Mario & Luigi Paper Jam

About

Paper Mario jumps out of a book and into the bizarre adventures of Mario & Luigi, resulting in hilarious, and dangerous, hijinks! Become the superstar team of Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario to take on quests, take down enemies, and untangle these two unique universes in this playful new entry in the Mario & Luigi series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

44%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

humor5 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Hilarious writing and sharp dialogue make for an entertaining experience.
Solid RPG combat mechanics with innovative 'Bros.' moves and amiibo integration.
Accessible for newcomers while still providing enjoyment for series veterans.

Repetitive combat and tedious mini-games detract from the overall experience.
The story and environmental design feel underdeveloped and lack depth.
Some fans may find the game overly familiar and lacking in new ideas.

story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The story in "Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam" is a mixed bag; while it features enjoyable writing and humor that appeals to fans of both franchises, it suffers from a lack of originality and a somewhat tedious plot. The crossover of the Mario and Paper Mario worlds is a highlight, but the overall narrative is criticized for dragging on and not fully delivering in terms of environmental design and storytelling depth. Despite its engaging RPG combat, the story is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by repetitive minigames.
- “Paper Mario adds a new twist to proceedings; enemies pack a cerebral punch, and superb writing and animation bring the story to life, creating a diverse blend of RPG, platformer, and more.”
- “Fans of either series will appreciate how these two come together in the story department, with a truly enjoyable script that will have players laughing throughout.”
- “Here, the team at AlphaDream follows up Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and the utterly surreal Dream Team with a crossover title, bringing the worlds of regular Mario and the flat-as-a-pancake 2D Paper Mario together for the first time.”
- “It's more of a mini RPG than ever, but doesn't quite nail it when it comes to environmental design and storytelling.”
- “Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam excels at RPG combat, but is bogged down by tedious minigames and a disappointing story.”
- “[minigames are numerous and monotonous, weak plot and writing]”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam" is widely praised for its hilarious script, sharp dialogue, and clever sight gags, which consistently engage players throughout the game. The combination of surreal elements and inventive attacks adds to the charm, making it a delightful experience for fans of both series. Overall, the game successfully blends comedy with RPG gameplay, ensuring that players are entertained while navigating its whimsical world.
- “It’s got a hilarious script, near-flawless battling, and bucketfuls of charm.”
- “Fans of either series will like how these two come together in the story department, with a truly enjoyable script that will have players laughing throughout.”
- “Consistency in comedy is hard, especially in video games, but Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam still manages to tickle the funny bone with this crossover tale of two different corners of the Mario multiverse, even if the RPG gameplay itself feels like it's been xeroxed.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay of "Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam" is characterized by solid mechanics and engaging RPG-lite elements, enhanced by humorous writing and new battle system features. While it may not innovate significantly, it successfully combines familiar gameplay with fresh twists, making for a fun and unpredictable experience. The visuals may not impress, but the overall experience remains enjoyable and consistent in its comedic approach.
- “This game is in no way a revolution of what’s come before, but that doesn’t matter one bit - the mechanics are still as solid as they always were, the humor still makes my face ache from smiling, and not once did it ever outstay its welcome.”
- “It introduces a solid list of worthy new mechanics, particularly building upon the battle system in some exciting new ways, and breaking exploration up with random quests.”
- “[Engaging RPG-lite gameplay, surreal and funny, Paper Mario theme adds great new twists, fun and unpredictable.]”
- “Consistency in comedy is hard, especially in video games, but Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam still manages to tickle the funny bone with this crossover tale of two different corners of the Mario multiverse, even if the RPG gameplay itself feels like it's been xeroxed.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The graphics feature smooth and enjoyable visuals with a well-blended art style, enhanced by clever amiibo integration. However, some users feel that the visuals are not particularly impressive, even for the 3DS, despite the engaging classic Mario RPG gameplay.
- “The visuals are smooth and fun, showcasing a well-blended art style.”
- “The clever use of amiibo adds a unique touch to the graphics.”
- “The visuals aren't all that impressive, even for the 3DS, but the gameplay is classic Mario RPG stuff.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
While "Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam" features strong RPG combat, players find the grinding aspect hindered by tedious minigames and a lackluster story, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam excels at RPG combat, but is bogged down by tedious minigames and a disappointing story.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found myself spending hours on grinding just to progress, which became more of a chore than fun.”