Paper Mario: The Millennial Portal – Review of a rediscovered jewel

Paper Mario: The Millennial Portalreleased in 2004 by the historical Nintendo GameCube, is often considered one of the best games in the Paper Mario series. The title, developed by Intelligent Systems, masterfully blended innovative gameplay, compelling narrative and unique aesthetics. The result is a game that has not only stood the test of time, but has also earned a cult status among fans. Now, the title is back on Switch, and incredibly retains all the charm of the past.

Same story, new skin

History of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for Switch it’s the same that we remembered, and it is as compelling as it is unexpectedly full of twists (as was The Origami King). Mario receives one mysterious letter from Princess Peach, containing a Treasure map. This brings him to the port city of Rogueport, a dark place full of secrets. From here, Mario must discover the seven Star Crystals to open the legendary Millennial Portal and save Princess Peach, kidnapped by theOrganization.

While not reaching the complexity of a JRPG Square Enixthe narrative is rich in memorable characters and hilarious situations. The dialogue is almost always well written and full of humor, making each interaction unique and engaging. Each chapter of the game also introduces new characters and settings, therefore there is no shortage of variety.

The title does not disappoint either with Joy-Con in hand, offering a combination of traditional RPG elements and platform mechanics (more in line with the character). The combat system in shifts is strategic and accessible, with the introduction of “well-timed actions” that allow players to deal extra damage or reduce damage taken if commands are executed precisely.

One of the distinctive features is also the use of Mario’s paper abilities. Our plumber can indeed transform into various paper objectslike a plane or a boat, to overcome obstacles and solve environmental puzzles. These transformations add strategic depth to gameplay and are crucial to exploring the game world.

Also Mario’s companions, each with their own unique abilities, play a crucial role in both combat and exploration. These characters not only help our hero in battle, but also offer special abilities needed to progress in the game. The management and intelligent use of companions is therefore essential to overcome many of the game’s challenges.

Colors and friendliness are always in the front row

From the point of view graphicit artistic style of Paper Mario: The Millennial Portal on Switch takes up the most obvious strengths of the GameCube edition, but improves considerably. The game world and characters are represented as paper cutouts in a 3D environment, and this distinctive visual style not only makes the game aesthetically appealing, but also allows for variety of animations and creative transformations that are integral to the gameplay.

This remake also adds new animations and sound effectsalthough some limitations can be seen in terms of fluidity, given that the 60 frames per second of the GameCube version have been replaced by 30 frames of the re-release for Nintendo Switch. Not bad, in any case.

To close a more than excellent picture we take care of it soundtrack composed by Yoshito Hirano and Yuka Tsujiyoko: each piece of music is perfectly adapted to the environment and situation in which it is played, with catchy melodies that help create the right atmosphere for every moment of the game. The tracks vary from lively and cheerful pieces to more mysterious and intense themes, perfectly accompanying Mario’s adventures.

When it’s worth it

Finally, regarding the duration of the game, the main campaign may require between 25 and 30 hours to be completed. Furthermore, outside of the main plot, the game offers numerous side missions, mini-games and secrets to discover. The variety of additional content present in the game will therefore push many players to return to Rogueport to explore every corner and complete all the challenges offered.

In short, Paper Mario: The Millennial Portal (which you find here) is a game that manages to stand out for its creativity both today and in this remake for Switch, especially for the depth of the gameplay and the quality of the narrative. Every aspect of the game, from the story to the graphics, from the combat to the soundtrack, has been treated with attention to detail, creating a cohesive and engaging experience.