Compass

"YA HA HARRRR! The Compass be a pirate's best friend! Right up there with the letter R and vitamin C."

- Violet Passage captain

The Compass is a Thing in Paper Mario: Color Splash. It is found within the cabin of the Violet Passage captain's ship, along with another nearby Thing, the Battery. While searching for Journal Entries from the legendary captain, Mario must head to the east side of the cabin, where the final entry is inserted into a drawer and must be pulled out. After the entry is collected, the open drawer may be used as a step allowing Mario to get onto the shelf holding the Compass. He may then collect it, refill his paint, and turn it into a card.

Shortly thereafter, during the final phase of exploring Violet Passage, the crew find themselves trapped in a mysterious fog. As they must sail in the correct direction to find the Mini Paint Star or return all the way to the beginning, Mario must help the crew figure out where to sail. First, he must fire the cannon into a flimsy rock formation in the background to create a Cutout combined with the tattered flag being flown in the stern. After obtaining the Compass, Mario must activate said Cutout and place the Compass in this spot. A large compass proceeds to appear beside the boat, showing which direction is north before leaving. After this, a large, golden arrow appears over the water, dismissing the fog and revealing the nearby Mini Paint Star.

If Mario speaks to the Wringer when the Compass is needed, he mentions Mario requiring a Thing essential for maritime navigation held in a vessel for such, referring to the Compass being held in the cabin of the ship.

If and when the Compass is used during a battle, the setting switches to nighttime on a prairie. The music that plays is a calm rendition of the Super Mario Bros. ground theme. The Compass appears with small orbs of light attached to it, causing it to resemble a UFO. The needle spins rapidly and eventually points in Mario's direction. Mario then proceeds to leave the battlefield and the battle itself, as does the Compass. This is essentially the same as if Mario were to flee the battle, though it is always successful in this respect.

A replica of the Compass also exists, acquired via the Battle Spin, acting in the same manner during battle. Once it has been used, the Compass returns to its original position, though it may also be purchased from the Wringer for 150 coins as well as sold as an unpainted card for one coin. The Compass can also be placed into the Prisma Museum alongside the other Thing cards, where it may also be tested.