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Updated with Mario & Luigi: Brothership and given a fresh clean-up to suit our new format. Scroll down to find out where the critically divisive 'ship lands. Enjoy!
What is the best Mario RPG? Mario has been dabbling in the turn-based genre since 1996's Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the Super NES, and has since split into two distinct series — one paper thin, and another showcasing the brothers' star power.
The Nintendo Switch has seen a resurgence in Mario RPGs, from remakes, remastered, surprising strategy games, and a brand new Mario & Luigi title with Brothership. But with almost 20 different Mario RPGs, we want to find out which one is the best.
We've compiled a reader-ranked list of every single Mario RPG released, from 1996 to 2024. Which one is the best, and which one has been left behind? Here's every Mario-starring RPG ranked from worst to best.
19. Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS)
Paper Mario: Sticker Star is often funny, thoroughly charming and a joy to play, but it's also a touch too familiar and unwilling to go out on a limb and do something crazy, even if the potential to do so is immense.
Despite its inhibitions, the game keeps a pace so delightful and fun that you can't help but crack a smile at the metric ton of whimsy folded into its rock-solid foundation, rendered all the more impressive thanks to beautiful use of stereoscopic 3D.
Sticker Star might elicit some déjà vu from veterans of the series, but a memory this vivid and bright is worth remembering.
18. Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U)
Paper Mario: Color Splash isn't just painting by the numbers. The series still straddles that awkward middle ground between pure RPG and adventure title, but this Wii U-exclusive entry found a comfortable niche that silenced many of our gripes. Almost everything has polished to a papery sheen, showcasing some of the series' best writing and presentation to date.
Even though the battle system and the overall plot are weaker, Prism Island is a joy to explore, with diverse environments and catchy tunes to keep you engaged from start to finish. It's a game of memorable moments and, taken as such, you might just find it to be a messy work of art.
17. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (3DS)
Adding Paper Mario into AlphaDream's brotherly mix, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam succeeds as an accessible, entertaining, and lengthy crossover for fans and newcomers alike. This is an enjoyable romp that introduces a solid list of mechanics, plays with the battle system in exciting ways, and breaks exploration up with random quests.
Although it doesn't quite nail its environmental design and storytelling, Paper Jam's simplicity makes it a decent starting point for people looking to dip their toe into either series. Fans should be aware, though, that this crossover is closer to a mainline Mario & Luigi game than an entry in the Paper Mario series.
16. Paper Mario: The Origami King (Switch)
Paper Mario: The Origami King tried to do something different with its combat system and, to be honest, we weren't really feeling it. That doesn't mean the rest of the game isn't thoroughly entertaining, however, and while the puzzle-based battles weren't quite what a new Paper Mario game needed, they aren't so awful that everything else shouldn't be experienced as a result.
It might not be the new Thousand-Year Door that fans were hoping for, but it's still one of the funniest games in the series and it's got a truly likeable companion character. Combat is far from ideal in this entry, but the fact that we recommend the game regardless should speak volumes.
15. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope’s battles suffer from an imbalance between the vast array of options available and the difficulty – a stark contrast to Kingdom Battle’s challenging, curated fights.
This doesn't mean it isn't an enjoyable strategy game in its own right; the battles are less an evolution of what came before and more an impressive shift toward freedom and creativity that, unfortunately, can sometimes trivialise Cursa’s attempts to take over the galaxy. An extra couple of notches on the difficulty meter might have forced us to experiment and dig deeper to find winning strategies.
However, Sparks of Hope shines in most aspects outside of these Darkmess bouts. Delightful little puzzles, quests, and memorable locales abound, which yet make this Rabbid-themed adventure a must-play for Mario and strategy game enthusiasts alike.
14. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS)
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team can be a glorious contradiction at times; simple but complex, accessible but lengthy, varied but familiar. The enthusiasm and unrelenting creativity means that it flirts with going too far, truly being an adventure for those willing to stick it out over the long haul, which perhaps dents its ability to appeal to all 3DS owners.
Yet such is the obvious talent and commitment to the project and its unique style that it's still an adventure worth embarking upon. And in the hands of Mario & Luigi enthusiasts and those up for an epic but light-hearted quest, this is indispensable.
13. Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch)
Mario & Luigi: Brothership takes this long-running RPG series to new heights in a high-seas adventure that's packed full of top-notch combat, inventive variety, a positive and thoughtful story, and lots of signature comedy from the dynamic duo themselves.
