Line #69 VideoGame/PaperMario


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5	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_papermario.png]]
6	[[caption-width-right:300:For anyone who ever tells you that Mario has a flat personality.]]
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9	(''For the first game in the series, see [[VideoGame/PaperMario64 here]])''
10
11	''Paper Mario'' is a MascotRPG SpinOff series of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' developed by Creator/IntelligentSystems (who also developed the ''VideoGame/NintendoWars'' series and ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' series) following the general idea of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' (its working title was ''Super Mario RPG 2''), but with an art-style where everyone is as thin and two-dimensional as paper (hence the name). [[VideoGame/PaperMario64 The original game]] debuted on the Platform/Nintendo64 in 2000, later being one of only ten games released for the system[[labelnote:note]]''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay, VideoGame/Bomberman64, VideoGame/DrMario 64, VideoGame/AnimalCrossing, VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater 2,'' and some others[[/labelnote]] in North America in 2001, a year that saw twice as many [=GameCube=] games released despite that system not debuting until November.
12
13	The series stands out among {{RPG}}s in a number of ways. They break up the static turn-based encounters of many Eastern [=RPGs=] with ActionCommands and the ability to hit enemies ([[PreExistingEncounters which exist on the screen before the battle starts]]) on the field for a "First Strike". The battle system is significantly simpler than the norm for [=RPGs=]. Mario is typically the only playable character in battle, though in certain games he is accompanied by one of his partners, who have limited abilities and options in comparison and are upgraded instead of levelling up normally. The functions in the code used to calculate damage are also much simpler, using addition and subtraction as the main operations for this purpose; for example, if you have an attack stat of seven, and the enemy has a defense stat of five, the enemy sustains two points of damage. There's also no "speed" stat which determines who goes first; Mario always goes first, then his partner (if he has one), then all the enemies in order from front to back before repeating. Main equipment is limited to Mario's weapons—his boots (for the jump attack) and hammer—which are automatically upgraded at certain points in the game (also adding new abilities for the overworld). Certain games also feature [[ThePinIsMightierThanTheSword Badges]], items that are equipped using Badge Points and have various effects on Mario or his partners. They give him new abilities, increase his offense or defense, give him an edge against certain enemies, change visuals or sound effects, or even put him at a disadvantage to make the game more challenging.
14
15	The first three games follow a similar formula. Each game is broken down into a prologue and eight chapters. In the first seven chapters, Mario and his gang of partners rescue seven mystical objects (much like those in ''Super Mario RPG''), which have the power to stop the bad guys. In the first two games, these stars also give Mario unique powers that require star energy that slowly regenerates in battle (both games feature ways to speed up the process, while the sequel ties it to the audience). Other standbys include the ability to cook items, entertaining [[GoldfishPoopGang recurring bosses]], and giving Peach a role of more than just a DamselInDistress: while she is taken captive by the bad guys in the first two games, she spies on them to help Mario. ''Super Paper Mario'', the third of these games, is the OddballInTheSeries for ''Paper Mario'', being an action platformer with RPGElements instead of a full RPG, though it shares tone and formula with its predecessors.
16
17	The fourth game, ''Sticker Star'', started a large-scale upheaval of the series; it and its sequels are part of a different story continuity that doesn't reference the first three games often. To make ''Paper Mario'' fit better with the main ''Super Mario Bros.'' universe, most original characters and designs were dropped in favor of using unmodified enemies and characters from the main series, save for one or two new faces per game. Mario is now only accompanied by a power-granting ExpositionFairy and an occasional temporary partner. Battles are simpler: Mario no longer has Flower Points (the series' equivalent to {{Mana}}) and instead uses consumable items to perform stronger attacks, and experience/levelling up is replaced with gaining more coins and items from fights. Since battles are less involved, the games are focused on puzzle-solving and overworld exploration. ''Sticker Star'' and beyond lean much heavier into the diorama-based aesthetic of the series, adding in arts-and-crafts mechanics and visual gags.
18
19	The whole series is known for its witty dialogue and writing, giving many comedic moments of LeaningOnTheFourthWall and SelfParody and surprisingly dark and dramatic moments, particularly in the second, third and sixth games.
