and Virtual Console.

The gameplay of Paper Mario draws many parallels to the typical style of Japanese role-playing games, but also includes Mario-esque features, such as the ability to jump. The player controls Mario through a number of locations, explores dungeons, manages stats, and battles enemies. The game derives its title from its arts and crafts aesthetic; The game environments are three-dimensional while nearly every character in the game is drawn as a flat 2D sprite, as if cut out from paper.

Paper Mario was initially in development for the Nintendo 64DD under the name Mario RPG 2 and intended as a sequel to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. It later became the first installment of the Paper Mario series and would eventually receive a sequel in the form of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Storyline
Paper Mario tells the story of the Star Rod, a magical staff the Stars of Star Haven use to grant the wishes of the denizens of Mario's world. Over the course of the game, the Star Rod is stolen by Bowser who, after lifting Princess Peach's Castle into the sky, uses the staff's wish-granting powers to make himself invincible.

Being unable to defeat Bowser the conventional way, Mario must travel the Mushroom Kingdom and rescue the seven Star Spirits, who are the only ones able to counter the Star Rod's power and make Bowser vulnerable again. Along the way he is helped by several characters in various ways, by becoming his partners or supporting him otherwise. All the while Bowser attempts to intervene wherever he can, by empowering his minions with the Star Rod.

In the end, Mario and his friends face Bowser atop the Princess' castle and defeat him. The Star Rod is brought back to Star Haven and the castle returns safely to where it was.

The story, from the instruction booklet:

Story: Once Upon a Mushroom Far, far away beyond the sky, way above the clouds, it's been said that there was a haven where the Stars lived. In the sanctuary of Star Haven there rested a fabled treasure called the Star Rod, which had the power to grant all wishes. Using this wondrous Star Rod, the seven revered Star Spirits watched over our peaceful world carefully...very carefully. Then one day, a terrible thing happened... The evil King Bowser appeared in Star Haven and stole the Star Rod! Using its incredible power he quickly imprisoned the seven Star Spirits! Completely unaware of the trouble in far-off Star Haven, Mario was back home in the Mushroom Kingdom, eagerly reading a letter from Princess Peach. It was an invitation to a party at the castle! With much anticipation, he and his brother Luigi set off for the party, oblivious to the chaos that lay ahead...

Opening: The Stolen Star Rod
The story opens with a place that lies far beyond the sky and far above the clouds, called Star Haven. Within the sanctuary of Star Haven lies the Star Rod, which can grant any and all wishes. The seven Star Spirits use this artifact to watch over and protect Mushroom Kingdom. Until one day, Kammy Koopa uses her magic to teleport herself and Bowser into the sanctuary and, using his fire-breath, Bowser shatters the protective seal over the Star Rod and grabs it, in hopes of using its power to defeat Mario. Kammy Koopa then traps all of the Star Spirits inside cards, then leaves.

Prologue: A Plea from the Stars
The prologue of Paper Mario introduces Bowser's plan and central conflict of the game, and explains to the player what Mario must do to stop it.

It begins with Mario and Luigi receiving an invitation to one of Princess Peach's parties. Upon arriving at the castle after walking through Toad Town, the brothers find it full of guests from all over the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario then proceeds to meet with the Princess by himself, but their meeting is interrupted by Bowser and Kammy Koopa, the former of which announces his newest scheme.

By using a mechanism resembling a giant Koopa Clown Car, Bowser sets the Princess' castle atop his own fortress and then lifts both buildings into space. Mario attempts to fight off Bowser, but finds himself outmatched when Bowser takes out the Star Rod and uses it to make himself invincible. Mario is then cast out of a window and plummets back towards the ground, which allows Bowser to take a hold of the Princess and lock her up.

Back on the ground, the seven Star Spirits manifest over Mario, who suffered severe injuries from his fall. They use a portion of their remaining power to save his life. Mario's unconscious body is then found by a family of friendly Goombas, who carry him back to their village. While knocked out, he receives a vision from Eldstar, urging him to go to Shooting Star Summit, east of Toad Town.

After waking up, Mario meets the Goomba family who found him, including Goombario, the family's son. They explain to him that the way back to Toad Town lies through the village gate, but before Mario can leave, Kammy Koopa appears, confirms that Mario is still alive, and blocks the gate with a yellow block. After a short venture that involves Mario saving the family's grandfather and a battle with a local troublemaker called Jr. Troopa, Mario manages to break the block using Goompa's hammer. Goompa requests that Goombario join Mario on his quest and together they leave Goomba Village.

While traveling Goomba Road, the connecting strip of land between Goomba Village and Toad Town, Mario and Goombario are confronted by the Goomba King and his two lackeys, the Goomba Bros.. After a few battles, the protagonists manage to defeat their opposition and reach Toad Town, where they continue on towards Shooting Star Summit.

Atop the summit, Mario is greeted by another manifestation of Eldstar and the other Star Spirits, who tell Mario the story of how Bowser stole the Star Rod. They further explain that the cards in which they have been trapped are now divided among Bowser's forces, and that Mario must save and release them. In doing that, Mario will gain a power called the Star Beam, which can be used to break Bowser's invincibility and allows Mario to defeat him.

Meanwhile, in the sky, Princess Peach finds herself trapped in her room. Not knowing what to do, she wishes for someone to help her, which summons Twink, a Star Kid who only recently ascended to Star Haven. Though unable to help Peach deal with Bowser directly, he agrees to deliver the Lucky Star, Peach's magical pendant, to Mario and help in whichever way he can.

Names in other languages

Chapter 1: Storming Koopa Bros. Fortress
In this chapter, Mario gains two new partners in Kooper and Bombette, and confronts the Koopa Bros. to rescue Eldstar.

As Mario returns from Shooting Star Summit, Twink runs into him and delivers the Lucky Star which enables Mario to use Action Commands. Upon re-entering Toad Town, Mario learns that Merlon, the local fortune-teller, has sent for him. Merlon informs Mario that his search for the Star Spirits will lead him to the fortress east of Toad Town, where the Koopa Bros. are holding a Star Spirit captive. As Mario attempts to leave town, four black-garbed Toads block his way who turn out to be the Koopa Bros. in disguise. They flee once Merlon casts a spell to reveal their true identity.

After leaving town, Mario finds the way to the Koopa Bros. Fortress inaccessible to him, so he follows the only path that is open to him, leading him to Koopa Village. He arrives to see the local villagers being harassed by Fuzzies, who are stealing their shells from them. One of their victims is Kooper, who asks Mario for assistance in getting his shell back. Mario then chases the thieving Fuzzies down and manages to retrieve the shell. Upon returning it, Kooper is so grateful that he joins Mario's group.

With the help of Kooper's special ability, Mario is able to reach the Koopa Bros. Fortress, where the eponymous villains are hiding out. During his assault on the fortress however, he triggers a trapdoor which drops him into a prison cell full of Bob-ombs. One of them, Bombette, explains that they were working for the Koopa Bros. but then later got locked up for revolting against them. She then helps Mario and his friends escape by blowing up a crack in the cell wall and decides to accompany him.

