GameTimeline

Release & story order

Paper Mario timeline

Paper Mario from the 2001 N64 original through The Origami King (2020)—US release dates, classic partner-based RPG continuity vs the Sticker Star reboot branch, and FAQ for Super Paper Mario, TTYD Switch remake, and Mario & Luigi crossovers.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Intelligent Systems shipped each chapter—Paper Mario (2001), The Thousand-Year Door (2004), Super Paper Mario (2007), then the Sticker Star reboot trio (2012–2020). Mario & Luigi crossovers and Paper Jam are FAQ-only.

  • Classic saga → Story tab: Paper Mario → TTYD → Super Paper Mario
  • Release order → includes Sticker Star reboot trio after SPM
  • Newcomers → TTYD Switch remake or Origami King—FAQ trade-offs
  • Mario & Luigi series—separate franchise—FAQ
Story order tips

Classic RPG saga: Paper Mario → The Thousand-Year Door → Super Paper Mario. Release order includes Sticker Star, Color Splash, and The Origami King as a separate reboot branch—Story order excludes them.

  • Core canon: Paper Mario → TTYD → Super Paper Mario
  • Sticker Star branch ignores partners—separate on Story order
  • TTYD is direct sequel tone to Paper Mario—play both first
  • On Story order, Super Paper Mario may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Paper Mario

    Paper Mario

    N64RPGMainline

    Mario vs Bowser and the Star Rod—partner RPG debut.

    Overview
    Intelligent Systems' flat Mario RPG—action commands and partner abilities.
    In-game setting
    Story chapter one—Mushroom Kingdom adventure.
    Should you play it?
    Essential start for classic Story order.
    Release date
    US N64 launch February 5, 2001.
  2. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

    GCRPGMainline

    Rogueport mystery and the Crystal Stars.

    Overview
    GCN peak—chapter-based RPG with audience and style moves.
    In-game setting
    Fan-favorite sequel—Story row after Paper Mario.
    Should you play it?
    Switch remake 2024—FAQ.
    Release date
    US launch July 22, 2004.
  3. Super Paper Mario

    Super Paper Mario

    WiiPlatformer-RPGMainline

    Count Bleck and the Void—2D/3D flip mechanic.

    Overview
    Wii pivot—platforming between dimensions with RPG story beats.
    In-game setting
    Last classic-line chapter before Sticker Star reboot.
    Should you play it?
    Play before reboot branch on Release order.
    Release date
    US launch April 9, 2007.
  4. Paper Mario: Sticker Star

    Paper Mario: Sticker Star

    3DSRPGReboot

    Sticker mechanics—no partners—reboot branch begins.

    Overview
    3DS reboot—sticker-based combat and simplified partners.
    In-game setting
    Release row only—not classic Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Separate branch with Color Splash and Origami King—FAQ.
    Release date
    US launch November 11, 2012.
  5. Paper Mario: Color Splash

    Paper Mario: Color Splash

    Wii URPGReboot

    Prism Island paint—continues Sticker Star formula.

    Overview
    Wii U follow-up—card/paint combat without classic partners.
    In-game setting
    Middle chapter of reboot branch.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Sticker Star on reboot branch only.
    Release date
    US launch October 7, 2016.
  6. Paper Mario: The Origami King

    Paper Mario: The Origami King

    SwitchRPGReboot

    Olivia and King Olly—ring puzzle battles.

    Overview
    Switch reboot finale—open-ish hub exploration and ring combat.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of June 2026—reboot branch endpoint.
    Should you play it?
    Not on classic Story order with TTYD.
    Release date
    US launch July 17, 2020.

FAQ

Release vs story order, classic vs Sticker Star reboot, TTYD remake, and spin-offs.

Release order

Release order follows US launch dates and includes Sticker Star, Color Splash, and The Origami King (2012–2020 reboot branch) after Super Paper Mario. Story order is the classic partner RPG saga: Paper Mario → The Thousand-Year Door → Super Paper Mario—excluding the Sticker Star trio.

Classic path: Paper Mario (NSO N64) → The Thousand-Year Door (Switch remake) → Super Paper Mario (Wii/NSO). Modern path: Origami King or TTYD remake alone—valid entry points. Reboot branch: Sticker Star → Color Splash → Origami King—optional side arc—FAQ.

Story & canon

Sticker Star (2012) shifted to sticker/card combat without classic partners—fans treat it as a soft reboot. Color Splash and The Origami King continue that design branch. They appear on Release order with a Reboot tag but not on Story order with TTYD.

Super Paper Mario is on both Release and Story order as the third classic chapter—after TTYD, before the Sticker Star reboot. It mixes platforming with an RPG plot (Count Bleck, the Void). Play it last on Story order before optional reboot games.

Remasters & ports

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024, Switch) remasters the 2004 GameCube game—same story, not a separate Release or Story row. Buy the remake instead of GC hardware for TTYD in 2026.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.