Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Switch Will Run at 30FPS – Developer Insights on Frame Rate Choice

Nintendo’s beloved RPG, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, is making its much-anticipated debut on the Nintendo Switch on May 23, 2024.

Originally released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2004, the title quickly became a fan favorite for its charming visuals, witty dialogue, and innovative combat system.

The upcoming Switch remake has garnered considerable attention, not only for its visual updates and portable playability but also for its technical performance—specifically, the confirmed frame rate of 30 frames per second (FPS), which is down from the original GameCube’s 60FPS. Industry Reaction to the Frame Rate Decision Following a series of hands-on previews, the community learned that Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door will run at 30FPS on Nintendo Switch.

While some fans expressed disappointment with this decrease, the topic sparked a broader conversation about development priorities.

Abebe Tinari, director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, weighed in on social media to provide a developer’s perspective on the matter. Tinari said that making decisions about what to prioritize in game development is one of the most challenging aspects of the process.

Referencing their own experience on Bayonetta Origins, Tinari explained that sacrificing higher frame rates is never an easy or thoughtless decision.

In their words, "I assure you, this wasn’t a decision made lightly or due to lack of effort." Tinari went on to elaborate on the complex trade-offs involved in balancing visual fidelity, gameplay complexity, and hardware capabilities, noting that even seemingly simple elements can have significant processing costs. These insights shed light on the nuanced choices developers face—especially when adapting classic games for new hardware like the Nintendo Switch, which, while versatile, does not always match the technical specifications of home consoles.

Tinari’s comments have provided reassurance to fans, helping contextualize the team’s priorities and the care put into retaining the core experience of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Legacy and Anticipation Since its announcement in a Nintendo Direct, the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake has become a highlight for both longtime series fans and newcomers.

The Nintendo Switch version promises increased accessibility, modernized visuals, and quality-of-life enhancements.

While the shift from 60FPS to 30FPS has been a point of discussion, the move aims to ensure consistent performance and maintain the level of polish that Nintendo titles are known for. As the May 23 release date approaches, anticipation continues to build.

The game will be available both physically and digitally via the Nintendo eShop.

With its proven narrative charm and innovative mechanics, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is poised to captivate a new generation of players on Nintendo Switch—frame rate notwithstanding. For more updates and hands-on impressions, stay tuned to our ongoing coverage of Nintendo news and releases.

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