Metacritic 766+

Paper Mario: Color Splash

Intelligent Systems|2016ActionAdventureRPG

LumiScore?Our 0–100 score for how developmentally beneficial and low-risk this game is for children. Higher is better.

61/ 100

GOOD

120+ min/day recommended

Growth

45/100

Growth Value

Problem Solving
Strategic Thinking
Critical Thinking

Risk

LOW

Engagement Patterns

Minimal pressure to spend or play excessively.

Heads up

💸 Monthly cost: Free

Parent Pro-Tip

Encourage your child to discuss the puzzles they solve and the strategies they use in battles. This can help reinforce their cognitive skills and critical thinking.

Top Skills Developed

Problem Solving5/5

Strategic Thinking5/5

Critical Thinking4/5

Learning Transfer4/5

Adaptive Challenge4/5

Development Areas

Cognitive?Problem solving, spatial awareness, strategic thinking, creativity, memory, and learning transfer. Weighted 50% of the Benefit Score.

Social & Emotional?Teamwork, communication, empathy, emotional regulation, and ethical reasoning. Weighted 30% of the Benefit Score.

Motor Skills?Hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, reaction time, and physical activity. Weighted 20% of the Benefit Score.

Overall Benefit Score (BDS)45/100

Representation?How diverse the game's characters are in gender and ethnicity. Higher = more authentic representation. Display only — does not affect time recommendation.

Gender balance

2/3

Ethnic diversity

1/3

♀

Bechdel Test?The Bechdel Test checks whether a game has at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. A simple measure of representation.— N/A — no named characters

Insufficient information from description to determine if two named female characters talk to each other about something other than a man.

Parent Pro-Tip

Discussing gameplay can enhance a child's ability to articulate their problem-solving processes and strategic decisions, extending the cognitive benefits beyond screen time.

What your child develops

Paper Mario: Color Splash offers a charming action-adventure experience that fosters problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical analysis through its unique Paint Hammer and Battle Card mechanics. Players engage in creative puzzle-solving and learn to adapt to new challenges, all within a humorous and engaging storyline.

Base: UnknownMonthly: FreeReviewed Apr 2026

Regulatory Compliance

Tap a badge for details. Grey = not yet assessed.

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Parent Tips

💡 LumiKin

Try playing the first session together with your child — it's a great way to understand the game's tone and set expectations around time and spending before they play independently.

No tips yet — be the first to help other parents.

About this game

A mystery is afoot on Prism Island - and only Paper Mario can solve it by restoring the island's vanishing colors with his new Paint Hammer and the powerful Battle Cards up his sleeve. These fresh layers of strategy, along with the hilarious action adventure gameplay the series is known for, make this one of the most colorful Paper Mario action-adventure games ever.