Having escaped the prison cell, the group then travels to the top of the fortress where they confront the Koopa Bros.. The four villains initially try to scare Mario off by hiding inside a fake Bowser suit, but their attempt fails and the suit is destroyed. They then decide to fight Mario and his friends in a direct battle, using a teamwork attack that involves them being stacked on top of each other. Eventually Mario prevails and knocks them off the arena into the prison cell from earlier.

With the Koopa Bros. defeated, Eldstar is released and adds his powers to Mario, teaching him the ability to use Focus, as well as the special move Refresh. After a second encounter with Jr. Troopa, Mario and his friends return to Toad Town.

Shortly after Mario's defeat of the Koopa Bros., Peach, still trapped in her castle in the sky, remembers the existence of a secret passage that leads out of her room. She and Twink use it to leave the room and move to another place in the castle, where they found Bowser's diary. By reading it, Peach and Twink learn that another Star Spirit is being held captive in Dry Dry Desert.

At that moment, Bowser enters the room and catches the Princess reading his diary. Enraged, he summons two guardsmen to escort her back to her room, while Twink quietly leaves the scene undetected.

Storyline text "And so Mario and friends beat the Koopa Bros. at their fortress and rescued the first Star Spirit. Still, six Star Spirits remain imprisoned, and they must save them as quickly as they can. The future of the Mushroom Kingdom, Star Haven and, of course, Princess Peach... lies in the hands of Mario... and his new friends. Their adventure has just begun."

Names in other languages

Chapter 2: The Mystery of Dry, Dry Ruins
After returning to Toad Town and getting ambushed by Jr. Troopa, Twink flies to Toad Town to tell Mario that the second Star Spirit is hidden in Dry Dry Ruins. Mario and his party take a train to the foot of Mt. Rugged. On the way to Dry Dry Desert, they find a mail-delivering Paratroopa named Parakarry, who joins their party after Mario helps him find three lost letters. They also find the condor Buzzar, and the Koopa archaeologist Kolorado. Mario goes through Dry Dry Desert to Dry Dry Outpost, where they search for clues about Dry Dry Ruins. Eventually, they meet with Moustafa, who gives them the Pulse Stone, which will tell them where Dry Dry Ruins is. After searching through the Dry Dry Desert, they eventually find Dry Dry Ruins. They also discover that it has many traps and hiding places such as rooms filling with sand and hidden keys. They find many artifacts to uncover more of the Ruins. They eventually get to the very end of the ruins, where they find Tutankoopa and his Chain Chomps. After defeating him, the second Star Spirit, Mamar, is released.

Meanwhile, in the sky, Bowser comes into the princess's room to brag that he has decided to use the Invincible Tubba Blubba on Mario next. Kammy Koopa enters and tells Bowser that the Star Spirit Blubba had trapped managed to escape his grip. Peach and Twink decide to use the passage again to find out more about Invincible Tubba Blubba. They sneak into the castle's library and eavesdrop on a Koopatrol and a Hammer Bro talking. They reveal that Tubba Blubba indeed has a secret weakness; Twink leaves to give this message to Mario and the Koopatrol and Hammer Bro spot Peach and return her to her room.

Storyline text "Thus Mario and party unearthed the legendary Dry Dry Ruins deep within Dry Dry Desert. They smashed Tutankoopa the Wizard and freed Mamar, the second of the wish-granting Star Spirits. But the enemies awaiting Mario grow ever stronger... and the challenges more difficult. What's in store for Mario and friends... Where will their adventure take them next?"

Name in other languages

Chapter 3: The "Invincible" Tubba Blubba
The third Star Spirit is originally held in Tubba Blubba's Castle, but since Tubba Blubba let it escape, it is now being held in Boo's Mansion. Bootler appears on the edge of Forever Forest and tells Mario to come to Boo Mansion. A strange hermit named Oaklie tells Mario how to get through the forest. When Mario reaches Boo's Mansion, he finds that Lady Bow, princess of the Boos, has trapped the third Star Spirit, Skolar. She informs Mario that she will only release Skolar if Mario saves Gusty Gulch from Tubba Blubba. Mario and Bow travel to Tubba Blubba's Castle and after searching, they find the literal key to Tubba Blubba's weakness and find his heart, isolated from his body by Bowser. They nearly defeat it, but not before it reunites with Tubba Blubba, who is then defeated by Mario. Bow gives back the Star Spirit, and decides to join Mario on his quest.

In the castle, the princess and Twink use the secret passage to escape again, hoping to hear about Mario's travels. As they turn into Bowser's room, though, they find that both Bowser and Kammy are in the room talking. The princess is relieved to not be seen using the secret passage and to hear that Tubba Blubba was defeated, but Bowser notices her. He decides to ask her what Mario hates most of all; the Princess can answer honestly, or give trick answers that are actually beneficial items such as Mushrooms. Kammy leaves to place these items in Shy Guy's Toy Box, where the next Star Spirit waits, and Twink follows her to tell Mario. The guards then take Peach back to her room.

Storyline text "After solving the secret of 'Invincible' Tubba Blubba, Mario and party set free Star Spirit Skolar. Now, with Tubba Blubba just a bad dream, the Boos are free to haunt to their hearts' content. Even the lonely wind echoing through Gusty Gulch seems to be celebrating the victory... at least for now. With newest party member, Bow, in tow, Mario and friends are ready to take on their next challenge."

Names in other languages

Chapter 4: Trials in the Toy Box
The fourth Star Spirit is hidden deep inside Shy Guy's Toy Box. When Mario returns to Toad Town, being ambushed in Forever Forest yet again by Jr. Troopa, he finds that it has been overrun by Shy Guys, who are stealing from and bothering the townspeople. A group of Toads tells him that strange noises have been coming from one of the houses. Mario goes to investigate, but the house seems empty. Bow then suggests using her invisibility power. Once they're transparent, a pink Shy Guy runs in and reveals the entrance to Shy Guy's Toy Box. Mario and his partners enter the Toy Box, where they see a small train station. To reach the captured Star Spirit, Mario must go through several train stations. However, unfortunately, the train is missing. After finding a storeroom key and several other items in the Toy Box, Mario returns them to their rightful owners. The shopkeeper who owns the key lets Mario enter the storeroom, in which he finds the missing toy train and a few free items. Mario then places the train back in the Toy Box. He gets on the train and proceeds to the next station, where he meets Gourmet Guy, a massive Shy Guy. Mario must give him a cake baked by Tayce T. so he will move out of the way. At the final station, he meets and defeats the Big Lantern Ghost, and inside his lantern they find a Li'l Sparky named Watt. She thanks Mario for rescuing her and joins the party. At the end of the Toy Box, they find General Guy, the leader of the Shy Guys using Watt's light power. They defeat him and claim the fourth Star Spirit, Muskular.

At the castle, the Princess and Twink sneak out once again and discover the massive Gourmet Guy in the dining room. He promises not to report their escape if they make him something delicious to eat. The Princess and Twink go down to the first floor and use the castle's kitchen to prepare a "Surprise Strawberry Cake." Peach demonstrates her baking skills to make the perfect treat, which sends Gourmet Guy flying for joy in the same way Tayce T.'s cake did. In thanks, he tells the two that the fifth Star Spirit is in Mt. Lavalava, on Lavalava Island. Twink heads out the window once more, and the Princess ends up being spotted by Kammy, having heard Gourmet Guy's bouncing around.

