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Game Debate to the Death!<br>Best Paper Mario game? [Update] photo

[Update: In an effort to make this debate as confusing as possible, this is both a day late and a week old. Last week when this was first posted, it was swiftly wiped off the front page in a matter of minutes by the deluge of more important Dtoid E3 posts. As a result, it noticeably received far less votes than usual, and I have a feeling it's not just because our readers don't enjoy the Paper Mario series. So for the first time ever, I've decided to extend the voting for a debate one more week -- keep on debating and discussing and check back next week for the winner and round two of this series' debate!]

In the last debate, I took a reader request and asked everyone to choose between the Devil May Cry series and Ninja Gaiden games. Each action series adds different qualities to its genre, and I think Dtoid reader RobotFart summed it up best with "Personally I think Devil May Cry is more about style than skill, and is more forgiving. Whereas Ninja Gaiden is pretty much the exact opposite." Judging by the votes, both gameplay setups are thoroughly enjoyed, but the winner is clear. Here are the results:

  • Ninja Gaiden series (55 votes) -- Winner!
  • Devil May Cry series (46 votes)
This week I'm taking ZombiePlatypus's debate request, and we're watching all three Paper Mario games compete against each other. Next week, when the triple threat dust finally settles and reveals a winner, we'll crank things up and have the victor take on Super Mario RPG for the throne.

So which Paper Mario game is your favorite, and why? Did the story of one of them stand above the rest? Were the characters more enjoyable in one than the others? Or maybe the Wii gameplay really impressed you? Has the series gone downhill, or is it only getting better with each update? Give it some serious thought, cast your votes, get some Paper Mario pals to share their opinions as well, and check back next week for the winner.

Bonus Question: What would you like to see the series do next?


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89 comments | showing # 1 to 50

killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/15/2008 22:55
Super Paper Mario.
KOOOSHEE's Avatar
KOOOSHEE at 07/15/2008 22:56
i loved the first one for n64 and i would love to see them go back to the turn based rpg styling, but the more action oriented style is fun aswell, its all deadly!
Fronz's Avatar
Fronz at 07/15/2008 22:57
I REALLY want to vote for Super Paper Mario Wii, because I think its gameplay mechanic was truly under appreciated and brilliant . . . but I've only played a few hours of it so far, and there's a reason for that -- too much damn dialogue! in the other games the dialogue was witty and incisive, this one is just a mess. Also -- a few awesome characters -- but mostly shitty characters! The main villain is retardedly lame! I don't even care if he's someone else in disguise! Fuck that! Also, the environments and story aren't as enticing as they could be!

...sigh...

I still plan to finish the Wii one, but because of its so many faults, I have to vote for the amazing Paper Mario 64. The game is still one of my favorite N64 games of all time, it does so much right, and next to nothing wrong. It's EXACTLY what I wanted more of from Squaresoft, and even though it's kiddy, I still enjoy it more than probably just about every Final Fantasy game ever. (I still haven't gotten to FF3/6 yet, though.)

Vote: Paper Mario 64.

Bonus Question: Use the Wii game's gameplay mechanic again, but make a good story this time, and have more fun with the levels!!! Just skim out the shit you messed up on the first try, and I can forgive you and we can be friends again.
urbanyeti's Avatar
urbanyeti at 07/15/2008 22:58
My heart still lies with the very first one. Paper Mario for the N64 rocks my freakin' world. It was an amazing RPG, even though I missed the Super Mario RPG format.

Plus, Mario obsessed Goomba's rock.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar
eternalplayer2345 at 07/15/2008 22:59
Each game has it's strong points. Super paper mario having the least IMO. And then it's down to ttyd and the original paper mario. Those two games are so similar for me I would have to say it comes down to paper mario just because how excited I was for it back in the day and the nestalga(sp) from playing it.
Iggy's Avatar
Iggy at 07/15/2008 23:01
I'm going to have to go with.....
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Just because I recall how hilarious it was, not that they all weren't.
covah's Avatar
covah at 07/15/2008 23:02
Going with Thousand Year Door
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 07/15/2008 23:04
Paper Mario 64 for exactly the same reasons you said Fronz. As for what I want out of the series next? Moar RPGS!
Person of Lordly Caliber's Avatar
Person of Lordly Caliber at 07/15/2008 23:05
Paper Mario 64, it simply leaked style and charm without ever reminding me that it was the easiest RPG I've ever played.

