Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Switch Remake – A Triumph for Classic RPG Fans

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Switch Remake – A Triumph for Classic RPG Fans Nintendo continues to leverage the enduring popularity of its beloved franchises with a meticulous remake of the cult-classic Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, launching on Nintendo Switch on May 23, 2024.

Developed by Intelligent Systems, the studio behind the series, this remake arrives in the wake of Paper Mario: The Origami King’s commercial success, which secured its place as the franchise's second-best-selling entry.

Now, Nintendo Switch fans have the opportunity to revisit a title often heralded as the pinnacle of the Paper Mario franchise—a sentiment echoed by its dedicated fan base despite modest original sales, with under two million copies sold on the Nintendo GameCube since its 2004 debut. Building on its legacy, The Thousand-Year Door transports players to Rogueport, a bustling sea town constructed atop the ruins of a lost city.

The quest begins when Mario answers Princess Peach’s plea for help, embarking on a treasure hunt that quickly escalates into a deeper narrative.

Early in the adventure, Mario is joined by Goombella, a keen college student, and meets Professor Frankly, who shares the myth of the fabled "Thousand-Year Door," a sealed portal beneath the town that allegedly hides untold riches and can only be opened by gathering seven mystical Crystal Stars. The story unfolds over eight robust chapters, offering roughly 25 hours of gameplay for a standard playthrough—though completionists will find plenty more to do.

Each chapter introduces unique environments, compelling plots, and new allies, delivering the kind of narrative depth rarely seen in Mario titles.

Players are periodically placed in the roles of Princess Peach and Bowser, each with their own short yet pivotal segments.

Notably, Peach is kidnapped—not by Bowser as is tradition—but by the villainous X-Nauts, who strive to collect the Crystal Stars for their own schemes.

During her captivity, Peach forms an unexpected bond with TEC, the X-Nauts’ emotionally conflicted supercomputer.

Meanwhile, Bowser sets out on his own comedic mission to acquire the treasures. Gameplay in The Thousand-Year Door is defined by its engaging turn-based RPG system and an overworld filled with environmental puzzles, collectibles like Shine Sprites and Star Pieces, and a hub in Rogueport that offers shops, side-quests, and diverse NPC interactions.

Battles rely on strategic selection of attacks and party members, with a classic system of leveling up Mario’s HP, FP (for special moves), and BP (for equippable badges).

Timed inputs during both offense and defense maximize effectiveness, adding depth to the accessible mechanics that have made the series renowned. A milestone in narrative inclusivity arrives in this remake: Vivian, a fan-favorite party member, is now confirmed as a transgender woman across all localizations.

In a carefully rewritten moment, Vivian clarifies her identity and reflects on the acceptance she has found, marking a progressive moment in Nintendo’s storytelling without detracting from the game's signature lighthearted tone. The Nintendo Switch edition offers a suite of enhancements, including remixed and newly composed music, an art and sound gallery, streamlined menus, a party member quick-select wheel, and an all-new warp zone system that enables faster travel and significantly reduces the backtracking found in the GameCube original—particularly improving the pacing of later chapters. Visually, The Thousand-Year Door dazzles with a complete graphical overhaul, new lighting, and detailed textures.

However, the Switch version runs at 30fps—half the frame rate of the original.

While this tradeoff prioritizes visual fidelity, occasional drops in performance are noticeable but not dealbreaking, given the methodical pace and papercraft aesthetic. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for Nintendo Switch raises the bar for RPG remasters, enhancing a celebrated classic for a modern audience with thoughtful improvements, faithful storytelling, and quality-of-life upgrades.

With its unique blend of humor, heart, and innovative gameplay, it remains unmatched in the franchise two decades on.

Fans and newcomers alike should not miss its relaunch.

A review copy was provided by Nintendo UK.

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