Storyline text "To save the fourth Star Spirit, Muskular, Mario and team disbanded the gang of Shy Guys toughs. Slowly, it seems as if the life force is returning to the once bleak night sky... But the stars won't truly shine until the Star Rod is wrested from Bowser's evil grasp. Three Star Spirits still await rescue. Where in the world are they being held?"

Names in other languages

Chapter 5: Hot, Hot Times on Lavalava Island
Players cannot reach Lavalava Island initially, but then a whale is introduced on the docks of Toad Town and asks Mario to get rid of a Fuzzy, by the name of Fuzzipede, inside his stomach. Mario defeats Fuzzipede and the whale takes him to Lavalava Island along with Kolorado, who is looking for a different treasure on the island. They arrive at Yoshi's Village and see the volcano, but are unable to reach it immediately. Mario returns to the village, where he finds everyone panicking because five Yoshi Kids have gone missing. The Village Leader says he'll help Mario to get to the volcano if he finds and returns the Yoshi Kids. Mario ventures off into the forest where he finds Sushie, the Yoshis' babysitter, trapped in a tree by the Yoshi Kids. Mario helps her and finds out that Sushie is a friendly Cheep Cheep, and decides to help Mario find the Yoshis. After they find the Yoshis, Mario and Sushie go to the volcano with the help of Raphael the Raven. Mario and company go into the volcano along with Kolorado, who wants the legendary treasure hidden in the volcano. Mario and company manage to defeat the Lava Piranha, setting the volcano up for eruption. They narrowly escape the volcano with their lives, obtaining the fifth Star Spirit, Misstar. After finding an artifact which had been blown out by the eruption, Mario and Kolorado use the whale to return to Toad Town, where Jr. Troopa attacks them upon arrival.

Back at the castle, Peach and Twink escape once again and explore the first floor for more information. While there, a Hammer Bro asks her to participate in a strange quiz show. The questions are actually pieces of information regarding the sixth Star Spirit; the minion holding him is Huff N. Puff, and he is in Flower Fields, which can only be reached through Toad Town's Flower Garden. If the Princess wins the show, she earns a Jammin' Jelly as a prize. Regardless of winning or losing the show, she also gets a prize for participating, the amazing Sneaky Parasol. Attracted by the noises in the room, Bowser enters and wants to play, but since the game is over, he snarls in disappointment and settles for returning Peach to her room again.

Storyline text "Venturing deep into the steamimg[sic] Mt. Lavalava, Mario and friends plucked the Lava Piranha... and rescued the fifth Star Spirit, Misstar, from a fiery fate. But the 'treasure' Kolorado is looking for is yet to be found. Wherever could it be? What's that...? Something...strange...is going on around here..."

Names in other languages

Chapter 6: Dark Days in Flower Fields
The sixth Star Spirit is hidden in beautiful Flower Fields. After Mario finds the four Magical Seeds from the four Bub-ulbs from Mt. Rugged, Forever Forest, Toad Town, and Lavalava Island, he opens the portal to Flower Fields in Toad Town. When Mario enters, he sees clouds and withering plants. The Wise Wisterwood tells Mario that the clouds are the result of the truly evil Huff N. Puff, who is using his Puff-Puff Machine to cover Flower Fields in clouds. Mario then meets four different flowers who help him create a beanstalk to reach the Cloudy Climb where Huff N. Puff is hiding with his Star Spirit. Mario first meets Petunia, who gives him a magic bean for clearing out some Monty Moles. Mario then encounters Posie, who gives him fertile soil so his nose can grow bigger like hers. Mario then visits Lily, who is in a state of crisis; her pond has dried up because Lakitus stole the Water Stone, the stone that produces the water known as Miracle Water. To keep her alive, Mario vows to find the stone. Mario then searches for it, eventually finding the Lakitus and besting them in battle.

He then meets a self-absorbed flower by the name of Rosie. She holds the Water Stone and won't give it to Mario unless he finds something more beautiful. Mario asks Posie for a Crystal Berry which she gives him. He then presents this berry to Rosie who immediately falls in love with it, and lets Mario have the Water Stone. Mario then takes it back to Lily. After the Water Stone is back in place, she gives Mario some of the Miracle Water. Mario now has everything for his beanstalk except the Sun. Mario meets with the Sun who says that it is impossible for him to return to the sky in its current state. Mario then sets off on a quest to destroy the Puff-Puff Machine. On the way, he meets a very confused Lakitu who hates his name and challenges Mario. After the Lakitu is defeated, he uses his real name, Lakilester, and joins Mario's party. Mario then proceeds to destroy the machine, after which the Sun is able to rise into the sky again. Flower Fields then rejoices, but Huff N. Puff is still at large. To finish the job, Mario grows the beanstalk and heads to Cloudy Climb and defeats Huff N. Puff for the sixth Star Spirit, Klevar.

Back at the castle, Peach uses the Sneaky Parasol she won at the quiz show to turn herself into one of the guards, allowing her to move around the castle without fear of getting caught. Peach then learns that Kammy Koopa is building a weapon designed to defeat Mario. Before she can find out what it is, however, Kammy notices a peculiar smell coming from her disguise. Kammy then casts a spell on her, reverting her to normal. She is then taken back to her room yet again.

Storyline text "So it is that Mario and party defeat cruel cloud Huff N. Puff and set free the sixth Star Spirit. The thick clouds that once cast dark shadows have gone, and Flower Fields is bathed in sunshine again. A single Star Spirit waits to be rescued, waits to take its place in the Star Sanctuary. Perhaps you will see Princess Peach soon... Perhaps... Just wait and see. Kammy Koopa, who watches impatiently from Bowser's Castle, is waiting, too... for you to try to save them..."

Names in other languages

Chapter 7: A Star Spirit on Ice
The seventh and final Star Spirit is said to be held in the ancient Crystal Palace. After being given advice by Merlon and a Ninji, Mario heads to Shiver City. When Mario arrives via the sewers, he finds a Bumpty blocking the way to Starborn Valley. The Bumpty says he will not let anyone pass unless the mayor gives permission. Mario then seeks the mayor out so he can leave the city. When Mario visits the mayor's house, though, he finds him knocked out on the floor. His wife then comes in and assumes that Mario killed him. Mario's partner at the time is horrified and objects by pointing that Mario wouldn't murder the mayor. A police bumpty says he'll let Mario go only if he finds the real murderer. Mario notices that there is a crumpled note in his hand with a single word written on it: "Herringway". Mario then goes out into town looking for Herringway and finds him, who is currently writing his future novel in his house. Mario tells Herringway the story, after which Herringway agrees to go to the mayor's house to help with the investigation. Mario then tells the police about the note. The police then starts accusing Herringway instead, with the mayor's wife still thinking Mario did it. Suddenly the mayor starts twitching and he pops up. The mayor's wife screams for help yelling out that he's a ghost. The mayor explains he was unconscious and gives a present to Herringway, the same present that fell and knocked him out. The mayor then allows Mario to go to Starborn Valley.

