Port Prisma

Port Prisma
Chronological information
Game appearances	Paper Mario: Color Splash
General information
Located	Prism Island
Navigation

Port Prisma is the first location, and is the hub, of Paper Mario: Color Splash. It is a ransacked village destroyed by Koopas and Shy Guys. It is home to the Prisma Fountain with missing spots for the corresponding Big Paint Stars. As the player progresses through the game, the fountain can be fully restored, and allows access to the game's final boss. The port is divided into a harbor and 3 colored districts. There are two Mini-Paint Stars in this level.

Description

The story begins when Mario and Princess Peach are summoned to Port Prisma after a mysterious and alarming letter arrives. The letter is a colorless toad, with the stamp revealing that the Prisma Fountain has been drained of color, and the once-thriving town of Port Prisma has begun to fade into dullness. The colors that were once so central to the town’s vitality have disappeared, leaving the town in a sad and monochrome state.

After the opening cutscenes are played, Mario arrives at The Harbor District. Leaving the ship and heading to the right reveals a hammer on some boxes. Obtaining the hammer gives Mario a unique mechanic that allows crates to be destroyed and turned into coins. Hitting the crate that blocks the stairs reveals the terrifying ruins of a once happy town. After viewing the ghosttown, the Emercency Recovery Unit (ERU) appears in the Prisma Fountain. After following the instructions given, a paint can is revealed from below. Hitting it with a hammer reveals a living paint can named Huey.

The early stages of the adventure involve Mario and Huey teaming up with the variety of quirky characters of Port Prisma to investigate the source of the color drain and find out who is behind it. The game introduces new mechanics through the use of color, with Mario utilizing his paint hammer to restore color to objects and Toads that have lost their hues. This color-based mechanic becomes the central gameplay mechanic of the rest of the game, but introducing it quite well in this first level. Port Prisma is not just a starting point, but a vital chapter in Paper Mario: Color Splash, serving as the beginning of Mario and Huey’s journey to save the entire island from the strange, color-draining forces.

Locations

The Red District

This district is the central area of Port Prisma. Super Flags signify every completed achievement, and celebrations are held here when Big Paint Stars are returned.

The Prisma Fountain

The Prisma Fountain resides in the middle, which holds Huey in the beginning of the game. This fountain houses all 6 Big Paint Stars of every color. Once a Big Paint Star is recovered, you can restore your HP in the fountain everytime you visit Port Prisma. Hitting specific Big Paint Stars will grant that color of paint infinitely.

The Harbor District

The Harbor is the first playable location in the game, and where Mario gets his Paint Hammer. As the game progresses, we are introduced to Know-it-All Toad and Wringer.

The Yellow District

This district is focused on housing and fighting. Most toad's live in this district, and also where Princess Peach is temporarily living in. This is also where Princess Peach's assistant toad gets their color slurped from a Slurp Guy, commencing the first battle in the game.

The Dojo

The Dojo is located in the Yellow District, and is later the entrance into the Prisma Museum. Action toad is the inhabitant of the Dojo. He incourages you to train your attacks, such as Jump, Block, Hammer, and Fire Flower.

Prisma Museum

In the Dojo, theres a secret museum where you can donate basic, thing, and enemy battle cards. When you donate a certain amount of cards, you will be able to see old concept arts for the game.

Rescue Squad Area

This is an recovery area for lost Rescue Squad members. The Rescue Toads are divided into 5 squads with a corresponding color (Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, and Purple). These toads are lost, and will report to the Rescue Squad Chief in this area. The chief will count how many are still missing for a particular group. If a Rescue Squad Captain is found, all Rescue Squad toads will report to his locations, even if there are still some missing.

The Meeting Spot

On the highest spot of the district, there is a meeting place for an old friend group. As the game progresses, more is revealed about this sidequest, including Piper's backstory with his 5 toad friends.

The Blue District

This district has more buy and sell places located here. It is also home to the waterwheel, and upon being fixed grants access to the first Mini Paint Star.

Prisma Cardware

Prisma Cardware, also known as "Card Shop", is a shop to buy Battle Cards using coins. This shop is unlocked after Mario repaints the shop owner. As Battle Cards are unlocked, they will appear as purchasable items.

Prisma Postal

Prisma Postal is located across the bridge of this district. Mario will receive letters throughout the game and can be read in here. This is shown as an icon on the map, as well as a shimmer on the envelope in front of the building.

Port Prisma Café

The Port Prisma Café is located to the far left of the district. At first, the Prisma Café Toad is seen sad, not wanting to work where its too busy. After returning to Ruddy Road and talking to the Ruddy Road Café Toad, they both switch locations, unlocking the cafe in this district. Here, you can purchase a Hearty Latte for 70 coins and Prisma Juice for 120 coins.

Enemies

• 3 Slurp Guys (Red)
• 6 Shy Guys (Red)
• 4 Goombas

Walkthrough #1 - Mini-Paint Star

After progressing through the Yellow District and wringing out Huey, the stairs will be destroyed and become unusable. Continuing into the Blue District, you'll need to color more colorless Toads. Once the green gate is colored and opened, you'll encounter a Goomba standing behind it. After defeating the Goomba, head up the stairs and make your way to the right side of the map. After a few more battles and restoring more colorless Toads, you'll face off against a Slurp Guy, whose defeat reveals the solution to the watermill problem. Once Mario defeats the Slurp Guy and uses the Paint Hammer on the waterfall, the water will flow, carrying Mario down the stream. With the waterfall restored, the toilet paper barrier will unravel, unlocking a staircase leading to the first Mini-Paint Star. Collecting the Mini-Paint Star will clear the level.

Walkthrough #2 - Mini-Paint Star

Upon entering Crimson Tower, recoloring the Toad reveals that he is the bridge builder and can repair the bridge in Port Prisma. After returning to Port Prisma and heading to the Blue District, the bridge will be fixed, unlocking new areas to recolor. In this newly accessible area, you'll find the Mini-Paint Star just out of reach on the roof. After restoring a few more spots and speaking with the Port Postal Toad, he will fix the sign above his post office. Next, stand to the right of the red Toad near the bridge and use the Cutout mechanic. Doing this will reveal the cutout section needed to progress. Once you reach the roof, the Card Connoisseur Toad will appear and ask to inspect your cards. While this is happening, a battle will begin, and you’ll learn the Battle Spin mechanic. After receiving your cards back, you can color a few more spots and finally obtain the Mini-Paint Star. Collecting the Mini-Paint Star will clear the level.