Mario & Luigi Paper Jam Reviews

Mario & Luigi Paper Jam is ranked in the 63rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Geeks Under Grace
Gareth Tucker
6.5 / 10.0
Apr 8, 2018

Mario & Luigi Paper Jam Bros. is a fun and enjoyable romp through the Mushroom Kingdom with dialogue that will genuinely make you chuckle. It is not a must but for veterans of the Mario RPG games, but it is not one to avoid either. This is a good introductory title for anyone interested in either franchise.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2016

Mario and Luigi Paper Jam successfully mixes the two long-running Mario RPG series, but outside of a few new Paper-based gameplay surprises it's the same solid, self-aware role playing experience you'd expect from the Mario and Luigi series.

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60 / 100
Feb 26, 2016

Material and the diegetic real come into interesting conversations throughout Paper Jam, but that is the reach of the game's ambition. As with many Nintendo games of the last few years, its gameplay elements are immaculately designed but risk nothing.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 26, 2016

For what it lacks in a "unique" storyline, Paper Jam makes up for in spades, leaving it as the best Mario & Luigi title yet.

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B-
Feb 18, 2016

The best way to sum up Paper Jam as a game: safe. Too safe for its own good.

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Will Greenwald
Top Critic
Feb 17, 2016

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a fun action-RPG that blends two Mario worlds without trying much new.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 16, 2016

As a crossover between two of the more beloved alternative Mario adventures coming together as one, it truly feels like the paper mâché of the spin-off Mario RPG titles. Not all of its elements stick together entirely or fit nicely, but Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam still gets by with a lot of heart and humor to boot.

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Feb 11, 2016

Because creativity comes at the cost of cohesion, the whole adventure turns into one irritating mini-game.

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Adam Riley
Top Critic
7 / 10
Feb 11, 2016

Without a doubt, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. is just as solid an RPG adventure as its predecessors, avoiding the pit that Partners in Time fell into with its multi-character approach. Paper Mario slots into this new romp perfectly well, although there are times where the 'Paper' world is not exploited as much as fans may have wanted. Nevertheless, the laughs are still there, as are the innovative 'Bros.' moves for battles, more than making up for the incessant mandatory 'Toad Hunt' mini-games included. This may not be Mario & Luigi at its best, but it still rises high above the recent Paper Mario entries and will keep fans of the series entertained until the end of the impressively lengthy adventure.

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RPG Fan
Top Critic
75%
Feb 11, 2016

A good game that retreads a lot of old ground and uses its last few hours to squander the good will it's earned up until then.

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65 / 100
Feb 5, 2016

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam excels at RPG combat, but is bogged down by tedious minigames and a disappointing story.

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Jan 29, 2016

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is an odd game, a semi-successful title that achieves a lot of success in its different elements but fails to come together as a cohesive title. Where gameplay is good, it's got subtle strengths and intense engagement. Where it's bad it borders on game-breaking design, likesome of those Toad-capturing sections, and RPG-lite mediocrity. Hopefully, the game is representative of growing pains for the series.

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7.3 / 10.0
Jan 29, 2016

But it turns what could have been just another fantasy storyline into something closer to a puppet show. We, rapt by these figures on sticks, know it's all malarkey but can't wait to see what happens next. Even if—especially because?—we know they're all just cardboard and glue.

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Jan 29, 2016

Paper Jam isn’t a bad game, but it’s hardly a series highlight.

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Jan 28, 2016

AlphaDream hits the mark again in terms of combat and dialogue, even if some new additions fall flat.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jan 27, 2016

All in all, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam is still a fun RPG that fans of the previous game will enjoy. The mini games regarding the Paper Toads are really annoying and monotonous after a while, but the core game play is solid and works really well. Top that off with a great art style and some pretty funny humor, and there's still a lot of enjoyment to be had with Paper Jam. I still highly suggest it.

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Unscored
Jan 26, 2016

Those clever, dialogue-driven interludes are all the downtime Paper Jam needs. Yet it pads itself out with mindless chores that waste time and momentum.

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4 / 5.0
Jan 25, 2016

"Mario & Luigi Paper Jam" brings together two Mario worlds and manages to pull it off. The game continues to do a great job in combining RPG and action elements in its combat, which remains the biggest strength of games in the series. Admittedly, the micromanaging and multitasking can get too hectic at times for some folks. The story, while cute and charming, also doesn't have the meat that RPGs are typically known for. Folks who enjoy Mario's RPG series or want and engaging old school-style JRPG experience with Mario characters, however, will find this game to be jamming in a good way.

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8.3 / 10.0
Jan 25, 2016

Even though the visuals are a bit softer and there are a few elements you may have run into before, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam continues the winning streak for the team at Alphadream. It's done remarkable work mixing the Paper Mario universe into the mix, and the hilarious script, backed by a strong combat system, will keep RPG fans of all ages pleased. This is one adventure that certainly doesn't wear thin.

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5 / 10
Jan 25, 2016

Regardless of your inclination towards Nintendo's mascot, it's safe to say that you can avoid Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. It's a soulless crossover with a penchant for mission design that frustrates more than it should.

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