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Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, TTYD: Same Franchise, Different Sub-Series

They share the "Super Mario RPG" lineage but belong to distinct sub-series with different developers and gameplay philosophies.

Genealogy

Game	Year	Developer	Sub-Series	Key Mechanics
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars	1996 (SNES)	Square (now Square Enix)	Super Mario RPG (origin)	Timed hits, isometric 3D, 3-party turn-based, action commands
Paper Mario	2000 (N64)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (1)	Paper aesthetic, 2D/3D flip, partners, action commands, star spirits
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door	2004 (GCN)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (2)	Refined formula, hooks, badges, audience, deeper story
Super Paper Mario	2007 (Wii)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (3)	Platformer/RPG hybrid, 2D↔3D flip, Pixls, no partners
Paper Mario: Sticker Star	2012 (3DS)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (4)	Sticker consumables, no XP/levels, thing stickers, linear
Paper Mario: Color Splash	2016 (Wii U)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (5)	Paint hammer, cards, Wii U GamePad integration
Paper Mario: The Origami King	2020 (Switch)	Intelligent Systems	Paper Mario (6)	Ring-based puzzle battles, confetti, open-world feel, no partners

Key Distinctions

SMRPG (1996) = Square collaboration. Unique isometric view, timed attacks/defense, Geno, Mallow, Smithy Gang. No paper aesthetic.
Paper Mario 1–3 (N64–Wii) = "Classic" Paper Mario. Partners, badges, star power, chapter-based, rich writing, turn-based + action commands.
Paper Mario 4–6 (3DS–Switch) = "Modern" Paper Mario. Sticker/card/ring mechanics, no partners, no XP, puzzle-focused battles, divisive among fans.
Mario & Luigi series (GBA–3DS) = AlphaDream's brother-action RPG. Separate sub-series. Bowser's Inside Story peak.

Shared DNA

Mario as silent protagonist
Action commands (press A at right moment)
Humor, charm, Nintendo polish
Turn-based (mostly) combat
Shigeru Miyamoto oversight (early titles)

Verdict: Same franchise umbrella (Mario RPG). SMRPG = standalone origin. Paper Mario = 6-game sub-series (2 eras). Mario & Luigi = separate sub-series. Fans debate which era is "true" Paper Mario—but all are Mario RPGs.

PS2 Games