Editing Paper Mario (series)

{{italic title|''Paper Mario'' (series)}}
{{construction}}
{{rewrite|the character bios are far too long and need considerable trimming|September 28, 2014}}
{{Articleabout|''Paper Mario'', the video game series|other uses|[[Paper Mario (disambiguation)]]}}
{{series-infobox
|title=Paper Mario
|image=[[File:PaperMario-serieslogo.PNG|300px]]<br>The current version of the series logo.
[[File:Pm3dlogo.png|300px]]<br>Variation of the previous logo .
|first=''[[Paper Mario]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2000|2000]])
|latest=''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2012|2012]])
|number=5 (1 upcoming) 
|parent=''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''
|staff=[[Ryota Kawade]]
}}
The '''''Paper Mario''''' series is an [[RPG]] action-adventure series of the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]] developed by [[Intelligent Systems]]. Four games have been released - three for home consoles, one for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] - and a fifth, for [[Wii U]], is due to be released in late 2016. The series has gone through three iterations so far: ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' are RPGs, ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' is a RPG-platformer hybrid, and ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' and ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'' are action-adventure games.

==Chronological overview==
===Main series===
====First iteration====
{| align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left" colspan="2"|Title 
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release and system
!width=85% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Synopsis 
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario]]
|-
|[[File:Papermario.PNG|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|Japan|August 10, 2000}} [[Nintendo 64]]</span>
|The series began in 2000 with ''[[Paper Mario]].'' This was the second Mario RPG to be made, the first being ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. This game was originally going to be called ''[[Super Mario RPG 2]]'', but the name was changed due to copyright issues with [[Square Enix]]. The game starts off with Mario receiving an invitation to [[Princess Peach's Castle]], but when he arrives the castle is lifted up into the sky. This was caused by [[Bowser]], who has stolen the legendary [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]], which can grant people's wishes. After being defeated, Mario must rescue the seven [[Star Spirits]] to be able to return to Bowser's Castle, recover the Star Rod and save Peach. The game was released on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in 2007 and the [[Wii U]]'s in 2015.
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]
|-
|[[File:PMTTYD.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 22, 2004}} [[Nintendo GameCube]]</span>
|Later, in 2004 ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' was released. Known as ''Paper Mario RPG'' in the Japanese territory, this game introduces the ''Paper Mario'' moniker in Japan. The antagonist is [[Sir Grodus]], the leader of the [[X-Naut]]s. The X-Nauts have kidnapped Peach, and Mario heads to the seaside town of [[Rogueport]] to rescue her by finding the [[Crystal Stars]]. The game is a role-playing game like its successor, and shares many of its gmeplay mechanics. Bowser makes his first playable appearance during platforming sequences.
|}

====Second iteration====
{| align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left" colspan="2"|Title 
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release and system
!width=85% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Synopsis 
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Super Paper Mario]]
|-
|[[File:SuperPaperMarioBoxart.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|USA|April 9, 2007}} [[Wii]]</span>
|The third installment in the series, ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', removes the turn-based system and becomes a platformer-RPG hybrid. Mario and Luigi go to [[Bowser's Castle]] to rescue Princess Peach, but learn [[Count Bleck]] is behind her disappearance, and soon Luigi, Bowser and the entire [[Koopa Troop]] get captured as well. Mario must travel to the town of [[Flipside]] with [[Tippi]] to recover the eight [[Pure Heart]]s and prevent the world's destruction. Alongside the new platforming format, a new mechanic is introduced: Mario can [[Flip]] between 2D and 3D, changing the perspective of the environment at any time. The game was released on the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2016. 
|}