It needs to play like Super Mario World, rideable characters,
hidden exits, block switches, and completely non-linear gameplay. If you can beat the game on level 1 with one support character and 0 items, you shouldn't be punished by 20 hours of storyline just to prove it.
Das Inchworm's Avatar
Das Inchworm at 07/15/2008 23:07
thousand year door. It was amazing. I really didnt like SPM all that much and the N64 one was cool to, but TTYD did it for me.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/15/2008 23:12
Already vote. As for where next, I'd honestly like to see the series split. I'd like to see more Super Paper Marios (with more emphasis on the crazy ass gameplay mechanics) and more Paper Marios (with more emphasis on RPG elements). Hell, I'll take more Super Mario RPG's made by Square too. I don't care. I want expansion in all directions simultaneously.
Rabite's Avatar
Rabite at 07/15/2008 23:19
I played maybe 2 minutes of Paper Mario. I played 4-5 hours of Super Paper Mario. Never opened Paper Mario GC. My vote is for Paper Mario. The Wii version is one of the most annoying RPG I've played in a long time, it's responsible for my selling my Wii in fact.
007's Avatar
007 at 07/15/2008 23:25
Paper Mario 64
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 07/15/2008 23:27
Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door

LOVED that game.
chaos591's Avatar
chaos591 at 07/15/2008 23:29
The thousand year door for the win!
Although I find myself playing the 1st paper mario more( dont own a gamecube anymore) Paper Mario TTYD ofers more gameplay,dialouge, comedy, and more Nintendo nostalgic than the 1st one offered.
for the next paper Mario, it should not be pure boring talk like super paper Mario( except the lizard geek, great work nintendo)
conehead the barbarian's Avatar
conehead the barbarian at 07/15/2008 23:37
Thousand Year Door for me!
Lengthy, great story, and just plain fun!
Ludwig Von Robotnick's Avatar
Ludwig Von Robotnick at 07/15/2008 23:39
Thousand-year door, I didn't like Super Paper Mario because it strayed from a formula I dearly enjoyed. SPM concept was enjoyable, but it wasn't what I'd been hoping for.
I would really like to Play as Luigi in the formula Thousand-year door had, but with some new mechanics or upgrades to the games system. Luigi needs more love and an RPG would do it I believe.
necrozen's Avatar
necrozen at 07/15/2008 23:44
N64s Paper Mario

And I hope they bring back the goods that the original had to offer.
Yumplumbum's Avatar
Yumplumbum at 07/15/2008 23:50
I'm going to have to go with the N64 Paper Mario. To date it's the only Paper Mario I've completed (on multiple playthroughs as well). I never could bring myself to play the GC one enough to beat it (and I don't own a Wii so I've never played that version).
ShinSennju's Avatar
ShinSennju at 07/16/2008 00:00
Thousand Year Door for me.

Cool\cute characters characters, witty dialog and super customizable.

I love that game =]
GeminiEye's Avatar
GeminiEye at 07/16/2008 00:05
Paper Mario 64. Brings back good memories.
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 07/16/2008 00:19
Paper Mario 64, for being the most original. The other were refinements but the first was a stroke of genius.
madninja's Avatar
madninja at 07/16/2008 00:37
Man this is hard, because I like all of the Paper Mario series and this is only hard because Paper Mario 64 was on the Virtual Console and man it is amazing. But Thousands worked and refined the mechanics in 64. And the Wii game was amazing without being a hardcore RPG. Mmmmmm this is hard, I have to go with:

Paper Mario 64
groebo's Avatar
groebo at 07/16/2008 01:14
TTYD... just fun... i couldn't stop playing it once i started it... good times...

B: i'd like to see the guys at nintendo just fly off the handle... just walk up to the metaphorical wall and blast through it with a cannon... crazier shit the better... stories should always be interesting but i don't want to spend half the game just reading... instead of long winded speeches, make them interactive by sending me into a mini game that tells the story... always love me some mini games...
TravisOnPhonics's Avatar
TravisOnPhonics at 07/16/2008 01:55
WHY IS SUPER PAPER MARIO ANYWHERE NEAR THIS LIST? GET THAT NOVEL AWAY FROM MY GAMES!

Also, Paper Mario 64.
Orochi Borgieman's Avatar
Orochi Borgieman at 07/16/2008 02:12
Paper Mario 2: Thousand Year Door. It was awesome and quite the eccentric RPG.
Chaosye's Avatar
Chaosye at 07/16/2008 02:13
Well i've played The original and TTYD, and finished them both, but I still like Thousand Year Door better.
My vote is the Thousand Year Door.
I hated that last boss so much, and that if you lost you had to go through a really annoying unskippable cutscene.
But it makes up for it for the ocean turning into gold, which looked like pee to me.
keener's Avatar
keener at 07/16/2008 02:37
this ones easy: SUPER MARIO RPG


debate over folks... nothin to see here...
ParaParaKing's Avatar
ParaParaKing at 07/16/2008 03:22
Paper Mario.

