Paper Mario: Color Splash

 Wii U
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 465 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 286 out of 465
  2. Mixed: 81 out of 465
  3. Negative: 98 out of 465
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  1. Fireriku546
    Oct 7, 2016
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let me be clear here, this is not "mindless bashing" on a game that isn't Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 or Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on Gamecube. This is telling it like it is.

    Paper Mario: Color Splash is an improvement over Paper Mario: Sticker Star in many ways, for one you can actually level up your character's paint meter and progression is good to have in an RPG. The game is also still the turned based battles that we've been seeing for 4/5 games of the series, so at least it feels like a Paper Mario game in that sense.

    However then we go into the flaws, first off the character development for Toad is nice; however seeing him over and over again or shy guys over and over again just gets really redundant and makes the character development for Toad and Shy Guy null and void, especially considering Nintendo is just going to forget about it in the next game anyways. Also Peach gets "color drained" only to be immediately brought back to life and Huey leaves Mario and his friends behind in a scene that really isn't that impactful considering we only got one game to see him develop and he didn't develop all that much anyways.

    But enough about story, despite the fact that the original Paper Mario game was called "Mario Story" in Japan that isn't the main concern of someone who would play a Mario game. Gameplay consists of going around the world looking for Big Paint Stars and you don't really need to battle anyone but the bosses to really get most of them. Add this to the fact that "thing cards" are the only reasonable way to defeat the bosses without battling them futilely for hours on end and something still feels off about this game that could easily be fixed. Just have the thing cards for casual players who struggle with the boss fight but allow hardcore players to use strategy and wit to defeat the bosses normally. Add that on to the fact that if you do end up in an encounter which I wouldn't really call random since you can see the enemies on the map, you end up fighting the slow, clunky card system as well, and you can see why I gave this game a 4 out of 10.

    This game is not bad by any means, but the truth of the matter is that it is a mediocre RPG with pretty graphics that we learned to expand from in 1997 when we learned that graphics aren't what makes an RPG good in Final Fantasy 7 (that is still a great game by the way don't get me wrong) and Paper Mario has already done the concept of Mario going on an adventure looking for stars with better partners (counting Huey as one), better gameplay mechanics, and with greater stakes 16 years ago    … Expand
  2. EFYevan
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Wonderful game! Very funny! Nintendo does it again! Well done! Play this one all the way to the end! The most realistic lemons I have ever seen! !
  3. Genericdewd
    Oct 7, 2016
    4
    Good presentation, but ultimately bland uninteresting gameplay with tons of pacing and padding issues, and lazy uninspired character design. Better than Sticker Star as a whole, but definitely doesn't live up to the quality of the first 3 games.
  4. Rob1986
    Mar 13, 2017
    5
    Sorry to say that this one was disappointing for me. I really have had fun with past paper Mario games. The battles here are too easy. I'm too deep into the game without being challenged at all. There is some nice humor, but I think the critcal reviews are more impressed with that than I was. I've obtained 3 of the paint stars, and I'm so bored that I've moved on to other games. ISorry to say that this one was disappointing for me. I really have had fun with past paper Mario games. The battles here are too easy. I'm too deep into the game without being challenged at all. There is some nice humor, but I think the critcal reviews are more impressed with that than I was. I've obtained 3 of the paint stars, and I'm so bored that I've moved on to other games. I had high hopes for this game.… Expand
  5. The_EpicGamerYT
    Aug 4, 2017
    6
    This is a good step forward for Paper Mario, but Nintendo needs to run a 100m race to catch up with what they did previously. The presentation of the game is good, which should be expected for a Paper Mario. The game doesn't really have a story and there are practically no original characters other than Huey. I didn't find the battle system that convoluted, but I get where people areThis is a good step forward for Paper Mario, but Nintendo needs to run a 100m race to catch up with what they did previously. The presentation of the game is good, which should be expected for a Paper Mario. The game doesn't really have a story and there are practically no original characters other than Huey. I didn't find the battle system that convoluted, but I get where people are coming from. I say that we wait for the Nintendo Switch to fix what happened with Sticker Star and this game.… Expand
  6. JRo55
    Jan 26, 2023
    5
    Overall very mediocre. While the dialog can be entertaining, it relies too much on making constant paper jokes. The combat is very tedious and worse than sticker star. That said, I did have fun with the game when not fighting regular enemies.
  7. Fred_GameOnBatt
    Feb 12, 2017
    5
    Very funny game! But Paper Mario Color Splash might not reach the delirious highs of their previous tittles because it's not as RPG oriented as the first two games. Seems interesting but the game has almost the exact same problems as Sticker Star, and is ultimately a total bore in gameplay and story. A disappointing new step in a declining series.
  8. Digibutter64
    Jun 2, 2018
    7
    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a bit more accomplished than the incredibly disappointing Sticker Star, but doesn't quite capture the magic of Super Paper Mario.

    The gameplay is quite similar to Sticker Star, but they seemed to have handled it a bit better this time around. There's also slightly more variance in characters, and Color Splash has a bit more charm. However, the still-generic    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a bit more accomplished than the incredibly disappointing Sticker Star, but doesn't quite capture the magic of Super Paper Mario.

    The gameplay is quite similar to Sticker Star, but they seemed to have handled it a bit better this time around. There's also slightly more variance in characters, and Color Splash has a bit more charm. However, the still-generic plot and still mediocre gameplay make this entry less than essential.    … Expand
  9. BenneyBob
    Mar 25, 2017
    7
    Hands Down the best thing about this game is the art Because it looks Gorgeous other than that it really is just A better sticker star because it is the same concept i cant recommend this game unless you are curious
  10. Bullish
    Jun 21, 2017
    7
    I enjoyed this game, but once again the Mario RPG series is sliding farther and farther away from its roots.

    + The best quirkiness I have ever seen in a video game / legitimately humorous at times + The colors are so vibrant and lush, you'll feel hypnotized at times + Loved the whole individual level / overworld design - The battle system is a **** mess - Needs a party system,    I enjoyed this game, but once again the Mario RPG series is sliding farther and farther away from its roots.

    + The best quirkiness I have ever seen in a video game / legitimately humorous at times
    + The colors are so vibrant and lush, you'll feel hypnotized at times
    + Loved the whole individual level / overworld design

    - The battle system is a **** mess
    - Needs a party system, just too easy when you're only one character
    - Pulling and painting cards was tedious    … Expand
  11. REDMAN_GAMING
    Apr 9, 2022
    4
    the game is okay, its ruined by the battle system, a worse version of an already bad battle system from sticker star makes me actively not want to fight anything

    go play the old ones, this one made me pissed off playing it
  12. Chell_R
    Jul 21, 2020
    2
    Play the games that came before it...

    --This game is sh*t, compared to the ones that came before: it.
  13. FinalDestinatio
    Apr 9, 2018
    7
    An improvement over Sticker Star, but still not up to the Thousand Year Door standard.
  14. SuperLuigi
    Jul 16, 2020
    0
    The Paper world is trash go back to the classic style like ttyd, no exp in battles, consumable attacks, no unique character designs, trash story.... Garbage dissapointment
  15. Classico
    Jul 23, 2020
    0
    Pure garbage, should be avoided at all costs. I really can't think of anything redeemable about this game.
  16. ToadallyGaming
    Aug 16, 2020
    4
    Paper Mario Color Splash is The worst Paper Mario i ever played. The Art Style of The Game is very Nice. But this Game is so boring. I needed 2 Years to finish!
  17. BeeSting1
    Jan 1, 2021
    2
    The fall from grace continues.

    How does Nintendo mess up a once critically acclaimed series like Paper Mario? EVERYONE loved Paper Mario on the N64. EVERYONE loved The Thousand Year Door. They did a two story drop kick right onto all their fans' faces with Sticker Star. Alright. Fine. Nintendo likes experimenting with new ideas. Fan reception to sticker star was terrible. Mixed at best.    The fall from grace continues.

    How does Nintendo mess up a once critically acclaimed series like Paper Mario? EVERYONE loved Paper Mario on the N64. EVERYONE loved The Thousand Year Door. They did a two story drop kick right onto all their fans' faces with Sticker Star. Alright. Fine. Nintendo likes experimenting with new ideas. Fan reception to sticker star was terrible. Mixed at best. Surely, they would return to their original formula, and give fans what they want right? NO. We get a big **** YOU! in the form of Color Splash.

    GONE are the diverse species and inhabitants in the first two games. All we get are TOADS, TOADS, and MORE BORING ASS TOADS. A professor? A yellow toad. A merchant? A red toad. A barista? A green toad. Where is the variety?? I had ZERO anticipation going into the next area, because I knew I was just going to meet another ****ing toad. Aside from toads. The game would have shy guys talk sometimes, maybe a koopa here and there, and that's it. It's so horrendously bland. Characters are completely forgettable.

    THING stickers make a return. Omfg. WHY? I hated this in Sicker Star, and they bring it right back. Though, there was a Toad in the main town I could ask if I needed a thing card. But he wouldn't tell me what to avoid cause it would be futile without the thing card. So, I went into a boss fight with Iggy, thinking my reward would be the thing card I needed. BUT NO, turns out I needed that thing card for the fight. I wasted like 10 cards to fight him up to the point where Huey warned me that I didn't have the required card. WELL **** YOU, give me back my cards AND my time! Don't ALLOW the player to go into a fight IF they don't have what's required to win the fight. SIMPLE CONCEPT NINTENDO, ****! Now the only option was to flee the battle, or restart my console. THEN return to the battle with the required Thing card. **** that.

    After this, I just gave up. I wasn't going to have my time wasted further with these trial and error **** gameplay mechanics. Want me to have a thing card before a boss fight? Sure. Tell me WHERE to find it, and WHO I need to use it against, BEFORE I accidentally stumble into that fight because I didn't ****ing know. Or at least make SUPER **** CLEAR. Don't force me to travel back to the main town after every area JUST to ask that toad in the trash can to see if I need a thing sticker for the next area.

    This game is a huge waste of ****ing time. 10 step backwards from where the series started. Don't call your paper mario games "Paper Mario". Call it Puzzle Mario or some s***, cause this AIN'T the Paper Mario I knew and loved. Why can't you be on the same page as your fans Nintendo? Stop turning your good games to s***.    … Expand
  18. Frost_Cube
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    od presentation, but ultimately bland uninteresting gameplay with tons of pacing and padding issues, and lazy uninspired character design. Better than Sticker Star as a whole, but definitely doesn't live up to the quality of the first 3 games.
  19. Sjama
    Mar 14, 2022
    5
    All 3 of the previous paper mario games (N64, Gamecube and Wii) are in my top 10 favorite games. I played them on the consoles and replayed recently on emulators and was still impressed.

    This game is a disappointment. After forcing myself to play a few hours, I stopped and won't play it again. Positive: The graphics, color and cardboard style (as opposed to thick paper) look quite    All 3 of the previous paper mario games (N64, Gamecube and Wii) are in my top 10 favorite games. I played them on the consoles and replayed recently on emulators and was still impressed.

