History Awesome / PaperMario

** To quote Bowser when you finally defeat him
---> ''Bowser:'' Mario defeated me... again... He always defeats me. This time I became invincible! [[BeyoneTheImpossible And I STILL couldn't beat him!]]

* Seeing Dry Dry Ruins come out of the ground for the first time is an amazing ccutscene with a music track that plays there and nowhere else.

* Defeating the not-so invincible Tubba Blubba and freeing the Boos.

* Seeing Dry Dry Ruins come out of the ground for the first time.

* Defeating Tubba Blubba and freeing the Boos.
* If you don't use Watt in the room right before General Guy, Shy Guys will swarm you and slap Mario around.
* Everything about General Guy; he made an awesome, fun boss with great music.

* Misstar saving the party from the erupting volcano.
* Helping the Sun rise in Flower Fields.

* Then there's [[TheDragon Kammy Koopa]] being defeated by [[spoiler: ''Twink'']].
* During the last chapter's first cutscene, the game hands us one. [[spoiler:After [[TheDragon Kammy Koopa]] tells [[BigBad Bowser]] that [[TheHero Mario]] has saved all of the Star Spirits, he ties up Princess Peach and decides to kill Mario himself. Twink of all people jumps in to try and save Peach by attacking the [[EliteMooks Koopatrol]].]] Sure, it doesn't work any better than Kolorado and the Lava Piranha, but again, at least he tries.
* In the not-quite-Final Battle, Bowser has made himself invincible by using the Star Rod, but Mario undoes the invincibility by using the Star Beam, a power granted to him by the Star Spirits he rescued in the game. When Bowser's taken enough damage, he flees. In the ''final'' Final Battle with Bowser, you're on a special energy-booster platform -- the platform's energy boost, combined with the Star Rod, makes [[spoiler:the Star Beam fail to work]]! At this point, Princess Peach (along with just about everybody in the Kingdom) makes a wish for Mario to win, giving just enough power to the Star Spirits to help Mario take down Bowser once and for all.
--> Star Beam has been upgraded! It's now [[spoiler:[[EleventhHourSuperPower Peach Beam]]]]! [[spoiler:[[BringIt Mario can now use Peach Beam]]!]]
* Another villainous one by Kammy: she's very cunning all throughout the game, which includes not trusting Peach's answers when Bowser questions her about Mario's weaknesses and seeing through Peach's clever disguise late in the game. On top of all that, [[spoiler:she subverts a major villain cliche by preparing a secret weapon for Mario's arrival, even saying, "Do you really think we were foolish enough to just sit back and watch as you save the Star Spirits?"]]
* Watt and Lakilester can actually [[spoiler:hurt [=StarRod!Bowser=] for 1 HP. NotSoInvincibleAfterAll?]]

* Defeating The Master at full power in the first game. The CrowningMusicOfAwesome that accompanies it makes it even better.

