The first two games of the Paper Mario series are beloved for their humor, their gameplay, and of course the cast of partners. These aren’t just combat units; they are the heart and soul of Mario’s journey. Whether they are providing vital field abilities or delivering the perfect snarky remark, these companions make the Mushroom Kingdom feel alive.
Here is a ranking of my top 10 favorite partners to ever join Mario’s party.
10. Bow
Starting out the list is the Boo, Lady Bow. She is the leader of the Boos in Boo’s Mansion and is full of personality. She also happens to be excellent in combat. Her Fan Smack deals incredible damage for a low cost as long as the enemy has a low defense stat, and her Outta Sight ability protects Mario from deadly attacks.
9. Yoshi Kid
The fact that he is a Yoshi adds points to begin with. The player get’s to name him too. With his spunky personality, his field ability of letting Mario ride him, and his unique attacks like Gulp he brings a lot to the table. Plus, discovering as a kid that there are seven different color variations that he could be was amazing.
8. Watt
The most surprising pick for a Mario enemy to be a partner. Don’t let the pacifier fool you. Watt is one of the best partners in the original game in battle. Her Electro Dash attack ignores defense, meaning she can chip away at high-armor enemies that leave other partners feeling powerless.
7. Lakilester
Also known as “Michael” er no “Spike”? Lakilester is an interesting partner. While he starts as a minor antagonist, he quickly joins Mario and becomes a great asset. Hovering over lava and spikes makes him indispensable for late-game exploration and his Spiny Surge attack is a must for dealing with large groups of flying enemies.
6. Goombella
Goombella is the first partner that joins in The Thousand Year Door and she’s one of the best. She is intelligent and has a snarky personality making her tattles often both hilarious and insightful. Her Rally Wink is also a strategic game-changer, giving Mario an extra turn to dish out damage.
5. Parakarry
The most dedicated and clumsy mailman in the sky. Parakarry is essential for reaching distant ledges, but he’s also a powerhouse in the air. His Shell Shot can strike any foe whether in the ground or in the air.
4. Bobbery
A grizzled sea dog with a tragic backstory and a heart of gold. It’s a joy to get to see him get out back to sea in his element. Bobbery brings big damage to the team. His Bomb attack does great damage and Bob-ombast damages all enemies, making him the go-to choice when you need to clear a room fast.
3. Vivian
Vivian’s story is one of the most touching in the franchise. Escaping her sisters’ mistreatment to find a real friend in Mario while going from villain to hero is a great story. In battle, her Veil ability is just like Bow’s Outta Sight, but her Fiery Jinx is one of the best attacks of the game. It hits all enemies and burns them.
2. Goombario
The first partner and Mario’s biggest fan. Goombario is a walking encyclopedia of the Mushroom Kingdom. His enthusiasm for adventuring with his idol, Mario, is infectious. Plus his Multibonk ability paired with Charge can shred through bosses with ease.
1. Koops
Taking the top spot is the timid Koopa with a great character arc. Koops starts as a shy guy (but not a Shy Guy) hiding in his shell and ends as a brave hero who stands up to a dragon. TTYD improved the field ability of Kooper from the first game to where Koops can be held in place spinning in his shell adding more complexity to the puzzles involving it. His Power Shell is a combat staple for ground enemies and his Shell Shield is a valuable tool in tougher fights and challenge runs.
Who is your favorite Paper Mario partner? Let me know in the comments!
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