This is a big game, packed full of surprises and fun, and the all-new Battle Plug system, alongside lots of flashy specials, a fittingly emotive art style, and a world that's brimming with puzzles and challenges, make for a must-play in our book. We hope this series is back for good with this one.
12. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
Super Paper Mario blends classic platformer with some of the RPG elements of its predecessors and throws in a world-flipping mechanic that gives you a whole new perspective on traditional 2D platforming courses. It diverges heavily from Thousand-Year Door's way of doing things, and as a result, divides series fans.
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of fandom, the Wii entry is a beautiful game with fiendish puzzles and an intriguing, unique flip mechanic.
11. Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time (DS)
Although everyone has an individual preference, and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time may not be the strongest entry, that's more a reflection of just how great the Mario & Luigi games are.
While the story might hover just below the level of other instalments, it's still creative, appealing and laugh-out-loud funny, and mastering the four-button setup of battles is as fun as ever. Bowser's Inside Story might have the edge, but it's tough to go wrong with this series.
10. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must-have for Switch-owning fans of turn-based tactical games. More importantly, such is the style and depth on offer that it's also ideal for those who haven't played much of the genre - for whom 'XCOM' sounds like a silly acronym from a war movie. Kingdom Battle and its excellent DK DLC introduce the concept in the best possible way, and then add their own ideas for what becomes a smart, surprising, and, at times, deliciously challenging experience.
Even if you don't actually like the Rabbids, this game — and its familiar Mario cast and setting — is so good that Ubisoft's mascots become likeable. Well, almost.
9. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey (3DS)
This spruce-up of the DS original, along with Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn, gave the 3DS a truly great swansong, even if most Nintendo fans had moved on to Switch by January 2019.
With updated visuals, a brand-new side story involving Bowser Jr., and the ability to speed up gameplay, Bowser's Inside Story on 3DS is the best version of arguably the best of the Mario & Luigi RPG series. Plus, you get to root around in the intestines of a giant fire-breathing lizard. What’s not to like?
8. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions (3DS)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a classic, and this version is arguably the definitive one. Bowser's Minions is a harmless but shallow add-on, but the Superstars are the real attraction. This series has a distinct and special place within Nintendo gaming, and after experimentation and not-always-popular approaches in the 3DS era, this took us back to its roots.
What a treat it is, too - funny, smartly designed, and pure unpretentious joy. This is a great starting point for those who missed the original on Game Boy Advance (though you can play that now via Nintendo Switch Online).
7. Super Mario RPG (Switch)
Super Mario RPG is here in all of its weird, wonderful glory for a new generation to experience, and sets a new standard for how to do a faithful remake right.
Delivering a beautifully preserved, pure experience for fans of the original and an accessible entry-point for genre newcomers, the game's infectious charm, writing, and polished gameplay do so much to elevate this beyond what might have been merely a simple RPG starring Mario.
6. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS)
Alpha Dream created a fantastic take on the Super Mario RPG idea on Game Boy Advance, but they took the concept to new heights with Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.
The third title in the series, it would be easy to rave on and on about this one, but the best way to sum everything up is to say Bowser's Inside Story is the kind of game that reminds you why you loved playing video games in the first place.
It's easily one of the best DS releases and although it received a 3DS update that we'd probably take in a straight contest thanks to the added Bowser Jr.'s Journey, you really can't go wrong with either version. If this one passed you by, we recommend you get intimately acquainted with the King of the Koopas, pronto.
5. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's lengthy main adventure felt pretty unique back in 2003. It was only the third RPG-style Mario adventure, but developer AlphaDream's Mario debut hit the jackpot right away with its addictive battle systems and dual-brother gameplay.
With plenty of side quests to seek out and minigames to replay for high-score chasers, Mario and Luigi's amusing animations and "voice acting" played into the game's great sense of humour and it hasn't lost its ability to raise an ear-to-ear smile. Available on Switch if you've got an NSO Expansion Pack subscription, so check it out.
4. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)
For years, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has been held as the best Mario RPG of all time, and the Switch remake proves it has earned that title.
This is a fantastic RPG adventure, whether you’re a Mario fan or not, with some best-in-class combat and brilliant writing. A fresh new localisation, beautifully enhanced visuals, and new quality-of-life features help iron out a few little creases to make this the definitive way to play a GameCube classic.
3. Paper Mario (N64)
Over two decades later, Paper Mario might not look as sharp as it once did, but it holds up very well where it matters and jostles with The Thousand-Year Door for the title of 'Best Paper Mario Game'.