Once he gets attacked again by Jr. Troopa and reaches the outskirts of Starborn Valley, an odd monster called Monstar appears. Mario defeats it and reveals it to actually be a bunch of very protective Star Kids. Mario then meets Merle who tells Mario to go to the Crystal Palace where the seventh Star Spirit is being held. He then gives Mario a scarf, telling him to use it on something special, then telling Mario to go and ask Mayor Penguin for the other special item. Mario then receives a bucket from the mayor who tells him he has no idea what it does. Mario then goes a line of snowmen on the path between Shiver City and Starborn Valley, Two, however, are missing something: One is missing a scarf and the other is missing a a hat. Mario gives the items to the respective owners. The snowmen thank him and open the way to the Crystal Palace. Along the way to the palace, they meet Madam Merlar, who gives Mario the Star Stone, letting him reach the palace. Once inside, the group realizes that it contains many traps and puzzles involving Duplighosts and fake mirrors with real mirror effects. Once they reach the Crystal King at the palace's back, Mario defeats him for the final Star Spirit, Kalmar.

The final segment at Peach's Castle is simply a cutscene, as opposed to a playing experience. Bowser enters Peach's room and tells her that if Mario comes, he will destroy him. Kammy informs him that Mario now has all seven Star Spirits. Bowser orders the Koopa Troop to their battle stations and threatens to kill them if the princess escapes their vision. He has the princess tied up to keep her out of mischief; Twink, furious, jumps out and tries attacking him, but it doesn't work. Bowser hisses at Twink through bared teeth and swats him out of the window. Soon he, Kammy, and the princess go upstairs to where Bowser first defeated Mario.

Storyline text "Mario has saved the last Star Spirit, Kalmar, from the Crystal Palace at the edge of the world. Now, with the seven Star Spirits together, he has the power to challenge Bowser...and the Star Rod. At last, it is time for Mario's showdown with Evil King Bowser. Can Mario rescue Princess Peach and recover the Star Rod? Or will wishes forever go ungranted?"

Names in other languages

Chapter 8: A Star-Powered Showdown!
With the help of the seven Star Spirits, Mario and the team reach Star Haven, acquire the Star Beam, and use the power of the Star Spirits to travel to Bowser's Castle. After going through the castle, falling for traps, solving puzzles (and possibly fighting three Anti Guys), and getting attacked by Jr. Troopa one last time in the process, they finally find Princess Peach. Bowser fights Mario in the same exact spot where they fought at the beginning, but the Star Spirits' combined power now lets Mario stop Bowser's invincibility. Bowser takes Peach and flees, and the group follows him up to the castle roof to reclaim the Star Rod. Kammy then uses her Power Platform to pump Bowser up in both power and size; when he powers up with the Star Rod, Mario finds that the Star Beam is now uneffective.

Meanwhile, Twink frees the Princess, and the two start to battle Kammy. Twink's attacks start out ineffective, and it falls to the Princess to help him. She uses her "Focus" power and makes wishes, which give Twink more power with each turn, to the point where Kammy's attacks become ineffective. Kammy remembers the secret of all Stars before her defeat - they get their power from the wishes of ordinary people. Twink urges the Princess to make a wish for "everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom". The Princess concentrates and prays her hardest; this action fills the Star Spirits with more power than ever. Twink joins them to create the almighty Peach Beam, which cuts through Bowser's enhanced power. After a long and hard battle that leaves Bowser snarling in pain, Mario recovers and returns the Star Rod to the Star Spirits, lets Bowser's Castle self-destruct and restores Peach's Castle to its spot and the rest of the world to its former peace. To celebrate, the Princess throws another party a few days later with a parade, featuring characters from the whole game.

Names in other languages

Ending
Mario walks in to the castle and is greeted by the Toad Minister who says that Princess Peach is coming out. As Peach comes out she says that, thanks to Mario and his friends, the Mushroom Kingdom is now at peace once again. Then an eight minute staff credit parade starts. Luigi walks on screen, dressed somewhat like a British guard, and signals the parade to start. A group of 2X3 Toads march on screen. The first two are playing trumpets. The second ones are the drum line. The last row is holding big banners in the air. Then the Star Ship used to travel to Bowser's castle appears, holding all of Mario's partners on it. Then three Toad girls who are twirling sticks walk by, followed by Chuck Quizmo and Vanna T.

After Chuck Quizmo and Vanna T., the Koopa Bros. are seen on a parade car similar to the Bowser tank, possibly made from the remnants of the Bowser??? but four Bob-ombs explode on them. Professor Kolorado and his wife are seen on top of the whale in the background, and Moustafa runs into Rowf and Rhuff. Tutankoopa is being chased by a Chomp (like in the game) and manages to avoid it. Meanwhile, in the background Buzzar is seen on a mountain, with three eggs in his nest, and they hatch. Tutankoopa then runs by being chased by three Chomps. Bootler enters the screen and Tubba Blubba appears to fly by behind him, but is really being carried by Boos. His heart frantically chases after his body. Afterward, a tree slides by with the Goomba King stuck upside-down in it, and the Goomba Bros. circling it. Goomba King falls out of the tree, stands up and joins the parade with his minions.

Afterward, a Lavalava Island float slides by, with all the adult Yoshis on it (including the chief) except the red and purple adults. Raphael the Raven and Lava Piranha alternate between peeking out from behind Mt. Lavalava. After the island goes off the screen, the five Yoshi kids jump off. Huff N. Puff and Gourmet Guy walk by them, and the Yoshi kids attack them with their tongues, shrinking Huff N. Puff, and leave. Gourmet Guy then pulls out a knife and fork and chases Huff N. Puff, intending to eat him. What appears to be the Crystal King appears next, but another Crystal King comes and reveals the first to be a Duplighost. The real Crystal King reveals the second as another Duplighost, but is then carried away by his Crystal Bits. Finally, Jr. Troopa and Kammy Koopa come onscreen, fighting using magic. Bowser rides by in his Koopa Clown Car between two juggling Hammer Bros. and two Koopatrol flagmen, and Jr. Troopa and Kammy Koopa's attacks collide on him, blowing him up and making the surrounding minions flee. He chases them off the screen, then an explosion can be seen, and a charred Jr. Troopa and Kammy Koopa are sent flying onscreen to the ground.

Afterward, the parade shifts to nighttime, in which a parade car is shown with the Star Spirits. Penguins are seen skating, followed by Mayor Penguin and his wife, as well as a second band of Toads (with the Chanterelle), two Amazy Dayzees, the sun, and Merlon, Merluvlee, Merlee, Merlow, Merle, and Madam Merlar on a stage with the Wise Wisterwood. Then, a stage slides by with General Guy, two Shy Guys of the Shy Squad, and four Groove Guys dancing. Following up are 16 more Shy Guys in the Shy Squad, and after they walk by, the straggler Shy Guy runs after them in his usual fashion. The parade ends with the same Toads from the beginning of the parade (with their spots flashing), followed by a float with Mario and Princess Peach on it. Twink comes down, now a full-grown Star Kid, and Mario and Peach leave the float to go to Mario's house. Three more stick-twirling Toad girls and two more Toad flagmen are seen before the camera cuts to Mario's house, where Mario and Peach watch a fireworks display, and a THE END screen comes on. After a while "The End" shrinks and sits in the lower-right hand corner of the screen, and the fireworks continue until the game is shut off.

