The Thousand-Year Door Exploits Your Nostalgia (and That's Okay!)

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is one of Nintendo's most fiercely beloved games. While many people are nostalgic for the game itself, its story is all about the power of nostalgia. It's a game that makes its own rose-tinted glasses.
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Games Discussed:
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) / Platform: Nintendo Gamecube / Developer: Intelligent Systems / Publisher: Nintendo / Genre: RPG, Role-Playing Game, JRPG, Turn-Based RPG, Platformer, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024) / Platform: Nintendo Switch / Developer: Intelligent Systems / Publisher: Nintendo / Genre: RPG, Role-Playing Game, JRPG, Turn-Based RPG, Platformer, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Remake
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Games Referenced:
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (2023) / Platform: Playstation 5 / Developer: Insomniac Games / Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment / Genre: Action Adventure, Open World, Superhero, Story-Driven, Fantasy
Elden Ring (2022) / Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC (Windows) / Developer: FromSoftware / Publisher: Bandai Namco / Genre: Action RPG, Open-World, Soulslike, Action Adventure, Role-Playing Game
Celeste (2018) / Platform: Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC, MacOS, Linux / Developer: Maddy Makes Games / Publisher: Maddy Makes Games / Genre: Platformer, Indie, Story-Driven, Precision Platformer
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) / Platform: Nintendo Switch / Developer: Nintendo EPD / Publisher: Nintendo / Genre: Social Simulation, Cozy Game, Sim
Mirror's Edge (2008) / Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Windows / Developer: DICE / Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA) / Genre: Platformer, First-Person, Parkour, Action, Action-Adventure, Dystopian
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) / Platform: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch / Developed & Published by Nintendo / Genre: Open-World, Action-Adventure, Action RPG, Survival, Fantasy
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001) / Platform: Nintendo 64 / Developed & Published by Rare / Genre: Comedy, Platformer, Parody, Subversive, Third-Person Shooter
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Additional References:
From The Earth to the Moon: A Direct Route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes (1865) / A Novel by Jules Verne
A Trip to the Moon (1902) / Written & Directed by Georges Méliès / Based on the Novel by Jules Verne
The Matrix (1999) / Written & Directed by The Wachowskis / Starring Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) / Directed by Stanley Kubrick / Written by Arthur C. Clarke & Stanley Kubrick / Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Douglas Rain
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) / Written & Directed by George Lucas / Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, David Prowse, James Earl Jones
Murder on the Orient Express (1934) / A Novel by Agatha Christie
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Topics Discussed:
Nostalgia, memory, nostalgia bait, rose-tinted glasses, video games, retro video games, Nintendo GameCube, remake, remakes, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshi Kid, Vivian, Bobbery, Ms. Mowz, TEC, Professor Frankley, X-Nauts, Bowser, parody, reference, literary genres, fantasy, pro wrestling, sports, professional athlete, sports commentary, horror, horror movies, scary, survival, Treasure Island, pirates, pirate treasure, Peter Pan, train, trains, express rail, science fiction, moon, legends, sci-fi, urban legends, lost media, video game soundtracks, music, video game music, ost, Paper Mario, Direct Sequel, Nintendo games, new Nintendo games, Super Mario RPG, Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Mario & Luigi Brotherhood, Mario RPG, best games ever made, video essay, essay, personal memory, 2000s, 2000s nostalgia, Nintendo Direct, stories never die, emotional, backtracking, game design, video game design, game review, video game review, ttyd, TTYD, PM: TTYD

[@wiiuandmii7619]

Man, I've literally never thought about the General White quest in the context of a sightseeing tour of all the effects you've had on the world around you. Reframing it like that honestly makes me appreciate it a lot more as a point of reflection before heading to confront the foe the entire game has been leading up to. ...Still _very_ glad they added that pipe room in the remake, though.

[@yeon_ster]

Just want to say I always appreciate having actual closed captioning on your videos

[@KaptenKetchup]

I love how you pointed out all those references. I noticed a lot of them when I played the remake. One is of them is in chapter four. While on the path to the Creepy Steeple, you have to blow away a big pile of hay with Flurrie. You know, like the wolf in "The Three Little Pigs"?

[@vianabdullah2837]

I'm such a sucker for the trope at the end where everyone you've met along the way gives you the power to defeat the final boss.

[@xaviere1644]

Honestly insane how it hits the same EVERY TIME

[@WesleyC5771]

Earthbound anyone?

