History YMMV / MarioAndLuigiPaperJam

* DamselScrappy: All the Paper Toads as a whole, where some of the missions you go through to rescue them are going to get on your nerves, really fast. Those that tend to run in chase missions are a special mention, where when you finally catch them some would ask what took you so long to find them.

* [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames Awesome Boss]]: [[spoiler:Shiny [=RoboBowser=], the FinalBoss. He's a fusion between both Bowsers and many of Paper Bowser's minions, resulting in a giant Bowser clad in cardboard PoweredArmor. In fine series tradition, the boss is quite hard (albeit easier than previous final bosses) and quite long, and the party has to damage the armor sufficiently to reach Bowser himself and use Trio Attacks: he also has a pretty impressive array of attacks that challenge the player in various ways, some of which copy the motif of the Trio Attacks. The whole thing is set to a {{s|adBattleMusic}}omber ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''-like epic battle theme, just like Dreamy Bowser's.]]
* BaseBreakingCharacter: Both Bowsers, since this is the third ''Mario'' RPG in a row where Bowser is portrayed as the BigBad. Some enjoyed their darker (if still humorous) role and epic final boss fight, while others are tired of Bowser constantly being reused.

* ContestedSequel: Fans are divided as to how ''Paper Jam'' stacks up compared to past ''Mario & Luigi'' and ''Paper Mario'' games, with some accusing the game of "playing it too safe" due to the lack of original characters and formulaic plot, although the gameplay, writing, music and characterization have been generally praised like with the rest of the series. There's some debate in the fandom about whether ''Paper Jam'' or its predecessor ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam Dream Team]]'' is a better game; supporters of ''Paper Jam'' cite its better pacing and lack of {{Forced Tutorial}}s, while supporters of ''Dream Team'' cite its more original characters, locations, and plot.

* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: Due to the fact that it reuses several graphics from ''Dream Team'' with most of the paper aspect coming from ''Sticker Star'', many just call the game "''Dream Team'' with ''Sticker Star'' elements and without the Dream World" as opposed to a proper crossover between both series.

** Getting an "Excellent" on Bomb Derby requires mashing the Circle Pad much faster than than you'd expect from a game like this. It's ''much'' easier if you toss the bombs with the B Button instead of the Circle Pad, but [[GuideDangIt the game never even mentions that this is possible]].
** In terms of executing the attack correctly, Toad Trail is considered very hard to control. There is very little room for error as you move across the Paper Toad and you have to steer very carefully along with timing your jumps correctly if you want to get an Excellent. Turn too sharply during the first part of the attack and you wasted 11 BP. Bumping into balloons (which is very common as well) will decrease your speed, which can mean the difference between an "OK" and an "Excellent" ranking. Good luck finishing 5 in a row for the Expert challenge.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Paper Luigi doesn't appear in the main story at all, being reduced to appearing in the sound test.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: Despite this title being a crossover between two long-running ''Mario'' RPG series, the appearances of [[ExpositionFairy Starlow]] and a few ''Sticker Star'' bosses are the only real sign of this, with none of the other events or characters from either series coming up and the story being another standard SaveThePrincess plot. While many characters from "mainline" ''Mario'' games like Toadette, Nabbit, the Koopalings, and King Bob-omb appear and get more characterization in this game, some fans feel that since the RPG characters are for the most part exclusive to their series, the characters in the story being limited to ones from the mainline games steals the chance from other characters who likely would never appear again. In essence, the choice of characters and the standard story cause ''Paper Jam'' to feel more like a "surprisingly good ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' fanfic" rather than the spectacular crossover most fans were hoping for. Many people believe that ''Paper Jam'' would have received more positive attention if it was designed as a new spinoff entirely a la ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle''[[note]]a more acclaimed spinoff where almost all the original characters were VideoGame/RavingRabbids[[/note]], rather than a crossover between two beloved ''Mario'' RPG series known for their bold and unconventional direction.

** In terms of executing the attack correctly, Toad Trail is considered very hard to control. There is very little room for error and you have to steer very carefully along with timing your jumps correctly if you want to get an Excellent. Bumping into balloons (which is very common as well) will decrease your speed, which can mean the difference between an "OK" and an "Excellent" ranking. Good luck finishing 5 in a row for the Expert challenge.

* SoOkayItsAverage: ''Paper Jam'' is generally considered the weakest ''Mario & Luigi'' game, with a score of 76 on Metacritic. General consensus among fans is that the gameplay, writing and mechanics are solid, but that the game suffers heavily from a lack of originality, and ''Paper Jam'' is overall relatively ignored compared to the vocal controversy of the ''Paper Mario'' games of the time.

** At one point, Roy asks why are there are no Paper versions of them. Come [[VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash the next Paper Mario game]], and we learn that, in fact, there are Paper versions of them.

* EvilIsCool: Bowser -- or rather, both of him. As noted elsewhere on this page, the game gives him tons of personality and even more menace than in previous ''Mario'' games while still keeping him as the LaughablyEvil RatedMForManly LargeHam fans know and love. [[spoiler:Plus, Shiny [=RoboBowser=] makes for one hell of a FinalBoss fight complete with an epic musical theme.]]