[[AC:Paper Mario: Color Splash]]
* A villainous one for a team of Shy Guys; after you coerce a Shy Guy to repaint the Mini Paint Star on Ruddy Road, he and his cohorts ''roll up the entire level'' in an attempt to kill you.
* Justice Toad proves himself useful when he spontaneously grows a key out of his head and uses it to help you get a Mini Paint Star.
* The blue Toad who wants to sail to the edge of the world becomes an awesome surfboarder when you use the Fan Thing to help him get back to shore.
* A Soggy Shy Guy is bullied for not being part of the crowd, but determines to be himself and stay a single-layer Shy Guy of awesomeness. He also thanks Mario for saving him from the waterwheel.
* Getting through Iggy's coliseum trap is awesome, especially if you use a Super Star.
* For those who like the fighting in this game, the Koopaling battles do not disappoint. Not only do they have awesome backing music, but their attacks are very unique. Even after using the correct Thing, most of them still manage to give it their all. One truly remembers the climactic feel of boss battles past when fighting the Koopalings.
* For a Toad, the Sunset Express's conductor proves [[LetsGetDangerous quite awesome when serious]] during the train level. Instead of just standing around in panic like the rest of the Toads when Larry hijacks his train, the conductor grabs a handcar with Mario and takes chase. Then during the boss fight, he joins in to chase off the Shy Guy who keeps healing Larry through the smokestack. Even Larry himself remarks on how courageous this is for a Toad.
* Roy went to night school and fights smart, stealing Mario's paint before he can even attack, using it against him to hinder his actions, then covering the screen in black paint.
* After all the Big Paint Stars are saved, Mario tries to reach Bowser's castle, but the rainbow to get there is too steep to climb. Who comes to the rescue? [[spoiler:Luigi, in a powered-up Kart complete with the infamous death stare]].
* The entire raid on Black Bowser's castle. After Mario falls through a trap door, he fights off Roy, then poses as a bucket-carrying Shy Guy on an assembly line to sneak into where they're making bombs. He sets off giant Bob-Ombs with smaller ones, destroying the blank paint tank, but also making the paint chase him by rising and flowing down a hallway. When that's done, he returns to where he fell to face off with Bowser once and for all. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir2GqdUfPHk music]] and [[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAADAAB2V0fMFjaJYg scenery]] really make the whole thing.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Paper Mario]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]
* Bowser defeats Mario so thoroughly at the start that he's folded and crumpled up when Kersti finds him.
* One Toad at the beginning of the game is hiding behind a bush waiting to ambush Bowser.
* Bowser Jr. uses paperization to wad up a bridge Mario needs to cross, then throws it to the top of a cliff that can only be reached from the other side of the bridge. A bunch of Toads save the day by stacking together to form a staircase.
* Any time Mario warps reality with the power of Stickers, Paperization, and Things.
* At the end of World 1, a team of Goombas show resourcefulness with their papery bodies and group together as the boss. Suddenly they're a NotSoHarmlessVillain.
* Goombas and Koopas have skills to back up their words this time around, and gleefully mock Mario as they show off their sticker power.
* Restoring the oasis with the Faucet in World 2.
* The unveiling of Drybake Tower in World 2.
* Wiggler swimming across a poisoned ocean to get Mario and Kersti to the island.
* The boss of World 3, [[spoiler: Gooper Blooper]], getting HoistByHisOwnPetard, should the player use the proper Thing sticker ([[spoiler:sponge]]). Mario gets an [[AwesomeMusic/PaperMario awesome]] ThemeMusicPowerUp and the boss won't be able to hit him. Kind of cathartic after all the problems the boss has caused for the forest.
* The final boss battle. [[spoiler: Bowser]] just keeps throwing wave after wave at you, culminating in the prerequisite OneWingedAngel. All of this even more awesome by getting a ThemeMusicPowerUp at the end, thanks to [[spoiler: Kersti's sacrifice]], and going to town on the boss.
** The only way to potentially make it more awesome is to [[SelfImposedChallenge skip the power up]] and go [[DeathOfAThousandCuts Thousand Cuts]] on the Boss' final form instead.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Paper Mario: Color Splash]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door]]
* Hooktail being a stupefying WakeUpCallBoss. With or without her weakness figured out, once you've got her on the ropes, she'll try to trick you into letting her go. Deny her attempts again and again, and she'll settle for a last resort -- ''eating the audience''. In one fell swoop, Hooktail is back, ready for more, you've lost a huge advantage, and your understanding of how the game is going to work is ''lying in pieces on the floor.''
* The Glitzville chapter. Battle tournaments, screaming fans, and a super-creepy mystery? Badass.
** Not to mention getting to name a BadassAdorable Yoshi, and if you know the "waiting how many minutes" trick before running from a HopelessBossFight, you can also get the color you want the Yoshi to be as well.
** During Mario's stint in the Glitz Pit, the Goomba Bros. welcome him by cheating and jumping Mario and his partner with a First Strike. Now, [[TheGoomba they're obviously doomed]] to [[CheatersNeverProsper a quick and painful punishment]], and at this point Mario and company will have the power and tools to waste them in one turn, but why waste an EstablishingCharacterMoment? This moment can be made even better by simply guarding and completely {{No Sell}}ing their sneak attack. The most delicious version is, of course, if you ''superguard'' the poor bastard. Step aside, punks, ''the Great Gonzales has come to town''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaimuSZ4_GQ The climax of Keelhaul Key.]] [[spoiler: Two [[CoolBoat awesome sailing ships]], one the [[AnachronismStew high-tech]] [[SpikesOfVillainy spike covered]] X-Naut ship, the other a [[AfterlifeExpress haunted]] [[GhostPirate pirate ship]] commanded by [[DefeatMeansFriendship the boss you just beat]], face off in the bay and launch a full-on boarding battle, culminating in a boss fight against [[RecurringBoss Lord Crump]] and [[FlunkyBoss his minions in attack formations]].]] Now ''that'' is how you finish a chapter!
--> '''Lord Crump''': [[{{EvilLaugh}} Buh! Buh! Buh-huh-huh!]] I got ammo to spare! How's THAT for "boom-bassa-boom"?!
--> [[spoiler:'''Cortez''': You fire cannons here... Without my permission? You have nerve, mortal! ''*cue epic BigDamnHeroes as the ship bursts through the side of a cliff*'']]
--> '''Lord Crump''': '''[[{{OhCrap}} WHAT THE...]]'''