General gameplay
For the majority of the game, the player controls Mario through various locations in the overworld. The game is divided into chapters, each of them generally being set in a new area. Other characters can frequently be found roaming these areas. Some of them are friendly and can be talked to or bartered with, some will join Mario's team, others are hostile and will start a battle if approached.

On his way, Mario and his friends can rely on several abilities that help them progress. Mario can jump to reach higher ground, traverse gaps, or reach blocks floating above his head. Early on he also gains a hammer that can be used to break larger blocks or other obstacles. At later points the player can find special items that upgrade Mario's jump and hammer and give him new abilities to work with.

At the end of each chapter, an interlude occurs in which the player controls Princess Peach instead of Mario. Peach does not have access to Mario's abilities, party members, or inventory. Items picked up as Peach can be deposited in the mysterious treasure chest in the castle storage room. The items can later be picked up by Mario from the chest's counterpart at Merluvlee's Place.

Objects
A list of reoccurring devices that Mario can encounter during his quest. Some of them are beneficial and help the player by making traveling easier, containing items, or making Mario and his friends stronger. Others serve as obstacles and require a specific ability, item, or party member to overcome.

Mario's Partners
An important part of Paper Mario is the partner system, which features characters who join Mario at certain points of his journey and assist him on his quest. Every partner character has an overworld ability that can be used by pressing and usually serves to aid in traversing the landscape in some way. Additionally they can aid Mario in battle by using various moves.

Ranking up partners
Each partner joins Mario at their most basic rank, able to choose from two moves in battle. If the player manages to locate a Super Block, they may upgrade one of their currently available partners to the next rank, which increases the damage output of all their attacks and lets them learn a new move.

The first time a partner is upgraded, they advance to Super Rank. To upgrade them even further, Mario needs to be in possession of the Ultra Stone, which allows partners to reach Ultra Rank. At Ultra Rank, each partner has four moves and cannot be upgraded further. There are 16 Super Blocks in the game in total, enough to advance every partner to their final rank.

Battle system
Paper Mario uses a turn-based side-view battle system. Enemies are visible on the overworld and initiate a battle if the player makes contact with them. The manner in which this happens also determines whether the battle starts in Mario's or the enemies' favor; Successfully attacking an enemy on the overworld nets Mario a preemptive hit on an enemy, whereas getting hit by an attack lets one enemy damage Mario before the fight starts proper.

On the battle screen itself, Mario and one partner of his choice find themselves on the left side of the screen, with the enemy group occupying the right side. What kind of enemies Mario faces is determined by which type of enemy initiated the battle on the overworld, with several different formations being possible.

To win a battle, the player must eliminate all enemies on the opposite side, either by defeating them or by making them run away. An enemy counts as defeated if their Heart Points (HP) are dropped to zero. Likewise, if Mario's HP drop to zero without a Life Shroom in his inventory, the battle is lost. The player can keep track of Mario's HP and various other stats with the battle statistic on the top side of the screen.

During battle, the player and the enemies take turns attacking. The damage an attack will do is determined by the attack's power minus the target's defense rating. During the player's turn, Mario and the currently active partner each get an action, the order being changeable by pressing.

Mario's action
Mario's main attack options all fall into the two categories of "hammer" and "jump". The condition of the targeted enemy may make one or both of these options either inaccessible or inadvisable. Hammer attacks have a limited range and can only attack the first ground-bound enemy of a group. Jump attacks on the other hand can reach past enemies standing in the way, or attack enemies flying out of reach, but jumping on a spiked or otherwise hazardous foe cancels the attack and makes Mario take 1 HP of damage.

Both hammer and jump attacks can be customized by outfitting Mario with certain badges. Custom hammer or jump attacks usually consume Flower Points (FP) and cannot be used if the required amount is not available.

Once unlocked by finding the correlating Star Spirits, Mario is also able to use special moves. These can have a wide variety of effects depending on the move used, but all of them consume a certain amount of Star Power (SP). Mario's SP is represented by a series of colored bars at the top of the screen, and each bar equals one unit. A small amount of SP is regained with each turn, but more may be restored by using the Focus command.

Aside from hammer and jump attacks or special moves, Mario can also use items from his inventory, do nothing, or attempt to run away. During an escape attempt, a bar appears that may be anywhere between empty and completely full, depending on the number and level of enemies. The player can slowly fill the bar by repeatedly tapping. While escaping is in progress, an indicator slides back and forth between the right and left side of the bar until it stops. If it stops on the filled portion of the bar, the escape attempt is successful and Mario returns to the overworld (while losing a few coins in the process). Otherwise Mario wastes his action and the battle continues.

Partner action
The partner's options are more limited than Mario's, but can be increased by equipping badges. Under normal circumstances, a partner can either attack or do nothing, the latter of which skips their action. Depending on their level, a partner can have up to four attacks in their repertoire. At least one of these attacks is always free to use, whereas other, more potent attacks cost Flower Points.

The partners do not have their own FP and instead draw from the same pool as Mario does. Special care has to be taken with partners who use jump-type attacks, because they are susceptible to the same hazards as Mario's jump command, which means the partner can get injured by jumping on certain enemies.

Only one partner can be used during battle, but the currently active one can be swapped out for a different partner during battle. This wastes an action unless the Quick Change badge is equipped.

Enemy action
After both Mario and his partner have taken their actions, all able enemies will then attack one after another. In most cases, enemies will target Mario, but some attacks can hit the partner, either separately or additionally to Mario. Since Mario's partners do not have HP themselves, every time they get injured, it disables them for a set amount of turns, one turn for each point of damage.

Once all enemies have attacked, the current turn ends and the next one starts from the beginning again, with the player choosing Mario and his partners' actions.

Status effects
Some items and attacks afflict their targets with conditions that affect their battle performance. In most cases, these status effects are temporary and the number of turns they will last is denoted along with an icon that indicates what the status effect is. Status effects only apply in battle and wear off once the player returns to the overworld.

Regular effects

Unique effects

Action Commands
After Mario receives the Lucky Star at the foot of Shooting Star Summit, the player is able to use action commands in battle. From then on, whenever Mario or his partner execute an attack, a prompt shows up and input from the player is required. If the action command is successful, attacks will do bonus damage or have other additional effects.

Likewise, if during an enemy's turn the player presses right before an attack connects, Mario will guard against it and the damage will be reduced by 1. Additionally, if an enemy attack would cause a status effect, successfully guarding against it cancels the effect.

End of battle
Once all enemies have been eliminated, Mario receives experience in form of Star Points. The amount of Star Points received depends on the levels of the defeated enemies as well as that of Mario himself, and may be anywhere between none and 100. Whenever Mario's Star Point count reaches 100, his level increases by one and the player gets to choose whether to increase Heart Points, Flower Points, or Badge Points.

After the battle ends, the game shifts back to the overworld. The enemy that triggered the battle disappears and leaves behind coins, hearts or flowers that restore HP and FP respectively, or items.

Items
Items in Paper Mario come in two categories: Regular items and key items.