20
21	The series consists of:
22
23	[[index]]
24	* 2000 - ''[[VideoGame/PaperMario64 Paper Mario]]'' (original)
25	* 2004 - ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''
26	** 2024 - ''Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door'' (remake)
27	* 2007 - ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario''
28	* 2012 - ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar''
29	* 2016 - ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash''
30	* 2020 - ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing''
31	[[/index]]
32
33	See also ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam'' (2015), a {{Crossover}} with the ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' series.
34	----
35	!!The ''Paper Mario'' series provides examples of:
36	* AbilityRequiredToProceed: A staple in the series, Mario would need new partners or equipment upgrades to get through whatever obstacle is blocking him.
37	* ActionCommands: Integral to dealing as much damage as possible to enemies or getting the most benefits from status-buffing special moves.
38	* ActuallyFourMooks: Careful, that single Koopatrol you just First Strike'd may turn out to be 3 Koopatrol...with a Magikoopa, for good measure. And just because there's one sole Koopatrol doesn't mean more can't appear.
39	* AntiGrinding: The first game prevented you from getting star points (experience) from defeating enemies that are too weak for your level. The second game did the same, but always awarded at least one star point in any battle (it takes one-hundred to level up).
40	* BadassNormal: Most partners aren't that much special when compared to their own species, yet they're capable of keeping up with Mario when it comes to battles.
41	* BetterThanABareBulb: Much of the humor derives from poking fun at Mario series and other video game conventions.
42	* BlindIdiotTranslation: A lot of goofs occurred in translation in the first three games such as [=TTYD=] calling Crystal Palace from the first game "Goomstar Palace" in Koopook's email to Koops and [=SPM=] calling Clefts Moon Clefts despite them not being found on the Moon.
43	* BlockingStopsAllDamage:
44	** You can Super Guard against almost anything that causes damage in battle, regardless of whether that means physical attacks, projectiles, lightning strikes, falling walls, fire or explosions. All with no harm done to Mario.
45	** Of course, Super Guards have much smaller windows than normal guards (which usually just reduce damage by one), so a successful Super Guard is basically a mechanics-based Crowning Moment of Awesome. A Simplifier increases the window to just smaller than a Guard.
46	* CallAHitPointASmeerp: Heart Points instead of Hit Points, Flower Points instead of Magic Points, and Star Points instead of Experience Points.
47	* CastOfSnowflakes: Even {{NPC}}s that look identical have completely different descriptions for Goombario/Goombella's Tattle ability.
48	* CharacterDevelopment: Surprising for a Mario game, but both Twink in 64 and TEC in TTYD grow as characters during (and because of) their experiences with Peach.
49	* ChickMagnet: These games seem to make Mario the most attractive man around. Most of his female partners give him at least one kiss before becoming his partner. Ms. Mowz in TTYD takes this to the extreme- Mario encounters her several times before she becomes his partner, and she gives him a kiss ''each and every one of those times'' (which his other female partners do NOT take kindly to!).
50	* ColourCodedForYourConvenience: Peaceful Koopas are almost all wearing green shells and have visible eyes, while the Bowser-affiliated Koopas all have red shells, SinisterShades ([[SunglassesAtNight even in dark, poorly-lit fortresses]]), and [[SpikesOfVillainy studded bling in Bowser's style]]. The Shades n' Studs style generally indicates villainy in Koopas, with the [[SubvertedTrope lone exception]] of KP Koopa and his crew from the Glitz Pit (who [[JustifiedTrope has the excuse]] of deliberately looking tough for the hyped fighting matches). In ''Super'', red Koopas are the ones brainwashed to follow under Count Bleck, although the green ones that appear in Chapter 3 are still enemies because they are fighting under Bowser's orders. Starting with ''Sticker Star'', enemy Koopas use the green default design, with red Koopas usually being Paratroopas.
51	* CookingMechanics: From the first game to Super, each game has a cook who can combine items together to make more complex things like spaghetti, soup, and cakes (or even non-food items such as Dizzy Dials and Sleepy Sheep).
