This game has a very strong case of "first game syndrome" in my opinion. Pretty much all of what Paper Mario does was improved in the upcoming games. The combat system? More in-depth in Thousand Year Door. The characters & story? wackier in Super Paper Mario. The writing? Funnier in basically every later entry.

As I see it, there isn't really a reson to come back to this game these days, since it's just so basic in comparison to its sequels. It's alright, but doesn't ever get more enjyoable than "alright".