The N64 original does very well to ease Mario fans into a new style of adventure while providing a depth for RPG gamers that you might not expect from the paper-thin premise. With a great supporting cast and buckets of trademark Nintendo charm, the OG is up there with the best. Play it on Switch if you missed out.
2. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is not only a brilliant game in its own right, it's a history lesson in how the Mario role-playing series began.
Anyone who has played the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series should play Square's original title that started it all - either in original 16-bit form or via the excellent Switch remake.
Super Mario RPG paved the way and inspired both, and we should be eternally thankful to Squaresoft for injecting character and humour into the plumber's repertoire.
1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GCN)
The power of GameCube enabled greater fidelity of its paper-based art style than the original, but otherwise Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door stuck closely to the original's blueprint.
It's a wonderfully colourful adventure packed with clever callbacks to the portly plumber's history and the same irreverent spirit which makes so many Mario RPGs refreshingly different from the mascot's platformers. Where other entries have dropped the ball in an area or two, Thousand-Year Door gets everything right; plot, writing, battles, presentation - the lot.
Prices for a GameCube disc have skyrocketed in recent years and given the quality, it's not hard to see why. Treasure your copy if you've got one, and perhaps lend it to a trusted friend who never visited the town of Rogueport.
And if you don't have a copy or a GameCube? Well, that's what the Switch version's for!
Lots of ways to level up, but you've chosen how to distribute the experience points among the Mario RPGs.
Best Mario RPG FAQ
Don't know your Paper Marios from your Mario & Luigis? We can help with that with the answers to common Mario RPG questions.
What was the first Mario RPG release?
The very first Mario RPG was Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, which launched on the SNES on 9th March 1996 in Japan, with a North American release following on 13th May.
The game was a co-development between Nintendo and Square, the developer of the Final Fantasy series. However, it wasn't available in Europe until the Wii Virtual Console release in 2008. It was also included on the SNES Classic Mini.
Super Mario RPG was later remade on the Nintendo Switch and launched worldwide on 17th November 2023.
How many Mario RPGs are on Switch?
You can play seven different Mario RPGs on the Switch right now — six are available for purchase at retail, and one is available via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.
Those six Switch Mario RPGs are:
- Mario & Luigi Brothership
- Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
- Paper Mario: The Origami King
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Super Mario RPG
On the NSO Expansion Pack GBA app you can also play through the original release of Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga.
What's the difference between Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi?
There aren't many — both were born out of Super Mario RPG from the SNES, after all — but the most obvious difference between these two series is aesthetics.
Mario & Luigi adopts a more cartoon-y, expressive style, while Paper Mario... is like paper. But in a good way! The worlds are like pop-up story books, and all characters are crafted out of paper.
There are a few other minor differences between the two series, of course — while both are very funny, Mario & Luigi takes the cake for consistent humour, while Paper Mario often shoots for a more serious plot.
And while both games use turn-based combat, Mario & Luigi's is more involved and requires more button presses, with Paper Mario option for strategy and skills.
What's the newest Paper Mario?
The brand new last Paper Mario game was Paper Mario: The Origami King, which released on the Switch in 2020.
Since then, however, we've only seen one remaster in the series — Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, which launched on Switch in May 2024. We don't know if a new Paper Mario game is in development yet.
What's the latest Mario & Luigi game?
The latest game in the series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, arrived on the Nintendo Switch on 7th November 2024, marking the end of a fantastic 12 months for turn-based Mario action.
Before that, the series was in stasis, with the last new game (Paper Jam — yes, we know, it gets confusing, this is a Mario & Luigi game) launching on the 3DS in 2015.
Two 3DS remakes of Superstar Saga and Bowser's Inside Story came out in 2017 and 2018, respectively, but until 2024, the franchise was thought done.
Wait, is Mario + Rabbids an RPG?
The Mario + Rabbids games certainly are RPGs, but very different ones — strategy RPGs.
Taking cues from the XCOM games, Ubisoft's Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope play with turn-based tactical battles rather than traditional turn-based RPG mechanics.
What happened to AlphaDream?
AlphaDream, the original developer of the Mario & Luigi series, declared bankruptcy in October 2019 after being unable to pay off accruing debt and admitting that revenues had grown sluggish in recent years.
As such, the studio was sadly shut down on 1st October 2019. Nintendo has reported that some former AlphaDream employees have worked on the newest Mario & Luigi game, Brothership.
Who developed the new Mario & Luigi game?
Mario & Luigi: Brothership was co-developed between Nintendo and Acquire.