52	* CranialEruption: There is a recurring species in the series called the Whacka, a little blue mammal who pops his head out of the ground as you pass him by to talk about how TheWorldIsJustAwesome. Like any good whack-a-mole {{Pun}}, his name might induce you to take a swing at him with a hammer; do it and he'll have a Cranial Eruption so big it actually falls off his head. The Whacka's Bump is one of the best healing items around, so good that there are only limited quantities of them, and you have to get each one [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential by smashing in the Whacka's head]]. If you choose to talk to him, his dialogue from cheerfully talking about what a wonderful day he's having to complaining about headaches and memory loss, and eventually he [[PermanentlyMissableContent won't come back]]. The game does not approve of your choice, YouBastard, even if you have to cook the Bumps in recipes for HundredPercentCompletion.
53	* DarkerAndEdgier: The second and third games have both been darker than their respective predecessors. ''Sticker Star'' and ''Color Splash'' reverse this trend. And then ''Origami King'' reverses it back into a darker and more emotional story. Thanks to the game's art style, ''Origami King'' gets away with plenty of BodyHorror as well.
54	* DenserAndWackier: The series' tone lightened up considerably with ''Sticker Star'' and ''Color Splash'', partly due to the introduction of sillier [[ExpositionFairy partner characters]], real-world objects that can be slung onto walls to turn into stickers and have their colors squeezed out for paint, which can be used for attacks, and more humorous dialogue.
55	* DerivativeDifferentiation: These games are decidedly less similar to ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' than their Square-produced predecessor, ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''.
56	* DroughtLevelOfDoom:
57	** Some portions of ''Paper Mario'' can delve into this because of the importance of certain items and the limited carrying capacity, particularly in longer dungeons.
58	** Averted by the game's "Pit of 100 Trials." One of the games looks like it's going to be a chore. No resurfacing to restock on items for 100 levels... until you start in and realize [[RandomlyDrops enemy drops]] practically fall out of trees and you can pretty much subsist on what they drop, saving all your items for the boss at the end.
59	** Even in the [=GameCube=] one, you can trade Star Pieces for badges that let you increase enemy drops.
60	* EarlyBirdCameo:
61	** In the first game, Parakarry is shown delivering a letter to the Mario Bros. and he can be seen in the post office when Mario first arrives in Toad Town, but doesn't join the party until chapter 2.
62	** In the second game, Vivian is fought in chapter 2, but doesn't join Mario until chapter 4. Also, when Mario gains the paper tube ability, he can enter Bobbery's house. Flavio can also be seen in Rogueport's Inn at the beginning of the game but doesn't play an important role until chapter 5.
63	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the first three games, [[DemBones Dry Bones]] and [[UndergroundMonkey their derivatives]] have a crippling weakness to [[KillItWithFire fire]], something which flies in the face of the mainline ''Mario'' series where (with the exception of ''VideoGame/SuperPrincessPeach'') they're [[NoSell completely immune to it]]. Starting with ''Sticker Star'', this weakness is dropped.
64	* EasyLevelsHardBosses: Many areas in the first two games are often straightforward, having relatively easy enemies and puzzles with the occasional tough one. The boss fights, on the other hand are usually the most challenging parts in the games, as they often require more complex strategies to be won. ''Super Paper Mario'' [[HardLevelsEasyBosses inverts this,]] as unlike the other games, the enemies and bosses are often very easy to defeat, while the levels' layouts can often be confusing due to the game's Flip mechanic, along with some difficult puzzles by the way. ''Sticker Star'' can be a subversion, as most of the "strategy" comes from learning the bosses' weaknesses.
65	* EndangeredSpecies: Throughout the first 3 games, there exists a creature known as a Whacka, which his species is heavily implied in the series' lore to having been poached into near-extinction because the Whacka's bumps they drop are extremely valuable healing items in battle. Russ T. even speculates that the Whacka you meet at Mt. Rugged is TheLastOfHisKind, assuming that the Whackas found in ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''[='s=] Keelhaul Key and ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario''[='s=] Downtown of Crag aren't different members of the species. Unfortunately, VideoGameCrueltyPotential is rife in the early Paper Mario games and you can actually accelerate their extinction by whacking them for Whacka's bumps as well.
66	* EscapeBattleTechnique: The game featured a "Run Away" option outside of most scripted fights, though it had a good chance of failing and cost coins (albeit coins that could be picked up afterward).