====Third iteration====
{| align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left" colspan="2"|Title 
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release and system
!width=85% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Synopsis 
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''
|-
|[[File:Paper mario sticker star box-art.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|USA|November 11, 2012}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>
|The [[Paper Mario: Sticker Star|fourth installment]] of the series was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2012, making it the first handheld installment of the series. Unlike the previous title, the perspective is 3D again, but the game stops being a RPG and focuses on puzzle-solving and using [[Sticker (Paper Mario: Sticker Star)|stickers]] to attack. When Bowser accidentally destroys the [[Sticker Comet]], Mario goes on an adventure with [[Kersti]] to recover the six scattered [[Royal Stickers]], restore the [[Sticker Fest]] and rescue Princess Peach. Not being a RPG, this game removes elements of previous Paper Mario titles such as [[partners]] and [[Experience Point]]s.
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
|-
|[[File:PMCS Boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|USA|October 7, 2016}} [[Wii U]]</span>
|This fifth installment of the ''[[Paper Mario]]'' series was announced during the March 2016 Nintendo Direct. The game involves Mario using the Paint Hammer in order to color in colorless characters and level elements and progress through the story. This coloring feature is also implemented into battles, which appear to be quite similar in gameplay to ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''. The game is planned to be released for the [[Wii U]] at some point in 2016.
|}

===Crossover===
{| align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left" colspan="2"|Title 
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Cover, original release and system
!width=85% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Synopsis 
|-
!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''
|-
|[[File:Mario & Luigi - Paper Jam - NOA Boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{releasedate|Japan|December 3, 2015}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>
|The fifth release of the [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario & Luigi'' series]] crosses over with the ''Paper Mario'' series, and was originally released in late 2015. One day, Luigi stumbles upon a book containing the ''Paper Mario'' universe, and accidentally releases the ''Paper Mario'' versions of various characters from the book. Despite some arguments, the two Bowsers decide to team up, combine their [[Koopa Troop]] armies, and kidnap the two Peaches. Thus, the Mario Bros. team up with Paper Mario to rescue both versions of Princess Peach from Bowser and Paper Bowser.
|}
{{br}}

==Main characters==

{| align=center width=100% class="wikitable"
|-
!width=15% style="background-color: #d9d9d9;font-size:125%;text-align:left" colspan="3"|Character
|-
!width=10% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Image
!width=65% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|Brief Biography
!width=15% style="background-color: #e0e0e0;"|First Appearance
|-
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|Mario {{Anchor|Mario}}
|-
|[[File:Color Splash Mario (alone).png|center|145x145px]]
|[[Mario]] is the main hero of the series. He is often saving [[Princess Peach]] from [[Bowser]] using his trademark [[Jump]] and [[Hammer]], but also saves her from other villains in the series, such as [[Grodus]] and [[Count Bleck]]. 

In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', he recovers the seven [[Star Spirits]] to get the [[Star Rod (Paper Mario) |Star Rod]] back from [[Bowser]] after the villain steals it from [[Star Haven]] and lifts [[Peach's Castle]] in the sky alongside [[Bowser's Castle|his own castle]]. After meeting many partners along the way, he successfully rescues the Star Spirits and Princess Peach, retrieves the Star Rod and defeats Bowser and his army.

In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', Mario receives a letter from Peach telling she's found a treasure map at [[Rogueport]]. He then learns she has been kidnapped by the evil group of the [[X-Nauts]], who are after the seven [[Crystal Stars]] as well. Using the magic of the [[Magical Map]], Mario goes to find the Crystal Stars and Princess Peach, and meets new partners along his adventure. Mario obtains new powers and can turn into a paper plane, paper roll and paper boat. After many difficult battles, he destroys the [[Shadow Queen]]'s soul in the [[Shadow Palace]] and saves Peach again.

In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Mario finds himself thrown in an interdimensional adventure, in which, with the help of [[Tippi]], he must find the eight [[Pure Hearts]] to prevent [[Count Bleck]] from using the [[Chaos Heart]] to destroy all worlds. After being reunited with Peach, Bowser and Luigi and facing Count Bleck's minions, Mario successfully defeats [[Dimentio]] and foils the [[Dark Prognosticus]]' prophecies.

In ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', Mario must recover the six [[Royal Stickers]] to restore the wish-granting [[Sticker Comet]] after Bowser destroys it and kidnaps Princess Peach. With the help of [[Kersti]], he retrieves the [[Comet Piece]]s and [[Royal Stickers]] and defeats Bowser again.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|Princess Peach {{Anchor|Peach}}
|-
|[[File:PMCS - Princess Peach.png|center|150x150px]]
|[[Princess Peach]] is the damsel-in-distress of the series. She is the ruler of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and lives in [[Princess Peach's Castle|her castle]]. Though captured throughout the games, Peach still is not completely helpless, and does whatever she can to lend Mario her help. 

