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Paper Mario fans rejoice, asPaper Mario: The Thousand Year Doorhas just been ported to the Ninendo Switch, 20 years after its first launch on the GameCube. Players new and returning will surely find something to love about this remaster, whether that’s a fresh take on old classics or some of the small new additions.
What began as a spin-off ofSuper Mario RPGhastaken on a life of its own, but with this game being a port of a two-decade-old game, just how long will it take you to beat Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door?
Spoilers for Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ahead!
How Long Does It Take To Finish The Story?
It can be a little tricky to figure out how long the Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door will take you to beat, given how much info is still online about the original 2004 version of the game,even with the remake. Thankfully, the siteHowLongToBeat.comparses out completion times by system.
Though the GameCube version took just under 32 hours, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door only takesabout 28 and a half hoursto beat on the Nintendo Switch if you’refocused on the main story.
But don’t fear that it’s because the game is lacking content - far from it!One of the criticisms of the 2004 versionwas that there was too much backtracking back then, an issue we’re happy to share was largely (but not completely) fixed in the 2024 remake. And since there’sless backtrackingthan in the original game, that’s less time on your completion total.
Not only that, but there’s plenty to do before you’re ready to face the Shadow Queen. Have you tried all out the different badges in the game and really honed in on what works best for you? Goteverything at the Trouble Centerfinished?
A lot of the time spent beating Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is on reading - our editor Ben Sledge saidin his review of the gamethat it’s practically crying out for voice acting, which would have cut down on the playtime.
Although the Nintendo Switch doesn’t keep track of achievements, if you’re looking formore things to check outin acompletionist runof Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, get ready to spend about51 hours. Even then, you’ll probably still have plenty of questions -we sure did.
Is There Any Post-Game Content?
If you just haven’t gotten enough of this adorable turn-based title,Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s port adds new post-game content, which definitely bulks up how long it takes to finish. Before youmove onto your next title, be sure to check out some of the new, extra content.
In addition to all thebroader quality of life changesmade in the 2024 Switch port - things like receiving hints when you’re stuck,more tasteful dialogue changes, official in-gameconfirmation that Vivian is canonically trans, or the aforementioned cutback in backtracking - there are a few newoptional battlesafter the credits have rolled.
Each one gives you a new item exclusive to the remake, so if you’re hankering for more Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door after you beat the game, they’ll give you what you’re looking for.