Regular items are helpful goodies with a variety of effects, like restoring HP or FP, or dealing damage to enemies. This type of item is commonly sold in shops. They also occasionally get dropped by defeated enemies, can be found in ? Blocks, or acquired by having Tayce T. cook.

Mario can carry up to ten of these items, and they can be used by pressing. If an eleventh item is picked up, one of the other 10 has to be discarded before it can be added to the inventory. Up to 32 regular items can be stored by using the check system in shops.

Key items are unique objects that are used to progress through the story, or for the completion of sidequests. They are listed separately from regular items and do not affect Mario's carrying capacity. If a situation requires a key item and Mario has said item in his possession, a prompt shows up and the item can be given away. Key items stay with Mario until they are needed; They cannot be dropped, sold, or stored.

Badges
During the game, badges can be found in a variety of ways, including hitting special blocks, buying from a store or by trading Star Pieces to Merlow. Once found they can be equipped at the cost of Badge Points, or BP. If a badge is removed, the BP it was using are liberated for use with a different badge. Badges may give Mario more moves, increase his stats or many other things. See List of Badges for a complete list.

Star Pieces


Star Pieces are golden octahedral star fragments that can be found all over the Mushroom Kingdom. There are 160 in total. They can be collected and brought to Merlow at Shooting Star Summit in exchange for Badges.

A lot of Star Pieces can be found lying around in the overworld, usually hidden behind objects. Some Star Pieces are buried beneath hidden floor panels that require either the Spin Jump or the Ultra Hammer to collect. Star Pieces are also often given away as rewards or sold as wares by NPCs.

Chuck Quizmo's quizzes


Chuck Quizmo is a character who can randomly be encountered in one of the game's many towns. Upon finding him, the player has the opportunity to partake in a quiz show. Chuck Quizmo will ask the player a trivia question about the game and present them with three possible answers. If the correct choice is selected, the player receives a Star Piece. Otherwise Chuck Quizmo has to be found again for another try. There are 64 questions in total the player can answer.

Toad Town Dojo
After Mario talks to the Star Spirits on Shooting Star Summit and obtains the Lucky Star, the Toad Town Dojo opens. The dojo is located on the second story of the Shroom Grocery building. Here Mario can fight against Chan and Lee, as well as the dojo's Master himself.

Fighting in the dojo does not give Mario Star Points, but with each win the player receives a degree and unlocks the next fight. Defeating the Master's third form earns Mario the Diploma for besting the strongest enemy in Paper Mario.

Koopa Koot's favors
Once the player reaches Koopa Village in chapter 1, they have the opportunity to meet Koopa Koot. Koopa Koot is an elderly Koopa Troopa infamous among his acquaintances for asking favors of people.

When speaking to Koopa Koot after resolving Koopa Village's Fuzzy problem, he will ask Mario for a favor, which usually entails obtaining a specific item and bringing it to him. Upon completion of the favor, Koopa Koot will usually reward Mario with a single coin. In some cases however, the reward will be three Star Pieces in a bulk, or an item that unlocks new minigames in the Toad Town Playroom.

Tayce T.'s recipes


Tayce T. is an elderly Toad woman who lives in Toad Town. She is initially inaccessible due to debris blocking the road to her house, but can be talked to after the Koopa Bros. have been defeated.

Mario can give Tayce T. ingredients which she will turn into new items by cooking them. At first only one item can be given to her at a time, but after bringing her the Cook Book from Shy Guy's Toy Box in chapter 4, the player unlocks the ability to have her use two ingredients. The blackboard in Mario's house is keeping track of how many recipes have been found and can be checked at any time.

Letter delivery
In various locations of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario can find letters that have been dropped by Parakarry. Once Parakarry has joined Mario's group, Mario can deliver these lost letters to their intended recipients by talking to them while Parakarry is the active partner. Doing so rewards the player with Star Pieces, or other items.

Services
A lot of different vendors, establishments, and merchants can be found all over the Mushroom Kingdom. Most of them offer their services for coins which can be found inside ?-Blocks or earned from battling enemies.

Toad Houses
Toad Houses are establishments that can be found in all major towns featured in Paper Mario. They can be recognized by their signs which show a picture of a Toad's head. Toad Houses serve as hotels and Mario and his friends can rest in them to restore Heart Points, Flower Points, and Star Power. Unlike inns in traditional RPGs, they do not charge money for this service.

Almost all Toad Houses are managed by Toads, the sole exception being the one in Star Haven which is owned by a Star instead.

Item Shops


Scattered across the Mushroom Kingdom are various common goods stores, identifiable by their Fire Flower sign. Here the player can take their coins to buy items that cause different effects in and out of battles. Additionally, they may get a coin refund by selling items they do not want.

Most items can be sold to the shopkeepers for a set price at every shop, however, some items will sell at a higher price depending on the location of the shop and the item itself. Mario can make a profit by purchasing an item at a low price from one store and selling it to another that will buy it at a higher price.

Item Shops also offer a check system that allows the player to store and withdraw items. This storage space is shared by all stores, which means the player can store an item in one shop and then later withdraw it from another. Up to 32 items can be stored that way.

Merlon's house
Merlon is Toad Town's local fortune-teller. His services become available after Mario has visited Shooting Star Summit and gotten the Lucky Star. For a fee of five coins, Merlon will foresee Mario's future and give the player a hint about the next game objective.

Merluvlee's Place
Merluvlee is another fortune-teller who lives at the foot of Shooting Star Summit. She will divine the locations of Star Pieces, Badges, and Super Blocks. She charges 5 coins, 20 coins, and 30 coins for each of them respectively.

Her house also contains the counterpart to the mysterious treasure chest in Peach's castle. Any items that Princess Peach puts into the chest on her end can be retrieved by Mario here.

Merluvlee's brother Merlow can be found on the second floor of the house. He informs Mario that he collects Star Pieces and is willing to trade Badges for them. Getting Badges from Merlow is the main purpose of collecting Star Pieces.

Toad Town post office
The Post Office is a building located in central Toad Town, across the street from Merlon's house. Over the course of the game, letters addressed at Mario's partners arrive there, written by different characters Mario met on his journey. The player can visit the post office at any time and talk to the postal worker in charge to view the letters. There is no benefit to reading the letters, but the service is free and reveals what became of the sender after their encounter with Mario.

Mario himself also receives letters during the game. These letters are not stored at the post office and can be found in the bedroom of Mario's house.

Badge Shop
The Toad Town badge shop is an open-air store located in the central part of Toad Town, across the street from the gate to Flower Fields. It opens for business after the Koopa Bros. have been defeated in chapter 1. The player can purchase badges in exchange for coins.

Sixteen different badges can be purchased from the badge store, although only three will be available at a time. The selection changes randomly over time until all badges have been bought.

Oink-Oink Farm


Once the Koopa Bros. have been defeated and the road to the southern part of Toad Town has been cleared of debris, Mario can visit Oink-Oink Farm. For 10 coins the player can purchase an egg that will hatch into a Li'l Oink and move into the nearby pigpen.

The pen can hold a maximum of 10 animals. If an additional egg is bought while the pen is full, the oldest Li'l Oink will escape and leave behind an item correlating to its color. The player can use this to obtain various items, including ones that are hard to obtain otherwise.