Acquire was originally known for creating the Tenchu and Way of the Samurai series' on PlayStation consoles in the late '90s and early 2000s, but in recent years, the studio has become known for working with Square Enix on the Octopath Traveler games. So the studio is a dab hand with turn-based combat, then.
Can you play any Mario RPGs on Nintendo Switch Online?
You certainly can! Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is available on the GBA app.
You'll need to be subscribed to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, however.
How can I change the ranking in this article?
It's pretty easy! We enlisted Nintendo Life readers to help us rate every Mario RPG ever. The list above is governed by each game's User Rating in our database, and is therefore subject to change after publication, even as you're reading this!
We make sure the list is up-to-date with every single new Mario RPG. And if you disagree with the rankings, then you can search for your favourite Mario Party game below and give it the score it deserves.
If you want to give your favourite Mario RPG an experience boost, don't forget this list is subject to change according to each game's User Ratings on the site.
Tell us what you think of Mario's RPG endeavours in the comments below.
Comments 111
Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga games are the best RPG mechanics hands down. You are active even during the boss's turn
I’m so happy we’re getting/got super mario rpg and tyd but I would love for the mario and luigi games to make a return
Paper Jam should be dead last. I absolutely despise that game and everything it represents even more than Sticker Star. Though both are equally offensive for their respective series, I could at least finish Sticker Star, but Paper Jam gave me something terminal within the first few hours. I see it as AlphaDream's early death sentence.
Colour Splash is an improvement, though still an obvious sequel to garbage, but at least the writing was mostly excellent, the music is some of the best in the series and the environments and visuals were wonderful. Also, Partners in Time is, as always, criminally underrated in my opinion. To me, it stands alongside Bowser's Inside Story and Superstar Saga as masterpieces practically equal to the first Paper Mario games.
No mario and Luigi games in the top 3 is outrageous
Strange to see the Rabbids games in a list of RPGs. Also strange to see the the bottom game, Sticker Star, have more staff praise than games much higher on the list. Oh well, opinions. Btw, might wanna update some of these entries. Bowser Inside Story on 3DS mentions the upcoming Extra Epic Yarn, a game that has been out for years.
Hmmm Origami King so low? That is annoying. I thought it was one of the top 3. Yeah I know boss fights, but how many of these are there? And they weren’t that bad. The rest of the game was fantastic.
And please remove re-releases when they’re completely identical.
This is a pretty reasonable list. I can’t help but smirk at Sticker Star being at the bottom. I don’t believe in separating originals from remakes. I’d put Paper Mario 64 second and Mario RPG third.
I fully agree that Superstar Saga is the best Mario & Luigi. Bowser’s Inside Story is great but just didn’t quite click for me. Maybe it was personally too complicated playing between Bowser and the brothers and I might not have cared much for Bowser’s insides being played all in 2D even though I liked Superstar Saga’s brief 2D segments. I just prefer the first game’s greater sense of exploration.
I can remember a time before there were ANY Mario games.😢😢😢
@species8472 I remember a time before Sonic Chronicles. 🤔
As a Partners in Time fanboy I’m used to it be much lower. I’ll take 10.
I exist in this weird space where Sticker Star I think is the worst game of the lot of them but the one I actually most hated playing was Paper Jam. Sticker Star's largely just dull and poorly designed, Paper Jam's actively irritating.
Eh. Other than not having the Mario RPG remake, which I'd probably put right next to the original one way or the other, the top four are basically what I would go with in the same order. Except maybe Mario RPG over Thousand-Year Door, they're two of my favorite games ever and it's kind of impossible for me to actually pick a favorite.
Nostalgia is strong, huh?
I really disagree with Color Splash being worse than Paper Jam
And I disagree even more with Origami King being the forth worst Mario RPG, it's actually one of my favorite Switch games. Pretty sure many people only gave it a bad user score because "it'S NOT paper mArio 2"
@mariomaster96 yeah, these ratings are just a popularity contest. I mean objectively how is the original SNES version of Mario RPG higher than the remake? Absurd lol
Top 4 was quite obvious. First spot is TOTALLY deserved.
If it was for me though, I'd put Origami King on the fifth or sixth place. Great game, a huge improvement from Color Splash and especially Sticker Star.
That is the fairest write-up of Sparks of Hope I've seen, completely nails that game. Has some interesting ideas but suffers from being stupidly easy. The harder difficulty just becomes a battle of attrition. The original is an absolute classic though.