** Even nowadays, people have been clamoring for a sequel, which not only would add the Paper Buzzy Beetles, Paper Cheep Cheeps, and Paper Pokeys for their regular selves to fight alongside with, but also have the Koopalings team up with their Paper Counterparts from Color Splash, as well as add new enemies like Ice Bros, Sledge Bros, Ptooies, Dino Rhinos, Pink and Yellow Shy Guys, and Bone Goombas, as well as their Paper Counterparts.

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: It's a crossover between ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMario''...that only uses "mainline" ''Mario'' characters. Starlow is the only ''Mario & Luigi''-specific character to return, and the "real-world" enemies and environments are almost exclusively ones from the ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' platforming titles that never appeared in other ''Mario & Luigi'' games. While some fans of Bowser and the Koopa Troop were pleasantly surprised by the writing and the various Minions from both Mario worlds teaming up, [[note]] Despite the fact that Paper Buzzy Beetles, Paper Cheep Cheeps, Paper Pokeys, and Real Mario Koopa Paratroopas don't make an appearance in the game. [[/note]] many people were put off by the crossover playing things too safe and coming across as yet another shallow spinoff for the ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' crowd, and the game became the lowest-selling mainline ''Mario & Luigi'' title until the first and especially the third game’s remakes.

** Even nowadays, people have been clamoring for a [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam2 sequel]], which not only would add the Paper Buzzy Beetles, Paper Cheep Cheeps, and Paper Pokeys for their regular selves to fight alongside with, but also have the Koopalings team up with their Paper Counterparts from Color Splash, as well as add new enemies like Ice Bros, Sledge Bros, Ptooies, Dino Rhinos, Pink and Yellow Shy Guys, and Bone Goombas, as well as their Paper Counterparts.

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: It's a crossover between ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMario''...that only uses "mainline" ''Mario'' characters. Starlow is the only ''Mario & Luigi''-specific character to return, and the "real-world" enemies and environments are almost exclusively ones from the ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' platforming titles that never appeared in other ''Mario & Luigi'' games. While some fans of Bowser and the Koopa clan were pleasantly surprised by the writing, many people were put off by the crossover playing things too safe and coming across as yet another shallow spinoff for the ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' crowd, and the game became the lowest-selling mainline ''Mario & Luigi'' title until the first and especially the third game’s remakes.

** At one point, one of the Koopalings asks why are there are no Paper versions of them. Come [[VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash the next Paper Mario game]], and we learn that, in fact, there are Paper versions of them.

* IdiotPlot: The Paper Toad hunts. The Paper Toads run around like madmen because they think Mario is a monster or one of Bowser's minions or such. You'd expect for Princess Peach or the Lakitus or someone to tell the Toads that Mario is nice and he's there to ''help'' them. While some of the Paper Toads are captured by Fly Guys or in real danger, the other half are just running around in fear.

* EightPointEight: IGN's review of the game gave it a 5.9, just barely above average. Especially when they panned the game's writing; something that's commonly been considered one of the best aspects, and even more so in that the score is ''far'' worse than the 8.3 given to ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'', which is near-universally considered an inferior game. This unsurprisingly led to a ''ton'' of backlash against the site.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** Instead of being a humorous IneffectualSympatheticVillain, both Bowsers are presented as [[KnightOfCerebus legitimate, cunning threats]] like he is in ''Dream Team'', although they definitely still have their LargeHam and Funny Moments.
** One of the many changes ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' is infamous for is removing ExperiencePoints, a well-regarded standard of [=RPGs=]. Instead, it expects you to fight battles to get coins in order to buy stickers...which you can only use to [[MoneyForNothing battle enemies for more coins]], effectively [[ScrappyMechanic making battles pointless]]. Thus, many are relieved to see Paper Mario benefiting from EXP again after battles.
** While some fans are upset about the lack of original characters, the game instead fleshes out the Koopalings' personalities and, for the first time in an official work, gives them fairly extensive dialogue. Some people see this as [=AlphaDream=] taking advantage of this apparent restriction to give some depth to previously {{Flat Character}}s that are nonetheless [[EnsembleDarkhorse fan-favorites]]. This also applies to Bowser Jr. to a lesser extent, as the game portrays both of him as lovable {{Jerkass Woobie}}s [[IJustWantToHaveFriends who just wanted friends]], giving Bowser Jr. more depth for the first time since [[VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine his debut]].
** Digging Beans out of the ground in ''Dream Team'' involves Mario jumping out of the ground each and every time. Here, Beans can be dug out by the Trio Drill without jumping out and the Trio Drill's dash ability allows you to collect multiple adjacent Beans at once.
** The [[ForcedTutorial endless tutorials]] that plague the earlier games are no more. Here, when you're taught a new mechanic, there's a fast explanation of how to do it and the more in-depth version is added to a guide you can view at any time. And when a character asks if you want a tutorial, they actually take "no" for an answer this time instead of prodding you repeatedly.