Top 10 Best Super Mario RPG Games

Mario RPG games offer a fresh twist on classic Mario gameplay, blending the platforming and adventure we all know with story-driven quests, turn-based battles, and character progression that keep you coming back for more. Since the release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES, fans have enjoyed these titles where Mario isn't just jumping on Goombas - he's strategizing his way through battles, teaming up with unique characters, and exploring worlds in a whole new way.

This list celebrates the best Mario RPGs out there, showcasing the ones that fans keep recommending, replaying, and ranking above the rest. You get a mix of creative storytelling, quirky characters, and gameplay mechanics that switch things up from the usual Mushroom Kingdom adventures.

1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

   

   Released for the GameCube in 2004, this game continues the Paper Mario series with a paper-like aesthetic and turn-based combat enhanced by timing-based actions. Mario searches for Crystal Stars to open the Thousand-Year Door while uncovering an ancient mystery.

   I LOVE THIS GAME. It kills me when people hate on it for trivial things. Give it a chance for some of its great qualities that actually matter! If you really can't get into it, that's fine since everyone has different opinions and likes, but at least appreciate why others love it so much.

   Although most people who play this game love it, the story, music, humor, gameplay, originality, bosses, locations, characters, and pretty much everything else are fantastic! This will always be my favorite Mario game even though I love pretty much all of the Mario RPGs for their originality and how immersive they are compared to other Mario games.

   That's not to say I don't like all other Mario games, since I do. Everyone, play this game! Give it a chance if you can't see past an annoying voice or "bad" graphics or whatever. If you only play "main" Super Mario games, what lies ahead of you is an experience you'll never forget.

2. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

   

   Launched on the Nintendo DS in 2009, this title lets players control Mario and Luigi inside Bowser's body while also managing Bowser himself in the overworld. It uses turn-based battles with timed button presses and features humorous storytelling.

   I've played this game at least six times, and it's fun every single time I play it. Out of all the Mario & Luigi RPGs, this one is the best. I have no idea how Super Paper Mario got above this.

   It takes the elements of previous M&L games and makes them better. The reason most people like BiS so much is because you get to PLAY AS BOWSER. The most kickass king in the kingdom.

   The artwork and sprites still hold up well today. The interactions between NPCs (although sparse) are great, the battle system is improved, the music is amazing (to say the least), and the game is just cool in almost every way possible.

   If you haven't played this game yet, you need to whenever you can. If you don't have a DS, get one just to play Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. 9/10.

3. Super Paper Mario

   

   Released for the Wii in 2007, this game combines 2D platforming with RPG elements and allows players to switch between 2D and 3D perspectives to solve puzzles. It features eight chapters in which Mario and his allies attempt to stop Count Bleck from destroying all worlds.

   This is unquestionably a lot better than PMTTYD! Oh man, this RPG has the best graphics, plot, voice acting, and music ever! This game totally rocks! I would give this game an 8.3 score.

   Super Paper Mario is my favorite Mario RPG due to being one hell of a groundbreaker. It has great graphics, non-confusing text, awesome characters, and great elements. Princess Peach has a much better role and voice than in The Thousand-Year Door and Sticker Star.

   The top 1 best Paper Mario game is Super Paper Mario. This game gets an 8.3 score.

   The top 2 best Paper Mario game is the original Paper Mario on the N64 and Virtual Console. This game gets a 7.8 score.

   The top 3 best Paper Mario game is Paper Mario: Sticker Star. This game gets a 4.7 score.

   The top 4 best Paper Mario game is Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. This game gets a 2.0 score.

4. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

   

   This 2003 Game Boy Advance release is the first in the Mario and Luigi series and features a cooperative battle system using both brothers simultaneously. It centers on rescuing Princess Peach's voice from the Beanbean Kingdom's villains.

   I grew up playing this as a kid, and you know what? It's one of the most nostalgic games ever, behind Super Mario Bros 1, 2, and 3, and Mario 64, and Mario Kart 1.

   Also, in October 2017, an enhanced remake of this game was released. It lacks the charm of the original but is still good.

   I know it's taken a while to decide this, and believe me that Dream Team and Super Paper Mario are extremely close runner-ups, but this is simply the most fun out of all the Mario RPGs, in my opinion.

   This game is still one of the best Mario RPGs ever. Easily top two. Choosing between this and Bowser's Inside Story is hard.

5. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

   

   Released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, this game alternates between the real world and Luigi's dream world, where his imagination shapes gameplay mechanics. It uses turn-based combat and touch-based controls for special moves.

   One of the most unique Mario RPGs out there along with Super Paper Mario and Superstar Saga! The story and gameplay are so creative and unique, and the dream world concept is amazing!

   Let's not forget the excellent Antasma! Am I the only one who never had a problem with the tutorials and graphics?

   This is such an original and fun game! It's the third most original Mario game, I think. Not only is this game super original and creative, it's super fun to play! Sure, tutorials can get annoying, but since when did tutorials make a game?

6. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

   

   Developed by Square and Nintendo, this 1996 Super Nintendo title introduced RPG mechanics to the Mario franchise. The story follows Mario and his allies as they collect seven stars to repair Star Road and defeat Smithy's gang.

   OMG!!! I played the new version of this, but I'm pretty sure it's the same. I LOVE GENO. Bro, I just love the storyline. How Gaz has to lose Geno for a bit, how Mallow finds that he's the real prince.

   The bosses are really cool. Booster is just goofy, so is Bowyer. The ending made me cry, like when Geno had to leave, but Gaz got his doll back. The gameplay is really fun too. I love how you have to use real strategy for the battles, not just quick fingers when doing crazy courses.