In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', Princess Peach holds a party at her castle but Bowser disturbs it by lifting her castle into the sky with his own, defeats Mario, and captures Peach and many of her guests. Peach remains sealed inside her own castle for the majority of the game, but with the help of [[Twink]] recovers information for Mario by sneaking past Bowser's guards. However, she becomes unable to help Mario after she gets taken to the top of the castle in preparation for Mario's arrival and battle with Bowser. During Mario and Bowser's confrontation, Peach wishes to the Star Spirits for Mario to get stronger, creating the [[Peach Beam]] and allowing for Bowser to lose his invincibility. She is eventually rescued by Mario and her castle is brought back to its righteous location.

In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', while on a stop to [[Rogueport]], Peach sneaks away from [[Toadsworth]] and finds a [[Magical Map]] being given to her by [[Beldam]]. She sends Mario the map by mail, but gets kidnapped by the the X-Nauts afterward and ends up being kept in [[X-Naut Fortress|their secret base]] on the [[Moon]]. Thanks to [[TEC-XX]], she is allowed to communicate with Mario and obtain information on [[Grodus]]' plans, but in compensation she must teach TEC what love is. Later on, she gets taken away from the Moon and into the [[Shadow Palace]], as she was being kept for the purpose of using her body to revive the [[Shadow Queen]]. After Mario defeats her in her possessed form, she returns to normal and leaves Rogueport with him, but eventually brings him on another treasure-hunting adventure after finding another map.

In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Princess Peach gets kidnapped by Count Bleck and forcefully married to Bowser so that the Chaos Heart may be created and destroy all worlds through the [[Void]]. She later manages to run away from [[Bleck Castle]] and joins Mario on his adventure to find the eight Pure Hearts and counter the Dark Prognosticus. After being reunited with Bowser and Luigi and fighting Count Bleck's minions (specifically [[Mimi]]), she defeats Dimentio and puts an end to the Chaos Heart.

In ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', Peach hosts the [[Sticker Fest]] but gets kidnapped by Bowser after a Royal Sticker falls on his head following the destruction of the Sticker Comet. She remains in [[Bowser's Sky Castle]], waiting for Mario to rescue her. After Mario solves this incident, she hosts the renewed Sticker Fest.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|Luigi {{Anchor|Luigi}}
|-
|[[File:Paper Luigi.png|center|145x145px]]
|[[Luigi]] is Mario's younger, less courageous brother. His role in the ''Paper Mario'' series tends to be minor and irrelevant to the storyline, zith the exception of ''Super Paper Mario''.

In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', Luigi goes to a party hosted by Princess Peach at her castle, but escapes when Bowser starts lifting the building into the sky. He spends the remaining of the game at [[Mario's House]], waiting for his brother to rescue Peach and writing his [[Luigi's Diary|secret diary]]. After the castle is brought back to the ground, Peach hosts another party and Luigi leads the following festival.

In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', Luigi goes on his own adventure that is documented in the [[Super Luigi series]]. After Mario leaves on an adventure to Rogueport, another letter is received at Mario's house, from [[Minister Crepe]] of the [[Waffle Kingdom]]. Luigi travels to the [[Waffle Kingdom]] to rescue [[Princess Eclair]] from the [[Chestnut King]], and meets many partners along the way to recovering the seven parts of the [[Marvelous Compass]] in hope to locate Eclair. As his travels bring him to many continents, he stops regularly at Rogueport and as such meets Mario and tells him his story. Ultimately, Luigi defeats either the Chestnut King or Minister Crepe depending on who tells the story, and brings peace back to the Waffle Kingdom.