[@IAmNotASandwich453]

Its like that time in Dragonball Z when everyone on earth gives Goku his power for the final Spirit Bomb

[@nekonomicon2983]

Isn't that just the power of friendship? Maybe with extra steps.

[@lunarasteroidofficial]

Now that you brought it to the forefront (and this is coming from someone who’s never played much of this series so far), I think TTYD’s theme of nostalgia is a big reason why its the frontrunner for the best Paper Mario game. There might be parts of Paper Mario (N64), Super, Colour Splash, and Origami King that may be better, but TTYD is explicitly designed to be remembered (helps that it's a great game). Combine that with the fact that the people who grew up with the Gamecube are now old enough to BE nostalgic for it, and it's no wonder the internet is so head over heals for it. Fantastic video. One of my new favorite channels.

[@azuresquirrel]

I love the doodles in this video, they add to the charm alongside the game

[@michaelr3077]

finally someone understands the general white sections purpose. I thought this kinda trope was done more often to be obvious. Its the typical fetch quest going back to every area you've been to just before the final battle...

[@SirCacto]

I just beat the game in June and absolutely adored everything about it. There was some emotion that I felt I couldn’t figure out - almost like a sense of nostalgia - and I think this video perfectly explained it. Thank you. You did a great job with this video.

[@Quandtuniverse]

Your first video about Paper Mario was very thoughtful and original and got me to reflect about something I hadn't considered before. This video is equally as thoughtful, albeit about something I did think about before, but one that I don't think is discussed enough when it comes to this game. Everyone has such strong emotions about what TTYD means to them, and I think on some base level your analysis about the game being nostalgic for itself has a big part in that. Good job! And I second the comment appreciating the closed captions.

[@lewis9s]

This video really just helps me appreciate how amazing each and every chapter of this game is.

[@westongale5899]

Thanks so much for creating this video man. I remember getting TTYD for Christmas in 2004 and just loving the game growing up, and now I hope that I will get it again for Christmas in 2024! This game will always hold a special place in my heart! 😇

[@justaspidercrab]

i recently found your channel from the "not the main character" video (which im sure is quite common given its view count) and watched the rest of your videos the same day. your editing is sharp and your scripts are really well written. i wish you the absolute best in your future creative endeavors, which i selfishly hope will include many more videos like the ones you've already made. cheers

[@nickk3077]

If we ever get a true sequel to TTYD, I'd like to see it implement stories that relate to real life history and the past but demonstrated in a Mario style. Perhaps every world has its own bit of lore and that is when the game makes an allusion to that piece of history. If they wanted to flesh out the whole time travel aspect, they could make it a core part of the gameplay; they could make the game about time travel where Mario's past actions in a world effect the present, as Mario makes history. I am imagining something like "The Revolutionary War" where you befriend a George Washington-like mayor partner. And, of course, there is a lot of creative inspiration one can gather by reminiscing on past human history. Maybe a Steampunk, Postmodern, or Rennaissance inspired world.

[@untoages]

I love this channel! You always manage to bring out things about a game that I’ve never thought about. And the production quality is great too!

[@PowPowSmash]

I think you really got to the heart of why so many of us love TTYD as much as we do. Besides the great battle system, you did such a great job of breaking down what makes the game's characters and story so memorable besides it's fantastic writing. The layers of nostalgia make you grow even more attached to the game by the time you complete it and on the ensuing playthroughs. Well done 👍

[@infizer0]

This video is really great, I love hearing people talk about this game more in-depth. I love TTYD so so much

[@KareemZebib]

I never thought about ttyd like that before

[@chloepatti9734]

Hello! I just found this channel today and wanted to tell you how lovely all your videos have been so far. Your narration is amazing, your video quality is excellent, and your points are thorough and poignant. I was absolutely enthralled when you referred to one part of the game as "a common fantasy married to a universal pain". Beautifully written and thoughtfully made, you deserve many more subscribers.

[@CakeKingYT]

This was an amazing vid! I loved how detailed and well-explained it was! Great work!

[@ZepMarioBros]

is this the paper version? it looks great

[@videogameprobro]

I would’ve never thought of the concept you’ve explained in the video. It makes this game all the more enjoyable

[@ghoulishdevastation5205]

kinda funny that this is the only Mario game I have played, just to find that it wasn't even as big as other titles but still loved alot and now there is a remake (guess i have even more of an excuse to get a switch)

[@samanthajayne4444]

This analysis is absolutely stellar. You describe genre in ways that make it so meaningful and purposeful!!

