In the realm of Mario RPGs, there’s a tale that fans love to tell, one that speaks of intrigue and creative conflict within the hallowed halls of Nintendo. It’s a story that suggests that at some point, perhaps guided by the hand of Shigeru Miyamoto himself, a decision was made to stifle the very essence of what made the Paper Mario series so beloved. Gone were the intricate RPG mechanics, the delightful twists on classic Mario characters, and the richly woven tales that captured the hearts of players worldwide.
Nintendo, known for its secretive nature and selective sharing, often fuels such rumors with its enigmatic silence. The notion of internal strife and clandestine directives takes root in the fertile soil of fandom, blossoming into a narrative that captivates imaginations far and wide. The genesis of this legend can be traced back to a 2020 interview with Intelligent Systems, the developers behind the Paper Mario series.
In it, two key revelations emerge: first, former Paper Mario producer Kensuke Tanabe embraced Miyamoto’s philosophy of “challenging oneself to create new gameplay,” and second, a decree seemingly handed down from on high dictated that no longer could Mario characters be modified or new characters created within the Mario universe. These edicts, coincidentally, ran counter to the very essence of what made the Paper Mario games so special.
Now, with the arrival of the remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, old wounds are reopened, and nostalgic memories come flooding back. Originally released in 2004, The Thousand Year Door was hailed as the pinnacle of Mario’s foray into the realm of RPGs, building upon the foundation laid by the iconic Super Mario RPG developed in collaboration with Squaresoft. The game was lauded for its refined gameplay mechanics, colorful world brimming with quirky characters, and a witty narrative that kept players enthralled from start to finish.
While time may have softened some of The Thousand Year Door’s rougher edges—the finicky platforming, the slow start, the battles that could sometimes drag—its considerable strengths continue to shine brightly. The remake stays largely faithful to the original, with most changes focusing on quality-of-life improvements designed to enhance the player experience. New hint systems make navigating the game’s labyrinthine puzzles and obscured objectives more manageable, while streamlined party member swapping and minor script touch-ups contribute to a smoother overall gameplay experience.
Yet, beyond its technical enhancements, The Thousand Year Door serves as a poignant reminder of what once was and what could have been. It stands as a testament to a bygone era, a time when Mario games dared to be different, to defy expectations, and to embrace the unconventional.
Subsequent entries in the Paper Mario series, as well as its now-defunct sister series, Mario & Luigi, would struggle under the weight of narrative constraints and Nintendo’s mandate for each new franchise entry to be mechanically distinct. Paper Mario: The Origami King, while not without its merits, serves as a stark example of a series constrained by its own legacy, longing to break free from the shackles of conformity and fully realize its creative potential.
What sets The Thousand Year Door apart, then, is its willingness to embrace the whimsical and the bizarre, to revel in its deviations from Mario canon and use them to elevate the familiar cast of characters to new heights. From the gossip-hound Goombella to the perpetually nervous Koops to the irrepressibly flirtatious Madame Flurrie, the game boasts a colorful ensemble of oddballs that delight and entertain at every turn. Even the villains, the X-Nauts, with their audacious schemes and comically inept machinations, stand as a testament to the game’s irreverent spirit.
In essence, The Thousand Year Door serves as a poignant reminder of a time when Mario games weren’t afraid to take risks, to challenge conventions, and to push the boundaries of what was possible. It’s a celebration of creativity, of imagination, and of the boundless potential of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. And as it makes its triumphant return on its 20th anniversary, hot on the heels of the similarly beloved Super Mario RPG remake, it serves as a beacon of hope for those who long for a return to a time when Mario games dared to be different, when they dared to be daring.