Sticker Star is infamous for being the first Paper Mario the players noticed the Miyamoto curse hovering over the franchise. Not a single unique character other than the floating guide, removing any meaningful reward from random battles and the boringly basic story really hurt that one
@FawfulsFury You could swap Paper Mario 64 with Superstar Saga, but the top 2 must stay like that.
@the_beaver Mario and Luigi perfected what legend of the 7 stars created there for I would put BIS and SSS above it
I realize these lists are dynamic due to rating changes and are purely popularity contests. However...how is Super Paper Mario not higher? Sure, it's not a traditional RPG in some ways, but IMO it has one of the best plots and some great concepts to ever touch the Marioverse.
Ugh, TTYD in the first place again. The game has too much needless backtracking. It gets boring combined with the turn- based battle. Some stages such as the jungle are really dull.
My vote goes to Super Paper Mario for the story and gameplay. Smrpg is also great.
Origami King was a good game - I’ve played Dream Team Bros and for me it was
just okay
@Lizuka I agree that Paper Jam was unplayable.
Paper Mario 64 is my number one, with TTYD second. And imo Color Splash and kinda Origami King should be higher, they get unjust hate.
Umm...why is the OG SMRPG (so much!) higher than the remake? I didn't finish the OG but the remake seems to have improved pretty much everything from what I've seen of both.
Anyway, I knew TTYD would be the top but the OG Paper Mario will always be my favorite.
Paper Mario tops them all for me, though I will label Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA and 3DS), and Super Mario RPG remake as the highlights on my book as well.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Paper Mario: Color Splash, Super Paper Mario, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, and Super Mario RPG SNES gave me great times, even with some of their "flaws".
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope was decent. It didn't wow me as much as the predecessor on many angles, but I don't regret it.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS; I have the 3DS version, but haven't touched it yet) are personally the low points for me for being too "wacky" for the series' own good, as well as the former having so much missed potential for a time travel plot (you don't even get to see all of areas' present forms aside from Peach's Castle). They aren't bad games, no, but I expected much better from them.
Time for my obligatory Paper Jam defense statement lol. Yes the story and world left much to be desired but it felt like a fresh of breath air after the insanely slowly paced Dream Team. It has the best core gameplay in the entire series, seeing the characters interact with their paper counterparts is amusing, traversing the world felt fast and fun, and it gets pretty challenging. It could definitely be better but I think it’s a great game.
Listen, imo color splash isnt that bad.
My favorites are Bowsers inside story, color splash, and paper jam.
@Waluigi451 Mario RPG remake is nice touch up but is not pushing any boundaries as the original did with its pre -rendered 3D graphics which paved the way for many masterpieces yet to come for next-gen consoles. The original as a darker more suitable tone honestly.
My personal favorite is the first Paper Mario by far, but The Thousand-Year Door is an easy second.
@GalaxicGlobe I also like Color Splash and Paper Jam, underrated games.
It seems like I'm one of the few who are into the Origami King. It's so fun, dialogue is funny and I really don't see a problem in boss battles in this game. I think it's a good variation and it adds a little challenge to the strategy factor. It's sad to see it that low
Color splash and Origami King really are better than what they are ranked here.
Sticker Star may be many things but a joy to play is not one of them.
I ranked Color Splash as number 1 along with Paper Mario 64 (and Partners in Time as the worst, although I didn't play Paper Jam, Origami King or Rabbids).
Now I want Mario & Luigi to come to Switch or the inevitable Switch 2. Nintendo shouldn't drop such an amazing series.
It’s ‘your favourite’, not ‘you’re’…this site needs a proofreader!
I enjoy Paper Mario Sticker Star.
The sticker system felt like FF VIII disposable Magics and I like the 3D Summon Things.
@HugoGED are we rating these off historical significance or actual game quality? Because sure, the original SNES rpg is an important game, but the remake improves upon the original in every way.
Adding to the appreciation for Origami King. Yes there’s division over the battle mechanics but a gloriously fun adventure with a wonderfully vibrant overworld, the musical score and narrative also provided a lot of emotional impact.
@Waluigi451 Original feels and looks better. If it wasn't because we are familiar with the original, the remake would feel more simplistic and basic.
I still think putting the rabbids games here is stupid.
@PokemonDMG are you a fan of sonic chronicles? I never played the game, but I have been recently considering buying it
my favourite is Mario and Luigi Superstar Sage
@Calbant it's almost like a comic book to me.
📚
Super Star Saga will always be my favourite one. Was my first foray into Mario RPGs as a kid and the battle system was so fun and interactive.
