# TLDR Review: Paper Mario: The Origami King *Published: 2026-06-15 | Updated: 2026-06-15 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/paper-mario:-the-origami-king* --- ## Product: Paper Mario: The Origami King **Brand:** Nintendo ## Pros - Offers a fun experience that captures the essence of the original game while introducing some new elements - Provides nostalgic value for fans of Thousand Year Door, effectively recreating its magic - Core gameplay and RPG elements remain intact, maintaining the game's charm and depth - Highly creative and engaging gameplay that keeps players hooked - Impressive art and artistic direction enhance the overall experience - Great combat system that is challenging, enjoyable, and keeps players entertained - Visually impressive graphics and memorable music that elevate the game's atmosphere - Enjoyable storyline with clever use of characters and a unique villain theme - Wide variety of activities, collectibles, and exploration options boost replayability - The game is lengthy, providing hours of entertainment and a satisfying adventure - Suitable for all skill levels with easy-to-understand rules and responsive controls ## Cons - Ring puzzles and river navigation segments are frustrating and can hinder progress - Character variety suffers due to limited NPC designs, leading to many generic characters - Battle system, while evolved, feels less satisfying and less impactful than earlier titles - Some parts feature heavy guidance, reducing challenge for experienced players - The Legion of Stationary boss feels out of place and less integrated into the story - The ending, involving character death, may feel unnecessary or shock-driven - Lack of meaningful partner interactions and no traditional level-up system reduce depth in battles and exploration - The repetitive appearance of Toad characters can become dull over time - Overall, some players may find the game less inspired in certain design elements ## Bottom Line We think that Paper Mario: The Origami King offers a visually stunning, creatively engaging adventure that appeals especially to fans of the series and newcomers alike. However, some frustrating puzzle segments and character variety limitations might detract from the overall experience. If you're looking for a charming, colorful RPG with plenty of content and clever design, this game is a solid choice. But if you prefer a classic Paper Mario experience with more strategic battles and less puzzle frustration, you might want to consider checking out for an alternative. ## Pros vs Cons at a Glance | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Offers a fun experience that captures the essence of the original game while introducing some new elements | Ring puzzles and river navigation segments are frustrating and can hinder progress | | Provides nostalgic value for fans of Thousand Year Door, effectively recreating its magic | Character variety suffers due to limited NPC designs, leading to many generic characters | | Core gameplay and RPG elements remain intact, maintaining the game's charm and depth | Battle system, while evolved, feels less satisfying and less impactful than earlier titles | | Highly creative and engaging gameplay that keeps players hooked | Some parts feature heavy guidance, reducing challenge for experienced players | | Impressive art and artistic direction enhance the overall experience | The Legion of Stationary boss feels out of place and less integrated into the story | | Great combat system that is challenging, enjoyable, and keeps players entertained | The ending, involving character death, may feel unnecessary or shock-driven | | Visually impressive graphics and memorable music that elevate the game's atmosphere | Lack of meaningful partner interactions and no traditional level-up system reduce depth in battles and exploration | | Enjoyable storyline with clever use of characters and a unique villain theme | The repetitive appearance of Toad characters can become dull over time | | Wide variety of activities, collectibles, and exploration options boost replayability | Overall, some players may find the game less inspired in certain design elements | | The game is lengthy, providing hours of entertainment and a satisfying adventure | | | Suitable for all skill levels with easy-to-understand rules and responsive controls | | ## Current Prices | Retailer | Price | Availability | |----------|-------|-------------| | Gamers Paradise | $36.93 | In Stock | | Super | $40.99 | In Stock | | SuperShop | $43.99 | In Stock | | DailySteals.com | $55.99 | In Stock | | Play-Asia.com | $56.99 | In Stock | | Dell Home & Home Office | $58.99 | In Stock | | B&H Photo Video | $59.99 | In Stock | | Best Buy | $59.99 | In Stock | | BJ's Wholesale Club | $59.99 | In Stock | | Josey Records DBA Record Kong | $59.99 | In Stock | | Kohl's | $59.99 | In Stock | | Nebraska Furniture Mart | $59.99 | In Stock | | PC Richard & Son | $59.99 | In Stock | | RC Willey Home Furnishings | $59.99 | In Stock | | shop4megastore.com | $60.99 | In Stock | | Market America Brands / Shop.com | $64.79 | In Stock | | Soxy | $64.96 | In Stock | | 6ave Electronics | $65.90 | In Stock | --- *About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*