About this game
Paper Mario (2000) — known in Japan as Mario Story — is a Nintendo 64 turn-based RPG developed by Intelligent Systems, presenting Mario and a cast of paper-thin characters in lush 3D environments. Originally conceived as a sequel to Super Mario RPG, the project evolved over four years into Nintendo's own vision for a Mario RPG, establishing the distinct Paper Mario franchise. The game sold 1.3 million copies, was praised for its writing, charm, and accessible battle mechanics, and anchored the final stretch of the Nintendo 64 library.
Key Features
Paper Mario's turn-based battles reward timing: landing a precise button press during Mario's attacks (Action Commands) boosts damage, while a correct press while receiving attacks (Guard) reduces damage. Eight companions join Mario across eight chapters, each with unique abilities — Kooper can retrieve distant items with his shell, Bombette detonates cracked walls, Parakarry can fly Mario across gaps. The game uses the paper aesthetic for visual gags and puzzle mechanics: Mario can slip through thin gaps, and enemy cards fold flat when stunned. Chapter bosses are preceded by story scenes that build genuine character, a rarity in platformer-adjacent RPGs.
The Story Behind
Paper Mario emerged from an unusual lineage: Intelligent Systems initially developed the game as a sequel to Super Mario RPG, the acclaimed SNES RPG co-developed with Square. When the collaboration between Nintendo and Square did not continue, Intelligent Systems redesigned the project from scratch, spending approximately 18 months experimenting with visual styles — full 3D, paper-thin characters in 3D, and combinations — before settling on the paper aesthetic. The game was also originally planned for the Nintendo 64DD disk drive peripheral before being moved to cartridge after the 64DD's commercial underperformance. Paper Mario went on to anchor a long-running franchise and establish Intelligent Systems — best known for Fire Emblem and Advance Wars — as a capable RPG developer.
Tricks & Tales
The Japanese title, Mario Story (マリオストーリー), was changed to Paper Mario for Western markets because Nintendo of America felt the title did not communicate the game's genre or appeal clearly. The game was produced by Shigeru Miyamoto with a team of approximately 20 people. The paper visual style was not the original design concept — the team experimented with full 3D and other approaches for about 18 months before the paper-flat aesthetic emerged. A planned Nintendo 64DD version of the game was scrapped when the 64DD add-on failed to gain commercial traction in Japan.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Japanese version is titled マリオストーリー (Mario Story); Western versions are titled Paper Mario. Released in Japan (August 2000) and North America (February 2001). No notable regional gameplay differences. N64 cartridges have NTSC/PAL format differences.
Maintenance Tips
Paper Mario saves to an internal EEPROM chip on the cartridge — no external memory card is used. The EEPROM retains data without a battery; data loss on a functioning cartridge is uncommon. Clean edge connectors with isopropyl alcohol if the cartridge fails to boot. The N64 cartridge format is physically robust and does not require special storage.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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