Virtual Console differences
The Wii Virtual Console version has more lag than the Nintendo 64 version, but has less lag than the original during screen transitions. Graphics on the Wii version are more pixelated, and special effects have been changed: fire/explosion effects are solid colors, magic/transformation wave effects no longer have flashing colors of white and yellow and are waves of purple and pink, and the brightness of light effects from Super Blocks have been reduced.

The Wii U Virtual Console version is darker, but has smoother graphics like the Nintendo 64 version. Fire/explosion effects match that of the original version (albeit darker) but the magic/transformation wave effects are still altered.

Wii Shop Description
''Paper Mario is a graphically innovative game that breaks the confines of the RPG genre. Now slimmed down, everyone's favorite plumber flips, spins, jumps, and hammers his way through scads of exotic worlds that teem with a huge and hugely entertaining supporting cast. Players control numerous characters, both old and new, in a complex, nonlinear story that follows different scenarios depending on player choices. A dizzying collection of spells, attacks, skills, and special items can be collected by players willing to thoroughly explore the lush 3-D environments!''

Wii U eShop Description
''After Bowser™ steals the Star Rod and kidnaps Princess Peach™, Mario™ plots to rescue the seven Star Spirits and free the Mushroom Kingdom from the Koopa's rule. As Mario travels from the tropical jungles of Lavlava Island to the frosty heights of Shiver Mountain, he'll need all the help he can get. Master the abilities of the seven Star Spirits and the other allies joining the adventure to aid our hero on the battlefield. There are over 50 Badges to locate that, when equipped, will grant special abilities and powerful attacks. The turn-based battle system will make fighting Bowser's baddies equal parts strategy and timing. Discover over 100 items, mix them together, and cook up fantastic creations that will send your enemies' spinning and fleeing. Close the book on Bowser's story before his evil deeds turn the world upside down and only his wishes come true!

Similarities with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Paper Mario contains many elements that were lifted from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, such as:
 * Paper Mario was originally going to be called Super Mario RPG 2, but was later renamed "Super Mario Adventure" (while still in development) due to legal reasons. Eventually, it received its finalized international title to emphasize the unique graphical style of the game.
 * As with Super Mario RPG, Bowser is the very first boss to be fought in the game.
 * After the cutscene that takes place when Mario is defeated by Bowser, the Paper Mario logo is displayed in a similar manner to how the Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars logo is displayed after Exor crashes into Bowser's Keep and destroys the Star Road.
 * The battle systems of both games are nearly identical.
 * Redesigned versions of Star Hill and the Chancellor from Super Mario RPG reappear, although this is lost in translation in the international versions.
 * The Shy Guy riot in Toad Town is similar to Mack and the Shysters' takeover of the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
 * Both Paper Mario and Super Mario RPG contain karate dojos.
 * The Master is Paper Mario's equivalent of Jinx, as they are both powerful senseis that are fought three times (with each battle getting harder), and are completely optional. The Master also shares the role of an optional boss harder than the final, main boss, like Culex.
 * Both games have plots that involve finding seven stars, and have something to do with wishes not being granted due to what the games' main antagonists have done.
 * The opening storylines of both games begin with the usual "Mario battling Bowser to save Peach" scenario, when Mario suddenly becomes overpowered and sent hurtling a great distance away. In Super Mario RPG, as Mario goes to free Peach after defeating Bowser, Smithy's gang sends Exor crashing into the castle, the impact sending Mario flying, landing back at his house. In Paper Mario, as Mario is fighting Bowser, Bowser makes himself invincible with the Star Rod, then dispatches Mario out a window, and he crash lands in a field just outside Goomba Village.
 * In both games, Bowser's castle is unreachable throughout most of the story. In Super Mario RPG, it cannot be reached because the bridge is down; in Paper Mario, the castle is all the way up in the sky. Also, both games feature a special vehicle that is used to reach the castle.
 * Mario uses jump and hammer attacks, which in both games have regular, super, and ultra variations. Both have the three hammer variants, but the jump variants in Super Mario RPG are special moves Mario learns, whereas Paper Mario has these variants as the boots Mario finds to improve his jumping ability.
 * The Power Bounce badge is reminiscent of Mario's Super Jump ability in SMRPG.
 * Mario's first partner in both games has a special move that identifies the enemy (Mallow's "Psychopath" and Goombario's "Tattle").
 * Both games feature a special area where Mario can turn into 8-bit Mario, complete with 8-bit sounds and music.
 * In both games, Mario can travel to an island where Yoshis live. In fact, Mario needs to travel there in the latter to save one of the Star Spirits.
 * During the second boss battle with Bowser, he has the ability to temporarily disable some of Mario's commands, similar to how Bowyer disables certain button commands during his battle in Super Mario RPG.
 * When Lava Piranha re-emerges from the lava after the first phase of the battle, it resembles Czar Dragon's resurrection as Zombone.
 * Both games feature a volcano as a location where a star is hidden. Both areas have an escape sequence after locating the Star, though the reason behind it is different (in Super Mario RPG, the Axem Rangers are escaping with the Star; in Paper Mario, the volcano is erupting).
 * The endings in both games feature a parade that is led by Luigi and ends with a fireworks display.
 * Both Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario feature a Hammer Bro who hosts a quiz game.
 * During the parade in the ending of Paper Mario, Twink flies by with Mario and Peach waving at him on a starlit float, as Geno does in Super Mario RPG.
 * Both games feature antagonist groups that are based on characters from TV series (the Koopa Bros. are based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while the Axem Rangers are based on the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers).
 * In both games, the battle for the sixth star takes place in the sky (the Axem Rangers battle and the Huff N. Puff battle).
 * Both games have a party member who fights against Mario first before joining him (Bowser and Lakilester).
 * Both Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario have three-headed Piranha Plant bosses (Lava Piranha and Smilax).
 * Neither game features an Endless Play mode, so if the player wants to collect something or accomplish a task, they must do so before facing the final boss.
 * Paper Mario uses action commands to increase damage dealt and decrease damage received, much like in Super Mario RPG. Mario has these abilities from the beginning in SMRPG, but in PM, he cannot use them until he receives the "Lucky Star" from Peach.
 * Both games were released towards the end of their respective console's life. SMRPG was released for the Super NES in May of 1996, four months prior to the launch of the Nintendo 64. Paper Mario was released for the Nintendo 64 in February of 2001, and the Nintendo GameCube was released in November of that year.