    This game is a disappointment. After forcing myself to play a few hours, I stopped and won't play it again.
    Positive:
    The graphics, color and cardboard style (as opposed to thick paper) look quite pleasant and suitable for this title.

    Negative:
    The story is almost inexistent, it feels more like a mario platformer game (eg. New Super Mario Bros.), but without the fun gameplay.
    The controlls and gameplay using cards is one of the most annoying and tedious I have ever experienced. Due to this, going into combat is a chore, and this is the main reason the game is ruined.
    The music is not bad, but worse than the 3 previous games.    … Expand
  20. TheWiiU
    Feb 5, 2021
    7
    To be honest there is fun to be had here. I enjoyed this game for what it's worth it is a semi-fun game. Sure it is not as good as TTYD or the original but it is still fun. The battle system is a bit of an overkill but it is okay.
  21. BaldursThones
    Apr 14, 2022
    7
    I like this game just because of the vibe. You got the train place, the circus place, and the pirate seas. However, I think the beginning of the game was too slow and I wish they didn't use the Koopalings as the bosses.
  22. Ernie81
    Nov 12, 2017
    10
    It's unfair that this game was swept under the carpet after the release becouse in my opinion it's one of the best adventure game on the WiiU and it's worth checking out. If you are a fan of great graphics then this title is a must see. The world is absolutely gorgeous and especially the lightining is stunning. The writing in this game is also top notch and even for this two reasons theIt's unfair that this game was swept under the carpet after the release becouse in my opinion it's one of the best adventure game on the WiiU and it's worth checking out. If you are a fan of great graphics then this title is a must see. The world is absolutely gorgeous and especially the lightining is stunning. The writing in this game is also top notch and even for this two reasons the game is worth playing. As for the battle system just treat it as a bonus to nice adventure and not the main reason to play. It still has a small leveling system so it's ok and if you don't like the touch controls you can change that in the options. I'm glad that I decided to buy it and play it. It remains me in some way a point and click adventure witch is great. Recommended!… Expand
  23. mixlyxfox
    Jan 4, 2017
    10
    I'm honestly shocked that this game has gotten so many negative reviews. Do the characters have a lot of depth? Nah. Is the story line mega detailed/involved? Nope. Not all games have to include insanely complicated story lines and character makeup. This game is fun. It's pretty. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, but don't go into it expecting a strong RPG....that's not what thisI'm honestly shocked that this game has gotten so many negative reviews. Do the characters have a lot of depth? Nah. Is the story line mega detailed/involved? Nope. Not all games have to include insanely complicated story lines and character makeup. This game is fun. It's pretty. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, but don't go into it expecting a strong RPG....that's not what this game is about.… Expand
  24. Seriousrevweiw
    Nov 29, 2017
    8
    This is one of the most under-rated games I've ever played. I'll admit, it has it's flaws, but whenever I see someone complain about something, more times than not it is over exaggerated.

    For example, whenever someone talks about the game-play being bad, they make it sound like it completely RUINS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, which isn't true. The battle mechanics aren't TERRIBLE, but they    This is one of the most under-rated games I've ever played. I'll admit, it has it's flaws, but whenever I see someone complain about something, more times than not it is over exaggerated.

    For example, whenever someone talks about the game-play being bad, they make it sound like it completely RUINS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, which isn't true. The battle mechanics aren't TERRIBLE, but they aren't fun either. You use battle cards and paint to battle opponents, which is an alright concept but poorly executed. After a while, battling got strangely mindless for me, not in a boring way but in a zoning out way. For example, when a battle starts I'll do the card thing and then time my attacks to do damage. But what I'm actually doing is staring at the absolutely ASTOUNDING visuals.

    This is easily the best graphics I've ever seen in a game. The graphics just ooze with charm and detail. Every location has something that makes it unique. There is even one level that references Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Paper Mario all at once. It was really fun. You want to know what else is fun and nice? The story.

    Personally, I think the story is nice and funny. Sure, it may be simplistic, but that doesn't mean that it is bad. I do wish that there were more unique characters besides Toad. For example, during the story, you go onto a pirate ship on a search for treasure and the captain's idol. And along the way, you between worlds and use the parallel worlds to progress forward. And at the end of the journey, there is a pretty funny joke(that I won't spoil) and a boss. That was one of my favorite parts of the game. You know what could have made it better? Interesting characters. Almost every person you meet along that journey is a Toad. Why couldn't there have been a Cheep Cheep captain or something? That would have been nice and could have been a potential setup for jokes. But no, you outta have de TOADS cuz of da MUSHROOM KINGDOM and PEACH and MAYRO and TOADZ!!!!!!!

    Now, let's move on from the super complex Shakespearean plot and get on with the rest of the game. The soundtrack is amazing, and makes up for the battle system a bit. Exploration is good too, since you gotta save the island from having the paint sucked dry. You need to use your paint hammer to paint the patches for coins, cards, and sometimes secrets! It's pretty fun.

    To sum it up, the pros. are the visuals, soundtrack, exploration, and humor. The cons. are the battling system, the characters, and some parts of the story. Don't let others make you miss out one of the best Wii U games for the system!    … Expand
  25. Locke_VI
    Nov 20, 2016
    5
    Colourful world, creative mechanic with the paint and humourous dialogue. It would be a fantastic game if the battle system wasn't so horrid. The slow, awkward battle system undermines the entire game.
  26. canisMayoris
    Oct 9, 2016
    1
    ups:
    -the art is gorgeous.
    -everything is 100% paper. it actually uses the paper related "puzzles" (if you call them that) some are actually creative. -humor/writing is pretty good as TYD, but the story is your typical mediocre Mario story. aka eh.. downs: -The game is extremely easy. -there is no strategy in battles -there is not much to explore. -the puzzles are joke. even    ups:
    -the art is gorgeous.
    -everything is 100% paper. it actually uses the paper related "puzzles" (if you call them that) some are actually creative.
    -humor/writing is pretty good as TYD, but the story is your typical mediocre Mario story. aka eh..

    downs:
    -The game is extremely easy.
    -there is no strategy in battles
    -there is not much to explore.
    -the puzzles are joke. even easier than the main pokemon games puzzles.
    -the battle system is is extremely easy as well. it gets way too repetitive
    -is a "slightly bit better" sticker star.
    you get so much coins, you can get many cards with out a sweat. no joke.    … Expand
  27. pikby
    Oct 7, 2016
    7
    Paper Mario Color Splash might not reach the delerious hights of the first 3 games ,but stands on its own as a fun adventure,with alot of personality,likeable characters, and clever design,even if ,while improved over sticker star ,the battle system is a bit lackluster

    75%
  28. Julian0505z
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    This game does not deserve the hate it gets. It fixes most of the issues from Sticker Star while adding a few new ones to keep things fresh. It's few shortcomings barely hinder this diamond in the rough!
  29. rnamoon
    Oct 10, 2016
    3
    Color splash honestly looks pretty good graphically sometimes, but the story is mediocre, the game-play is tedious and lacks replay value, puzzles and dialogue contain no substance, and the game decides to randomly punish the player for things out of their control with game overs.
    It manages to have the same issues as Sticker Star, but somehow found a way to create even more glaring flaws    Color splash honestly looks pretty good graphically sometimes, but the story is mediocre, the game-play is tedious and lacks replay value, puzzles and dialogue contain no substance, and the game decides to randomly punish the player for things out of their control with game overs.
    It manages to have the same issues as Sticker Star, but somehow found a way to create even more glaring flaws that makes me question the awful game design choices made by the development team.    … Expand
  30. Unfunlife
    Oct 12, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. + points
    1. Fantastic Graphics.
    2. Some charming characters. ex) boss npcs, shy guy in sunset express.
    3. Nice story.
    4. Great Easter-eggs. ex) Super Mario Bros. 3 easteregg, Flip moments from Super Paper Mario.
    5. Much better than Paper Mario Sticker Star.
    - points
    1. Not much improved card battle system.
    2. No unique npcs. Only toads & common enemies.
    3. Boring game play caused by easiness.
    4. No unique puzzles.
    5. Stupid Fanboys.
    (+5)+(-5)=0    … Expand
  31. Dionisos
    Oct 27, 2016
    3
    Este juego sin puntos de experiencia, compañeros y estrategias en el combate no tiene ningún sentido.
    Es un insulto a la saga y a los que amamos los dos primeros paper Mario de N64 y GC.
    Sólo se salva el diseño artístico.
  32. RawkHawk
    Oct 11, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't even know where to start. This sorry excuse for a Paper Mario game is so covered with flaws, you could drown in them. This horrible trash-heap of a game should be rotting with Drake and the 99 Dragons, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. This game gives an illusion that it has improved over Sticker Star, when it really hasn't.

    Let's start with the artstyle. It may appear epic and beautiful, but if you look closely, you can see the utter lack of concern for the franchise's reputation. Every single character has a white outline as if they were made of paper, which is hammered into your head EVERY MINUTE OF THE FLIPPIN' GAME. If you look at the original Paper Mario, you can see this is just a way of making the characters come to life, an artstyle.

    Let's get to the story. This story is just so horrible... u gotta get da paint stars and defeat big bad paint bowser. That is all it is.... Nothing more nothing less. However, Huey, Mario's partner, sacrifices himself to defeat "big bad paint bowser" by making himself a card. But, if you 100% the game, you are treated with a cutscene that shows Huey falling back into the fountain. I hate this so much. It shows how much Nintendo thinks we are complete idiots to begin forming a relationship with a floating garbage can with no personality whatsoever.

    Speaking of the characters and the writing, they suck too. Every NPC in the game is a Toad. A boring, plain Toad. They have no personality and have the most ridiculous dialogue ever. Stupid paper puns! This game is insulting everything the Paper Mario series stood for! Unique characters and personalities are completely thrown out the window for boring FLAT (see, not funny) characters. Not even one "joke" made me close to chuckling.

    The battle system... Yeah... It's the exact same as Sticker Star, but worse...