Super Paper Mario had some nice idea, but it's not an RPG anymore.
Fronz's Avatar
Fronz at 07/16/2008 04:56
Wow, I might have to repost this next week as an update, I bet no one will even notice this tomorrow when they wake up. Damn you more important and read worthy E3 posts!
myaimistrue's Avatar
myaimistrue at 07/16/2008 05:53
Paper Mario for the 64 easily, if not just for the nostalgia factor.

Bonus question: A Paper Mario game for the DS please. The series seriously needs to go portable!
BlackSheep's Avatar
BlackSheep at 07/16/2008 08:14
easily the one for the Wii.

That game was truly amazing, not just for nostalgia and funny script writing like the other ones (64) but the story in all, and the use of skills was unique, and kept my attention and made me want to beat it in a weekend.
bigRed's Avatar
bigRed at 07/16/2008 08:21
Maybe its because i finished TTYD less than a month ago and its still fresh, but that game made me laugh more than any other game I have ever played.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.... for the win.
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar
Gen Eric Gui at 07/16/2008 08:30
The N64 one.

They didn't kill it with dialogue or too many options, plus Twink is the best ally ever.
welkstar's Avatar
welkstar at 07/16/2008 09:01
Super Paper Mario

No particular reason, I just enjoyed it the most.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/16/2008 11:48
I'm surprised with all the Super Paper Mario hate. Sure, it changed the formula a lot and had too much text. Still, the new gameplay mechanics and the style are just amazing. As I've said before, I'd like to see a Super Paper Mario sequel with less RPG elements and more emphasis on taking full advantage of the crazy ass gameplay mechanics.
4knuckleshuffle's Avatar
4knuckleshuffle at 07/16/2008 15:06
[DON'T USE LARGE TEXT!!! -- CTZ]PAPER MARIO 64![/fail :P]
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 07/16/2008 16:52
Super Paper Mario
Edco's Avatar
Edco at 07/16/2008 21:17
Thousand Year Door.

Man. Truly a great game experience and at times laugh out loud funny. My favorite parts were between chapters, when Luigi would come up to you and talk about this crazy-ass simultaneous adventure he was having on another island. Each time I kept thinking, Dude! I totally want to play his game too!

My favorite parts of the actual adventure were when you had to win the colosseum fights, and that freaky part when the dude stole your identity and you had to play as "ghost" Mario.
Apocalyps3's Avatar
Apocalyps3 at 07/18/2008 11:02
I liked original, they need to go back to the turn based rpg type format, and more paper look and elements. That was a big thing missing from super paper mario
pumpy's Avatar
pumpy at 07/23/2008 23:19
i thought thousand year door was incredibly solid and had the best of both worlds.
nosinging's Avatar
nosinging at 07/23/2008 23:28
As fun and different as Super PM was, my vote's for Thousand Year Door.
Ezra's Avatar
Ezra at 07/23/2008 23:31
Paper Mario 64.
parrothead's Avatar
parrothead at 07/23/2008 23:32
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Scape's Avatar
Scape at 07/23/2008 23:34
Crap I still haven't gotten around to playing Thousand Year Door or Paper Mario...so I will go with 64 which is an amazing game.

Also fuck Bowsers 40 HP recovery move.

Bonus: I would like to see a Wii Paper Mario more like the first two games.
tjpoweryouloveit's Avatar
tjpoweryouloveit at 07/23/2008 23:49
Paper Mario 64 is my personal favorite.

TYD is a very good game, but I think the surprise and charm of the 64 one just didnt carry over.

I was really excited for Super Paper Mario, then was really let down by the extremely easy difficulty and the CONSTANT dialogue segments.

So yes, Paper Mario 64.
ace of knaves's Avatar
ace of knaves at 07/23/2008 23:55
Easily Thousand Year Door. The gameplay was great, but most of all the story was phenomenal. And Rogueport was one of the most fantastic hub-worlds I've ever seen. Did anyone else feel completely at home there?
Merry Ho's Avatar
Merry Ho at 07/23/2008 23:56
Paper Mario 64

but i would like to see a Super Paper Mario and Luigi
Imako's Avatar
Imako at 07/24/2008 00:00
I've replayed Paper Mario a lot for some reason, so I'm gonna have to go with that one. I can't believe Jr. Troopa never even got so much as a cameo in the other ones.
Brass's Avatar
Brass at 07/24/2008 00:08
I completed Paper Mario 64 in the far off days of elementary school, even taking a day off to conquer it.

TTYD failed to draw me in a similar way. Super Paper Mario failed to do ANYTHING for me. I actually despise that game a bit; it failed as a platformer and as an RPG for me. In particular, the fact that a 20-40 minute monotonous task was an integral part of the gameplay emboldens me to despise what happened to the series.

In any case, I'd love to see Paper Mario come to the DS, or work as a flagship for Nintendo's next handheld. Maybe a Wii Ware title?

Or, better yet, use the series as leverage to get Square Enix in talks for another Super Mario RPG. Mmm, Geno!
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