While Nintendo has proven Mario's expertise in the field of platforming, the iconic mascot and his brother Luigi have also participated in their fair share of role-playing games. With the Paper Mario series, which first started on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, Nintendo has crafted a truly remarkable series of unique and innovative RPGs. No Paper Mario game feels entirely similar to the last one, as each has added new ways to play, as well as new combat systems.

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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 featur

Whether it's the more traditional turn-based systems seen in games like the original Paper Mario and The Thousand-Year Door, or the experimental methods of combat that titles like The Origami King implemented, the franchise has had a pretty consistent knack for showing different ways of playing. This long-running, massively popular RPG series is one of Nintendo's best properties and fits alongside the Mario & Luigi series to show that they're not at all afraid of doing unique things with their classic characters.

6 Super Paper Mario

Wii Entry Focuses On Platforming In Action RPG Adventure

As the first and only game in the series released on the Wii, Super Paper Mario had quite an impact on the franchise. While previous games had cultivated a strong turn-based RPG battle system, combat in the Wii version unfolds more like a traditional Mario game. Featuring a party of four - with Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi - combat plays out more like an action RPG.

There's no battle window, no transition to a new field, it all takes place within the world as players jump on enemies to defeat them and gain experience. It was a pretty radical departure, veering away from the traditional turn-based systems seen in the first two games. Thankfully, the trademark charm and wit help to contextualize the battles in a fun way, and it's still a blast to play.

5 Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Collect Stickers To Pull Off Combat Actions In This 3DS RPG

The first handheld Paper Mario game, Sticker Star, came out during the time of Miiverse and when Nintendo was adding some unique functions to both the 3DS and Wii U line of systems. Stickers were a key element of Nintendo's titles at this time, playing a crucial role in this handheld RPG. Mario must collect various stickers that contain offensive and defensive actions, which are then used in battles.

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Managing the amount of stickers in the limited inventory space, as well as the size of larger ones, gives the game a unique feeling. It's one of the more oddball entries in the series, as it's not exactly similar to the older games, but it combines elements of both modern Paper Mario and older iterations. It's an intriguing title with a fun combat system that is deserving of a remaster on current hardware.

4 Paper Mario: The Origami King

Rotate Enemies Into Advantageous Positions In Nintendo Switch Successor

Paper Mario had been rather quiet since the previous entry, 2016's Color Splash, so when it came time to bring the series back on the Nintendo Switch, it did what every other game in the franchise does by surprising people. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, battles unfold in a gladiator-style arena where players control a circular stage.

Lining up enemies in a row gives Mario an advantage and makes attacks stronger. It almost operates like a puzzle game in some ways, as combat revolves around the strategic placement of the battle circle and how best to use it. It was a fantastic return for this lovely series, as The Origami King followed series tradition by offering a unique way to fight.

3 Paper Mario: Color Splash

Card Collecting RPG Is A Fantastic Wii U RPG

Over time, the Paper Mario series started to overlap with the Mario & Luigi games, as Nintendo had two different RPG spin-off franchises. As a result, Nintendo started figuring out ways to make the two different and, with Color Splash, they did just that on the Wii U. Where the 3DS game relied on stickers, Color Splash makes use of cards in much the same way.

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Upon filling these cards up with paint and utilizing them in battle, the traditional Paper Mario method of using button prompts to increase attacks makes a return. The battle windows are outstanding, and the aesthetic adds some character as the paint splashes off the enemies Mario beats. It's a fun, engaging system that is one of Paper Mario's most overlooked entries.

2 Paper Mario

Debut Title Is The N64's Greatest Role-Playing Adventure

Nintendo initially offered Paper Mario to Squaresoft, but their work on Final Fantasy 7 prohibited a reunion between the two companies. As a result, the game was given to Intelligent Systems, who crafted the greatest RPG available on the N64. This was especially needed on a console that was severely lacking in the genre, as the turn-based adventure offered up something truly remarkable.

Paper Mario invented and perfected the trademark style and energy of the franchise's combat system, with turn-based actions punctuated by button prompts and small mini-games inside each turn that made the battles feel alive. It was a stylish, rewarding system that influenced the direction of Mario RPGs moving forward and was ground zero for this special series.

1 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Iconic GameCube Title Features Incredible Turn-Based Combat

The four-year wait between the original Paper Mario and its sequel was well worth the wait, as it isn't just one of the GameCube's greatest RPGs, but one of the finest Mario games ever produced. And that was thanks in no small part to the battle system, which took everything from the first game and improved it in every single way.

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Battles take place on a stage, feeling like a paper play come to life, as Mario and the party engage with enemies. The minute-to-minute actions feel spectacular, as each party member feels unique and fresh. Their turns are enhanced with some fun mini-games, whether it's using the stick in some way or timing a series of button prompts. The audience can also get involved, either helping or hindering Mario's party and can even grant the player some items. It's a fabulous game, which was recently remastered for the Nintendo Switch, making this masterpiece easier than ever to play today.

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