    I hate this game so much, I hate the people that support it. DO NOT GET THIS GAME! EVER. It is a disgrace to the real Paper Mario games, like the original and The Thousand Year Door. If you want to have an RPG adventure, play those games.    … Expand
  33. SuperMatt777
    Oct 10, 2016
    4
    I went into this game thinking it'd be like a 5 out of 10 based on all the footage I've seen since E3. Now that I've played it, I can safely say I was wrong. Feels more like a 4 out of 10 once I was actually in the game. So let me get into my thoughts.
    I guess I should start with the positives; the most glaring positive point here is those outstanding graphics. Like wow, it looks amazing.    I went into this game thinking it'd be like a 5 out of 10 based on all the footage I've seen since E3. Now that I've played it, I can safely say I was wrong. Feels more like a 4 out of 10 once I was actually in the game. So let me get into my thoughts.
    I guess I should start with the positives; the most glaring positive point here is those outstanding graphics. Like wow, it looks amazing. The worlds are so vibrant in their looks and Nintendo took the "everything is made of paper" idea and kicked it into high gear. The worlds look amazing and the art style is fantastic. It's really something nice. I know there are people out there who think the paper style take away from the charm of Paper Mario, but I disagree. I think it looks great. And it's nice to see that the locations are actually unique this time around, unlike the bland world themes seen in both Sticker Star and Paper Jam. Another thing the game does great is the dialogue. The writing in this game is also great; it's legit funny at times. There are even some points in the game where you're likely going to think to yourselves "Nintendo actually approved of this writing?" And I say that in a good way too. The soundtrack is pretty decent too, no hate, but no real love for it in my eyes or ears. So yeah, amazing visuals and outstanding dialogue are the tops of this game.

    Yeah, the visuals and the writing are about the only things I can really praise here, cause I'm not fond of a lot of the elements about this game. Let me summarize it simply; it is way to similar to Sticker Star and I honestly hated that game. So making a sequel to a game I hate is already going to get bad thoughts brewing. And it really doesn't help that almost every problem Sticker Star had returns in this game too. The gameplay is still overly flawed. Inventory based gameplay that forces you to waste potential attacks on enemies that can be killed with even the weakest of cards. You are still forced to attack the first enemy in the line, meaning you can't take out attack heavy threats waiting behind without taking the tiny meat shields in front out first. The enemies themselves are still the most genetic enemies we've seen in any mainstream game. The bosses are once again "roam around, find the thing card you need and win the battle", only it's made worse in this game as they're flat out required to have and if you don't, the battle is impossible to win. And the NPCs are still just Toads. Risa said in an interview that they all have unique personalities, but that really isn't the point; all Toads is still boring. A "level up" system was added to make it seem like battles weren't pointless, except that they are still pointless. The game's level up system is hammer scraps which lets you hold more paint. Except you're rarely going to run out of paint and in order to get more paint, all you have to do is hit trees, flowers or stuff like that to get more. Or defeat enemies to get more paint needed to defeat more enemies. It's the same, pointless and endless cycle that Sticker Star had. Let me compare this problem to a broken screwdriver. The handle is completely snapped off; you can tape it back together and make it look fixed, but realistically it's still broken. That's exactly what this level up system is; it supposed to make it seem like battles are worth it, but they still aren't. The story is still bare bones and unimaginative, with Bowser being the main villain and kidnapping Peach. There are a few twists to it, but at the core, it's still the same deal. The first game can get away with it, but not so much the fifth game.

    In the end, Color Splash's graphics and writing are it's prized features, but the fact that it's too close to Sticker Star bogs it down so much that I can't even give it a 5 out of 10. The combat system is still flawed, there are still no unique characters in the game and every problem they "fixed" was not actually fixed, just covered up to convince us that they were fixed. If you liked Sticker Star, no doubt this game will suit you, but for anyone who's just starting the series, here's my advice: play the first three games first; you can get both Paper Mario 64 and Super Paper Mario on the Wii U eShop for cheaper than this game and you'll get a better experience for it. In the mean time, I honestly hope that Nintendo stops goofing around with Paper Mario and returns it to the RPG roots everyone wants. Risa still said they'd consider a TTYD remaster if fans wanted it enough, now it's time to see if she's telling the truth or just lying because interviews were there. All we can do is wait.    … Expand
  34. Review-Z
    Oct 17, 2016
    0
    same as it ever was
    same as it ever was

    if you wanted a PM game that's just a polished edition of Sticker Star with memetic jokes that you on twitter, this game is for you.

    seriously, just like the last game all you need is a wealthy amount of coins (which isn't so hard to gain), max paint, and you can skim through game like if it was nothing.
  35. SuperIsaias64
    Oct 25, 2016
    2
    After the dreadful game that was Sticker Star, Nintendo though it would be a good idea to continue the terrible game play and somehow made it worse in Paper Mario: Color Splash. I never intended to buy the game because I knew what I was getting into, but the Paper Mario fan in me really wanted a good Paper Mario game. It didn't happen.

    I want to start with the biggest criticism I have    After the dreadful game that was Sticker Star, Nintendo though it would be a good idea to continue the terrible game play and somehow made it worse in Paper Mario: Color Splash. I never intended to buy the game because I knew what I was getting into, but the Paper Mario fan in me really wanted a good Paper Mario game. It didn't happen.

    I want to start with the biggest criticism I have with the game. The game play itself. Battles become incredibly tedious and frustrating after each battle due to the battle system. Battle Cards are one-use items that let you perform Jumps, Hammer attacks, etc. With many cards stock piled, you'll have to scroll all the way to the left if you want to perform a simple Jump attack. I wouldn't have a problem with this if they didn't start you at the far right of your deck where all your powerful cards are at. You gain no experience points when you defeat an enemy but rather "hammer scraps" that allows you to carry more paint to paint more cards to attack more enemies with decent attack power. I find myself running away from battles more often than not because I just don't want to waste time and fight.

    "Things" unfortunately make a return from Sticker Star. Many of the game's puzzles stem from the use of "Things". They're not clever, fun or add any real substance to game play. The puzzles are just annoying. Also, boss battles are as annoying as they were in Sticker Star. It's clear when a boss can kill you with one hit that they want you to use these stupid "Things" in order to exploit a weakness. At which point, the boss battles become extremely easy yet annoying. When you don't have the right "Thing" you'll be forced to run away and find the right "Thing" to defeat the boss. The last boss won't allow you to run away so it's just a bunch of trial and error.

    Characters are bland and forgettable. About 97% of all NPCs are just generic Toads. Some have different colors or maybe some glasses if you're lucky.

    I can say however that the music is very nice. Nothing to write home about, but I found myself enjoying some of the tracks. Especially the battle theme for the juggling Hammer Bros. Look it up!

    The visuals are also amazing. Everything is made up of paper or cardboard. It really has a crafty feel to it. Although I prefer not to draw too much attention to the whole paper theme as the N64 or TTYD did. It can get obnoxious. Like, I GET IT. IT'S MADE OF PAPER.

    The one moment I flipped out on and yelled "F*** THIS GAME!!!!" was the "Snifit or Whiffit: Seabed Edition" mini game. Let me explain: I arrive at a base and I see a lone Snifit offering me 30ish cards for money. I had plenty of cards so I figured I didn't need it and pressed on. I fall through a trap door and find myself in a game show that I cannot run away from or else I die. They challenge you on memorizing cards passing in the screen. Now I wouldn't have a problem with this except in order to buzz in your correct answer, you also need to have the correct cards to answer with. Which I did not. It is extremely unfair and annoying.

    I honestly did not have fun with this game. The battle system and lack of EXP made this feel flat. I felt like I was wasting my time with this game and I was hoping it would be over soon so in some way I felt justified with my purchase. The battles where I kept wasting cards through trial and error, having to go back to town to find the right stupid "Things" and backtracking to areas I thought I was done, it was all a waste of time. I have never felt so much buyer's remorse since Epic Mickey. And this is a Mario game! I forgave Nintendo with Star Fox Zero's terrible control scheme, but this game pushed me over the edge with its tedious game play that felt like a chore to play.

    If this is what the future of Paper Mario will be, stupid input from Miyamoto on changing something that wasn't broken for the sake of being "innovative", then consider me no longer a fan of this series.    … Expand
  36. NuVanDibe
    Jan 29, 2017
    1
    This is not a successor to Paper Mario 1 or 2. This is Sticker Star 2. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Great visuals, great presentation, great sound, decent jokes, completely ruined by a bland story, shallow characters, and frustratingly disappointing gameplay. The story has lots of decent one-off jokes but no real substance. I found myself laughing from time to time, only to goThis is not a successor to Paper Mario 1 or 2. This is Sticker Star 2. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Great visuals, great presentation, great sound, decent jokes, completely ruined by a bland story, shallow characters, and frustratingly disappointing gameplay. The story has lots of decent one-off jokes but no real substance. I found myself laughing from time to time, only to go right back to frowning as I slogged through the game. Every single step I took felt meaningless and repetitive. The battles are more annoying than fun because they waste finite resources and do not progress your character in any meaningful way. You're better off watching a video compilation of the funny moments because the hours in between are a complete waste. Nintendo took a chance modifying the main gameplay features with Sticker Star, and when the modifications failed horribly, they tried to bring the exact same modifications again, only they tried to change more of the game around the modifications. Overall a 9/10 for polish, minus 8 points for the base game still being a turd.… Expand
  37. Hellsky
    Oct 8, 2017
    9
    Paper Mario returns to Wii U with a new formula and surprising me for good!

    I've played all Paper Mario games except the N64 one and I have to say that I don't like that Nintendo ripped off some of the rpg elements and the original characters but you need to play this game as a new Mario game to enjoy it, don't look at the RPG past. It conserves a lot of that Paper Mario magic and    Paper Mario returns to Wii U with a new formula and surprising me for good!

    I've played all Paper Mario games except the N64 one and I have to say that I don't like that Nintendo ripped off some of the rpg elements and the original characters but you need to play this game as a new Mario game to enjoy it, don't look at the RPG past. It conserves a lot of that Paper Mario magic and you'll notice soon.

    This game is incredible, it has fantastic ideas, improves by far BY FAR the flop that was Sticker Star and the humor is 100 times better. It has that old Paper Mario feeling and you enjoy every single moment.

    The gameplay consists on painting the world while collecting star fragments to save the Mushroom Kingdom from an evil guy. While you are doing your prime task you are battling foes with cards. The battle system is sort of turn based like Thousand Year Door but the items that you used are lost forever until you find or buy the card again. The battles can be a little repetitive but it didn't get boring.

    The soundtrack is a very good one, I really fell in love with some tracks from the game.