   This is my all-time favorite Mario game, and it has so many funny moments.

   This game is my favourite! I also love Paper Mario 64, Super Paper Mario, and Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. Bowser's Inside Story is a wonderfully enjoyable game too, but this one started Mario's trilogy of RPGs, so it gets my vote.

7. Paper Mario

   

   The original Paper Mario was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000 and introduced the series' paper-inspired art style. The game follows Mario on a quest to rescue Princess Peach and the Star Spirits from Bowser.

   Why is this at the lowest rank? It's a really great game.

8. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

   

   Debuting in 2005 on the Nintendo DS, this game features time travel and pairs Mario and Luigi with their infant selves. The battle system expands on the original with four-character turn-based combat and puzzle-solving elements.

   This one isn't my absolute favorite Mario RPG, but I LOVE it! All the Mario RPG games are fantastic in my opinion (with the exception of Sticker Star and Paper Jam, which were alright but lacking in many departments). PIT often gets overlooked for some reason. I don't know why, since it's great!

   The music is good, the bosses are fun, the locations are cool to explore, and the babies and time travel add an extra layer to the already fun gameplay of Mario and Luigi games. The story is intense and has amazing plot twists, and the entire game is immersive! It's a little short, but that's my only complaint.

   People sometimes complain about enemies having too much HP or that buying special attacks is annoying, but I found no big problem with either of these things. Play this game!

9. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

   

   Released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015, this crossover merges characters and mechanics from both the Paper Mario and Mario and Luigi series. Players control Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario to battle enemies and solve puzzles across the Mushroom Kingdom.

   This game is very underrated. It may be generic and bland in some ways, but there's so much good stuff about it.

   One thing is Paper Mario, who makes the battle system much more interesting with trio attacks. I also love the papercraft battles. They are unique and entertaining, and they give me Nintendo Labo vibes.

   However, one problem is that when you level up, normally in other Mario RPGs you get to choose a stat to raise even more. You can't do that here. Instead, you have to wait until the next rank, and only then can you choose a stat to increase during level-ups.

   This game has a cool story, fun trio attacks, good music, challenging boss fights, and fun papercraft battles where you get to destroy other papercrafts.

   There is a part where a Wiggler dies, which most people think is sad, but some people think it's funny (I honestly was only about 5% sad at that part).

   It has an arcade with some really fun stuff in it, and don't forget that the Koopalings are in this game too. I give this a 9/10 because I don't think I'll ever be able to get every single expert challenge, mainly because it is hard to get an S-rank on all the papercraft battles.

10. Paper Mario: Color Splash

    

    This 2016 Wii U title uses paint as a core gameplay mechanic for restoring color to the world of Prism Island. Combat involves using collectible battle cards that represent attacks.

    This game is pretty fun. Right now, I only have 2 of the 6 Big Paint Stars, but it is going well. One problem is that you can only hold 99 battle cards, which you cannot fight without.

    When you get to the part where you are about to get the blue Mini Paint Star in Port Prisma, you unlock the Battle Spin, where you spend coins to get another card, so everything's good again. Also, the Roshambo temples can max out your coins easily.

    For example, the first opponent in Roshambo Temple #1 always uses Rock and gives you 300 coins when you beat him. Even if you lose to the next opponent, you get to keep the coins when you're done. The second opponent only uses two cards, so you can use the card that beats his other card to win after maybe a tie or two, and he gives you 500 coins.

    The reason why I'm saying this is because there is a toad that can sneak you into the tournament for 200 coins, which is 100 coins less than what the first opponent gives you.

    Aside from that, the bosses require certain cards for you to beat them. For example, the first boss has a Sizzle Hammer, so you need a Fire Extinguisher card to beat him. To get the Fire Extinguisher, you have to find three purple toads that turn into stairs to help you get to it.

    Also, the cardboard Chain Chomp killed me multiple times. I died on the first chase sequence once because I didn't know it was coming. I died on the second chase sequence about three times because I didn't know where to go.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Mario & Luigi: Brothership

    

    Honestly, I think people focus too heavily on this games flaws. Does it have them? Yes. Are they game breaking? Absolutely not! This game is so much fun. Great story, looks great, fun combat, whats not to like?

12. ?

    Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

    

    The sequel to Kingdom Battle, this 2022 Nintendo Switch title expands exploration and combat systems with real-time movement within turns. It introduces new characters and customizable Sparks that grant unique abilities.

The Contenders

13. Paper Mario: The Origami King

    

    Launched on the Nintendo Switch in 2020, this entry features a new ring-based battle system and origami-themed transformations. Mario works to undo the folding chaos caused by King Olly while exploring open, interconnected regions.

    How is this lower than Sticker Star?

14. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

    

    Developed by Ubisoft and released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, this strategy game combines characters from the Mario and Rabbids universes. Players engage in turn-based tactical battles across grid-based maps.

15. Paper Mario: Sticker Star

    

    Released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012, this game introduces sticker-based mechanics for combat and puzzle solving. Players collect and use stickers as consumable items to progress through levels.

    I played this game pretty soon after it came out, and I really liked it. People complain that the story is just Bowser took Peach, go get her back. The original Paper Mario had that plot as well, so that's not an issue.

    The bosses require certain stickers to beat them. The boss battles make it clear what stickers to use. A poison-soaked squid? Suck up the poison with a sponge. A giant snow monster? Use a heat sticker.

    The navigation is pretty clear. It tells you what world it is, so you do them in order. It also shows the order of levels, so you know what order to do them in.

    Although the lack of levels was sad and you couldn't feel overpowered, I say play this game. 9/10.