What is the best game similar to Paper Mario?

The closest game to Paper Mario is Bayonetta, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 4 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, single-player focus and fantasy world. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Paper Mario?

The three closest games to Paper Mario are: 1. Bayonetta (100/100, 4 shared attributes) 2. Bayonetta 3 (100/100, 5 shared attributes) 3. God of War (97/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Paper Mario's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 10 dimensions.

Is Bayonetta 3 similar to Paper Mario?

Yes, very much so — Bayonetta 3 scores 100/100 similarity to Paper Mario. They share 5 attributes, including deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RPG games are similar to Paper Mario?

The best RPG games similar to Paper Mario are Bayonetta 3, God of War, Devil May Cry and DmC: Devil May Cry. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Paper Mario attributes like adventure storytelling, single-player focus and fantasy world.

How is similarity to Paper Mario calculated?

We compare Paper Mario against every game in our catalog using 10 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Paper Mario experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Paper Mario that you should try

Games like Paper Mario · Find similar →

More about this game →

If Paper Mario left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 10 attributes. Bayonetta comes closest (100/100).

iRank89/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Top games similar to Paper Mario

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Paper Mario. Each one has been evaluated across 10 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Bayonetta

100

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB91· 15OC85· 51

Year 2009Dev Nex Entertainment · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: adventure storytelling, fantasy world and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping deep RPG systems

100

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB90· 4OC85· 142

Year 2022Dev PlatinumGames · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird PersonHistorical

OC94· 256

Year 2009Dev SCE Santa Monica Studio · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat and historical setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

#4Devil May Cry

100

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB85· 4OC77· 12

Year 2001Dev Capcom Production Studio 4 · Capcom

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

#5DmC: Devil May Cry

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeDarkFantasyThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 32KIGDB82· 12

Year 2013Dev Ninja Theory · CapcomOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, puzzle design and fighting mechanics, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam

#6Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeTacticalDarkFantasyThird Person

IGDB90· 2OC88· 100

Year 2004Dev Intelligent Systems · Nintendo

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: combat magic and setting scifi, while skipping visual 2d

Details →

Nintendo

#7Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

iRank86

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeTacticalFantasyThird Person

IGDB87· 12OC85· 38

Year 2004Dev LEVEL-5 · Square Enix

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and turn-based strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings combat magic and ranged combat, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

#8Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

iRank78

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloDarkFantasyThird PersonHorror

IGDB78· 3

Year 2003Dev KonamiOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, horror setting and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

#9Zenless Zone Zero

iRank74

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird PersonSci-FiFree to Play

IGDB73· 4OC75· 40

Year 2024Dev miHoYoOn Xbox · Android · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, setting scifi and free to play, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloThird PersonSci-FiPost-ApocalypticLoot

Steam👍 94%· 87KIGDB86· 8OC81· 168

Year 2024Dev SHIFT UP · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PC · PS5

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam Epic PS

#11Infamous 2

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloThird PersonOpen WorldExploration

IGDB85· 6

Year 2011Dev Sucker Punch Productions · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, puzzle design and open world exploration, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

#12NINJA GAIDEN 4

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloThird Person

Steam👍 89%· 9.0KRAWG👍 84%· 31IGDB77· 4OC82· 146

Year 2025Dev Platinum Games · Xbox Game StudiosPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam

#13Marvel's Midnight Suns

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloTacticalFantasyThird PersonMagic

Steam👍 82%· 24KRAWG👍 78%· 106OC82· 137

Year 2022Dev Firaxis · 2K GamesPlaytime ~8hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, combat magic and skill tree progression, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam Epic PS

#14Onimusha: Warlords

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeDarkFantasyThird Person2D

Steam👍 94%· 3.3KRAWG👍 92%· 103MC86IGDB75· 8

Year 2001Dev Capcom · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, survival mechanics and horror tension, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#15Jade Empire

iRank83

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeFantasyThird Person

IGDB83· 2

Year 2005Dev BioWare · Microsoft Game Studios

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: turn-based strategy.

Details →

Xbox

Complete list of Paper Mario alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Paper Mario, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Darksiders

RPG · Action RPG

Devil May Cry 4

RPG · Action RPG

Gravity Rush

RPG · Adventure

South Park™: The Stick of Truth™

RPG · Adventure

Kingdom Hearts

RPG · Adventure

Yakuza 4

RPG · Action RPG

100

Sonic and the Black Knight

RPG · Action RPG

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

RPG · Action RPG

100

Drakengard 3

RPG · Action RPG

Final Fantasy XII

RPG · Adventure

Maneater

RPG · Action RPG

Deadpool

RPG · Action RPG

Heavenly Sword

RPG · Action RPG

Ninja Gaiden II

RPG · Action RPG

Asura's Wrath

RPG · Action RPG

Darksiders II

RPG · Action RPG

Infamous: Festival of Blood

RPG · Action RPG

MadWorld

RPG · Action RPG

Ultimate Spider-Man

RPG · Action RPG

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

RPG · Deck Builder

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

RPG · Action RPG

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

RPG · Action RPG

Alice: Madness Returns

RPG · Action RPG

Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition

RPG · Action RPG

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

RPG · Action RPG

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

RPG · Action RPG

SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal

RPG · Action RPG

Oni

RPG · Action RPG

The Amazing Spider-Man

RPG · Action RPG

MediEvil

RPG · Action RPG

Spider-Man 2

RPG · Action RPG

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

RPG · Shooter

Sonic Unleashed

RPG · Action RPG

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

RPG · Action RPG

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II

RPG · Action RPG

Explore games similar to Paper Mario by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Third-Person Action RPGs Best Action RPGs Best RPG Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Paper Mario?: The closest game to Paper Mario is Bayonetta, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 4 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, single-player focus and fantasy world. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Paper Mario?: The three closest games to Paper Mario are: 1. Bayonetta (100/100, 4 shared attributes) 2. Bayonetta 3 (100/100, 5 shared attributes) 3. God of War (97/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Paper Mario's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 10 dimensions.
Is Bayonetta 3 similar to Paper Mario?: Yes, very much so — Bayonetta 3 scores 100/100 similarity to Paper Mario. They share 5 attributes, including deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Paper Mario?: The best RPG games similar to Paper Mario are Bayonetta 3, God of War, Devil May Cry and DmC: Devil May Cry. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Paper Mario attributes like adventure storytelling, single-player focus and fantasy world.
How is similarity to Paper Mario calculated?: We compare Paper Mario against every game in our catalog using 10 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Paper Mario experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.