    Overall, I think Paper Mario Color Splash is one of the must haves for a Wii U owner and I personally give it a 8.5, so in Metacritic I'll give it a 9. Very good game!!    … Expand
  38. MrTupins
    Jan 12, 2017
    1
    Pros:
    - The dialog has many moments that will make you crack a smile
    - Visuals are crisp and colorful, art in general looks very good Cons, I will go into more detail after listing these: - The battle system a chore, takes too long, and is unrewarding, "Things" make regular attacks pointless - Coins and paint are far too abundant, making them a useless resource, especially as a    Pros:
    - The dialog has many moments that will make you crack a smile
    - Visuals are crisp and colorful, art in general looks very good

    Cons, I will go into more detail after listing these:
    - The battle system a chore, takes too long, and is unrewarding, "Things" make regular attacks pointless
    - Coins and paint are far too abundant, making them a useless resource, especially as a reward
    - The game is full of back tracking for certain items
    - Much of the menu navigation and world navigation takes way too long, which makes back tracking all the more painful
    - Random quick time events in cut scenes that will more than likely kill you which typically means you have to back track 5 minutes
    - Mundane enemy spam happens in some areas is extremely frustrating especially due to how slow combat is
    - The cut out system has some creative uses, but overall just serves as a source for much of this game's back tracking issues
    - Game overall is painfully easy, which makes the gameplay feel unrewarding

    Some elaboration about the battle system issues:

    The time it takes to complete a battle is unacceptable. You have to sift through 100 cards to find a move, select X number of cards, color them in if necessary, accept the colors, play the cards, execute the moves. I don't mention the enemies attacking because they did a pretty good job with making enemy attack sequences quick; if there are a ton of enemies they attack in groups. That doesn't seem so bad until you factor in all the other stuff you have to do every turn, such as:
    - Sift through your 100 card deck, not a huge deal
    - Try to make some kind of best guess as to what the best move is because
    1) Enemies have unknown HP
    2) Your attacks have unknown damage values, you never really know how much affect your coloring the cards will have on damage output
    3) Any extra cards you play after defeating an enemy will be wasted
    4) You can only attack the target in front and due to you not knowing whether your attack will 100% kill the enemy, you could then auto-target an enemy behind and get countered or your attack will miss
    - Sit through Kamek's nonsense, where your reward is just useless coins, and the risk is using a really good card you've been saving for a special occasion
    - Hitting the roulette wheel for extra cards, which is necessary at times, takes 10 seconds it you want to try to get the actual card you want out of it.
    Which is another joke, because any chimp who can count to 10 can land a "Thing" (or whatever you want) almost every time. On top of that you can pay 20 coins to show all the faces anyways making it a guarantee.
    The battle system, over time, just becomes an absolute chore because of this. You get all the different styles of cards early on in the game as oppose to pacing them out to you to keep things fresh. The only way they've really paced new cards out to you is by offering "Thing" cards, but the majority of the "Thing" cards take so long to play that you only ever really want to play the quickest ones. They offer some different cards other than "Things", but you never really have any reason to play those cards anyways, aside from very few boss battles, because you can just drop a "Thing" on enemies and one shot them.
    The only reward for battles are cards, coins, and paint. Coins and paint are too abundant, and cards still pretty abundant. Your "level up" is letting you have more max paint, which again is worthless.

    Some elaboration about back tracking and wasting time:

    The world overview takes forever to traverse, and you have to traverse it very often. Often you get this random shy guy event which leads to a battle, which is again a time waster. You will often go into a world, hit a brick wall because you needed a certain "Thing", and have to back track to retrieve that thing. This entails getting back to the world overview, which if you're in certain maps, you will have to walk back to the entrance of the level to go back. Then you have to walk across the world overview. Then you have to go to the guy in town that sells "Things". Then you have to buy and squeeze the "Thing". Then go back to the world overview and walk to the level. Then play the level over again from the beginning with whatever shortcuts you unlocked, which usually don't shave off much time.
    There are quick time events that happen maybe 4 times in the game which, when you fail, you get a game over and go back to the menu. They often happen randomly when you have your hands down your pants, and often the time it takes to get the controller back into your hands will get you killed. That means you have to sit through all that animation, wait for the main menu, open your save back, redo what you did to get to the QTE, and then try again.

    I just don't understand how a AAA company can make such poor, flawed decisions about core gameplay elements.    … Expand
  39. afraaa
    Oct 17, 2016
    6
    First of all I'm not even played those two Old great P-Mario ( I've seen and know they are great ) and I like Sticker star BUT this game have some cumbersome issues for me I cant Ignore !!! :

    1 - why we can't browse cards with stick !? this is cumbersome go back and forth between holding game pad with one hand and using stylus and again holding back game pad normally while I want to    First of all I'm not even played those two Old great P-Mario ( I've seen and know they are great ) and I like Sticker star BUT this game have some cumbersome issues for me I cant Ignore !!! :

    1 - why we can't browse cards with stick !? this is cumbersome go back and forth between holding game pad with one hand and using stylus and again holding back game pad normally while I want to complete 100 percent of levels as of my style of playing games.

    2- Why there is 4 steps for using a simple card ? they could easily made it quick with fast browsing system ( managing cards with category : hammers / jumps / Big cards / ) . we could select cards easily by category instead of boring browsing every time ( Oh man... ) then paint them and swipe them right away without boring verifying , and if I regret of my choice of cards they could put swipe down gesture to cancel selected cards , isn't it really better way !?
    3 - Why all this toads with same face . I really like toads until I played C-Splash . now I stuffed with toads and I'm not even made to 40% of the game . at least put some glasses on Professor toad for Mushroom kingdom sake ! don't fool yourself Nintendo this is copy and paste . We had old toads in Mario sunshine with mustache , What's wrong with it ?
    there are lot of characters in super Mario world beside toads .    … Expand
  40. amihart
    Dec 31, 2016
    8
    The creativity of this game is on the level of The Thousand Year Door, from resurrecting and riding a giant dragon, solving the mysteries of a haunted mansion, trying to take back a hijacked train, there's just a huge variety in stuff that you do.

    The creativity is hurt a little bit by the lack of original characters, as this game almost purely uses old Mario characters, however this    The creativity of this game is on the level of The Thousand Year Door, from resurrecting and riding a giant dragon, solving the mysteries of a haunted mansion, trying to take back a hijacked train, there's just a huge variety in stuff that you do.

    The creativity is hurt a little bit by the lack of original characters, as this game almost purely uses old Mario characters, however this was a decision likely made by Miyamoto and not Intelligent Systems, so they still manage to make the characters' personalities unique and interesting despite having the same skins. Do remember that the original Paper Mario also used mainly original characters, it is not as big of a problem as others make it out to be, but it's definitely a point off for me. The adventure itself and all the places you go is very creative and interesting, although the overarching story isn't much more creative than the original Paper Mario. That's not a huge issue for me, though, as long as the story along the way is good.

    The combat system is nowhere near as good as the first two games, but it's way better than the next two games, being Sticker Star and Super Paper Mario. Fighting battles levels up your paint meter, and you need more paint for more powerful battle cards, so essentially, the more you fight, the more powerful you become. This is how an RPG should work and is what ruined Sticker Star's battle system. The main issue with the battle system is that most battles are too quick and easy, you can beat most in a single turn if you have the right cards, and the game throws so much resources at you (I had 9999 coins early on in the game) that you can almost always afford the cards you need. This definitely isn't a brutal game, it's rather easy, but I still find the battle system to be enjoyable. The fact that I enjoyed the battle system doesn't make it terrible for me, but it's definitely a point off as it has issues and is nowhere near The Thousand Year Door's level.

    This game also has quite a bit of length. It has about 40 hours of gameplay, which is about the same as Sticker Star and Super Paper Mario combined.

    Overall I'd say this is a rather good game and I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who has a Wii U. It still falls below The Thousand Year Door but that doesn't mean on its own it's a bad game, it's still a very good game on its own. I would say this pushes the series in the right direction.

    Many people are upset about this game for not returning to The Thousand Year Door's mechanics, but many Paper Mario fans include Super Paper Mario as a good game, and that game had gameplay even further from TTYD's. So I'd recommend Paper Mario fans not passing up this game and giving it a chance. It is definitely NOT another Sticker Star.    … Expand
  41. GamerStar
    Mar 4, 2017
    10
    I LOVE the Paper Mario series!I feel like there's a game for all types of players!And I gotta say,Paper Mario:Color Splash was a great game.If your willing to try this game,then go for it!I really enjoy this game.It may not have a hardcore,complicated story or 10 different partners or a normal battle system,but even without those things,it was still a very charming game.There's one thingI LOVE the Paper Mario series!I feel like there's a game for all types of players!And I gotta say,Paper Mario:Color Splash was a great game.If your willing to try this game,then go for it!I really enjoy this game.It may not have a hardcore,complicated story or 10 different partners or a normal battle system,but even without those things,it was still a very charming game.There's one thing that didn't change...the humor!This game is hilarious!In the first five minutes of the game,I was laughing so hard!And even though you only have one partner,your partner is probably the most charming thing about the game!So,like I said before,if you are willing to try this game,I think you should.And if you dislike it,that's fine,it may not go with your gaming style.But please,don't put down this game because its different,it may just be better than you expect.… Expand
  42. cole5677
    Nov 12, 2017
    7
    Well once again Nintendo decides to screw over its fans again by completely ignoring their feedback from Sticker Star and this is what we get. Battling is pointless, there is basically no story, boringly designed characters, world map, Koopalings, illogically designed and frustrating puzzles and boss fights, etc.

    Though I can say that there are good parts to the game. Beautiful visuals,    Well once again Nintendo decides to screw over its fans again by completely ignoring their feedback from Sticker Star and this is what we get. Battling is pointless, there is basically no story, boringly designed characters, world map, Koopalings, illogically designed and frustrating puzzles and boss fights, etc.

    Though I can say that there are good parts to the game. Beautiful visuals, great and wide variety of music, witty humour, and fun level designs, to name a few.

    That being said, I was still heavily disappointed with this game and I really hope Nintendo can make a true Paper Mario game for the Switch.    … Expand
  43. CyberRobotnix
    Mar 7, 2018
    5
    Like Paper Jam and Sticker star, this game has no substance, no story and if it wasn't for the dialogues, the graphics and the ost, that crap would get around 2/10 - 4/10.

    This game also relies too much on backtracking and those stupid yu-gi-oh cards that should have been optional from the beginning. And of course, the story sucks like in Mario Odyssey, like in New Super Mario Bros    Like Paper Jam and Sticker star, this game has no substance, no story and if it wasn't for the dialogues, the graphics and the ost, that crap would get around 2/10 - 4/10.

    This game also relies too much on backtracking and those stupid yu-gi-oh cards that should have been optional from the beginning.

    And of course, the story sucks like in Mario Odyssey, like in New Super Mario Bros and so on.