1. Paper Mario: TTYD - 10/10
2. Super Paper Mario - 9.5/10
3. Paper Mario - 9.5/10
4. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga - 9.5/10
5. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - 9/10
6. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - 8/10
7. Super Mario RPG - 8/10
8. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team - 8/10
9. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam - 7/10
10. Paper Mario: Sticker Star - 5/10
@FawfulsFury thank you
@Not_Soos pretty good ratings imo!
@Anti-Matter I agree it’s more fun than people usually give it credit for — also color splash had waayyyy more bosses that required the annoying-specific-use-case “thing” stickers
Paper Mario the Thousand Years Door for Paper Mario, Mario e Luigi Bowser Inside Story for Mario e Luigi(i miss tradicional Paper Mario e Mario e Luigi)
@HugoGED you honestly think anyone would look at a clip of the SNES version and a clip of the remake and say that the SNES looks better? Get out of here lol
Looking over this list makes me want to go back and replay a lot of these. Not a big RPG player but I love many of these Mario RPGs.
Genuine question: Would Puzzle and Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition not also be an RPG? Fun game, with some real bite to it and you can’t entirely rest on the laurels of your puzzle solving skills, but also Special Move management and a heavy consideration of which types will be critical.
Anyways, y’all really did Paper Jam dirty when it has the most refined gameplay of the bunch, is the funniest Mario & Luigi game and also has really good side modes.
Dream Team, Paper Jam, and BIS are all way too low (BIS especially is objectively better than Superstar Saga), but they’re all great games, and you can’t go wrong no matter what you pick.
Edit: Except Sticker Star
I hated Origami because of the battle system and never finished it. Maybe the worst of all IMO. When it was released I hated Sticker Star too, but in my second play many years later I enjoyed it. Also I really loved Color Splash, maybe in the top 5 for me.
Absolutely rubbish ranking. Justice for origami king writing and visuals. Justice for super paper Mario presentation.
@Cia Yes. TTYD has too much backtracking and the partners are not all great.
My favorite had always being Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario 1 & 2, and the first four Mario & Luigi games. Although these are not technically Mario RPGs, I did also enjoy Mario Golf for Game Boy Color and Mario Golf: Advance Tour for Game Boy Advance as well since they had an RPG style story mode and is handle by Camelot Software Planning, creator of Shining Force (Sega), Beyond the Beyond (Sony), and Golden Sun (Nintendo).
@Waluigi451
"yeah, these ratings are just a popularity contest."
please have mercy, the mind reels from these earth shattering revelations.
"I mean objectively how is the original SNES version of Mario RPG higher than the remake?"
because new is not "objectively" better than old. ✌️
@Waluigi451 And you go back to your unity games, glad the original is not liked by you.
@Waluigi451 Of course their will be people who prefers the original. Just like with every original, remake, remaster game out there.
Couldn't agree more with the top 5 - you could move them around based on your preference and I think at least one Mario & Luigi should be in the top 3, but still - while like many others here I'm sad to see Color Splash and especially Origami King so low as much as I prefer the older Paper Mario games!
Super Paper Mario doesn't belong on here. It's a platform game with RPG elements. There isn't even a battle system, which is a core part of RPG gameplay.
Wow, I've never played TTYD. The GameCube was my most neglected Nintendo Console. I was in college and away from gaming. Super Mario RPG has always been one of my favorite games period. If TTYD really is better, I need to play it.
Dream Team is severely underrated.
I wasn’t even aware of any major dislike for Origami King. Sadly we haven‘t got a sales update for 2 years either, so we don’t know, it might even be the bestselling Mario RPG by now.
Color Splash on the other hand is the one I gave up on. I hated the consumable card based gameplay.
Super Paper Mario - I didn’t get the hate back then, but after finishing had to admit it does drag on a bit, and is too wordy.
Paper Mario, Mario RPG and TTYD - all great.
And the handheld entries were largely great (never tried Sticker Star or Paper Jam), it’s just that I’ve always preferred console games for their grander feel and scope.
@-wc- what part of the original is better than the remake? Honest question. What’s so great about the SNES version that’s missing from the remake?
@HugoGED never said I didn’t like the original, but what part of the original is better than the remake? The “feel” of it? That just seems like nostalgia for the old graphics.
The Switch version is a faithful remake so I just don’t see what was lost that would make the original rate higher if we’re being objective on the overall game quality. If we’re talking about which game is better for the time it was released, then sure, the SNES version is groundbreaking and an important game. But by 2023 standards, if you were going to recommend a game to someone, it would be the Switch version.