67	* FightingYourFriend: The final bosses of ''The Thousand Year Door'' and ''Super Paper Mario'' [[spoiler:both force Mario into a fight to the death with Peach and Luigi respectively, the two of them being people Mario loves (of course, being this is a family friendly video game series we're talking about, neither one ''actually'' dies)]].
68	* {{Flanderization}}: The very aesthetic gets this treatment in ''Sticker Star''. In the first three games, it was mostly an aesthetic choice, the design resembling more of drawings in a storybook than paper figurines (with Thousand Year Door taking advantage of it with the "curses"). In ''Sticker Star'', the very characters acknowledge they're made of paper, and it's mentioned very often, something that the previous games never did. The environment also becomes more paper-like and looking more like diorama pieces following this change.
69	* FlippingHelpless: Several enemies can be flipped on their backs, which reduces their defense to zero. The most common are the Koopas and their extended family, but other enemy trees include Clefts, Spinies, and Buzzy Beetles, some of which require a Pow Block or Quake Smash to flip. Shady Koopas are actually an inversion, since they become ''more powerful'' while flipped on their backs.
70	* FormulaBreakingEpisode: Chapter 6 (except for Sticker Star and Origami King, which are divided into five segments and a endgame) seems to always stand out from the others in some way. The first game had it take place in a world that is separated from the Mushroom Kingdom. The second games' Chapter 6 took place on a [[LocomotiveLevel train]] where various mysteries had to be solved. The third game's Chapter 6 took place in a world where you have to fight through 100 opponents one at a time to complete it. [[spoiler:But that was cut short by an ApocalypseWow.]] In Color Splash, one of the areas is a shout-out to VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3
71	* FranchiseCodifier: The sub-series of ''Mario'' [=RPGs=] started with ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', but it was ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'' (which started life as a ''Super Mario RPG'' sequel) that set the standard for later games. Action commands were put front and center in battle (with special attacks being structured like mini-games), self-awareness became an overt focus rather than the subject of brief asides, and Luigi started to become a more independent character from Mario, having a more distinct personality and displaying vices that his brother typically lacks. While the RPG games would split off between ''Paper Mario'' and ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'', both would carry on from the template that this game established.
72	* GenreShift: The first three entries of the series largely followed a "storybook" aesthetic, where while the characters were flat upon a three-dimensional space and had abilities that utilized this nature, it wasn't called attention to. The succeeding entires shifted over to a "scrapbook" aesthetic, which resulted in the scenery taking on a much more [[SceneryPorn creative and stylized approach]], but openly highlights the paper nature of the world in-universe.
73	* GoingThroughTheMotions: It soon becomes obvious that everyone's animations are rather limited. For example, every time Mario strikes up a conversation, he thrusts his arm out as if saluting the person he's addressing.
74	* GoombaStomp: One of Mario's two main attacks in the series, the other being a hammer.
75	* GroundPound: An unlockable ability in each game, though in the first and second games, it's called a Spin Jump.
76	* GroundPunch: The Quake Hammer move consists of Mario smashing the ground with his hammer [[DishingOutDirt hard enough to shake the entire stage.]]
77	* HubWorld: All games except the fourth and fifth have one that connects to each world in each game. ''Sticker Star'' and ''Color Splash'' use a world map instead, though even they have central hubs in Decalburg and Port Prisma, respectively.
78	* HubUnderAttack:
79	** In ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'', Toad Town is a harmless area with a shop and a free health-restoring Toad House. When Mario returns after chapter 3, it's being ransacked by Shy Guys, and many of the town's residents have had items stolen from them. While adventuring in Shy Guy's Toy Box, the main focus of the chapter, Mario collects the stolen items and can return them to their owners.
80	** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' starts with Bowser's troops invading Decalburg, crumpling up Toads, completely rolling up the town, and demolishing the Sticker Fest grounds. Once Mario rescues the Toads, they help unroll Decalburg and restore the town. The sticker shop and Sling-a-Thing stands then open up. However, the Sticker Fest grounds are still a wreck, and if Mario goes back to them after recovering a Royal Sticker, they're slowly cleaned up and repaired until it's all better by the end of the game.