    Man, this game sucks. Go play the original or TTYD.    … Expand
  44. MPReviews
    Jun 3, 2018
    8
    Now, first off, I’ve never actually played any of the past paper mario games, so this is my first foray into the franchise, and boy what a great start! I had a really good time playing color splash! It can be a bit confusing at times, and admittedly I did get frustrated during those periods, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it with fun gameplay, nice music, amazing graphicsNow, first off, I’ve never actually played any of the past paper mario games, so this is my first foray into the franchise, and boy what a great start! I had a really good time playing color splash! It can be a bit confusing at times, and admittedly I did get frustrated during those periods, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it with fun gameplay, nice music, amazing graphics for wii-u standards, and outstanding writing. And that ending.... bravo, intelligent systems! Bravo! So overall, paper mario: color splash gets an 8/10. Its not perfect, but the good stuff is just so good!!! Definetely check this one out if you haven’t already.… Expand
  45. TheSimpranos
    Mar 3, 2018
    5
    I miss old Paper Mario. Nintendo please listen to your fans. Even if Color Splash was Sticker Star done right we want characters and stories again.
  46. PipoPlatzGames
    Mar 20, 2018
    8
    I think Color Splash is an incredible game and I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I have only played one Paper Mario game prior to this one and that is Super Paper Mario. So I don't have those high almighty original Paper Mario and TTYD to compare it to.
    I love the sense of exploration I get from the game and how it feels like I'm on an adventure with Mario and Huey.    I think Color Splash is an incredible game and I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I have only played one Paper Mario game prior to this one and that is Super Paper Mario. So I don't have those high almighty original Paper Mario and TTYD to compare it to.
    I love the sense of exploration I get from the game and how it feels like I'm on an adventure with Mario and Huey.
    Yes the battle system is not the best and yes the puzzles are a bit gimmicky and don't make sense some times but I still had a blast with it.
    If you are looking for a laid back fun adventure with laugh out loud moments thanks to the wonderful writing of the game, and are not looking for a deep and advanced RPG battle system, don't miss out on this game.    … Expand
  47. gamenaturegeek
    Apr 6, 2018
    8
    This is an amazing game with a few small flaws here and there. The story like all other Paper Mario games before it is hilarious and also emotional taking jokes and tropes from memes and pop culture to make this one silly game. The presentation is also really good. Having the world be made of paint, cardboard, and paper really adds to the "paper" part of this game a lot. However there areThis is an amazing game with a few small flaws here and there. The story like all other Paper Mario games before it is hilarious and also emotional taking jokes and tropes from memes and pop culture to make this one silly game. The presentation is also really good. Having the world be made of paint, cardboard, and paper really adds to the "paper" part of this game a lot. However there are a few nitpicks I have with this game. Unlike the first three Paper Mario's this one is lacking unique and quirky characters like O'Chuncks or Dopliss and only really has toads and shy guys which gets really old after the first few hours of playing. Another issue is the combat. It is very repetitive with only four kinds of attacks.(Flowers,Jumps,Hammers,and Things) However The thing cards are always hilarious and I can use the same one ten times and it still doesn't get old. One last issue I had with the game was the last chapter and the ending. By the time you look for the green paint star the game has just ran out of ideas and has no interesting characters in this part. And the ending boss fight is really bland and afterwards the ending leaves a lot to be desired. Although I really did enjoy the Roy fight though. However because of these issues this game gets a 7 out of 10.… Expand
  48. FNaF
    Dec 12, 2018
    10
    Looks like we finally got a sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star on the Wii U!
  49. Alfortuna2018
    Dec 27, 2018
    10
    Amazing game. Very funny story and beautiful scenario. Essential game for all owners of WiiU.
  50. teamxelu
    Jul 20, 2020
    7
    not too bad but there are still glaring issues,like the battle system and no unique toads but overall a good romp
  51. Max_Lazy_10
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    Fun game. It's not as RPG oriented as the first two games, but definitely a much better game than Sticker Star. Writing and locations in game are definitely on point!
  52. EpicLadySponge
    Oct 7, 2016
    7
    Paper Mario: Color Splash brings the series' attention by making it not just another Sticker Star simulator, but at the same time, making it feel like its own thing. While it tries to return what has been done in the past, its bigger problems from the previous game are kept making this game just plain average. Not as bad people would say, but it may be worth fun for you.
  53. bowser12
    Dec 28, 2016
    10
    To be honest I give this game around an 8/8,5 but people are bashing it so hard that I gave it a 10 to push the rating. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Even at its worst it would still be worth at least a 6. Not a 4 or a 2 or whatever. This game is gorgeous, with great level design and dialogue, and VERY good music. The overall presentation is great and the battle system is NOTTo be honest I give this game around an 8/8,5 but people are bashing it so hard that I gave it a 10 to push the rating. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Even at its worst it would still be worth at least a 6. Not a 4 or a 2 or whatever. This game is gorgeous, with great level design and dialogue, and VERY good music. The overall presentation is great and the battle system is NOT crap. Yes it is not anything special but it does NOT suck. For where the battle system falls a bit flat all other aspects of the game carry you through an amazing adventure full of memorable moments and locations. This is a great game and giving it ratings of 4,2 or 3 is saying that its pure and utter garbage! And its far from that!

    For me its a very memorable experience and i encourage people with a wii u to pick it up if you like action/adventure games. ( for this iteration is not really an RPG like many people seem to claim just because the battle system is turn based lel)    … Expand
  54. indoGAMER
    Oct 7, 2016
    8
    A simple, Paper Mario title, is now on Wii U. The gameplay looks graphically nice in-depth and smooth just like a real paper. The mechanics are very simple, not complex (like the second Paper Mario), because Paper Mario is meant to be simple and fun, and Color Splash proves it.
  55. Cientifico1
    Mar 23, 2017
    10
    JUEGAZO!! No es como el Paper Mario de GC y eso es lo que muchos le echan en contra pero dejen ese criterio falso atrás y pruebenlo. Para los conocedores de la saga sabrán que es un punto medio entre el de GC y el de 3ds y para los nuevos lo disfrutaran como nunca antes gracias a su jugabilidad y realismo.
  56. WetShoelaze
    Oct 7, 2016
    3
    Seems interesting on the outside, but the game has almost the exact same problems as Sticker Star, and is ultimately a total bore in gameplay and story.
  57. Shadow1
    Mar 4, 2017
    4
    76? This is joke?! What the **** is this? This is worst Paper Mario game, not to mention Sticker Star. Graphics isn't upgrade, story is terrible, if remember wonderful story in The Thousand Year Door or amazing story in SPM, gameplay isn't upgrade and isn't downgrade, but this isn't main, in Paper Mario storyline is main, but in last PM not interesting, full **** New PM isn't good, new PM is Suck
  58. Kenryck
    Oct 20, 2016
    0
    This game is the 2nd worst paper mario game in the series, it has a new michanic that's the worst, and I hate it's dumb stupid face because this is not a PM game
  59. VideoGameLover
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    I have played every Paper Mario game ever. And they are all fantastic, creative, original experiences (yes, even Sticker Star)

    Though this one is, without a doubt, is the most beautiful, both visually and audibly (the music is unreal) Paper Mario game ever. It's a game you never want to stop playing because you are anxious to see what happens next. I have never laughed out loud as    I have played every Paper Mario game ever. And they are all fantastic, creative, original experiences (yes, even Sticker Star)

    Though this one is, without a doubt, is the most beautiful, both visually and audibly (the music is unreal) Paper Mario game ever. It's a game you never want to stop playing because you are anxious to see what happens next. I have never laughed out loud as much as I have in ANY video game. The writing is pure genius. The battle system is not perfect, but, it's fine and it adds up to something special.

    Do not listen to the salty haters out there who didn't get the THOUSAND YEAR DOOR sequel they wanted. Nintendo gives us this gift, a fresh take on the series, with less RPG and more action, adventure and story than ever. And at over 40 hours long, it's a great value.

    I advise you to 100% this game. And you will be rewarded.

    I would give the game a 15 out of 10 if I could!    … Expand
  60. huynhjd
    Oct 9, 2016
    9
    Sound / Music: The music in the game is extremely catchy and makes each new area a joy to explore. When there is mystery or a villain moment, the music really conveys the mood of the story.

    Story / writing: The story is like you would expect for a Mario game. You have to find different stars to restore Prism Island to its former glory. The game really shines with smaller stories for new    Sound / Music: The music in the game is extremely catchy and makes each new area a joy to explore. When there is mystery or a villain moment, the music really conveys the mood of the story.

    Story / writing: The story is like you would expect for a Mario game. You have to find different stars to restore Prism Island to its former glory. The game really shines with smaller stories for new NPCs where you must solve their problems. Each conversation is either to help the player figure out how to complete an objective, or it is comedy/humor. I had my girlfriend playing along and regardless of your experience with the series or gaming, you will be laughing and enjoying yourself.

    Gameplay: You explore different levels, coloring the world and replacing paint sucked away by the shyguys. you use your paint and hammer to fill in blank spots, receiving coins and battle cards. There are also some light puzzles thrown in.

    For combat, the game has a pretty balanced card system. You have different cards with various levels of power. You can use your paint meter as well as action commands in order to do more damage. The game is simple and relatively easy (accessible), but new enemies will still surprise you with higher damage or different attack timings. As you play, you will be able to play more than one card per turn. This requires you to plan out and anticipate how much damage you will do and who might receive your second attack. You wouldn't want to end up jumping on a spiky enemy in your second attack! To address criticism the the game LOOKS like the sticker star system, there are a distinct differences that make this combat system unique from past games.

    1. Battles are not a waste - you gain hammer points that will power you up with a larger paint meter so that you are less likely to run out in battle. There aren't traditional experience points, reducing the temptation to grind enemies over and over. Also, the enemy cards can be helpful and are decently powerful (only obtained through fighting).

    2. Running Out of stickers/cards - It is less likely that you run out of resources because you can buy additional cards at shops, the game provides multiple cards within each level, and there is a roulette you can spin to get a random card in the middle of battle.

    3. Thing cards ruin the game if used at the wrong time - Thing cards are still very important for winning boss battles. They are more of a puzzle element than a battle element. This is a criticism of the game as it makes these fights easier. However, boss battles are still an added fun factor.

    Graphics / Aesthetic: The game looks good. The cardboard and paper style really gives the game character. The animations are smooth. the battles with action commands show creative paint particle effects, and thing cards give you big impressive attacks that add to the comedy but also look nice on the wii u.    … Expand
  61. ricardosilveira
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Muito bonito e divertido, achei o jogo que mais trabalhou com o papel, junto com a história que combinou muito. Realmente um jogo nunca me impressionou tanto como o Paper Mario: Color Splash.
  62. Galeafeend
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    This was a great game with tons of exploration in a variety of areas with interesting settings and characters to talk to. However there was a significant amount of backtracking which was slightly annoying.
  63. sergiomonty
    Nov 2, 2016
    9
    Wonderfully written, visually impressive and musically masterful, Paper Mario Color Splash is a delight. Even if it wasn't developed in the same way as a traditional Paper Mario game, Color Splash manages to come out as a great game on its own. Despite the lack of variety in character designs, Color Splash has some memorable dialogues and locations, and some of the wildest and wackiestWonderfully written, visually impressive and musically masterful, Paper Mario Color Splash is a delight. Even if it wasn't developed in the same way as a traditional Paper Mario game, Color Splash manages to come out as a great game on its own. Despite the lack of variety in character designs, Color Splash has some memorable dialogues and locations, and some of the wildest and wackiest ideas the series has come up with. The combat system doesn't really need touch controls, but thankfully, those can be configured later in the game. Nothing replaces traditional buttons. Definitely, a very decent swan song for Wii U owners, and one of the most gorgeous looking games this generation.… Expand
  64. Snaxfrlnch
    Dec 19, 2016
    8
    I'm going to base my rating on the average of a bunch of smaller ratings!
    Play time: 8
    The play time is about 30-40 hours, which is perfect, Paper Mario Color Splash doesn't artificially prolong or shorten the length of the game, which just makes it the perfect game finish in a week when you have lots of free time. Graphics:10 The graphics are amazing! I mean, just look at the lemon    I'm going to base my rating on the average of a bunch of smaller ratings!
    Play time: 8
    The play time is about 30-40 hours, which is perfect, Paper Mario Color Splash doesn't artificially prolong or shorten the length of the game, which just makes it the perfect game finish in a week when you have lots of free time.
    Graphics:10
    The graphics are amazing! I mean, just look at the lemon animation!
    Combat:3
    This is where things go downhill. The combat in this game is not fun whatsoever, with the exception of the bosses. The combat is so slow and repetitive, and it's way to easy!
    Story:6
    Meh, I mean it's a Mario game, what did you expect?
    Exploration:10
    This is probably the best part of the game, the game is funny, and it makes you want to keep playing, to find out what the next area will be!

