Paper Mario: The Origami King

A creative triumph, with new ideas that last the entire game, some of the best boss battles in ages, and praiseworthy presentation. Paper Mario: The Origami King is only let down by some of the general combat being a bit skippable.

79%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, character development

83% User Score Based on 100 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 51 reviews

Platforms

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About

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a single player open world role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Intelligent Systems and was released on July 17, 2020. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Paper Mario: The Origami King for Nintendo Switch, Mario and new friend Olivia embark on a comedic, paper-crafted adventure. Together, they must defeat tyrant King Olly and his origami army. Save Toads, use power-ups like 1,000 Fold Arms, and strategize in turn-based battles to restore peace to the world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Paper Mario: The Origami King screenshot

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

story25 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a charming art style that enhances the overall experience.
The storyline is engaging and filled with humor, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
The unique battle system introduces interesting puzzle mechanics that add a fresh twist to the gameplay.

The lack of a traditional leveling system makes battles feel pointless and can lead to frustration.
The ring puzzle mechanics can become tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of combat.
Many players feel that the game lacks the depth and character development found in earlier Paper Mario titles.

story
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The game's story is described as cute and engaging, with clever use of visuals and humor, though some players feel it lacks depth and can be rushed or simplistic. While many appreciate the nostalgic elements and character interactions, others express disappointment over the loss of richer storytelling from previous installments. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mix of fun and charm, but it struggles with consistency and depth, leaving some players wanting more.
- “The story is fantastic, but I think the best part of the game is the variety of dialogue you can get from the characters.”
- “Paper Mario: The Origami King is fun, light-hearted, and a celebration of Super Mario with a strong story, great humor, and brilliant characters.”
- “The graphics, the soundtrack, and the story kept me intrigued and wanting more as I kept progressing.”
- “Again, I enjoyed the gameplay well enough and got my money’s worth, but the storyline felt lacking and a little rushed.”
- “This game is childishly easy with no story to speak of.”
- “An example of quality and story suffering from too many ideas without substance.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The gameplay is generally enjoyable and features a mix of fun mechanics and charming graphics, but it is marred by repetitive and tedious ring puzzles that detract from the overall experience. While the new puzzle mechanics in battles add some novelty, they can become frustrating and overly simplistic, leading to a sense of stagnation in combat. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers unique elements and humor that may appeal to fans of the franchise, especially those who appreciate puzzle-solving.
- “The gameplay concepts are original and bring so much uniqueness to the table.”
- “Overall, I really enjoy the gameplay and the incorporation of origami and paper maché.”
- “Filled with creative game mechanics that make the whole experience seem different from other games!”
- “The battle system got annoying after about a couple of hours of gameplay.”
- “The further in you go, however, the more you realize how bare the puzzle mechanic for battles is.”
- “The ring mechanic is novel, but it gets overused and tedious to the point where I avoid battle; in my opinion, this mechanic should have been saved for bosses and for 'wave' battles, not every single encounter.”
humor
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and silliness, with many reviewers highlighting the funny dialogue and quirky character interactions. While some find the humor to be childish or cringey at times, it ultimately adds to the game's appeal, making it a delightful and engaging experience. Overall, the combination of clever writing, comedic moments, and vibrant graphics contributes to a fun and entertaining adventure.
- “This game is oozing charm and humor out of every pore; it’s so stinking funny and silly, and the graphics are absolutely gorgeous.”
- “I’m happy to see where the story goes, not for the plot but for the jokes and humor along the way.”
- “The writing is funny.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
79%
5%
16%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and charm, with many reviewers praising the vibrant art style and polished visuals. Players appreciate the unique and imaginative design that enhances the overall experience, making the game visually captivating and engaging. Overall, the graphics are described as stunning, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “I turned it on and was amazed at how beautiful the graphics were.”
- “The graphics are nice and there's a good mix of different overworld styles that are vibrant and well designed where you will be figuring out puzzles and collecting items.”
- “Beautiful graphics, unique battle system, and good story in my opinion.”
- “The graphics and presentation are okay, but it's 2020.”
- “It has a lot of polish in its graphics.”
- “The graphics, the soundtrack, and the story kept me intrigued and wanting more as I kept progressing.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
79%
21%
The music in the game is widely praised as a standout feature, with many users describing it as fantastic, incredible, and even spectacular. Reviewers express a strong desire for a soundtrack release, highlighting how the music enhances the overall experience alongside the game's graphics and storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a major highlight that contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is incredible.”
- “But the music is what is truly spectacular and one of the major highlights.”
- “I recommend this game if you want a fun story with cute writing and a phenomenal soundtrack.”
- “I hope a soundtrack is released at some point.”
- “The graphics, presentation, writing, and music are okay, but it's 2020.”
- “The soundtrack is decent.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the overuse of the ring mechanic in every encounter, which detracts from the enjoyment of battles. The lack of experience points and limited variety in puzzles and weapons further contribute to a sense of pointlessness in combat, leading some to avoid battles altogether.
- “But getting to that point gets extremely tedious as the game continues.”
- “The ring mechanic is novel, but it gets overused and tedious to the point where I avoid battle. In my humble opinion, this mechanic should have been saved for bosses and for 'wave' battles, not every single encounter.”
- “No experience points makes battles sometimes feel pointless and tedious; puzzles and weapons could use more variety.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report unexpectedly developing emotional connections with certain characters in "Origami King," highlighting the game's adorable art style and impactful side character stories. The emotional depth resonates strongly, providing a wholesome experience that appeals to fans of Mario RPGs.
- “I grew an emotional love for some characters that I did not expect.”
- “The art style of Origami King is still adorable; some of the side characters' stories hit like an emotional freight train and it honestly scratches that Mario RPG itch.”
- “Wholesome fun.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is criticized for being lackluster, with players feeling unmotivated by the battles that do not offer meaningful progression or rewards. Additionally, the character designs, particularly for bosses, are described as bland and uninspired, further detracting from the overall experience.
- “I tried so hard to like this game. I forced myself to play it, hoping I would get used to the battles, which don't feel rewarding in the slightest. What is the point of battles when you don't even level up? I got to the first boss, which was probably the most bland character design I have ever seen for a monster. I accepted it as it was, though, and went into battle.”
- “The character development is incredibly shallow. I expected to see growth and depth, but instead, the characters feel one-dimensional and forgettable.”
- “I was really disappointed with how the characters evolved throughout the game. There were no meaningful choices or changes, making it hard to connect with them.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its initial appeal, with engaging story elements that create an immersive experience; however, some players feel that certain aspects detract from this enjoyment, ultimately diminishing their overall appreciation for the game.
- “The atmosphere in this game is absolutely immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
- “Every corner of the game is filled with a rich atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and keeps you engaged.”
- “The combination of the eerie soundtrack and the beautifully crafted environments creates an unforgettable atmosphere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Both games are considered genre classics, offering high replayability that encourages players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- “They're both genre classics, and their replayability is high.”
- “The game offers a multitude of choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
- “With different character builds and story paths, I find myself coming back for more.”

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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 51 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a open world role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes.

Paper Mario: The Origami King is available on Nintendo Switch.

Paper Mario: The Origami King was released on July 17, 2020.

Paper Mario: The Origami King was developed by Intelligent Systems.

Paper Mario: The Origami King has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a single player game.

Similar games include Paper Mario: Color Splash, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, Eastward, Costume Quest 2, The Plucky Squire and others.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

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