81	** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash'': Port Prisma, which turns out to be the game's hub world, is completely abandoned during Mario, Peach, and Toad's first visit. They soon meet Huey, a paint bucket, who helps Mario restore uncolored spots around the town. They venture to collect a Mini Paint Star, fighting off enemies and restoring colorless Toads (one of which grants access to the shop), and get access to Ruddy Road. At the Crimson Tower, Mario finds a bridge builder Toad, and once he is rescued, he fixes a bridge in Port Prisma, which grants Mario access to a cafe and a post office.
82	** In ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing'', during Mario's first visit to Toad Town, there are giant Goombas roaming around and eating pieces of the landscape. Many buildings are closed off and the music is slightly ominous and unnerving. Once Mario defeats the Goombas, the music changes to a happier arrangement of the title theme, and he can get access to the shops and services by rescuing Toads around the world; it'll go completely back to normal around one third into the game.
83	* HurtFootHop: When you attempt to jump on a spiked enemy without the Spike Shield badge, Mario will hop while clutching his foot.
84	* IdleAnimation: The characters tend to nod off if you leave the controls unattended for a few minutes.
85	* {{Irony}}: Throughout the series (even in Super if you count a variant only found on Level 89 of the Flipside Pit of 100 Trials), Goombas' primary method of attacking you is essentially [[GoombaStomp jumping on you]]. Your Goomba partners in the first two games even use the same Action Command for it that Mario uses for his jump attack.
86	* ItemAmplifier: In the first and second game, the Badges "Double Dip" and "Triple Dip" allow Mario to use 2 items or 3 items per turn, respectively.
87	* LaterInstallmentWeirdness: In the first three games, the "paper" aspect is mostly an art style that has little bearing on the plot. A few mechanics revolve around Mario's flat body, but these are explicitly described as unnatural and weird. Starting with ''Sticker Star'', the characters are aware that they are made of paper, frequently mention and lampshade it, and paper-themed jokes are constantly made in both dialogue and gameplay.
88	* LimitBreak: The first and second games give Mario these kinds of moves called "special moves" which are powered by Star Power and are unlocked over the course of the game.
89	* MagneticHero: Mario, who attracts many partners over the course of the first three games. He also gets Kersti on his side in ''Sticker Star'', Huey in ''Color Splash'', and Olivia in ''The Origami King''.
90	* ManaPotion: Syrups and Jammin' Jelly restore Flower Points.
91	* MascotRPG: Its use of ActionCommands carries over from the main series, demonstrating that common trend of spin-off games in this genre deriving gameplay mechanics from their parent series.
92	* MonsterOfTheWeek: Each chapter of every game has Mario going against whoever is in possession of the [=MacGuffin=] for the respective level.
93	* MythologyGag: Each game's first chapter occurs in a grassland and in every game except ''Super Paper Mario'', the first boss is fought in a castle or fortress. (You know, just like the original ''Super Mario Bros.'').
94	* NeverSayDie: Played straight when Klevar says "Huff N. Puff is '''gone'''", but subverted when Mayor Penguin's wife finds him laying motionless and outright says "My husband is dead! He's been murdered!" [[spoiler:Although, Mayor Penguin turns out to not really be dead.]]
95	* NoFourthWall: Listing the number of ways the fourth wall is broken would take too long.
96	* NoHeroDiscount: In this game and all the sequels. Mario's a worldwide hero needed to save the kingdom/world/multiverse/whatever and he still needs to pay for inns, items, and fortunetelling. At least Mario doesn't pay for inns in the first game, but considering Mario's more famous in the Mushroom Kingdom than in Rogueport or Flipside, it's not quite enough slack.
97	* NonStandardGameOver: Every game has a unique game over. The second game had reading the ghost diary on the train and [[spoiler:a DealWithTheDevil, if you accept the Shadow Queen's offer]], and the third has the beginning dialogue options ''before you even start the game'', and another [[spoiler:if you accept Dimentio's offer.]] The fourth is the first to break the tradition.
98	* OptionalCharacterScene: The first three games gives every party member a set of dialogue for any event they're taking part in. This format was dropped in all subsequent titles since ''Sticker Star''.
99	* ParallelConflictSequence: The FinalBattle consists of Mario and his partners facing-off against Bowser while Peach and Twink briefly fight Kammy Koopa.