    Overall:8
    Paper Mario Color Splash has some of the best exploring in all of Mario games, and the most realistic lemons in all of gaming itself! It's perfect to just sit down and play when you have free time. The story is okay, and the combat is horrible, but if your looking for a happy go lucky, funny game, Paper Mario Color Splash is perfect!    … Expand
  65. antonijames
    Apr 15, 2018
    1
    A tiny step up from the utter trash that was Sticker Star. Yes there's some funny dialogue and the art design is beautiful but that is all that even made me half-smile. You can upgrade a bit in this one, but it's so small and unimportant that I still had absolutely no interest in anything. I love Nintendo, but for this game they basically took paper mario's designs, made them all sharp, HDA tiny step up from the utter trash that was Sticker Star. Yes there's some funny dialogue and the art design is beautiful but that is all that even made me half-smile. You can upgrade a bit in this one, but it's so small and unimportant that I still had absolutely no interest in anything. I love Nintendo, but for this game they basically took paper mario's designs, made them all sharp, HD and beautifully coloured and then took out every single cool character, story and battle element and replaced them all with Toad. Yes, toad is pretty much the only other thing in this game.… Expand
  66. Jhena
    Apr 23, 2019
    10
    Einer meiner liebsten Nintendo Titel nur das Kampfsystem is echt nicht so toll. Trifft aber irgendwie für so ziemlich jedes jrpg dass ich in letzter Zeit gespielt hab zu find ich. Ist jetzt aber auch nich so schlimm dass ich dafür ne Perle links liegen lasse.

    Der Rest stimmt halt. Der für mich wichtige Kern eines jrpgs. Nintendo Atmosphäre ohne Ende und richtig gute (Welten) mit    Einer meiner liebsten Nintendo Titel nur das Kampfsystem is echt nicht so toll. Trifft aber irgendwie für so ziemlich jedes jrpg dass ich in letzter Zeit gespielt hab zu find ich. Ist jetzt aber auch nich so schlimm dass ich dafür ne Perle links liegen lasse.

    Der Rest stimmt halt. Der für mich wichtige Kern eines jrpgs. Nintendo Atmosphäre ohne Ende und richtig gute (Welten) mit genialen Situationen und sympathischen Charakteren. An sich ist die Story wie in eigentlich jedem Spiel bloss Story aber wie gesagt die Situationen sind einfach nur genial und mit dazu passenden und teilweise wirklich witzigen Dialogen. Mir hat das Spiel ziemlich gute Laune gemacht. Ist wie mario sunshine für mich. Neuerdings finde ich dass zu viele Spiele einfach viel zu ernst und runterziehend sind. Color Splash is einfach genau das was ich brauche. Herzerwärmende Nahrung für die Seele.

    Ich hab mich mit Mario und Farbian auf die Sonnenliege gechillt und mich einfach mal zurückgelehnt und zusammen Urlaub gemacht. Genialer Moment.    … Expand
  67. JPK
    Jun 8, 2019
    8
    Not Bad
    Color Splash definitely is nowhere near as good as the 2001-2007 Paper Mario games, But It still has good humor, creativity, and a simple but well told story.
  68. BroItzAki
    Aug 16, 2017
    10
    i like this game! It's hilarious the points is back as hammer scraps and Huey is better than Kertsi and it's fun plus if you think its a sequel of sticker star, its not! Paper Mario is coming to be alive again!
  69. Coolamanen50
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Amazing game so mucn content. Lovevly humor, excellent game for everyone.

    Paper mario color splash is your sequel you didn't know you wanted.

    Paper mario color splash gets a 10/10
  70. kingofgames
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    Paper Mario title, is now on Wii U. The gameplay looks graphically nice in-depth and smooth just like a real paper. I have played alla mario games this one i love it.Paper mario color splash gets a 10/10
  71. OriginalPoster
    Oct 7, 2016
    0
    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a game that gives the illusion of having improved over Sticker Star when it really hasn't.

    Gameplay: People argue that regular battles have a point now even though you still use "Thing" items to defeat the bosses and outside of battle despite needing paint to solve certain puzzles you can hammer a variety of different objects in any room to give you back    Paper Mario: Color Splash is a game that gives the illusion of having improved over Sticker Star when it really hasn't.

    Gameplay:
    People argue that regular battles have a point now even though you still use "Thing" items to defeat the bosses and outside of battle despite needing paint to solve certain puzzles you can hammer a variety of different objects in any room to give you back paint free of charge. This means despite the game trying to lure you into battles with the promise of increasing your paint gauge, by the time you meet the first boss and have to use a "Thing" card you realize all of those battles were pointless since bosses are a one solution puzzle. Color Splash even undoes some positive changes Sticker Star made such as the inventory grid that allowed you to organize and customize which items went where, and provided some extra depth to carrying items by making different items take up a different amount of space meaning you would have to use your head, of course that would be if the inventory wasn't goddamn gigantic. Also the action commands were closer to that of Super Mario RPG in that they had little to no visual prompts as to when you should hit the action command button to increase the damage of your attack. In Super Mario RPG you had audio cues that told you after you made a button press wether it was spot on or not. Sure, in Sticker Star while you still had that little spark to help the player it wasn't nearly as braindead as a button prompt, even if the first 2 Paper Mario's had a greater variety of button prompts than just 'A'. Color Splash has regressed from this by having an easily identifiable circular meter more akin to the button prompts of the first 2 Paper Mario titles but without the variety of button prompts from those Paper Mario titles meaning it has the worst of both systems and strays further from Super Mario RPG yet again. These things in Sticker Star were actually superior to the first 2 Paper Mario games and they took them away. Adding to that it's now much more of a pain to go through your items in battle even if you chose buttons only since there's a "Ready cards" prompt. Since all of the regular enemies in this game are just spam 'A' to run away quick time events lets get to the major bosses. The major bosses are as follows: Morton, Iggy, Petea Piranah, Ludwig, Wendy, Larry, Big Lava Bubble, Kamek, Lemmy, Roy, and Black Bowser. 8/11 of the bosses are New Super Mario Brothers bosses. The only exceptions are Petea Piranah in which Nintendo developers in all of they're creativity just made him come out of a tea pot with a string attached, and then there is a lava bubble except bigger. Bosses after being defeated will boost Mario's maximum Heart Points giving you even less of a reason to battle enemies. The dreaded world map returns making everything feel even more disconnected and also serves as instant gratification quick travel just like Sticker Star. Just like Sticker Star due to the lack of multiple partners instead of having a variety of puzzles using different abilities you now have one type of partner puzzle using scissors to snip parts of the level. This is at least not like Sticker Stars put the round peg in the round hole mechanic with Kersti. Most of the puzzles themselves have the opposite problem of Sticker Star. With Sticker Star a majority of puzzles were trial and error in which you threw whatever thing item or sticker you had and hoping it would work, get lucky, or just use a guide. One particular occurrence of this was when you had to stick mushroom shaped stickers onto a wall. The problem? It wanted specific mushroom stickers and all mushroom stickers were the same shape. There were no hidden messages on a wall either. In contrast Color Splash will all but give you solutions to the puzzles outright, sometimes even in straight up dialogue. This leads to sleepwalking through the game doing brain dead puzzles, running away from enemies that give you the illusion that they have something you want when you really don't, and then getting to bosses that you use around 5 'things' on and kill them.

