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Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door game release date, news & gameplay

Try not to get a paper cut...

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The GameCube classic is back. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is a remake of the smash hit retro title from the noughties. But now, it’s landing on Nintendo Switch with shiny new graphics, making it look even better than you remember. Wahoo!

Princess Peach needs your help to find the mythical Crystal Stars. But of course, it’s not going to be a straightforward adventure. Bowser and plenty of other dastardly villains want the Crystal Stars too for their evil plans. So, find the artifacts, unlock the Thousand-Year Door, and save the world. No pressure…

Whether you’re after a hit of gaming nostalgia – or you’re completely new to the title – here’s everything you need to know about Mario’s latest…

What is Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s release date?

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door jumps onto Nintendo Switch on May 23, 2024. If you can believe it, the original version came out all the way back in 2004. So, gamers have been waiting a seriously long time for this one to get the update treatment.

How much will Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door cost?

Don’t worry, it’s not going to be game over for your wallet. You’ll be able to get your hands on Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for just £49.99.

Can I pre-order Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door?

Of course. You can get your pre-order in right now if you want. And then you’ll get a copy through your door bang on release day. What are you waiting for? Let’s-a-go!

But if you don’t have space for another case, then grab an eShop gift card instead. Just top up your account with some funds and download Paper Mario straight from Nintendo’s digital store. Then you won’t need to keep looking out the window while you wait for the postman either.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door platforms

Paper Mario is exclusive to Switch. So, if you’re playing on another console and want to get in on the action, you’ll have to get yourself Nintendo’s handheld.

After all, Mario and Nintendo go together like our favourite Italian plumber and his sidekick bro, Luigi. You just can’t imagine one without the other.

How to play Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Take note – the paper world out there might look nice, but it’s pretty dangerous. You’ll have to explore a spooky town, solve clues on a moving train and get past a massive dragon who lives in a crumbling castle. Gulp.

That’s where your paper abilities come in handy. Can’t fit through a tight gap? Make yourself paper thin and squeeze by. Got a huge chasm you need to cross? Transform into a paper plane and glide on over.

Then there’s the battles. Whenever you run across an enemy, you’ll have to beat them in turn-based combat. And for some reason, you’ll be transported to a theatre to do it. And we hope you don’t get stage fright – because there’s going to be a rowdy audience watching on! Hopefully nobody launches any tomatoes at you if you lose…

There’s plenty of ways to make sure you come out on top though. Finding and equipping special badges will unlock powerful attacks, while special moves will unleash the power of the Crystal Stars. Which is super useful if you find yourself in a bit of a jam.

And if you really tear it up on stage, you’ll definitely be a crowd pleaser. Performing each move with a well-timed button press will bring the cheers and boost how much damage you dish out. Plus, if you’re quick while you’re on the defensive, you can reduce your opponents’ attack power too.

How many hours of gameplay will Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door have?

We don’t have an exact number for this updated instalment, but the original Paper Mario took about 23 hours for you to roll the credits. So, we’re expecting a similar amount of hours here. And if you’re a proper completionist – and want to track down every secret and see absolutely everything – you’ll easily be looking at another 5 hours on top of that.

Who are the main characters in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door?

Playing as the main main himself, you’ll team up with a bunch of familiar faces over the course of your journey. And each partner isn’t just there to make up the numbers. They’ll bring unique powers and abilities to the table to help you complete your quest.

Here are a few allies that we know about so far:

  • Goombella – Think of Goombella like your very own walking encyclopaedia. They’ll be able to tell you everything there is to know about places and enemies. After all, if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

  • Koops – Mario’s got it all really. But one thing he doesn’t have going for him is height. Spotted an item that’s just out of reach? Koops can snaffle those up for you while you keep an eye out.

  • Madame Flurrie – It’s all in the name. She’ll send any obstacles flying with a gust of wind, revealing secret paths and secrets. Just make sure you’re not standing in the way…

You can use all these skills in combat to even the odds too. And from the gameplay we’ve seen, it looks like you’re really going to need them.

What are the different game mode options in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door?

For now, it just looks like there’s a single player mode for you to get stuck into. And while it would be cool to join forces with your mates, you’ve always got the rest of the gang to keep you company.

Want even more info on the biggest new titles? Head on over to our upcoming games page for the latest details.

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