If you'd like to support our preservation efforts (and this wasn't cheap), please consider donating or supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!
Paper Mario/Version Differences
This is a sub-page of Paper Mario.
 | To do: document glitches in the Japanese version that were fixed in the international versions. |
Contents
Sub-Page
 | Text Changes Goombario is so over over this volcano. |
Graphical Differences
Nintendo and Intelligent Systems Logo
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
 |
  |
In the Japanese version, the Nintendo logo is blue (as per usual) and the logos for Nintendo and Intelligent Systems appear at once. The international versions display each logo separately.
Title Screen
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
 |
 |
In Japan, the title of the game is Mario Story. The copyright year was also changed for the international releases.
Toad Town
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
 |
 |
The main entrance sign to Toad Town was changed a bit for the international releases. Kinoko is the Japanese word for "mushroom", which makes sense since Toads look like mushrooms. The international sign is also slightly more saturated.
Menus
Stats
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
 |
 |
This menu went through several minor changes in the international releases:
- The numbers at the bottom-right corner are aligned to the right instead of the left.
- The accompanying "x" was moved to the right, probably to make room for the stats' names.
- All stats at the upper-right corner were moved slightly to the right.
- The text box at the bottom of the screen is 14 pixels longer.
- All numbers were redesigned between versions.
- The menu is labelled "Mario" in the Japanese version instead of a translation of "Stats".
Items
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
 |
 |
This menu shows two columns of items in the Japanese version, but that was changed to only one column internationally, probably to make space for longer item names.
Gameplay Differences
Intro Skip
In the Japanese version, START can be used to skip to the title screen as soon as the opening logos show up. In the international versions, it's only possible to skip the "Star Spirits and Good Wishes" sequence.
Lil' Oink Drops
Gold Lil' Oinks drop Jelly Shrooms in the Japanese version and Ultra Shrooms in the international versions.
Kooper Shell Minigame
The third phase of the minigame was slowed down in the English version due to it being very difficult in the Japanese version.
Audio Differences
| To do: Document the Japanese versions of the Bowser's Castle themes for the Prison, Ground Floor, 2nd Floor and 2nd Floor exterior sections, and compare them with the international versions; so far, only the Final Floor can be compared. |
New Partner Song
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
The theme for meeting a new partner is completely different in the Japanese version. It was likely changed for the international versions because the original song sounds similar to "America" from West Side Story, and Nintendo of America didn't want to risk a lawsuit from Leonard Bernstein's estate. The credits theme was not altered to compensate.
Mt. Rugged
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
The Mt. Rugged theme's main melody is played by a whistle and a fiddle in the Japanese version. The fiddle is replaced with an organ in the International versions.
Bowser's Castle and Final Bowser Battle
Bowser's Castle
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
Final Bowser Battle
| Japan | International |
|---|---|
The Bowser's Castle BGM and final boss fight theme were both slightly altered in international versions: the percussion was changed in both themes, and some sections of the melody of the final boss theme were altered to play an octave lower. The official soundtrack uses the Japanese versions of both themes.
Glitches
Some glitches that were found in the Japanese version were fixed in the international versions.
Overworld Hazards Glitch
Normally when touching overworld hazards such as spikes, lava, or fire, Mario will loses 1 HP. However, while using Watts's ability and touching overworld hazards, Mario loses 2 HP.
Crystal Palace Duplighosts Puzzle Skip
During the puzzles where Mario has to figure out which is the real Bombette/Kooper out of the Duplighosts disguised as fake Bombettes/Koopers, there is a window of space to move to the next room that will skip having to solve these puzzles.
Virtual Console Changes
| To do: There may be more. |
In the original version of the game, inputting more than 13 buttons for Sushie's Tidal Wave attack causes the game to freeze. This was partially fixed for the Virtual Console release, where the player can input up to 14 buttons, although a slight graphical glitch occurs until the player leaves the area where the battle took place.