    Plot/Writing: It's plot is about as basic as sticker stars with Bowser gaining some new power, scattering stars to 7 different locations and then kidnapping princess peach and bringing her to his air fortress. Although it doesn't rip off the first Paper Mario quite as much as Sticker Star did. There are actually subplots to be had in Color Splash though they are not even remotely on the level of the old Paper Mario's subplots. The characters in the world unfortunately are mostly basic Mario enemies again and although the toads have a little bit more variety with different colored dots and the Rescue Squad is reminiscent of old Paper Mario, it still has only half the charm. It also has a twist at the end concerning Bowser that gives no background to why the actual twist is there and changes nothing about his character. Worse game than Sticker Star.    … Expand
  72. 325_hawks
    Oct 8, 2016
    8
    It's not going to live up to the unreal expectations we all have of another Paper Mario being as good as the originals, but Color Splash has it's own unique charm that I found very enjoyable. The paint mechanics work well and finding patches to color in is a fun little incentive to fully explore each area. The game does have levels, but you can revisit them to find items and secrets youIt's not going to live up to the unreal expectations we all have of another Paper Mario being as good as the originals, but Color Splash has it's own unique charm that I found very enjoyable. The paint mechanics work well and finding patches to color in is a fun little incentive to fully explore each area. The game does have levels, but you can revisit them to find items and secrets you need to progress which I didn't mind. The music is a change for Mario games, you get this upbeat music that reminds me of a song that plays on the radio in the original Bioshock (I think it was, you'll recognize what I'm talking about if you hear it). The battle mechanics will take a little time to learn but it's not as bad as in some reviews I've read. Would it be better with the classic turn based party RPG style? Probably, but something new isn't always bad. Visually, it might be the best looking Wii U game. The art style really shines looks appealing. The levels are linear, but not too linear where there's no challenge. I've been playing it for maybe 6 hours and I haven't died yet so the challenge isn't as hard as past Paper Mario games, atleast early on that is. So, would I recommend Color Splash? I would. It's not a perfect game, but for what might be the last Wii U Nintendo published exclusive, it's a well polished game that shows throughout. Pick it up if you want to spend some quality time with your Wii U before our Nintendo overlords release the NX.… Expand
  73. Knowarand
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Definitely a very fun game with creative gameplay and dialogue. Although gameplay can get tedious at times, it's definitely a good game for anybody to try out.
  74. Ancestrand
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    The graphics and the locals are just absolutely stunning. This is definitely one of the prettiest games that exist on the Wii U, and the prettiest Paper Mario game to date.
  75. Hichad
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    This is an innovative and creative game. The levels are extremely varied bringing new light into the Mario world and the tactical nature of the battles really make you think.
  76. Aussiephoenix83
    Oct 15, 2016
    8
    I am actually having so much fun with this game. It is gorgeous looking, the dialogue is fun and the areas are beautifully designed. The game is all made out of paper and the effect is mind blowing. It's one of the best looking Wii U games. The game itself is fun to play and I always want to see what happens next. The battle system is a little cumbersome as choosing the card, then paintingI am actually having so much fun with this game. It is gorgeous looking, the dialogue is fun and the areas are beautifully designed. The game is all made out of paper and the effect is mind blowing. It's one of the best looking Wii U games. The game itself is fun to play and I always want to see what happens next. The battle system is a little cumbersome as choosing the card, then painting it and then flicking it onto the screen can get tedious. Also most battles so far have been relatively easy. I like that you can upgrade how much paint you can hold through battling though this gives battling a point but overall it can feel rather redundant. I like Huey who is the companion, he is funny and charming, I feel sorry for him because his world has been destroyed, this is a good thing as I have obviously made a connection. Yes the NPCs are all toads and all the enemies are your traditional foes but somehow they managed to give every toad a personality and make them feel part of the town. Also love when you collect a big paint star. Overall I am really enjoying this game and not taking it too seriously. I decided not to compare it to other Paper Mario games and just enjoy it for what it is and I think this has really helped. Seriously give it a go and just enjoy the game for what it is.… Expand
  77. Mariocore
    Oct 7, 2016
    9
    I am someone who actually thought sticker star was good, and this game is sticker star 2. However, I mean that in the BEST possible way. Color Splash is a whole lot of fun. The battles have meaning without being too much of a hassle, the visuals are AMAZING, the dialogue is hilarious, and overall the game is just so much fun to play. It may not be TTYD, and it may be Sticker Star 2, butI am someone who actually thought sticker star was good, and this game is sticker star 2. However, I mean that in the BEST possible way. Color Splash is a whole lot of fun. The battles have meaning without being too much of a hassle, the visuals are AMAZING, the dialogue is hilarious, and overall the game is just so much fun to play. It may not be TTYD, and it may be Sticker Star 2, but unlike the 3DS version (Which did have some problems and parts I'd get rid of), This game you will enjoy greatly.… Expand
  78. Bouzas
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    Juegazo con todas las letras, la historia es bastante entretenida y divertida, las risas estan garantizadas y sobre todo en tema grafico es bastante bastante bonito de ver!
    Que despidan WiiU con este juegazo es un acierto.

    10/10
  79. Isaac0390
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    That game in AMAZING, after de announcament at E3 I Feel a litle depress cause Sticke Star is a Mediocre game.. But THAT JEWEL is TREMENDOUS! A full game of Fun and Love, incredible adventure, Thanks Nintendo
  80. gusman
    Jan 12, 2017
    1
    El peor paper mario de toda la historia, aburrido como el solo, un sistema de combate patetico, una historia sin interes... El broche de oro para matar y enterrar la wii u.
  81. awesometoxic
    Feb 17, 2017
    10
    the game is amazing! i hope you try it soon!!!!!!! its amazing how paper mario came to be in this game its gotten the best of me!
  82. Afenger
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    Excelente jogo, o modo que o gamepad é usado nas batalhas despoluindo a tela principal com as cartas a habilidade de recortar o cenário ficou interessante, graficos caprichados serrilhados nulos a trama ti leva a querer jogar mais e mais recomendo a todos esse leva 10.
  83. Aquelacion
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Es una maravilla al solo verlo correr, el papel nunca antes se había visto tan lleno de vida, Es un deleite al verlo. Las batallas cada vez suben de tono hasta el momento de pensar que te falta experiencia pero al final y con una buen estrategia saldrás vencedor. Y los objetos (cosas) que aparecen del mundo real logran una interacción perfecta con el papel principalmente en las batallas.
  84. carlosbriv
    Oct 11, 2016
    9
    The art style and music of this game are absolutely amazing and rival even the earlier paper Mario games. The writing is humorous and an absolute delight to read. A must have for any wii u owner.
  85. London_Calling
    Oct 12, 2016
    7
    Not long into it and not feeling it for that battle system but it is one of the nicest looking games on the wiiU. It's beautiful, clever and witty and a definite buy.
  86. blawren4
    Oct 26, 2016
    9
    Great game! I guess I have the ability to take games for what they are, not what they aren't. Is this an rpg like the first two, no. Does it take away from enjoying this game. Not in the slightest. I have no major issues with this game. Levels are expertly designed, varied, and coloring 100% of each level is addicting. Battle system is not too bad. I liked sticker star also, butGreat game! I guess I have the ability to take games for what they are, not what they aren't. Is this an rpg like the first two, no. Does it take away from enjoying this game. Not in the slightest. I have no major issues with this game. Levels are expertly designed, varied, and coloring 100% of each level is addicting. Battle system is not too bad. I liked sticker star also, but this game makes many improvements. The writing is great, so that you actually want to talk to all of the characters, vs many games where you just want to skip to the action.… Expand
  87. sumbodyshero
    Aug 7, 2018
    10
    One of the greatest video games of all time. It's in my top ten. I haven't felt like a kid again the way this game made me feel, like I was playing Mario 64 for the first time. Absolutely brilliant, spectacular, side-splittingly witty. Don't miss out!
  88. Marionintendero
    Jan 6, 2019
    0
    Es El Peor Paper Mario De La Historia. Hasta El Paper Mario La Puerta Milenaria Le Gana Y Ademas,Es Como Sonic Boom:Rise Of Liryc Pero Con Paper Mario,Tiene Bugs Y Glitches,Jugabilidad Mala,Quitaron Las Mecanicas De La Puerta Milenaria,La Historia Es Súper Aburrida Y Quitaron Los Compañeros De Mario Que Tenia,Aun Así El Peor Paper Mario
  89. abdiel1705
    Oct 8, 2016
    9
    Gran juego, mantiene la esencia de la saga intacta, graficamente es espectacular en su estilo, el sonido sobresaliente como siempre en los juegos de la gran N, la historia se mantiene interesante a travez de la aventura y el combate aunque puede no gustarle a muchos, se mantiene fiel añ estilo de los paper mario.
    Muy buena despedida para el WiiU quien acumula ya mas de veinte titulos    Gran juego, mantiene la esencia de la saga intacta, graficamente es espectacular en su estilo, el sonido sobresaliente como siempre en los juegos de la gran N, la historia se mantiene interesante a travez de la aventura y el combate aunque puede no gustarle a muchos, se mantiene fiel añ estilo de los paper mario.
    Muy buena despedida para el WiiU quien acumula ya mas de veinte titulos sobresalientes en su catalogo.    … Expand
  90. Sheev
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the fourth game in the legendary Paper Mario series. And boy (or girl) let me tell you it's the best one yet! The graphics are incredible you really feel like you're looking at actual paper but surprisingly you aren't. During my play through I was practically trying to write on the screen because I actually thought that was real paper.

    That's not to say    Paper Mario Color Splash is the fourth game in the legendary Paper Mario series. And boy (or girl) let me tell you it's the best one yet! The graphics are incredible you really feel like you're looking at actual paper but surprisingly you aren't. During my play through I was practically trying to write on the screen because I actually thought that was real paper.

    That's not to say though that the graphics are the only good thing about this game, there's also the gameplay. Now you may be saying "dude it's not like Thousand Year door that I played when I was 6 years old, I hate things that are different lmao!!!!". If you're one of those people stick to the decent but ultimately forgotten TTYD. This games battle system is quite possible the greatest in any RPG I've ever played.

    The Wii U may be winding down a bit but this game makes excellent use of the gamepad. I felt like I was actually throwing cards at the screen at some points. Combine this with the wonderful and often hilarious dialogue and uplifting story you have a great contender for game of the year, maybe even generation. All in all Paper Mario color splash is a crowning achievement in gaming and cinema alike. Absolute kino.    … Expand
  91. Jus7ice
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    A significant improve of Sticker Star in every way. It's funnier, the combat is engaging despite the lack of XP, the graphics are gorgeous and long enough to be labeled as an excellent game. Highly recommended for old PM fans or new.
  92. CodyCoyote64
    Nov 3, 2016
    10
    All the changes Paper Mario went through in Sticker Star have fully grown into their own in this one release. Regarding some controversies about the gameplay, I am happy to report that yes, the game is fun to play.
    Lo and behold, some people continue to deny this by pretending there is something wrong with the game.
    Oh, but that isn't true at all. I can confirm this. Instead of    All the changes Paper Mario went through in Sticker Star have fully grown into their own in this one release. Regarding some controversies about the gameplay, I am happy to report that yes, the game is fun to play.
    Lo and behold, some people continue to deny this by pretending there is something wrong with the game.
    Oh, but that isn't true at all. I can confirm this.

    Instead of boring, tedious chapters that drag on for way too long, Color Splash offers a map system that
    systematically fixes TTYD's main flaw, the incredibly repetitive back tracking.

    About the Toads...

    frankly, they are incredibly creative and interesting characters in this one.
    And the settings and plot threads are far more creative and involved than TTYD. This game is
    great.    … Expand
  93. Goo4you
    Feb 17, 2017
    6
    Vivid colors, Rich music, Surprisingly well written dialogue, with a poorly shallow (and boring) combat system and you have Paper Mario.

    This was my first foray into the series and I really found myself enjoying it, until the very light combat/card management process took hold. Combat serves nearly no purpose in this game, as well as collecting cards, not when you can buy whatever you    Vivid colors, Rich music, Surprisingly well written dialogue, with a poorly shallow (and boring) combat system and you have Paper Mario.

    This was my first foray into the series and I really found myself enjoying it, until the very light combat/card management process took hold. Combat serves nearly no purpose in this game, as well as collecting cards, not when you can buy whatever you need/want and coins are aplenty. Even then you'll find yourself using the same 2-4 kinds of cards over and over because they get the job done.

    I found the dialogue between NPC's to be surprisingly topical and somewhat mature in some places (think pixar movies peppering in jokes only the parents will get). For me, those exchanges were what kept me coming back.

    As with every in-house property, Paper Mario is a rpg housing a Puzzle game that also is a collect-a-thon. This is hit or miss. If you suffer from OCD and don't want to have that irritated, don't play this game (you might want to steer clear of anything Nintendo in that case). For completionist, this isn't all that hard, though the Roshambo temple's are just the worst (I hate you round three).