References to other games
In addition to the many elements it lifts from Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario has elements that reference the following games:
 * Super Mario Bros. - By entering a vase in Boo's Mansion, Mario can assume his appearance from this game's sprites, albeit with the color scheme used for him in the game's artwork. Also, if the player waits fifteen or more seconds when a chapter title is shown on screen, the overworld theme will play. There is a pole-like creature which will play the SMB starman theme if you walk around it.
 * Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels - At the end of the game, when Peach thanks all of the friendly characters for helping restore peace to the Mushroom Kingdom, the music that plays is this game's ending theme.
 * Super Mario Bros. 3 - When the Koopa Brothers fire Bullet Bills at Mario and his partners, a cover of the Koopalings' Airship theme plays. The Koopa Bros. fight theme is a cover of the Hammer Bros. theme from this game. The level up music is a cover of the overworld theme from World 1. When Mario wins the Star Rod back from Bowser, the "King Saved" theme is played.
 * Dr. Mario - When Mario defeats the Fuzzipede boss, the Whale exclaims that "they should call [him] Dr. Mario!"
 * Super Mario World - The Attack FX E badge makes the same sound that Yoshi makes when jumping on his back. Also, the overworld/underwater theme is a cover for Paper Mario ' s title screen music. The song that plays on the Golden Oldies station of the radio is a cover of the credits theme.
 * Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - The music used for Yoshi's Village is a cover of this game's title screen music.
 * Super Mario 64 - Peach's Castle returns and is near identical inside, but without the paintings, and both games begin with a letter from Peach. Also, Mario jumps into a painting to access the third floor of Boo's Mansion similar to the way he accessed areas in this game.
 * Mario Kart 64 - When riding the K64 train, a cover of the Kalimari Desert theme plays. Also, the concept of a train running through a desert and the train itself originates from this game.
 * Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Mario Party series - In one of the pages of Luigi's diary, it says, "I remember the carefree days when we played Golf and Tennis and had Parties." The capital letters specifically hint at their respective games.
 * The Legend of Zelda (series) - If you use tattle on Sheek after he reveals his true identity, Goombario will start his tattle with "da da da dum". This is a reference to the "item get" theme from the Zelda series. Also, Sheek herself is a reference to Shiek of the Zelda series.

References in later games

 * Mario Kart: Super Circuit - Peach's castle is seen on top of Bowser's castle just like in Paper Mario, located in the background of the course Rainbow Road.
 * Super Smash Bros. Melee - Paper Mario appears as a trophy.
 * Mario Party 5 - The Star Spirits return as hosts.
 * Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - Parakarry makes a brief cameo at the beginning of the game, and delivers a letter to Mario from Peach, just like the previous game. Lady Bow also makes a cameo appearance, and makes a direct reference to Boo's Mansion, as well as the adventure they had. There is also a random Toad at the Excess Express (after Chapter 6 is completed) that will ask Mario a quiz question, ("What did Bowser steal in the first Paper Mario?"), and the answer is, "Star Rod". The video game-obsessed Toad kid from Petalburg also mentions that he's been playing this game, describing Bow as the "cutest Boo of ALL TIME!!!" Jr. Troopa also appears in the background in the picture that Zip Toad attached to his e-mail. The Goomba King is also mentioned in Luigi's travels, although this was lost in translation.
 * Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga - A block from Paper Mario appears in Woohoo Hooniversity, along with blocks from other games. The name of the game is even mentioned in the block's description.
 * Mario Pinball Land - Koopatrols appear as enemies in Bowser's castle.
 * Super Mario 64 DS - The Goomba King returns in this game, renamed to Goomboss.
 * Super Princess Peach - Koopatrols appear as statues in Bowser's Villa.
 * Mario Kart DS - Goomboss also appears in this game's Mission mode.
 * Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - Star Hill appears once again and is north of the castle just like in this game.
 * Super Paper Mario - Every partner here returns as a Catch Card in this game. Francis also has posters of Lady Bow and Bootler in his castle. Tubba Blubba was also mentioned, and had his own TV show called, "The Blubbening". At the beginning of this game, all of Mario's partners, as well as his ones from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, are all seen together in a photo.
 * Super Mario Galaxy - Both games begin with a letter from Peach to Mario, also Bowser's way of kidnapping Peach (by lifting her castle into the sky) is reused here.
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Kooper, Lady Bow, General Guy, and Kammy Koopa appear as Stickers. Three of the Star Spirits - Eldstar, Muskular, and Misstar - are also represented by Stickers, but use their Mario Party 5 artworks.
 * Paper Mario: Sticker Star - Similar to Bowser's role in this game, Bowser ends up being the main villain as well as being superpowered by a wish-granting object. Unlike in Paper Mario, however, his gaining the object was completely accidental.
 * Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS: In the Paper Mario stage the Whale from chapter 5 appears under the S.S. Flavion variation of the stage lifting the ship up above the water.

Chief director game design

 * Ryota Kawade

Director

 * Toshitaka Muramatsu
 * Takahiro Ohgi
 * Hironobu Suzuki

Script writers

 * Kumiko Takeda
 * Kaori Aoki

Art director character design

 * Naohiko Aoyama

Graphic designers

 * Chie Kawabe
 * Hitomi Nakano
 * Tokuko Hirose
 * Takeshi Ando
 * Shigeyuki Asa
 * Sachio Kurita
 * Kiyoshi Mizuki
 * Jun Takamura
 * Shinko Konishi
 * Michiko Ishida
 * Rumiko Matsumoto
 * Misa Nagai
 * Gou Matsuda
 * Takahiko Shimada
 * Hiroko Watanabe

Big Lantern Ghost

 * "Wee hee hee hee...Someone...has come..."
 * "Someone is here in the dark..."
 * "Wee hee hee...Oh...Could it be...? Wee hee hee hee... It's Mario!!"
 * "Looks like you're mine, Mario! Wee hee...I won't let you go...anywhere..."
 * "Wee hee hee...I'll take care of you quickly, then return to my darkness."
 * "I hate the light..."
 * "So...I'll take you with me... ...to the deep dark..."
 * "I hate light!!!"
 * "I'll make it darker...then even darker than that..."

Boo's Portrait

 * "Phew... Ah, that feels better! It's nice to be back inside my frame after so long!"
 * "But I didn't even tell you to go find the drawing! You solved the riddle on your own!"
 * "Are you just lucky or what? Mweh heh heh... Maybe it's just a coincidence..."
 * "In any case, you've managed to stumble on the secret way to the upper floor."
 * "Jump toward the drawing and I'll take care of the rest. You've earned your way up to the third floor."
 * "Say hello to Bow for me."

Pre-release and unused content
Early screenshots of this game showed that Poochy was going to play some sort of role in the game, and another screenshot showed that Nep-Enuts were going to be in this game also (indicating that Lavalava Island was going to be more like Yoshi's Island). Also, the early version of Forever Forest showed that it would be much smaller, with all the forest's trees having sinister faces.

Herringway can be morphed into a normal Bumpty or become invisible if the player pauses the game right after Mario and Herringway go into the mayor's room and right before initiating the conversation with the detective during Chapter 7. If invisible, he will reappear when the room is left. If Herringway becomes a normal Bumpty, the game will freeze when the mayor gives him the present. Upon freezing, a debug screen will appear.

Trivia

 * This is one of four Mario RPG games that has Bowser as the main antagonist; the others are the game's 3DS sequel, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam. In all the other RPG games, Bowser is either an ally, a minor foe, or a penultimate boss.
 * This is the only game in the series not to be called Paper Mario in Japan, as there it is called "Mario Story".
 * This game was released in China on the iQue Player just one month before Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was in Japan.
 * In Italy, the title is written with a lower-case p, thus being called "paper Mario".
 * This is the final Mario game released for the Nintendo 64 in Australia, while in the rest of the world, Mario Party 3 was the last Mario game to be released for said console.