Would "Paper Mario" make great roster additions?

[Dorayaki]

First of all we can confirm it's executeable:

*Paper Jam acknowledged paper alterego came from a different world and may coexist with the original versions.

*Mario Kart has introduced "8-bit Mario" as an alterego, so similiar ideas are acceptible in Miyamoto's opinions.





I always find it strange to hear Paper Mario specifically suggest in Super Smash bros ---- I exactly know the idea behind that suggestion, but to my curiosity, I think it's not as much heard when it comes to discussion about Mario's own regular rosters.

I think the benefit is such character might be easier to create (altho, not exactly cheap, I believe making 2D animation is also a challenge, since it's not like Metal Mario which can copy most of the 3D render and movesets), and would have some kind of interesting effect of animation clash.

But I wonder if fans would mind alot if alterego isn't the best idea no matter what. And even for loyal Mario RPG fans, I think it would also get much critisism like "hey you consider RPG characters so why not actual original characters like Mallow and Geno (if the case is they don't make it) ?"

Would you be happy to see Paper Mario and even main this character? Or you think he'd be a mid-tier option or even a bottom-tier?

 

[Sparks]

It'd be fun to play as a "2D" character in a 3D game (like Mr. Game & Watch!)

Unlike Metal Mario, Gold Mario, Cat Mario, etc. Paper Mario is a totally unique character who has so much potential for a moveset in Smash Bros. or a spot on any Mario spin-off roster.

 

[Shmaluigi]

Don't want him, if they're actually going to acknowledge the RPGs in other spinoffs I'd rather have them pull some of the original characters instead of just doing another Mario.

 

[Hint Toad]

I think it could be possible for Smash Bros.
But before we get Paper Mario in Smash, we should at least get Waluigi.

 

[Salmancer]

It wouldn't be an exciting pick. At the end of the day Paper Mario is Mario with extra steps. And less vocalization. He has a brown hammer I guess. Still, Mario's abilities don't usually include hammers so there's that.

 

[Xiahou Ba]

I wouldn't care as long as Baby Luigi is playable.

 

[Fawfulthegreat64]

In Smash Bros. I think he'd be a great choice. Easy way to have a distinct looking Mario and the games are full of moveset potential that would make him play entirely unique from normal Mario and Dr. Mario (who is much more similar in terms of moveset)

But for Mario spinoffs, it feels like that would be the least fulfilling way to use Paper Mario content. Ideally it would be exactly how SM64DS, MKDS, MP5 etc used it. Adapting the original characters into 3D to match with how Mario and co. look in the game. I'm honestly sick of the whole "but it's a separate universe, they have to be flat no matter where they appear" argument that exists solely because of Paper Jam. If Mario's design can be translated to and from the PM style, and PM characters could be translated in the other direction for older 3D games, there's no reason that shouldn't be the approach today. Adding Paper Mario as a separate character would not only clash with this approach, it would probably seal its chances of ever happening away.

 

[Camwoodstock]

We'd prefer actual RPG characters appearing in these spin-offs (just kinda in general, frankly--we love it when they do callbacks to more remote sections of the Mario franchise as a whole, even just as little "wink wink" nods. them appearing as actual playable characters is just a bonus.), but if Paper Mario were to tag along if said RPG characters showed up, we wouldn't mind. In fact, it'd be kind of weird to have a game with someone like Kooper, Goombella, Vivian, or even someone like Kammy playable, without the Great Gonzales around on the roster.

...that being said, if it's JUST him, it does raise an eyebrow of why JUST him. It'd be more confusing than if they just didn't bother with Paper Mario/RPG characters at all... ;P

 

[Captain Lumacey]

I really enjoyed the Paper Mario games I've played, especially the original trilogy, but I am not really too interested in having Paper Mario as a playable character alongside regular Mario. I know that Paper Jam shows that he is technically a unique character, but to me, Paper Mario is just Mario with a different appearance. I would prefer other characters from RPGs to appear instead, but Nintendo seems to prefer in-house characters more, and rpg characters are more likely to appear as small references.

I think it would be cool if Nintendo changed their preferences about this, but I suspect that they prefer to have characters they have complete creative control over.

 

[Hint Toad]

I'm honestly sick of the whole "but it's a separate universe, they have to be flat no matter where they appear" argument that exists solely because of Paper Jam.

Totally agree. A counter argument to that is that SMRPG inspired both M&L series and the PM series. So it only seems fitting to have them clash in Paper Jam.

 

[Xiahou Dun]

He's probably the RPG character I'd root for the most, and I'd say he has the most realistic chances. I think his advantages is being recognizable (enough to appear in bootleg as a stand-in over the "regular" Mario) and a character that would best advantage of the material he's made of (which would be a key trait for why he should be included IMO) since a lot of his powers are basically that. IMO no one else really fits beyond just being part of an animation or two or being part of a course he's in.

Though I just wonder exactly why Paper Mario should be included before other games versus, say, Mario Party or Mario Sports.