List of Paper Mario characters

Last updated

The following is a list of characters from the Paper Mario series of video games, a spinoff of the Mario franchise in which the characters are, or can become, 2D paper cutouts. [1]

Contents

Development

The first two Paper Mario games were noted for introducing unique, original companions that were either existing Mario races or related to the Mario universe, with well-known examples being Goombella, a student Goomba, Madame Flurrie, and Vivian. However, after Thousand-Year Door , the series largely moved away from this in favor of using existing characters or introducing new characters unrelated to the Mario universe. [2] This restriction was dubbed the "Mario mandate" by fans and critics and was controversial due to causing characters to lack uniqueness. However, the 2024 remake of The Thousand-Year Door featured a purple Toad with a unique design, which seemed to contradict such a mandate and was cited as evidence that the restrictions could be loosening. [3]

Main characters

Mario, Princess Peach, Bowser, and Luigi are the four playable characters in the Paper Mario series. [4] Matt Casamassina of IGN notes that the main characters are "all fun to play for different reasons" and that the ease of moving between playable characters "is a plus since there are some well-designed puzzles that require you to use two or more of the heroes to continue forward." [5]

Party members

In his adventures, Mario is assisted by various partners.

Paper Mario

The Thousand-Year Door

Super Paper Mario

Sticker Star

Color Splash

The Origami King

Other characters

Paper Mario

The Star Spirits

The Star Spirits are a group of deity-like beings that reside in Star Haven in the heavens and watch over the Mushroom Kingdom, granting the wishes of good people using the Star Rod. They also possess the power to neutralize the Star Rod's power should it fall into the wrong hands. In Paper Mario, Bowser steals the Star Rod and captures the Star Spirits, [12] turning them into cards and having his most powerful followers guard them. They also appear in Mario Party 5 .

The Thousand-Year Door

Rogueport

Petalburg

Boggly Woods

Glitzville

Twilight Town

Keelhaul Key

Excess Express / Poshley Heights

Various Locations

Super Paper Mario

The Origami King

Merlon Family

In the first three Paper Mario games, Mario and his friends are assisted by magicians named Merlon, Merlee, and Merluvlee, although they fulfill different roles in each game. Additionally, the original game contains a magician named Merlow, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door contains a magician named Chet Rippo, and Super Paper Mario contains magicians named Bestovius, Merlumina, and Nolrem.

Villains

Paper Mario

Bowser's forces

Kammy Koopa is an old female Magikoopa, and head advisor to Bowser.

  • Guardians of the Star Spirits: After Bowser and Kammy Koopa raided Star Haven, stole the Star Rod, and captured the Star Spirits, Bowser placed several of his highest ranking and strongest minions in charge of guarding the Star Spirits.
    • The Koopa Bros. are four Ninja Koopa brothers.
    • Tutankoopa is a Koopa Pharaoh that Mario encounters in Dry Dry Ruins.
    • Tubba Blubba is a reluctant ally of Bowser.
    • General Guy is the general of the Shy Guy army.
    • Lava Piranha is a giant species of Piranha Plant that can survive in lava.
    • Huff N. Puff is a giant cloud monster that commands Puffs and squads of Lakitus, including Lakilester before he defects to Mario's side.
    • The Crystal King is a monster made of crystal ice that conquered the Crystal Palace in the Shiver Region.

The Thousand-Year Door

Glitz Pit

  • Rawk Hawk is a boss based on Hulk Hogan who can be fought at the Glitz Pit. [14] He is the defending champion until Mario challenges him for the title.

Super Paper Mario

Count Bleck's forces

Count Bleck, originally known as Lord Blumiere, is the presumed main antagonist of Super Paper Mario, who seeks to use the Chaos Heart to destroy all dimensions. [11]

  • Nastasia is Count Bleck's loyal assistant, who was responsible for brainwashing Luigi into becoming Mr. L.
  • Mimi is one of Count Bleck's minions, who has the ability to shapeshift.
  • O'Chunks is a former general who lost his world and army after being betrayed by his adviser.
  • Dimentio is the true villain of Super Paper Mario and its final boss as Super Dimentio, a fusion of him, Mr. L, and the Chaos Heart. [13]

The Origami King

Reception

GameAxis Unwired praised the characters as "colorful". [15]

References

  1. Steven E. Jones, The Meaning of Video Games (2008), 139 Archived 2024-03-08 at the Wayback Machine .
  2. Phillips, Tom (2020-07-17). "Paper Mario developer discusses why you don't see original characters like Vivian anymore". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  3. Bailey, Dustin (2023-09-14). "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake's new Toad could mean an end to the controversial "Mario mandate"". GamesRadar+ . Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  4. Stang, Bendik (2007). The Book of Games. Book of Games. ISBN   978-82-997378-2-1.
  5. Matt Casamassina, "Super Paper Mario Review: 2D and 3D come together as platformer and RPG join hands in Nintendo's fun (and nearly unclassifiable) new Mario outing Archived 2007-09-14 at the Wayback Machine ," IGN (April 5, 2007).
  6. Hilliard, Kyle (17 March 2015). "Nintendo Celebrating Women's History Month By Highlighting Its Female Characters". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  7. Greif, Zackari (December 12, 2021). "Paper Mario: All Partners". Game Rant. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Robinson, Andy (29 July 2020). "Paper Mario's producer elaborates on the 'challenge' of NPC restrictions". VGC. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  9. Gibson, Nathan P. (25 October 2022). "Things Only Adults Notice About Mario". SVG. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  10. Williams, Isaac (4 October 2023). "10 Video Game Characters You Can Unlock Who Aren't Worth The Hassle". CBR. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 Scullion, Chris (8 September 2022). Jumping for Joy: The History of Platform Video Games: Including Every Mario and Sonic Platformer. White Owl. p. 29. ISBN   978-1-5267-9016-3. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  12. Carter, Jonathan; Carter, Chip (20 February 2001). "Mario's back in a big way". Rome News-Tribune. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 Quick, William Antonio (2 December 2022). "Super Mario: 8 Most Evil Villains In The Series". TheGamer. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  14. Griffiths, Josh (27 October 2020). "10 Most Unique Boss Fights In Super Mario History". TheGamer. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  15. Jason Woo, GameAxis Unwired 15 (Nov 2004): 26 Archived 2024-03-08 at the Wayback Machine .