2025-06-20 13:23:41 EDTM: If I wanted to play the first two or
three paper Mario games in a way that could legitimately be streamed,
what are my current options if I’m not exactly in the mood to go out and
buy a Nintendo switch
G: TL;DR:
If you don’t want to buy a Nintendo Switch but still want to
legitimately stream the first few Paper Mario games,
your best options are:
✅
Legitimate Streaming-Compatible Options (No
Switch)
1. Paper
Mario (N64) on Wii U Virtual Console
- Platform: Wii U
- How to Stream: Use a capture card (Elgato,
AverMedia, etc.) connected to your PC.
- Legitimacy: 100% legal; purchased via Virtual
Console.
- Status: Still works if previously downloaded, but
new purchases are no longer possible as the Wii U eShop closed
in March 2023.
2.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GCN) on Original
Hardware
- Platform: Nintendo GameCube or a
backwards-compatible Wii
- How to Stream: Capture card + original disc.
- Legitimacy: Fully legal if you own the disc and
console.
- Challenge: Original copies are expensive; GameCubes
require extra effort to stream.
3.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GCN) via Dolphin Emulator +
Disc
- Platform: PC (Dolphin Emulator)
- How to Stream: Stream from PC; must use your own
legally ripped disc image.
- Legitimacy: Gray area — using your own
disc and dumping it yourself keeps it legal(ish); downloading the ROM
does not.
- Note: You must rip the disc yourself using a Wii
with homebrew or a special drive.
❌ Unavailable or
Problematic Options
• Paper Mario (N64)
on PC via Emulator
- Requires ROM download = not legal unless self-dumped.
•
Paper Mario: The Origami King or Switch Remake of
TTYD
- Available on Switch only — no current PC or non-Switch access.
•
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (for N64 Paper
Mario)
🟨 Alternate: Buy a
Used Wii + Discs
- Why? Wii supports both GameCube and Wii games, and
is relatively cheap.
- How to Stream: Use Wii component cables + capture
card.
- Legitimacy: Totally clean, no emulation.
- Streaming Caveat: You’ll need to adjust the video
signal and possibly use an upscaler for modern capture cards.
Summary Recommendation
If you want to avoid modern hardware but still stay legit:
- Get a used Wii and legit copies of the games, then
stream via capture card.
- If you already have your own disc of TTYD, consider Dolphin
Emulator and stream from PC using your own dumped copy (most streamers
use this route, noting the legal nuance).
- If you already own them digitally (Wii U Virtual Console), you can
still re-download and stream.
Let me know if you want help setting up Dolphin legally or finding
decent-priced hardware.
2025-06-20 13:25:07 EDTM: I haven’t got a Wii U… what about
Mario RPG?
G: Got it — you're without a
Wii U, not in the mood for a Switch,
and looking at Paper Mario and maybe Mario
RPG instead. Here’s how your options shake out for
Super Mario RPG and related titles, with a focus on
streamability and legality:
🟢 Super Mario RPG (SNES,
original)
✅ Best Legal Option (No
Switch):
▶️ SNES Classic
Edition
- Includes Super Mario RPG pre-installed
- How to Stream: HDMI output → capture card → PC
- Legitimacy: 100% legal; official Nintendo
hardware
- Bonus: Also includes other classic SNES games
(e.g., EarthBound, Zelda, etc.)
- Current price: Usually around $100–$150 used
(Amazon, eBay)
🟡 Other Options (Legal-ish,
Emulated)
🖥️ PC
via Emulator + Own SNES Cartridge (Mario RPG)
- If you own the SNES cartridge and can dump
your own ROM (using something like the Retrode or a hacked
Wii), then you can legally emulate it.
- Stream from PC using OBS or similar
- Legal standing: Technically okay if you
dump your own ROM. Downloading one is not legal.
🔴 Not Currently
Possible Without a Switch
- Super Mario RPG (Remake, 2023) → Only on
Nintendo Switch
- Paper Mario 64 → On Switch Online Expansion
Pack
- TTYD Remake → Also Switch-only
🟨 Bonus: Used Wii or SNES
Hardware
If you're open to it:
- A used Wii gives access to Virtual
Console (if you find one already loaded), GCN
compatibility, and homebrew options for game
dumping.
- A real SNES + capture setup is expensive and not
worth it unless you're a hardware purist.
TL;DR Summary
| Paper Mario (N64) |
N64 + cart + capture or Dolphin w/ dump |
✅ |
✅ if self-dumped |
| TTYD (GCN) |
GCN/Wii + disc + capture or Dolphin w/ dump |
✅ |
✅ if self-dumped |
| Super Mario RPG (SNES) |
SNES Classic Mini |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Emulator + own cartridge |
✅ |
⚠️ gray-area legal but defendable |
Let me know if you'd like a guide for setting up the SNES
Classic for streaming, or for legally dumping and
playing on PC with Dolphin or SNES9x.