In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Luigi gets kidnapped by Count Bleck as the Dark Prognosticus calls him the perfect host for the Chaos Heart. Luigi gets brainwashed into [[Mr. L]] and acts as an antagonist to Mario, Peach and Bowser and attacks them with his [[Brobot]]. However, Dimentio sends him to the [[Underwhere]], undoing his brainwashing and allowing him to join back Mario's party. It is revealed that Dimentio planted a seed in Luigi's mind along the way, turning him back into Mr. L for the final confrontation and merginng with him and the Chaos Heart to become [[Super Dimentio]]. Mario's party defeats Super Dimention, giving Luigi back his mind and appearance, and ultimately saving the world from being destroyed by the Chaos Heart.

In ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', Luigi is found in five locations, aimlessly adventuring around the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. Mario can make him leave using [[Paperization]], which will lead to a newspaper entry being written about Luigi's whereabouts.
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|Bowser {{Anchor|Bowser}}
|-
|[[File:SPMBowser.png|center|145x145px]]
|Bowser is Mario's main antagonist, with ambitions of world domination with Peach at his side. As the leader of the [[Koopa Troop]], he is a recurrent and formidable threat to the Musroom Kingdom, but does not wish for its destruction.

In ''Paper Mario'', Bowser and [[Kammy Koopa]] steal the [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]], a magical device that grants wishes, and imprison the seven [[Star Spirits]] who are supposed to protect it. Bowser also uses his castle to hijack [[Princess Peach's Castle]], with Peach still inside, and lifts the castle high into the sky. He wishes to become invincible and to beat Mario, but is eventually defeated thanks to the power of the Star Spirits and his castle explodes. 

In ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', Bowser learns that Peach has been kidnapped and that Mario is after Crystal Stars and leaves for Rogueport to rescue Peach and beat Mario to the punch at getting the Crystal Stars. With Kammy Koopa, Bowser travels through the lands surrounding Rogueport, but always falling behind Mario and the X-Nauts' progression, before accidentally finding his way to the [[Palace of Shadows]] and fighting Mario.

In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Bowser gets kidnapped by Count Bleck and married to Princess Peach to give birth to the Chaos Heart, which would destroy all worlds as the Dark Prognosticus foretells. Although he is pleased with the matter of becoming Peach's husband, disturbances during the marriage cause him to be sent to [[The Bitlands]] while most of his army remains in [[Bleck Castle]] and gets brainwashed into servitude. Although opposing Mario is usually Bowser's priority, not letting all worlds get destroyed is more important for him, or else he would have no territory to rule over in the first place, and this leads to him joining Mario and Peach in their adventure to recover the eight Pure Hearts. After facing many obstacles and fighting against his own troops as well as Count Bleck's commanders (notably [[O'Chunks]]), Bowser defeats Dimentio and prevents the world-ending prophecy from taking place.

In ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', on the night of the annual [[Sticker Fest]], Bowser shows up and touches the [[Sticker Comet]], causing it to explode and the [[Royal Stickers]] to get scattered over the Mushroom Kingdom. One of the Royal Stickers lands on Bowser, granting him strenght but also turning him insane and out of control. Bowser wrecks havoc on [[Decalburg]] and sends his troops to cause incidents throughout the Mushroom Kingdom after kidnapping Princess Peach. Although [[Kamek]] and [[Bowser Jr.]] are Mario's main opponents throughout his adventure, he eventually discovers the location of [[Bowser's Sky Castle]], defeats him, takes back the final Royal Sticker and rescues Peach. Bowser shows up again during the second attempt at celebrating the Sticker Fest and tries to touch the Sticker Comet again, but gets scolded by [[Kersti]].
|<center>''[[Paper Mario]]''</center>
|-
|}



==Trivia==
*The ''Paper Mario'' title itself is mentioned in several games. In the party at the end of ''Paper Mario'', a [[Bumpty]] mentions that [[Herringway]] is writing a novel called "Paper Mario". The same occurs in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' with the blue [[Toad (species)|Toad]] living in a house in the [[Rogueport]] west side, who also writes a Paper Mario novel based off Mario's adventures, which gets adapted into a play. 
**The novel written by Herringway is titled "Mario Story" in Japanese. In [[Luigi's Mansion]], [[Neville]] can be seen reading a book with the same title.

==References==
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[[de:Paper Mario-Serie]]

[[Category:Paper Mario Series|*]]
[[Category:Game series]]