Paper Mario: Thousand-Year Door Review Roundup — Here’s What The Critics Think

Paper Mario: Thousand-Year Door first came out on the Nintendo GameCube in 2004. Now it’s gotten a port for the Nintendo Switch. The reviews have gone live and here are what the critics are saying about the game.

Here at GameSpot, our Thousand-Year Door review scored a 9/10. Reviewer Steven Petite said, “A faithful enhancement of one of the best RPGs of its era, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is once again one of the best RPGs of its (new) era.”

The original Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door received glowing praise even back in 2004. This enhanced HD remaster on Switch can be bought digitally and physically for $60.

You can see a few review scores for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024). For more reviews, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo
• Release Date: May 23, 2024
• Price: $60

GameSpot — 9/10

“The Switch version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the definitive way to play the best turn-based RPG starring Mario. More of an enhanced HD remaster than a full-fledged remake, The Thousand-Year Door has small yet meaningful quality-of-life features that ease some of the bloat from the original GameCube version. The catchy remixed soundtrack wonderfully complements the thoroughly entertaining and dynamic turn-based battle system. Throw in a stellar cast of characters and consistently playful writing, and The Thousand-Year Door has all the ingredients of an incredible turn-based RPG. Well, it always had them, but now they are blended a bit better.” — Steven Petite [Full review]

Digital Trends — 9/10

“If you were hoping that Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Nintendo was a thorough remake that redefines a classic, you may come away from this Switch remake disappointed. Thankfully, The Thousand-Year Door still holds up 20 years after release, thanks to some hilarious dialogue, timeless visuals, and an approachable RPG battle system.” — Tomas Franzese [Full review]

Shack News — 9/10

“Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door might be ever so slightly dated in its first two chapters and its insistence on loading every area with too many enemies. Its bizarre cast, excellent writing, and inventive battles mean it earns its reputation as one of the best and most inventive RPGs, though, and it’s just as fresh and imaginative now as it ever was.” — Josh Broadwell [Full review]

TheGamer — 8/10

“Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door will probably be the last Mario game to release (solely) on the Switch. While Wonder will take the plaudits, porting this cult classic means that a new generation of players can experience it. New fans will have a ball, laughing along with Mario & co., even if their experience will be slightly marred by the backtracking and pacing. Old fans will enjoy the quality of life improvements and some new additions. Whether you’re a Paper Mario veteran or this is your first time entering his origami world, this is the definitive way to experience The Thousand-Year Door.” — Ben Sledge [Full review]

Wccftech — 8/10

“While I may have come off somewhat critical of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in this review, there’s still an undeniable richness and depth to its world that no other game in the series has quite managed to achieve. Rogueport, with its varied cast of ne’er-do-wells and weirdos and countless secrets, is still one of my favorite locales I’ve ever visited with Nintendo’s plumber. Even with its minor streamlining, the new TTYD still serves up a solid 25-hour story with plenty of side content to clean up, including perhaps some small new post-game treats. This papery adventure definitely isn’t a lightweight.” — Nathan Birch [Full review]

Jeuxvideo.com — 7.5/10

“This remastered version maintains the excellence of its pen with a cast of characters each as striking as the next with a combat system that has already proven itself. The modernized artistic direction works wonders, both visually and aurally. But form is not everything. The structure of the game can quickly weigh on anyone who is allergic to the multiple forced back and forth, especially since the features to relieve this archaic architecture are too little impactful to relieve its heaviness.” — Charlanmhg [Full review]