Paper Mario: The Origami King - What We Know So Far

Paper Mario is Nintendo's excuse to get weird and wild with the Super Mario franchise (as if a plumber jumping on turtles while eating mushrooms isn't weird enough). The Paper Mario series has had its ups and downs, but many gamers agree that its heights dwarf the main Mario games. After all, what other franchise features a one-off nihilistic antagonist who is motivated by regret and wants to destroy everything to the point that his victims don't even get to experience an afterlife? Even most M-rated games don't go that dark.

Nintendo fans are always on the lookout for the latest Paper Mario news. They don't care if it's a port, remaster, or new game — more Paper Mario is always welcome. And, on May 14, their prayers were answered in the folded form of Paper Mario: The Origami King. A new entry in the long-running franchise, this game will launch on Nintendo's proprietary money-printing machine, the Switch. At long last, something that can wash away the bad taste left behind by Paper Mario Sticker Star.

Want to know more about The Origami King? Don't worry: this time your princess isn't in another castle.

Nintendo usually announces new games in one of two ways: a trailer or a Nintendo Direct. The company understands that seeing is believing and creates fun, flashy videos for its important reveals. And yes, Paper Mario: The Origami King is no different, as it received a colorful announcement trailer.

While the game has the fun and joyful name of "Mario" plastered on the title, the trailer isn't afraid to go dark and dreary. The video shows off quite a bit of canned gameplay footage, including level traversal, combat, and new game mechanics, but the music always remembers to provide a foreboding atmosphere that is both at odds with yet fits the papercraft aesthetic. You would be hard pressed to make paper airplanes and Princess Peach feel threatening, but the trailer succeeds in that department.

Currently, Paper Mario: The Origami King is scheduled to release on July 17, 2020. That's the same day as Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima, promising quite the summer for gamers everywhere.

Given how close it is to that date, this release window is unlikely to change. Moreover, the launch won't be staggered by region — the game will releaase on July 17 worldwide, whether you live in North America, Europe, or Japan.

Despite its name, Paper Mario: The Origami King does not feature a paper-thin plot. The story centers on a war between the invading, three-dimensional King Olly and the 2D super star of the show, Paper Mario. On one side is King Olly's minions, corrupted Mushroom Kingdom inhabitants folded into origami. On the other side is the remaining 2D freedom fighters, including Toads, Goombas, and ... Bowser? Yes, even the King of the Koopas has joined Mario's cause (for now).

Paper Mario faces the latest threat with the help of Olivia, King Olly's sister. The pair will work together to foil her brother's plans and rescue Princess Peach and her castle once again. Can Paper Mario save the brainwashed inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom, including Princess Peach, or will he fold under the pressure? That's up to the player to decide.

You can currently pre-order digital copies of Paper Mario: The Origami King for $59.99 USD, $79.99 CAD, or your local equivalent, not including tax. There are no special editions of the game on offer, so you won't have to pay more than the above prices. Physical versions, though currently unavailable for pre-order, will likely have the same price tag.