Parallel world

"What?! A parallel world...identical in every way?! What are we waiting for, Mario? Let's go!"

- Huey

The parallel world is a dimension visited during Paper Mario: Color Splash. Like Subspace from Super Mario Bros. 2 and Flopside from Super Paper Mario, the terrain resembles a gloomier version of its counterpart world, including houses and most other structures. Across the Violet Isles are mysteriously humming pipes with an ornate, circular pattern beneath, which are used to traverse between the parallel and normal worlds. This design corresponds to the traits of each world: in the normal world the design resembles a sun with eight points which spins clockwise. In the parallel world, it resembles a partial eclipse or crescent moon, composed of two rings with offset centers that spin counterclockwise.

Certain objects and features in the Violet Isles and parallel world are intrinsically linked. For example, stone posts in the one world will reflect the positions of wooden posts on the other side. Despite being described by various residents as identical to the world it mimics, there are various aspects which differ:
 * The oceans are replaced with dark clouds and humid air, exposing the barren, rocky surface beneath.
 * Torches burn blue rather than the usual red.
 * Shadows are cast in the opposite direction compared to the normal world.
 * The peaceful residents are Shy Guys instead of Toads.
 * Bloopers and Swoops are replaced with Boos, and Koopas become Dry Bones.
 * During transitions, the screen fades to purple rather than the typical black.
 * Many sound effects undergo pitch distortion.
 * A distorted version of the music will play both on the field and in battles.

Locations

 * Vortex Island
 * Lighthouse Island
 * Fortune Island

Trivia

 * The circle designs that go under the pipes to the parallel world are known as "Magic Circles" in the game's files. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Magic Circles appear as a gameplay element.