After a long month and a half, it’s finally time to start the final round of our Ultimate RPG! A little while ago, we ran a short match-up for third place, which ultimately went to

Golden Sun. Now that we’ve settled third and fourth places, however, it’s time for the big showdown—the fight for first! Two amazing RPGs enter the arena, though only one will emerge victorious. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is the best RPG in the Mario RPG series (as voted on by you). The same goes for Mother 3 and the Mother franchise, the exception being that Mother 3 was never officially released outside of Japan.

Mother 3

Of the three games in the

Mother franchise, only one has never been officially released outside of Japan, instead relying on ROMs and a well-received fan translation to be playable for the masses. So what is it about Mother 3 that has put it in the final round of our showdown? Is it the cute, colorful graphics? Is it the feeling of innocence that gets washed away by the darker undertones of death and loss? Whatever it is, Mother 3 has surely earned its place as one of the best RPGs ever created.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, despite its age, still manages to hold up as an excellent RPG for many—an accomplishment supported in no small part by the controversies surrounding the appeals of the titles that follow. Those arguments aside, this title represents the original intention of a Mario RPG with its quirky humor, focus on story, and unique combat system, breaking out of the restraints imposed upon Mario and co. in traditional platformers while still maintaining some core elements (e.g. Princess Peach is kidnapped, Bowser’s a jerk, etc.). I’d be remiss if I did not acknowledge the role nostalgia plays in my support for this title, but between the “paper” 2D graphics and the simplistic but fun combat, it does not suffer from a lack of graphical or gameplay parity like so many other RPGs that have fallen short in this competition. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has earned its place in this final round, and a vote for it is well-deserved.

Voting

To vote, simply use the poll included above. Since the stakes are at their highest, this round will last a whole week, giving you until

Tuesday, August 16th to make your voice heard! There’s no going back once the poll closes, so make sure to gather all the support you can for your favorite. Which game will be crowned Gamnesia’s “Ultimate RPG?” Be sure to check back soon to find out, and don’t forget to visit the tournament’s hub page, where you can find the complete list of contenders, as well as up-to-date standings.

A reminder to readers and voters: Please be civil with one another. This tournament is for everyone’s enjoyment, and we want it to stay fun for all who choose to be involved, no matter which games they support. Those who attack others in the comments will be temporarily banned and, if they continue to do so, will removed indefinitely. We really do not want to do this, so please keep it rated E (or E10), and thanks for your enthusiasm!





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Our Verdict

