The 3DS era was a weird time for Nintendo fans. By 2015, we were drowning in "New Super Mario Bros." sequels and felt like the creative spark was maybe flickering out. Then Mario & Luigi Paper Jam arrived. People saw the title, saw the "Paper" branding, and immediately assumed it was a spiritual successor to the RPG greatness of The Thousand-Year Door. When they realized it was actually the fifth entry in AlphaDream's Mario & Luigi series, just with a paper aesthetic slapped on, the disappointment was loud.
But looking back? This game was actually a technical masterclass in turn-based combat.
It’s easy to get hung up on what isn’t there. There aren’t any crazy new original characters like Fawful or Geno. You won't find the deep, dark lore of the Shroobs. Instead, you get Bowser and... Paper Bowser. It sounds lazy on paper. Honestly, it kinda is. But once you get past the surface-level "safe" branding, you find a game that refined the series' mechanics to a razor-sharp edge.
Why the Combat in Mario & Luigi Paper Jam Carries the Whole Experience
Most RPGs let you sit back. You pick "Attack," you watch an animation, and you wait for your turn again. AlphaDream never liked that. In Mario & Luigi Paper Jam, you are constantly working. You’ve got Mario on the A button, Luigi on the B button, and Paper Mario on the Y button. Coordinating three different characters with three different jump timings and hammer swings is a legitimate workout for your brain.
Paper Mario changes everything. Unlike the fleshy brothers, he’s a stack of sheets. He can make copies of himself. This isn't just a visual gimmick; it’s a defensive layer. If a boss hits Paper Mario, he doesn't just lose HP—he loses a copy. It’s basically a built-in "lives" system for one-third of your party.
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The Trio Attacks are where things get truly ridiculous. You aren't just doing a synchronized jump. You’re playing a mini-game where you turn enemies into tennis balls or flatten them with a giant kite. It’s frantic. It’s fast. If you miss a single button prompt, the whole thing falls apart. Some people hate that pressure, but if you're looking for an RPG that actually requires "gamer" reflexes, this is the peak of the franchise.
The "Safe" Problem and the Paper Toad Scourge
We have to talk about the Toads. Seriously, there are so many Toads. If you ask any veteran player why they bounced off Mario & Luigi Paper Jam, they will probably mention the Paper Toad missions. These are mandatory "hide and seek" or "herding" quests that grind the pacing to a screeching halt.
It’s the game's biggest flaw.
Nintendo was clearly in a phase where they wanted to stick to the "Core Mario" cast. No weird mushroom-people with capes. No bizarre villains from another dimension. Just Bowser. While the dialogue is still funny—the interactions between the two Bowsers are genuinely gold—the world feels a bit sterile. It’s the "Sticker Star" effect. When you strip away the weirdness, you’re left with Grass Land, Desert Land, and Forest Land. It’s familiar, sure, but it lacks the soul of Bowser's Inside Story.
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The Giant Papercraft Battles: A Hit or Miss?
In previous games, we had Giant Luigi or Giant Bowser. In Mario & Luigi Paper Jam, we get Papercraft Battles. You’re basically piloting a giant cardboard tank powered by Toads. It’s a rhythmic, physical combat system that feels totally different from the rest of the game.
Some people find these sections clunky. You’re dashing around, throwing your giant cardboard Mario onto a cardboard Goomba, and trying not to run out of energy. It’s a bold experiment. Does it work? Mostly. It’s a nice break from the turn-based grind, even if the controls feel a bit "heavy" compared to the snappy movement of the overworld.
The Battle Card System is an Underappreciated Gem
One thing this game introduced that I actually want to see in more RPGs is the Battle Card system. Instead of just using items, you build a deck. You earn "Star Points" during combat by landing "Excellent" hits. Once you have enough points, you can play a card to buff your stats, heal, or damage enemies.
It adds a layer of strategy that wasn't there before. Do you spend your points now on a minor heal, or do you save up for a card that doubles your experience points at the end of the fight? It makes the "trash mobs" feel more important because you're always farming points for your next big boss encounter.
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Is It Still Worth Playing Today?
If you can find a copy, yes. With AlphaDream—the studio behind the series—having gone bankrupt in 2019, these games are becoming relics. Mario & Luigi Paper Jam is arguably the most polished the series ever felt in terms of performance. It runs at a smooth 60 FPS. The animations are incredibly expressive. Watching Paper Mario flutter in the wind while Luigi panics in the background is a joy.
It’s a "comfort food" game. It’s not going to change your life with its plot, but it will keep your thumbs busy and make you chuckle at the self-aware writing.
Practical Tips for New Players
- Don't ignore the Battle Cards: You can break the game wide open if you build a deck focused on Star Point generation.
- Master Paper Mario’s Dodge: Since he can float, his dodge timing is much more forgiving than the brothers. Use him as your "tank" for unknown boss patterns.
- Speed up the Toads: During the Paper Toad missions, use the dash (hold R) as much as possible. It saves literal hours of gameplay over the course of the story.
- Check the Amiibo functionality: If you have Mario or Luigi Amiibos, you can unlock special "Character Cards" that are basically "Win" buttons for hard fights.
The reality of Mario & Luigi Paper Jam is that it's a 10/10 combat system trapped in a 6/10 world. But in an era where RPGs are often too long and too slow, there’s something refreshing about a game that just wants you to hit buttons in time to the music and watch things explode into confetti.
If you’re going to dive in, go for the physical 3DS cartridge. While the eShop is gone, these carts are still relatively affordable. Just be prepared for the Toads. So. Many. Toads.