Highlights

  • Prince Mush's boss fight in the remake delivered on 20 years of anticipation, proving to be a challenging and satisfying addition.
  • Chapter 3 in The Thousand-Year Door stands out with the exciting Glitzville setting and pro-wrestling inspired storyline.
  • The remake finally gave justice to Prince Mush, elevating him from a minor character to a tough and legendary boss in the series.

Prince Mush's boss fight in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door fulfilled a possibility that had remained open since the game's initial release. Optional bosses, especially superbosses, are nothing new in RPGs. In fact, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door already had one of its own in Bonetail. Prince Mush is more than just a tough new boss for the remake, though. His history actually started 20 years ago, and it took until the remake for his story to finally bear fruit. Prince Mush could have remained an odd piece of lore, but the remake elevated him to something far greater.

Chapter 3 is one of The Thousand-Year Door's most memorable chapters for a few notable reasons. The aerial city of Glitzville is a phenomenal location, feeling like a constant festival with its bright decorations and festive music. The Glitz Pit storyline itself takes several hints from pro-wrestling, being focused heavily on battles while giving the player additional tasks for each fight, exemplifying the showmanship aspect. While Chapter 3 largely takes place in a relatively small area, it packs a lot of excitement and mystery into its setting. Glitzville and Chapter 3 as a whole stand out as one of The Thousand-Year Door's many highlights.

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Prince Mush's Boss Fight Was One of The Thousand-Year Door Remake's Most Exciting Additions

Prince Mush's Original Role in TTYD Was Minimal

Prince Mush was originally a very minor character, but one of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's new features made him much more prominent. Prince Mush was the original champion of the Glitz Pit who had mysteriously disappeared years ago. It isn't until Grubba's defeat at the end of Chapter 3 that he makes his return, having had his energy drained by Grubba's Crystal Star-powered machine after his initial disappearance. The other drained fighters also return to the ring, but Prince Mush completely disappears afterward. While the player can re-challenge the Glitz Pit after Chapter 3, Prince Mush never actually makes his return to the ring.

The 2004 Game Built Up Prince Mush With No Payoff

Prince Mush actually coming to the remake is a selling point even for those who played the original. While some cut content for The Thousand-Year Door might have been cool to see, Prince Mush's boss fight was one thing that needed to happen. After he was built up as such an amazing fighter, it was disappointing that players never actually got to see him in action. This is especially true since there aren't any other Toads in the game that actually fight, which would have given him a unique battle style. Prince Mush going unused was a definite letdown in the original release.

Prince Mush Lived Up To The Hype in the Remake

The best part of Prince Mush's boss fight in the remake is that it completely delivers. Prince Mush is an optional boss fight like The Thousand-Year Door's Atomic Boo, but he's arguably harder than the final boss. He has a unique stance-based gimmick that lets him dodge attacks, and his HP, Attack, and Defense are all among the highest in the game. Fighting Prince Mush is a serious challenge to the player's skill, and he lives up to the legendary status that was built up in Chapter 3. The Prince Mush fight was like Nintendo fulfilling a promise from twenty years ago.

Ironically, the original Paper Mario also had a fighting Toad as a superboss in the form of The Master.

The remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door did right by finally showing the potential of Prince Mush. While players may want to save his fight until after beating The Shadow Queen in The Thousand-Year Door in order to stand a chance, it's still a battle well worth fighting. The Prince Mush battle that players got lived up to the hype, proving him to be one of the toughest toads in the series. It took a long time, but Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door finally did right by Prince Mush.