** [[spoiler: Even more awesome in that the entire crew Mario and co. sailed with joins in the ship battle, and so do all the stragglers that you rescued, including Francesca and Frankie, an innocent newlywed couple!]]
** Just preceding that is a moment for [[spoiler:Flavio]] of all people. He scores this moment by [[spoiler:successfully convincing Cortez to lend his ship to the cause, by threatening to have Mario beat the ghost pirate up further while he takes the Skull Gem (the source of power of Cortez's ship, stolen from him by Flavio's ancestors long ago) and throws it into the ocean, never to be found. As he himself says, he didn't become the richest man in Rogueport by not knowing how to negotiate.]]
* Also [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLJuveOm7fs the launch of the Big Cannon]] in Chapter 7.
** Plus what's not awesome about fighting a mech in a high tech base on the moon?
* In Chapter 8 Vivian tells off Beldam, who has been mistreating her all their time together, and fights her alongside Mario.
-->'''Vivian''': I'm with Mario all the way! [[TheDogBitesBack Today, Sis, I am going to punish YOU]], do you hear me?
** Bonus points if the player has Vivian actually in the fight, and then has Vivian beat down Beldam personally.
** After the fight, there's a more minor one if you "talk" to them with Koops. He says "Let's leave these wimps, Mario." It really shows how much stronger and more confident he is.
* During the final battle, [[spoiler: everyone around the world starts to cheer for Mario. They're on the edge of despair and plunged in darkness, but seeing the Crystal Star show up in their area reminds them of Mario's impact on them in his adventure, and it revitalises their hope. It definitely reflects on the player too-- you've come so far, and seeing all these characters rooting for you and showing the progress you've made, is just amazing. It definitely counts as a TearJerker and a CrowningMomentOfHeartWarming all at once.]]
* The climax of Chapter 6, in which the little dust bunny things from the day before invade the train and take almost every passenger onto the roof, at which point they merge together. It's Mario vs. a multitentacled monster [[{{TrainTopBattle}} on the top of a train known for extremely high speeds]]. Combined with the music, it's absolutely amazing.
* Any time Mario and company Super Guard successfully, the awesomeness of the [=SG=] being directly proportional to the flash and power of the attack. In some cases, there are opportunities for Awesome Moments against weak enemies, such as if Mario Super Guards against the Goomba Bros.' sneak attack during the opening bout of the Glitz Pit. (Depending on the requirements, Mario may be free to whale on them in his next opening turn, which only amplifies his entrance to the put).
* Chapter 4 gives us [[spoiler:Doopliss]]'s VillainousBreakdown. when you tell him his name.
-->[[spoiler:'''Doopliss''']]: [[BreakTheHaughty Wha...what did you just say?!?]] [[ThisCannotBe It can't be...]] [[MadnessMantra NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW?]] I'm...feeling...faint...
* Stylish moves. Nearly every player attack has a point at which you can press the A button to add some flair to it. Figuring them out and executing them is fun, and they're useful too, as the crowd loves them, meaning they earn star power. Even better: some stylish moves can be chained to another stylish move.
* The scene before the final boss. Peach, [[spoiler: who [[DemonicPossession has been possessed by the Shadow Queen]], is commanded by Grodus, who never learned that EvilIsNotAToy, to obey him. She then goes and fires a bolt of lightning at him, which leaves NOTHING BUT HIS HEAD.]] This coming from a Mario game.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Super Paper Mario]]
* In Chapter 7-4 of ''Super Paper Mario'', [[BigDamnHeroes Rebbi arrives with a brigade of Nimbis]] to help Mario and co. get past massive squadron of Skellobits and Skellobombers. Also counts as the closest that VideoGame/SuperMarioBros will ever get to depicting Armageddon!
--> '''Rebbi:''' [[SophisticatedAsHell THOU ART TOAST!]]
* In Chapter 8-2 of ''Super Paper Mario'', you have to fight Mimi ([[RecurringBoss AGAIN]]) at the end, but this time you can only play as Peach. Nothing is better than kicking the most annoying boss's ass using [[ActionGirl Peach]], ''of all characters''. And to top that off, creepy but [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome awesome music]] plays in the background.
** Even better is what happens immediately before the fight. Mimi insults Peach for being a stereotypical DamselInDistress, causing Peach to [[RageBreakingPoint get angrier than we've ever seen her before]] and go after Mimi. When Mario and Luigi attempt to back her up, she firmly demands that they leave the fighting to her, and they respond by backing away slowly and giving Peach the space she needs to square off.
** Don't forget that Peach reveals her annoyance at being the DamselScrappy. Then, after the battle [[spoiler: she attempts to save Mimi's life.]] If that doesn't [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap save her from the scrappy heap]], nothing will.
* After that, Luigi manages to beat Dimentio ''without even using Pixls!'' Granted, [[spoiler:it ended up playing into Dimentio's plan in the end]], but that's still awesome for the Man in Green.
* Tippi's TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to [[spoiler:Super Dimentio]] shortly before his death.
--> '''Tippi:''' Nothing is decided entirely by fate, you know... All things determine their destinies. Good-bye now, [[spoiler:Dimentio]]. [[TakeThat We'll add a footnote to the prophecy about your failure.]]
** [[spoiler:Dimentio]] got told off by a rainbow-colored butterfly!
** Bowser's line makes it even better:
-->You believed in your prophecy, and we believed in mopping the FLOOR with you!
** Oh yeah, and [[spoiler:Dimentio]]'s TakingYouWithMe move that could only be canceled out [[spoiler:''BY MARRIAGE'']]. He didn't rely on the heroes being dumb enough to do absolutely nothing, as most villains tend to do.
* Every time you get a Mega Star, you transform into a [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever humongous]] pixelated version of yourself which allows you to destroy anything in your path while a [[AwesomeMusic/PaperMario kick-ass]] version of the series invincibility theme plays in the background.
** Not only is the star itself absolute 8-bit awesome, but the Mega Koopa involves an enemy picking it up and becoming a gigantic 8-bit Koopa, and running you down.
* You're talking to that nice old wizard, and suddenly, [[spoiler:Dimentio, who at this point has begun to reveal what a MagnificentBastard he is,]] shows up ''out of nowhere'' and SENDS YOU TO THE PG VERSION OF HELL. No battle, nothing. Just snaps his fingers and pretty much kills your whole party. What's more, [[BatmanGambit he's relying on your ability to overcome that]], and has in fact helped you out.
%%* More of Super Paper Mario: The Bitlands (save the giant tree), Sammer's Kingdom, and the Brobot fight in space.
[[/folder]]