@Waluigi451 Actually one aspect might be the music. I’m finding most of the new arrangements very full and as a result a bit too upfront. They basically made every theme big, even those that were supposed to be sparse or quiet.
By the way I loved Sticker Star. Despite getting permanently stuck.
Even though Super Paper Mario is my favorite, I don't think any of these games should get less than a 7,5/ 10 rating.
@NintendoWife fair enough. I have not listened to comparisons on the music, but I could see how some would prefer one over the other. Personally, music won’t make one version better or worse for me, but I know others value music in games more.
how does superstar saga top it's remake? it makes sense for Bowsers inside story but I don't think it makes sense for SS
Started playing Mario rabbids: sparks of hope, man what an amazing game that is, very addicted to that gameplay.
@Waluigi451
i havent played the remake yet, but im not making declarations about one's "objective" superiority over the other, either. different strokes! 😊✌️
EDIT - ill be even more honest, here, because it seems like you are genuinely curious, and down for the conversation. 🙂
I suspect that i will like the beloved original more than the remake. the reason is this: i like 2D graphics more than 3d. i am fascinated by computer based music as opposed to orchestrated recordings. to say one is objectively better than the other is to say for example that digital photography is better than painting.
people didnt stop looking at the mona lisa just because there are billions of selfies on the internet, and it's not because of nostalgia 😅
The remake is probably great, but i wouldnt recommend that anyone play a random REMAKE over a classic game, than i would the same for a classic film. 👍
To me, Super Mario RPG will always be the king. Although Superstar Saga and Bowser’s Inside Story I have always felt were worthy follow ups.
The first 3 Paper Mario's are all great in their own way. And Color Splash is hilarious, definitely slept on.
As for Mario & Luigi, Superstar Saga was the only one that clicked for me. Browsers Inside Story kinda lost me one the insides sections
I miss the Mario & Luigi series. 😑
I really don't get the hate Paper Jam gets. I think it's as good, if not BETTER, than both Partners in Time and Dream Team.
I know this is an insane take in the eyes of most, but the amount of love Thousand Year Door gets has always seemed bizarre to me. It's a good game, sure, but I don't think it'd crack the top three for me. Top five, maybe.
@dfdfleming
Than Dream Team? Maybe.
Than Partners in Time? Not really.
@Waluigi451 To be fair, the original graphics are a lot more impressive for the SNES than the remake's are for the Switch. When comparing game quality between different systems, you do have to adjust your rose-tinted glasses when it comes to what the two systems were actually capable of, most notably when it comes to presentation.
However, that would still only be a minor advantage. If the remake is just as good or even better in every other way, then it should still deserve just as good of a score at the very least.
@-wc- I get your preference for the original graphics and music, but is that really enough to say it deserves a better score on a 10-point system?
Keep in mind that this is a remaster, not actually a remake! Everything else like the story and gameplay is exactly the same or perhaps even better with some added quality of life features and bonus content. It would be like watching "The Absent-Minded Professor" in color with digital touch-ups and upscaled to HD as opposed to watching "Flubber."
@TG1 I'm sorry, but who on earth is praising that travesty of a game they call Sticker Star?
This list a a little suspect. Super Mario RPG on switch is a definitive way to way that game yet the SNES is higher on the list? I’m old school gamer myself but I have admit that the switch version is the way to play this game. Super Star Saga deserves to be much higher in the list as well. It is without a doubt the best of the Mario and Luigi rpg games. Also the remake switch version of TTYD is the best way to play that game. The remakes are exactly the same as the originasl with enhanced graphics and better translations.
Inside Story > Superstar Saga easy. Better story, better villain, excellent use of the dual screen, and it doesn't drag with annoying quests. Also Bowser.
Anyways, can't wait for a repost of this list when Brothership releases. Hopefully it's top 5.
Superstar Saga remains as the #1 for me, It's SO good.
I am a big rpg fan, and Mario and Luigi sits in my all time top 5. It gives me both the oldschool and new school vibes with funny animations. This is a game i want to keep on playing.
Sticker Star is still last place.
Take note.
Firstly, Partners in Time is really underrated. It's just as good as BIS, and in some ways, better (e.g. the babies were really fun to control).