[@joeyjose727]

Wow I’ve never played TTYD but I’ve seen let’s plays of it, I never put together the way it evokes old stories like that 😭 embarrassing… such a cool game

[@Nonantement]

You should definitely play it! I sadly watched a full playthrough of the game before playing myself the game 8 years ago on the Gamecube but it stuck with me even though I was spoiled on everything, I once again played through the game thanks to the Switch remake and it was a blast!

[@andrewmah2962]

I never played the original Thousand Year Door when it originally came out. I started with the remake, then got the original game.

[@daniellelondon439]

Paper Mario TTYD my beloved!

[@arcticpossi_schw1siantuntija42]

This is a wonderful, beautiful angle to an already fantastic game

[@wisp7627]

never played the game but now i want to. great vid!!

[@SugaredEdits]

Delightful as always!! Thought provoking, and interesting. I love how you present your points and edit these together. It’s always felt like an instant classic. As a child, the general white quest never bothered me. I don’t think I ever really fully caught how we plan and pay off with chapter 8, but being GRIPPED by the intrigue and everything finally coming to ahead. 📖 long live the original paper Mario trilogy and their delightful story telling.

[@cardula7]

Just finished TYYD for the first time (I had a physical copy at one point but never left Rogueport/finished Chapter 1) and I noticed all of what you discussed, love this video! So many great RPSs have used the nostalgia for itself trope and it just works, especially when you go back to those places after beating the game (Earthbound, the Lunar games, etc). Just found your channel today, instant sub, I hope you go far - you deserve it.

[@skyhighlander6447]

Funnily enough, this game does pull a lot from stuff that might make you nostalgic indeed… like a ton of paper mario 64. And paper mario 64 was, to me, a better experience, better execution of its ideas. So it made me nostalgic for a game I enjoyed more, and now I remember 64 much better because I liked it more than I thought I did. The ending of ttyd was decidedly epic though. I see the points made make sense, but in a funny way, it made me nostalgic for paper mario 64, and made me enjoy ttyd’s story less, for being reminded of a game that did some of its concepts better. I can see this game means a lot to people, but I wonder how that rests on them not having played 64 before that, on it being nostalgic because it was their first exposure to this kind of game.

[@Barquevious_Jackson]

Nostalgia is Evil. I for one have anti-nostalgia, I hate everything I have ever experienced and desperately long for it to spontaneously combust and be erased from my memory.

[@LeoAngora]

Incredible video, thanks a lot! Have you played Wandersong? It has many similarities with this Paper Mario than I believe it was one of the developer's inspirations.

[@MisterDrBob]

It probably goes without saying that TTYD's climax owes a lot to EarthBound, but that makes me wonder just how many of this video's points could be applied to EarthBound as well. There are certainly points where you have to backtrack, and callbacks to earlier parts of the game, but it's not really one to one. I'd be curious to know how much of it was intentionally to make players nostalgic for the game they were still playing.

[@i_am_a_dot]

That's a really good point! Earthbound's conclusion is one of the all-time greats!

[@donaldthescotishtwin]

Rawk hawk is hulk hogan not the rock.

[@Asterluna]

This is so good. Great to see someone getting into the depth of the nostalgia this game holds, and in ways I don't often see touched on

[@xaviere1644]

My god, Dot. You're quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Every video has been fantastic, even for games I've never even played.

[@CakeKingYT]

Another vid! Yes! Love this channel!

[@LuigiXP]

This was such an amazing watch tahnk you for making it TTYD is Peak!

[@largeyoshi]

i've watched everything you've put out thus far, and i gotta hand it to you. you put so much heart and thought into these videos, and i and many others undoubtedly appreciate it

[@megascopsasio2015]

Your love for the game really shines through, as your sincerity does in all your videos. Another great one!

