Nintendo's iconic character, Mario, has been dominant in the gaming industry for years. Mario has featured in a ridiculous number of games, in a variety of different genres. However, the Paper Mario games - a unique series of turn-based RPGs - are arguably some of the most beloved, especially among RPG fans.
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These games feature a unique turn-based combat system in which players must time their inputs to boost their chosen abilities. Paper Mario also features an iconic 2.5D visual style in which 2D characters explore 3D environments.
6 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
A South Park RPG With An Acquired Taste
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Released
- March 4, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Although this South Park game is far from the family-friendly fun of Paper Mario, older fans of those Mario RPGs and comedies like South Park will likely appreciate this immature turn-based RPG. There's certainly a love/hate response to much of South Park's comedy, and those who dislike its immaturity will likely bounce right off The Stick Of Truth.
South Park's unique humor is present throughout The Stick Of Truth's entirety, but the gameplay loop is shockingly reminiscent of the Paper Mario games, featuring a combat system that includes timed attacks. Light exploration, completing quests, meeting characters, and engaging in turn-based combat make The Stick Of Truth a fun - but different - experience for older Paper Mario fans who enjoy South Park's humor.
5 Sea of Stars
Multi-Faceted Combat With Timing Attacks
Sea of Stars
- Released
- August 29, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Sabotage
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- RPG
This highly stylized RPG features lovingly crafted old-school pixel art with modern, dynamic lighting that results in a stylish aesthetic. Sea Of Stars takes clear inspiration from games like Chrono Trigger, and despite visual differences from Paper Mario, its timing-attack mechanics are likely to appeal to Paper Mario fans.
The combat system of Sea Of Stars is at the heart of its gameplay, acting as both its unique selling point and the core system that fans of Paper Mario will appreciate. This combat system features combo attacks, multiple damage types, and timed attacks that require careful input on the part of the player. This multi-faceted combat results in a turn-based experience that feels both fresh and fast-paced.
4 Steven Universe: Save The Light
A Turn-Based RPG With Real-Time Elements
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2017
- Developer(s): Grumpyface Studios, Finite Reflection Studios
- Genre: RPG
This turn-based RPG is based on the cartoon, Steven Universe, and features combat that blends turn-based gameplay with real-time elements. It's this combat that's so reminiscent of Paper Mario, as well as the combination of 2D characters and 3D environments.
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Fans of both Steven Universe and Paper Mario alike should get a kick out of Steven Universe: Save The Light, especially as it includes an original story. The mixture of light exploration and fast-paced combat with an RPG structure is similar enough to appeal to Paper Mario enthusiasts, but fans of Steven Universe will likely get more enjoyment out of Save The Light.
3 Ikenfell
An Atmospheric Indie RPG With A Heartfelt Story
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2020
- Developer(s): Happy Ray Games
- Genre: RPG
This atmospheric indie game offers a warm, character-focused narrative and an expressive pixel art aesthetic. Ikenfell may differ visually from Paper Mario, but its gameplay loop and combat system offer plenty for fans of Nintendo's classic RPGs.
Like many games that take inspiration from Paper Mario, Ikenfell features a combat system with timing attacks. This means that after using abilities, players can time their next input to boost their damage. It's probable that the game's heartfelt story, an ensemble cast of characters, and timing-based combat will appeal to many fans of Paper Mario.
2 Born Of Bread
A Colorful 2.5D Adventure
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2023
- Developer(s): WildArts Games
- Genre: RPG
Born Of Bread, similarly to Paper Mario, is a turn-based RPG that takes players on a wacky adventure through various environments, meeting plenty of quirky characters along the way. Born Of Bread also takes clear inspiration from Paper Mario with its 2.5D visual style, featuring 2D characters in 3D environments.
Like many Paper Mario-likes, Born Of Bread also features a timing-attack system for its combat. In Born Of Bread, each weapon has its own prompt that players must execute correctly in order to boost their damage. Combined with its colorful 2.5D visuals and light-hearted story, Born Of Bread is sure to please a great number of Paper Mario fans.
1 Bug Fables
A Bug-Themed Adventure In 2.5D
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
This turn-based RPG takes players on a fun and colorful adventure through a bug-themed kingdom. It's clear from Bug Fables' 2.5D art style, light-hearted tone, and colorful characters, that the game takes inspiration from Paper Mario. As a result, fans of Nintendo's series of RPGs will likely adore this bug-themed adventure.
Similarly to Paper Mario, Bug Fables features turn-based combat with timed attacks. Bug Fables features a player party of three distinct characters, each of which controls differently in combat and offers their own unique personalities. It's these characters, along with those that players meet throughout the game, that give Bug Fables its personality.
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