Paper Mario fans rejoice! Nintendo has announced that the tenth Nintendo 64 title to join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service will be the original Paper Mario 64. Mario’s first paper-folding adventure will join the service on December 10.
Launching for the Nintendo 64 back in 2000, Paper Mario 64 kicked off the popular series that would spawn five sequels, including the most recent Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Switch. This initial adventure saw Mario rescue the seven Star Spirits and free the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser, who had stolen the Star Rod and kidnapped Princess Peach yet again. Players took control of a paper-thin Mario as he traveled through tropical jungles and over frosty mountains, gaining allies and new abilities along the way.
The game marked a departure from the traditional Mario games. Not only was it done in the paper art style, but it also introduced a turn-based combat system like that seen in RPGs. The game quickly became a fan-favorite with many praising the great writing, fun combat system, and immersive worlds. Naturally, the game’s popularity led to sequels and while the next installments were equally as entertaining, the formula began to change.
In 2007, Super Paper Mario for the Wii leaned more heavily into action, with RPG elements that made the Paper Mario series so much fun. 2012’s Paper Mario: Sticker Star then saw a serious departure from Paper Mario’s normal gameplay. This changed formula stuck around for the next few entries until last year’s Origami King attempted to bring back the RPG game style that fans enjoyed.
Paper Mario 64 will be the first new addition to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack since it launched back in October. This Expansion Pack costs $49.99 annually for an individual, or $79.99 annually for a family plan, and grants users access to a handful of Nintendo 64 and Sega Geneses titles, as well as the Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While Paper Mario is the first game added to the pack’s library, popular titles like Pokemon Snap and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask are confirmed to hit the service in the future.