100	* ThePinIsMightierThanTheSword: Badges, which enhance Mario's (and his partners') abilities.
101	* PowersAsPrograms: The badge system. Each one has an effect you can get simply by wearing it, with abilities ranging from allowing you to stomp [[TheSpiny spiked enemies]] without getting hit, to making you get more Star Power when you Appeal, to letting you use two or three items in one turn, to more silly things like [[AndYourRewardIsClothes changing your outfit to resemble Luigi, Wario, or Waluigi]].
102	* PutOnABus: Following the different approach of the series starting with ''Sticker Star'', not only are unique characters gone - so were various ''Paper Mario'' exclusive Koopa Troop minions, including the Koopatrol (who also happened to appear in two unrelated ''Mario'' spin-off titles), Cleft, Clubba, and Ruff Puffs. ''Yoshi's Island''-related enemies that weren't Shy Guys and Snifits stopped appearing afterwards as well.
103	* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: Mario puts one together in the first two games, accepting a bunch of complete strangers of all races during his travels. The third game has him gather Peach, Bowser, Luigi, and a group of connected beings who somewhat qualify as this. The fourth game averts this; it's just Mario and Kersti all the way through.
104	* RecurringBoss: Most games have bosses fought multiple times throughout gameplay, such as Jr. Troopa in ''64'', Count Bleck's minions in ''Super'', and Kamek as well as Bowser Jr. in ''Sticker Star''.
105	* RecurringElement:
106	** Every game prior to ''Color Splash'' has an appearance from or reference to Parakarry, the mail-delivering Paratroopa from the first game.
107	** Every game except ''Color Splash'' has at least one boss fight with a [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever giant Blooper]].
108	** All six games have a section where the player participates in a game show; the first has the 64th Trivia Quiz-Off in the chapter 5 Peach intermission as well as Chuck Quizmo's optional quizzes, ''TTYD'' has the 65th Super Fun Quirk Quiz and 66th Annual Quirk Quiz, ''SPM'' has the 66th Annual "That's My Merlee!" show, ''SS'' and ''CS'' have Snifit or Whiffit, and ''TOK'' has Shy Guys Finish Last.
109	* RuleOfSeven: The number of {{Plot Coupon}}s in the first and second games. In ''Super Paper Mario'' there are eight, but you get the first one before gaining control and have to track down the other seven.
110	* RunningGag: In each game, a character delivers an incredibly long story that has Mario falling asleep to it.
111	* SceneryPorn: Each game has it, getting better as the series progresses.
112	* SequelEscalation:
113	** The first game involved saving the Mushroom Kingdom. The second game involved a Princess Peach kidnapping that led to Mario taking on a secret society [[spoiler:and then saving the world from the demon they meant to unleash]]. The third game involved saving TheMultiverse from an OmnicidalManiac and his ArtifactOfDoom, as explained ''in the very opening moments of the game''. The fourth game, however, brought it back to saving the Mushroom Kingdom.
114	** The amount of coins to collect seem to escalate with every game going forward, as if the franchise is going through its own form of inflation. There's no way to sell badges in ''Paper Mario 64'', while it is possible to sell them in ''The Thousand Year Door''. ''Super Paper Mario'' has many money making exploits in cooking and card catching, making it possible to rack up gold bars without much effort. Come ''The Origami King'', coins are extremely commonplace, with no coin cap, breaching the three digit figures in the ''prologue'', and coins being used in battle as a means of assistance in solving rotation puzzles. The prices of accessories has also been jacked up accordingly.
115	** The same could be said about maximum HP; Mario had to decide whether to boost that stat, FP, or BP in the first two games, ''Super'' had it grow automatically upon level ups, and ''Sticker Star'' going forward would have Mario start off with a greater cap that would only get larger (but there would be obstacles and enemies that deal more damage to compensate).
116	* SkyBox: The only objects that are actually 2D are the items and the sky, the rest are rendered on flat polygons.
117	* SizableSnowflakes: Every game featuring snowy regions feature these.
118	* SmartAnimalAverageHuman: The Paper Mario games usually have one wise and all-knowing creature that teams up with the human Mario. There's [[VideoGame/PaperMario64 Goombario]], [[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor Goombella]], and [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario Tippi]]/[[spoiler:Tiptron]].
