Paper Mario's Not-So-Secret Glue

Mario games are built around one central mechanic and Paper Mario is no different. In this battle system breakdown, we'll take a look at how the Partner System elevates this "Beginner RPG" into one of the greatest games Nintendo has ever made.

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Game Discussed: Paper Mario (2001)

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG), Turn-based RPG, Adventure, Strategy, Retro

Games Referenced: Paper Mario: the Thousand-Year Door, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga, Mario & Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Odyssey, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, Chrono Trigger, Persona 3: ReLoad, Balder's Gate 3, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

Platforms: Nintendo 64, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch

Key Staff: Shigeru Miyamoto, Kenji Miki, Ryota Kawade, Naohiko Aoyama, Yuka Tsujiyoko

Characters Discussed: Mario, Bowser, Princess Peach, Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Parakarry, Bow, Watt, Sushie, Lakilester

Topics Discussed: Platformers, video games, video essay, retro gaming, retro video game, Nintendo 64, classic, role-playing games, battle system, deep dive, iceberg, partners, partner system, party members, Paper Mario Iceberg, Mario iceberg, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Remake, remake, Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario Sticker Star, Color Splash, Origami King, Nintendo, video game review, Paper Mario Review, Game Review, Deep Dive, explanation, strategy, story analysis, Paper Mario walkthrough, FAQ, Paper Mario OST, Original sound track, video game music, nostalgia, goomba, koopa troopa, bob-omb, boo, sparky, star spirits, consumable items, hot take, best games ever made, classic Nintendo, early 2000s, 2000s nostalgia, papercraft, paper crafting, art style, motion graphics, motion design, i am a dot, primary colors, graphic design, TTYD, TTYD Remake, game design