[@mrlucasftw42]

Conker's Bad fur day was AFTER the Matrix ..... what!?! Granted I only had the pleasure of playing it once or twice at a friend's house. It was a blast

[@sprites4ever482]

👏👏👏 Bravo, that was wonderful! One of the best video essays I have ever seen on a video game and a simulataneous commentary of its central themes! The theme of nostalgia can arguably tied into the game's other theme, too, that being the clash of the ancient with the current. How an ancient legend makes you explore the current world, and how looking at it this way makes you see the world in a way you you've never thought about before. The part where you explained that The Thousand-Year Door has essentially become an ancient legend on its own was also amazing. I coined a term for this is a while back, the game has become a 'metaparallel'; a story, or parts of a story, which serve a similar purpose in the real world is they do within the story's fictional world. Another inspiration of the game I want to point out is early 20th century pulp fiction, what with its eclectic way of taking inspiration from all sorts of fiction, burying ancient mysteries in the mundane, modern world, and contrasting a strong villainous darkness against a lighthearted world and characters. After all, the X-Nauts are clearly inspired by the Nazis, which becomes even clearer when you realize that it's hinted at that their soldiers aren't a specific species, like you so often have with enemies in Mario games, but that any resident of the Mushroom Kingdom could be beneath those uniforms. And Nazis trying to unearth an ancient evil, but instead of using it, they end up unleasing it on everyone, is a page right out of the Indiana Jones Textbook on how to write Adventure Fiction. I'm so very glad to see people like me, who look at the fundamental aspects of stories, media, personalities and the world as a whole, in order to understand their meaning. I feel like a lot of what you said in this video went above most people's heads. Heck, I've been a Paper Mario fan since my childhood, and I hadn't recognized all of the comparisons and conclusions you drew from the game until you did! I guess we can say the real Crystal Stars were the friends we made along the way.

[@andyblargextra]

Yet again, I'm rewarded and proud to say Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door is my favorite game of all time. My nostalgia for this game will never die. Even if I'm not in the mood to play it at times, the memories of the game stay fresh with me and bring me joy.

[@ryhanna.]

great, well edited, well commentated video. keep going!

[@diddly_dude]

honestly i love everything ttyd does with its story, but it doesnt change my opinion that the game is incredibly tedious to play, battles become repetitive and the only incentive is a slight xp boost, almost every world is filled with nothing but a bunch of hallways, and honestly i had a better time with origami king and 64, which i played around the same time as the remakes release. (great video btw, i loved the sections with the drawings!)

[@Tiwill]

Your videos are incredible.

[@i_am_a_dot]

Thank you so much!

[@pokepress]

As someone who thinks TTYD is just decent, I find several of these layers (particularly the third and fourth) seem to be made of Swiss cheese. I think the pacing may have diminished them by placing the moments too far apart for me.

[@sebastianmayer2501]

what a lovely video.

[@ashleyblack7419]

well there's only 2 downsides to paper mario but those have always been there, length and backtracking but the good outweights the bad and in the end TTYD is a masterpiece and held up better than most other games

[@xekiyo]

I really love this channel, great stuff!!!

[@hyenalingo]

HE SAID THE YAKKO WORD!!!!

[@Crash-lm4zb]

great video

[@CamCommand99]

Uhhh, good fucking video alert

[@PaulCabanlit]

Thank you for the spoiler warning! I'm currently on my Nostalgic Quest - the 3rd Chapter!

[@Aukejorrit]

Top tier video.

[@jega3593]

Your videos are amazing

[@Mandarynki]

your another video I'm in love with

[@ethanwalker7865]

Make an Animal Well video next!

[@Robloamji]

I am 9 years old

[@ivanzoneBR24]

I can see your point of view throughout the video and yeah the first two layers of nostalgia, can work because of real life experiences and thats fine, but the third layer is so artificial that it doesnt work. How can you feel nostalgic about a location or characters if you are being forced to go back to them? This is just filler, nothing more, nothing else. Those areas didnt CHANGED at all since you last seem them, if the point was to appreciate this time off to reexperience what you just did a few hours ago, there needs to be changes, otherwise you are just talking to random people the faster as possible to just continue with the story. My suggestions would be add new items, enemies, minibosses, minigames, sidequests or anything meanigful to each location you went for, this way, it wont give the feeling to the player that they are wasting their time. In conclusion, General White fundamentely sucks and while you can try to make the game more fun, talking to the characters, ultimately its still a big issue to an otherwise great game.

[@soulcalibrII]

TTYD on Switch is just a remaster, not a remake. All Nintendo did was update the original game code. Nearly everything is the same, right down to some bugs existing in both games, proving it is just updating code, assets, and game design that already exist. Come on dude, people have known it is just a remaster before the game even released. Do better.