In 2024, the remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door did more than polish a beloved GameCube classic. It reminded players that Nintendo's flat, foldable hero could carry an entire RPG identity. By 2026, the conversation has not faded. Fans still trade wish lists, mods, and mock-ups. The question lingers like a crease in fresh parchment: if Mario can become paper, why not everyone else?
10. Kirby
The little pink stress ball has already been yarn, clay, and a mouthful of forgotten-land oddities. So why not paper? A Paper Kirby would likely be less cartoonish, oddly enough, because its turn-based battles would force players to slow down and appreciate every folded star. Intelligent Systems could give Kirby a party of Waddle Dees, each with copy abilities as paper-thin classes. If Like a Dragon can keep its comedy while going full RPG, Kirby can too.
9. Hades
Hades and Hades 2 are magnificent, but their roguelike loop is not for everyone. Resetting after every defeat can feel like a slap. A Paper Hades could turn Zagreus's escape into a cutesy RPG where death is a narrative beat rather than a punishment. Supergiant Games would need to keep the romance, or fans would revolt. Imagine Cerberus as a three-headed paper pup who finally gets petted. Would anyone say no?
8. Bloodborne
By 2026, Bloodborne fans are still waiting for a sequel, a remaster, or any sign of mercy. A Paper Bloodborne would barely test the limits of that Gothic world. It could borrow the dark 2D aesthetic of Darkest Dungeon, turning Yharnam into a foldable nightmare of cosmic horror. The Hunter could unfold new weapons, and every death could be a paper cut. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Is it also exactly what the internet would adore? Also yes.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic has tried RPGs before, and Sonic Chronicles did not exactly become a beloved classic. But a Paper Sonic could give the blue blur a second chance. Intelligent Systems knows how to make turn-based combat feel snappy, and Sonic's world is full of colorful friends and robots. Tails would probably plummet in a paper plane, but that is part of the charm. Who would not want to see Dr. Eggman rendered as an angry origami egg?
6. Baldur's Gate 3
Larian Studios has said it is done with Baldur's Gate, which leaves fans with memories, mods, and heartache. A Paper Baldur's Gate 3 could soften that blow with a 2D platformer set in a 3D world, like Demon Turf. Karlach could smash through paper walls, Gale could float while clutching Tara, and Astarion could complain about the crease in his collar. Only if Scratch is a party member, of course. Otherwise, what is the point?
5. Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy has already been a strategy game, a fighting game, a rhythm game, and a fashion show for sad blond men. A Paper Final Fantasy could be a platformer and dating sim in one. Cloud and Sephiroth would flirt via paper planes, moogles would become even cuter, and Yuna could summon folded aeons. The onion-ring date energy is undeniable. Who needs another grim remake when paper Cloud can fall dramatically in 2D?
4. Among Us
Among Us is already 2D, so the visual leap to paper is tiny. The real idea is a dungeon-crawling RPG. A crew would go on multiple runs, and players would study each member's behavior before voting on the impostor at a predetermined ending point. How do impostors fit through vents so easily? Because they are paper, obviously. The paper aesthetic could turn suspicion into a craft project.
3. The Elder Scrolls
If Fallout has Fallout Shelter, then The Elder Scrolls deserves Paper Skyrim. The name would stick for the same reason people call tissues Kleenex. A town-building and management sim set in a charming little Whiterun, complete with a charming little Cloud District, would be irresistible. Dragons would ravage it regularly, but in a cute way. Who would not want to manage a paper Jarl and his paper grudges?
2. The Last of Us
The Last of Us is a despair simulator that hurts like a ghost pepper. Could it be paper-ified? Probably not. But it would be fascinating to try. A Paper The Last of Us could focus on the quiet moments: Ellie and Dina laughing, Joel playing guitar, a world briefly at peace. The apocalypse would still be there, but the paper style might let players breathe. Is it wrong to want these characters happy for a little while? Not at all.
1. Fortnite
Fortnite has become the eccentric millionaire of video games, collecting modes, crossovers, and genres with no overarching theme. It has racing, music, LEGO survival, and probably a cooking show by now. A Paper Fortnite is the one thing it has not tried. It could be the same battle royale in paper style, or a completely off-the-rails RPG. At this point, why not? The only limit is how many folds the server can handle.
The Paper Future
In 2026, the paper aesthetic remains a powerful idea because it is more than a gimmick. It is a way to remix familiar worlds without erasing what makes them beloved. A Paper Kirby could be gentle. A Paper Bloodborne could be horrifying. A Paper Fortnite could be absolute chaos. The real question is not whether these games would work, but which developer would dare to fold first. 🎮📜