119	* StorybookOpening: All four games so far have opened this way, each of them telling the {{Backstory}} of important places or objects in the game. ''Sticker Star'' takes it up to eleven, where the storybook continues after each boss. Interestingly enough, [[spoiler:the section after the fourth boss is narrated by the boss posthumously. It's unknown whether or not he narrated the rest of the book, though.]]
120	* {{Studiopolis }}: ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' have the battles take place on a theatre stage, complete with an audience of Goombas and Koopas watching and cheering Mario on during the "performance."
121	* SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity: If a dungeon ever contains a save block and a healing block (or item) right next to each other, and it's NOT the very beginning of a dungeon, it's a good chance the next room will contain the boss. Subverted in the second game as it has multiple save blocks before a boss.
122	* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Almost all of the partners from ''The Thousand Year Door'' are rehashes of the gang from the original with improved abilities and more complex character designs. Goombella, Koops, and Bobbery are direct stand-ins for Goombario, Kooper, and Bombette, while the other members offer either similar powers (Vivian replicates Lady Bow's invisibility) or ability re-combinations (the Yoshi hatchling mixes a weaker version of Lakilester's PowerUpMount abilities with Parakarry's gap-crossing abilities).
123	* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: In games where Mario has partners, many of them are tailor-made to work with specific obstacles or environments. Depending on who you choose to bring with you in a boss battle, it may be easy or hard.
124	** The gap-crossing characters, Parakarry and the Yoshi hatchling, need gaps to cross. Their games compensate for this limited use by giving Parakarry a subquest of delivering letters and making Yoshi a PowerUpMount that can boost Mario's speed in the field.
125	** Bow and Vivian make Mario invisible, which has limited gameplay uses, unless you're trying to evade enemies in a particularly complicated way.
126	** Sushie in the first game has no use except to allow Mario to swim by entering the water at specific docks and to be especially powerful against fire enemies (she joins the heroes right before they enter a volcano). Bombette is a subverted example, since while she can only explode, that explosion also doubles as an attack.
127	** Madame Flurrie from ''The Thousand-Year Door'' can use her wind powers to reveal certain secrets and make enemies dizzy.
128	** The Pixls from ''Super Paper Mario'' are all about this. They're literally living tools for performing specific tasks. Several of them replicate specific ''Thousand Year Door'' abilities, such as Slim replacing Mario's paperizing to fit through slim spaces or Fleep providing Madame Flurrie's powers.
129	*** Dottie's job is to make the characters small, allowing them to fit through tiny spaces and little red doors.
130	*** Piccolo's job is to heal status ailments and destroy certain specific obstacles. (She can also [[EasterEgg put the Underchomp to sleep]]).
131	* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: In most games, Mario gets a badge that allows him to toss his hammer at enemies. It's a go-to early on for enemies that are spiky (therefore immune to a GoombaStomp if you don't have the Spike Shield badge) ''and'' can fly (so can't be reached with the hammer in melee) before more powerful attacks are made available.
132	* ToiletTeleportation: Mario can use toilets as a means of warping around. This is necessary at one point in ''The Thousand-Year Door'' where Mario is chased into a restroom and needs to send himself down the toilet.
133	* UniformityException: All the party members who are members of the various mook races Mario usually encounters on his adventures (or, in one case, a baby Yoshi) all have some sort of iconic feature that'll allow one to tell who they are, like Goombario's blue hat, Goombella's AdventurerArchaeologist apparel (and the fact that she's pink), Watt's dummy, Bombette's ponytail-like fuse, Yoshi's underwear, etc.
134	* WeCannotGoOnWithoutYou: If Mario (or whichever team member you happen to be playing as in the case of ''Super'') falls in battle, the game ends. If any of the partners fall, it doesn't, and they can be revived afterwards or during battle. However, all damage will go towards Mario and if there are Life Shrooms they will be used on your partner first.
135	* YouDontLookLikeYou: Justified example. As Old Wonky explains in the second game, Chet Rippo and the "Merl" family change drastically in appearance between games because they are actually different people who are assigned names according to their roles.

Context VideoGame / PaperMario