And secondly, maybe it's me, but I just cannot finish Paper Mario 64 (and therefore won't let myself proceed to TTYD). And can't say I didn't try - I've tried to finish it multiple times, with my latest attempt going about halfway through the story. Something about the game's economy makes it really unenjoyable for me - the attacks do so little damage (single digit dmg 3 hours in??) and the XP rewards are quite stingey.
And that's why I find SMrpg and M&L much more fun.
Maybe you guys can give me some tips.
To me, the Mario & Luigi games are characterized by their tedious combat, long-winded characters with unfunny dialog, and annoying, sometimes revolting, character designs.
I finally played Superstar Saga recently, and one thing that really stood out to me was the all the ugly character faces with their ridiculous expressions drawn across the top of every building in the town. It felt like a sad attempt to convince the player that the game was funny when it wasn't.
I still prefer Sticker Star and Color Splash for the 3D Summon Things.
The Scissors are my favorite from Sticker Star.
Battery, Turnip, Claw Hammer are my favorite from Color Splash.
Mario RPGs are kind of a touchy subject, it sometimes seems. The core fan base seems to dislike a lot of the games despite them being decent or even great.
I would be worried about Brothership not being good based off that score. . .until I saw how wack the rest of the list was. Only Sticker Star and Color Splash are in their rightful place. Bowsers Inside Story and PM64 are #1 and #2 for me. SMRPG feels a bit too repetitive, TTYD looks to just be PM64 again with more story and more backtracking, Superstar Saga wasted my time too much, and Partners in Time and SMP deserve more. I'm also somehow more interested in Paper Jam than Dream Team.
I can't vouch for the Rabbids games, though.
@Dr_Corndog I could level all those complaints on SMRPG.
The Switch version of TTYD is easily number one, especially if you can overclock your unit and play it at 60fps, just like the original.
I feel like the remakes of TTYD and Super Mario RPG are close enough in fidelity to the original that they don’t require separate rankings, but that’s just my opinion.
HOLD IT! From the M&L Brothership Nintendolife review: "Easily the best Mario and Luigi RPG yet." Proceeds to get outranked by every other Mario and Luigi game 🤔 Not saying the ranking is necessarily wrong (I haven't played all of the M&L games personally), but I smell a contradiction 🤨
Paper Mario is also on NSO
@Broosh ranking is based on user ranking scores in this instance. It is not to do with the site reviews.
As it stands I do disagree with quite a bit on this list - TTYD door remake should probably be somewhere in the bottom half, and TOK in the upper.
Can’t speak for Brothership until I’ve played it, but the placement is certainly a surprise for sure.
@Broosh the review was made by a professional critic. This list is user voted and automatically rearranges based on average user scores. No contradictions at all.
Every opening statement of every NintendoLife list starts with this information.
@darkswabber @Sonicka Fair points both! My comment was more of a joke, hence the ace attorney quote 😅 But that does explain it for sure.
The more recent Paper Mario games, and in particular Sticker Star, get a lot of disproportionate hate. Sure, they may not be in the same league as the oldest installments, but they are still very enjoyable games in their own right.
Justice for Super paper Mario & Origami King
I get that people are going to have different opinions. That being said...HERES MINE!
Super Mario RPG OG and Remake are hands down the best. I want to say the Mario and Luigi RPG series is close second. Paper Mario was really amazing. It just felt over done like the Mario and Luigi RPGs. Super Mario RPG stand out from all of them to me. My only gripe with that game was that we didn't get a true sequel! Give me localizations of Mother 3, give me a Chrono Trigger of ANY kind on switch, OG or Remake, Terranigma and Evermore the same way. Breath of Fire among many others that I can go on and on to name all day as I'm old LOL.
Origami King at 16, are you all mad
During the 64/GC era, I couldn't imagine a future where there would be enough Mario RPGs to make a list with. The Switch is just nuts.
Origami King and Brothership don't even score a 8...?? Have people actually played them?? They're freaking great!
Regarding the low rating for Origami King, it can only really mean that battles are the most important aspect for most people in Mario RPG's. I even liked the battles system there, but that was the one controversial part of the game, the rest - story, setting, execution, graphics, details, charm - I'd say is tied for "best in the series". A shame people can't look past the fights (maybe just the handful of boss fights, even).
The remakes scoring lower than the originals I don't agree with. As they are the definitive versions of the games.
Mario & Luigi > Paper Mario
The description for Sticker Star is so weird... Its only flaws are that it's "a touch too familiar" and "might elicit some déjà vu from veterans of the series"? If anything Sticker Star is too different from the other games in the series, to the point that it's unrecognizable. That description needs a rewrite.
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