    I recommend it, but don't expect anything revolutionary; this is Nintendo we are talking about, they haven't done something new with a GAME in decades, all their focus has been on hardware and it's starting to really show.    … Expand
  94. NIntendoFan94
    Feb 25, 2017
    8
    this game has potential. It could be 4th Paper Mario game on Nintendo console along with Super Paper Mario. The gameplay was different and it's still better than Sticker Star. It could be the most solid RPG on the Wii U. The story was actually funny in a similar way. It's still worth checking out
  95. Pokemonsilph
    Jan 2, 2017
    8
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the very controversial sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star (a game which I also dislike). The reasoning behind this controversy is due to many similarities in game style to Sticker Star. The main problems I seem to have found traditional Paper Mario fans complaining about are the battle system, NPC designs, and the story.

    Many have complained about the battle    Paper Mario Color Splash is the very controversial sequel to Paper Mario Sticker Star (a game which I also dislike). The reasoning behind this controversy is due to many similarities in game style to Sticker Star. The main problems I seem to have found traditional Paper Mario fans complaining about are the battle system, NPC designs, and the story.

    Many have complained about the battle system saying that it is completely pointless in the grand scheme of progression, as there is no traditional level up system in Color Splash (much like Sticker Star). I don't think the lack of an EXP system is inherently bad, as it is often used to pad out a game's length with grinding to be able to defeat certain enemies or learn certain abilities. In Paper Mario and Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door, leveling up gave you options between increasing health points, badge points (to equip special items), or "flower points" (special attack points), which was a nice way to give players a choice between certain options of play style, whether you want to focus on more health to recover from mistakes, badge points to increase your abilities, or flower points to let you use your abilities more often. Paper Mario Color Splash's only form of EXP gained from battling are "hammer points", which increase the amount of paint you can carry on the overworld and use in battles. Here's the thing, however: Color Splash is a different kind of Paper Mario. While older Paper Mario games focus mostly on story, combat, and adventuring, Color Splash focuses on being a more relaxed and laid-back game. Color Splash so far (through the half of the game I've played up to this point) shows its focus in exploration of stages, puzzle-solving (on some stages), and much like other Paper Mario games, an overall very enjoyable adventure (though Paper Mario Sticker Star missed out on an enjoyable adventure).

    However, many feel that this new Paper Mario style (used in Color Splash and Sticker Star) is cheating them out of another Paper Mario game akin to the original and The Thousand Year Door. Personally, I've always preferred the Mario & Luigi games for my Mario RPG combat fix, but others obviously don't feel that way. I will admit that a more complete experience would be made by a better battle system than what Color Splash has, and yes, battles can be annoying sometimes (but battles were sometimes annoying in the original Paper Mario games too, not just here). The battles use cards for attacks, and the card management feels a bit unpolished, as cards are strewn all about on the menu, and scrolling through a full 99 card deck can take quite a few swipes to reach from one end to the other; this would be fine if starting a battle didn't reset the card menu to the complete right side. These complaints are mostly just minor annoyances, however. As for boss battles, these are the battles that obviously have taken a toll, since most bosses require a certain Thing card (cards based off real-world items necessary for story progression in a lot of cases) to be able to beat them at all, which really puts a damper on the feeling of being powerful and destroying a boss. However, a merely okay battle system and meh bosses don't ruin the experience for this game (for me at least). For some, it's a huge detriment to this game, but I don't think it's as bad as some people are making it out to be, mostly because I feel like the game is focused more on the levels than the combat.

    Next up is character designs, and yes, most NPCs are just plain colored Toads. This isn't something that works all too well in an RPG based on character interaction at many parts, but I'm honestly surprised that despite the fact they don't have a name or unique design, I can still remember those Toads who say something funny and what level they're even at. They're very strangely memorable and well-written, and each one tends to have some sort of personality quirk or funny feature. Overall, I think the plain old design being used for practically all NPCs feels very lazy, but it's still somewhat mended by the memorable character interactions and personalities.

    The story also gets contention from some, but I can't speak fully on it yet. All I can say is that, much like Sticker Star, this game isn't going as much for a well-integrated story. It's almost the same as your basic Mario story but with subplots in many levels. I just wish the boss characters got more character development, honestly.

    Lastly (as I'm running out of room), the music and graphics are simply exquisite, and they're potentially the best the series has seen so far (the music is in close competition with Super Paper Mario's soundtrack). Anyway, I'll be giving this review just an 8 out of 10, as it doesn't quite feel completely polished in all areas. If you're looking for just a fun game that's also fun to 100% complete, then I recommend this game wholeheartedly, regardless of how it compares to other Paper Mario games.    … Expand
  96. Cosmozerk
    Jan 1, 2017
    8
    Paper Mario Color Splash is the first Paper Mario game I’ve ever played, thus I don’t have a point of comparison with the other games in the saga. So you can either take this review with the grain of salt or look at it as an unbiased opinion. In any case, let’s start this thing!

    STORY: The story of PMCS (and yes, I’ll be using that acronym to save space) goes like this: On a dark and    Paper Mario Color Splash is the first Paper Mario game I’ve ever played, thus I don’t have a point of comparison with the other games in the saga. So you can either take this review with the grain of salt or look at it as an unbiased opinion. In any case, let’s start this thing!

    STORY: The story of PMCS (and yes, I’ll be using that acronym to save space) goes like this: On a dark and stormy night princes peach and Toad pay Mario a visit. They show Mario a letter than in actuality is a bent Paper Toad that is also lacking in color. Mario gets the idea that this colorless Toad came from Prism Island because of the stamp it had on I, which Mario conveniently had already seen before in a convenient poster in his house. With no time to waste the trio set out on an adventure to find the cause of this lack of color. When they get to Prism Island they see that it’s full of blank spots and in no time flat they find a talking Bucket called Huey, who is your partner in this adventure. After you companion Toad is sucked to death by a Shy guy Huey gives Mario the power of paint to restore the color to the world and stop the evil bad guy behind all of this. After Huey gets depression after finding out that the paint stars (the source of Prism Island’s color) have gone missing Mario and the bucket team up to find the paint stars. After a few good levels and a pathetically easy boss they get the first Paint Star, who tells them that Bowser (big surprise there) has launched the paint stars to many different locations and now the Koopalings are searching for them…wait…Bowser was the one who skyrocketed the stars to different locations and now the same Bowser is looking for the same stars that he got rid of? Who wrote this?! …After a few more levels the story takes an unexpected turn and Bowsy here kidnaps the Princess…Sorry if I sound sarcastic, but even the game makes fun of this.

    Anyway…my opinion of the story is that…it’s good, but nothing amazing. The mission here is to rescue the princess and get the paint stars back and that’s about it. The writing and characters definitely do give life to this world, even if the majority are just Toads the humors script definitely makes up for it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed every line of dialog here and Huey is just an amazing companion to me, he has attitude, humor, sarcasm and a fun personality that makes my interactions with him really enjoyable.

    PRESENTATION: I'm not even gonna sugarcoat it, this game looks freaking amazing! Nintendo definitely knows how to use what he's given to them and this game definitely takes advantage of it. Everything, literally EVERYTHING is made of some sort of material, ranging from paper, metal, cardboard and many other things that make this world look simply gorgeous! There are also some photo-realistic things that clearly don't fit in with world, but that makes them all the more special. The game has rarely ever a drop in framerate, though it does happens when there's too much stuff at once, but the game still performs very well throughout the majority of the adventure.

    The soundtrack is also fascinating. It has a sense of energy that makes me wanna dance, even in the more moody of dramatic pieces of the ost I was just consuming ear and eye candy every waking moment of the adventure!

    GAMEPLAY: The quality of the battle system can be debated, however I personally did find it pretty fun. Using cards instead of attacks was really novel for me and never once did I run out of them, mostly because filling white spaces of fighting monsters was more than enough to fill the 100 card limit and even when I needed more I could just visit the shop and BOOM I'm ready to go. Scrolling though the cards, painting them and then flicking them at the TV did get somewhat dull at times, but I'm a very patient guy for this kind of stuff, so I didn't mind it. Some people bring up the fact that you don't need the paint hammers that serve and EXP to increase your paint meter, however I view it as increasing the convenience rather than power, so the times I ran out of paint from using cards or painting stuff decreased significantly once I upgraded it enough times, so I actually did feel progression when I battled. Each card did a different thing and having to interact while doing it or looking at the spectacle of the thing cards for massive damage was really fun.

    Aside from battles we also get the exploration segment. Easily the best parts of the game! We have different levels to explore with mini-paint-stars to collect and most of them were really fun. Painting white spots, battling, talking, etc it all just felt good.

    If I had to complain I would say that the boss battles are nearly impossible if you don't have the correct card that the game wants you to have, though it does give some hints...but still..!

    I really don't know why people hate PPCS. For me it was a great time!

    I'll give an 8/10    … Expand
  97. nintendofan08
    Apr 1, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Color Splash is a much better game than Sticker Star. In my opinion, it has a more compelling plot compared to Sticker Star, and I think Huey, Mario's new partner, is much more like-able and much more funny than Kertsie. However the battle system disappointed me a little bit. In this game, you use cards and paint to defend yourself against enemies. Let's say this, you have a bunch of card, and you want to use a specific one so you have to use so then you have to slide the cards all the way the find the card you need to use, but that's just the peak of the iceberg. When using white card, you need to color them with paint, but if you run out of paint in middle of fighting a powerful boss and have no 1-ups, it will be a bit of a problem. The world map also has the concept as Sticker Star which also disappoints me, But besides that the game is not that bad. It is full of color and life, better humor than Sticker Star. If you are just starting with the Paper Mario series, this game is a pretty good choice to begin with, and if you are a Paper Mario fan, I would recommend it to you. Be careful for the Luigi references!… Expand
  98. markogera
    Nov 1, 2016
    10
    Its the only game on wii U that hasn't disappointed me yet. Truly impressive graphics, and classic Nintendo gameplay that finally meets todays standards.
  99. VTL
    Jul 28, 2020
    9
    Para mi el mejor Paper Mario. Combate sensacional, historia tremenda y visualmente te enamora. Si tienes una WiiU (ahora 2020 estan tiradas de segunda mano) este juego se ha de jugar.
  100. WreckingDan
    Oct 26, 2016
    10
    This game did nearly everything right Sticker Star did wrong! Beautiful World Design! Very good Dialogues! Good Story! Very epic, catchy and touching Finale! I love this game! It has so many references to PM2!
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Wii U Game of 2016
2
#2 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2016
2
#2 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 74 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 74
  3. Negative: 1 out of 74
  1. Vooks
    Apr 8, 2017
    80
    It will be entirely up to you whether the writing and redeeming elements of the battle system suit your preferences, but I am absolutely glad I was able to give Paper Mario: Color Splash a chance.
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  2. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2017
    85
    Wow, so it is possible to make a genuinely funny game after all. I can’t recall another game that made me laugh so often and occasionally so hard. [13/2016, p.72]
  3. RPG Fan
    Dec 1, 2016
    70
    It's not exactly Sticker Star, but the change isn't necessarily for the better. Still, despite its flaws, there is fun to be had here.
    Read full review
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