Paper Mario-Like Adventures on Nintendo Switch

The remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door came out last year, and with that, it has ignited the love of many of the paper-thin aesthetic.

We’ve compiled a list of titles are about as close as you can get to the Paper Mario experience as you could wish for, whereas others borrow the aesthetic and throw the paper-style into a whole different genre.

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

We couldn’t begin this list without acknowledging Bug Fables. It looks like one of the closest matches you could ask for to get the Paper Mario experience. From the beautifully crisp aesthetic to the turn-based combat, with inspired quick-time-events. It’s arguably one of the best titles that borrows the Paper Mario style.

The game takes place in a small “continent” known as Bugaria, hidden away with foliage where insects from all over the world gather to search for the treasure scattered across it. The most sought-after relic is the titular “Everlasting Sapling”. Eating one of these leaves grants the lucky bug immortality. Three bugs set off on an arduous journey to find the coveted treasure, but there are obstacles, puzzles and enemies to beat in this platforming RPG adventure.

Soul Stalker

Soul Stalker takes a different approach, whereby it utilises the paper-aesthetic we all know and love, but the game plays as a survivor roguelike. The game is set in the main character’s town, where ghosts are running rampant and haunting the psych of the residents. Your job? Set out on the roguelike adventure and take them down!

Soul Stalker advertises itself as the “natural evolution” of the genre established by Vampire Survivors. Attacks are automated and you must forge the ultimate build to become unstoppable as you progress through the stages. Get as far as you can and unlock new weapons to make the next run even more victorious! Currently, Soul Stalker is only in early access, but it’s got the potential to be a hit!

Underhero

While it doesn’t quite stick to the paper aesthetic of the other titles in this list, Underhero comes close with its pixel-art style and is clearly inspired by the Paper Mario series. Underhero tells the story of a world where the “chosen one” has failed in their quest and an underling of the main villain takes their place as the new hero of the world.

The game features turn-based combat with a twist, where the are in fact no turns. You must use your reflected to evade, and your timing to attack or parry. The developer refers to it as “timing-based” combat. Underhero is an exciting sidecrolling RPG adventure, and one we’d love to tuck in to at some point.

The Outbound Ghost

Finally, we have The Outbound Ghost. Unfortunately, it does have mixed reviews, but some players do appear to enjoy this title as a Paper-Mario-like. In The Outbound Ghost, you help other ghosts ascend to the afterlife, as they are the embodiment of regret of the lost and wandering souls.

As you progress in the game, you unlock figments of the personality from your previous life, such as jealousy, regret and comradery and use them as party members as you battle your way through the literal ghost town. Take some consideration with this title and check the reviews, as there might be a little something for you in this title, despite its lower review score.

Of course, if you wanted something a bit closer to home, the original Paper Mario is also part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. It was introduced on the Nintendo 64 and set the path for the Paper Mario corner of the franchise.