* Anytime Mario and company Super Guard successfully, the awesomeness of the [=SG=] being directly proportional to the flash and power of the attack. In some cases, there are opportunities for Awesome Moments against weak enemies, such as if Mario Super Guards against the Goomba Bros.' sneak attack during the opening bout of the Glitz Pit. (Depending on the requirements, Mario may be free to whale on them in his next opening turn, which only amplifies his entrance to the put).

** She actually managed to scare the crap out of Mario and Luigi so badly that not only do they say it's ok for Peach to fight Mimi alone, but they also walk away BACKWARDS to emphasize how scared they were.

* Peach wishing for the Star Beam to gain power after [[spoiler:Bowser cancels it out]].

[[quoteright:307:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hundreds_of_thousands_of_years_from_now.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:307:"Hundreds of thousands of years from now, that fact will not have changed..."]]

* Kolorado tries to attack Lava Piranha ''while it's on fire''.

* During the last chapter's first cutscene, the game hands us one. [[spoiler:After [[TheDragon Kammy Koopa]] tells [[BigBad Bowser]] that [[TheHero Mario]] has saved all of the Star Spirits, he ties up Princess Peach and decides to kill Mario himself. Twink of all people jumps in to try and save Peach by attacking the [[EliteMooks Koopatrol]].]] Sure, it didn't work, but hey, it was awesome nonetheless.
* Peach wishing for the Star Beam to gain power after [[spoiler: Bowser cancels it out]].

* Another villainous one by Kammy: she's very cunning all throughout the game, which includes not trusting Peach's answers when Bowser questions her about Mario's weaknesses and seeing through Peach's clever disguise late in the game. On top of all that, [[spoiler: she subverts a major villain cliche by preparing a secret weapon for Mario's arrival, even saying, "Do you really think we were foolish enough to just sit back and watch as you save the Star Spirits?"]]

* After that, Luigi manages to beat Dimentio ''without even using Pixls!'' Granted, [[spoiler:it ended up playing into his plan in the end]], but that's still awesome for the Man in Green.

* After that, Luigi manages to beat Dimentio ''without even using Pixls!'' Granted,[[spoiler:it ended up playing into his plan in the end]], but that's still awesome for the Man in Green.

* A villainous one from the beginning of the game: Bowser storms Star Haven, kidnaps the star spirits, and takes the Star Rod, all without any sort of opposition. He then proceeds to use this power to come far closer to actually KILLING Mario than any other instance in the entire series. If it's not entirely clear how much of an accomplishment that is, not even ''the end of the universe'' managed to kill the plumber.