MapleStory: The Classic 2D Side-Scrolling Free-to-Play MMORPG
How Nexon's MapleStory began in 2003, its side-scrolling combat and Cash Shop model, why it's a classic, and the MapleStory 2 and M series that followed.
MapleStory is a 2D side-scrolling MMORPG that officially launched in South Korea on April 29, 2003. Developed by Wizet and run by Nexon, it's known for its cute characters and platformer-like controls, in which you move sideways, jump, and fight.
MapleStory is often cited as the leading example of the "partial payment" (free-to-play) model, where the game is free with no monthly fee and only those who want to buy cosmetic or convenience items. According to English Wikipedia, as of 2020 it had more than 180 million registered users worldwide and more than $3 billion in cumulative revenue.
In this post, we cover how MapleStory started, how it's played, why it has been loved for so long, and its series and how to play it today.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release | April 29, 2003 (official launch in Korea) |
| Developer | Wizet; operated by Nexon |
| Platform | PC |
| Genre | 2D side-scrolling MMORPG |
Origins
MapleStory was first developed and launched in Korea before spreading to many countries. According to the timeline on Korean Wikipedia, it went through its first closed beta test on November 18, 2002, and its second closed beta test on January 21, 2003, before beginning official service on April 29, 2003.
At the time, the mainstream of Korean online games was the top-down MMORPG like Lineage. MapleStory changed direction, choosing the screen of a 2D platformer in which you view your character from the side as they climb up and down platforms. Its bright colors and round, cute characters drew in younger players and those looking to play casually.
It also expanded overseas quickly. It launched in Japan in December 2003, followed by official service in Singapore and Hong Kong in June 2005, Europe in April 2007, and Brazil and Vietnam in 2008. Each region has a separate version run by a local publisher, and players usually play their own region's version.
Gameplay
Side-Scrolling Hunting
MapleStory is a 2D side-scrolling game played with keyboard and mouse. You use the keyboard to move, jump, and use skills, and you can rearrange the key layout as you like. The mouse is mainly used for talking to NPCs or handling items. The basic flow is to attack monsters and bosses in real time and complete quests to earn the in-game currency "mesos," experience, and items.
Jobs and Job Advancement
A new Explorer character starts as a "Beginner" on Maple Island. They then advance into one of Warrior, Bowman, Magician, Thief, or Pirate, and as they level up, they advance to higher jobs at set stages. Today, besides the Explorers, there are many job lines, including the Cygnus Knights, the Heroes (Aran, Evan, Mercedes, Phantom, Luminous, and Shade), and the Resistance. A 5th job advancement was added in 2016 and a 6th in 2023.
The Fun of Playing Together
MapleStory offers many ways to interact with other people.
- Parties: Hunt monsters together and share experience and items.
- Guilds: Your guild name is displayed under your character's name.
- Fame: You can raise or lower other players' fame.
- Minigames: You can compete with other players in games such as Omok and Match Cards.
- Trading: Exchange mesos or items. On servers using the older system, you can also open a shop in the "Free Market."
Cash Shop
In the in-game "Cash Shop," you can buy items such as character cosmetics and pets with real money. The game itself is free, and it makes money from paid items. English Wikipedia reports that on the global server alone, more than 1 million players had bought items from the Cash Shop by 2010.
Why It's a Classic
An MMORPG Anyone Can Pick Up
MapleStory's biggest strength is its low barrier to entry. The controls of walking sideways and jumping are similar to platformers many people played as kids, so they quickly feel familiar. Thanks to its cute art style, even people trying an MMORPG for the first time could start without feeling intimidated.
A Free-to-Play Success Story
MapleStory showed that a model of starting free and making money through cosmetic items could succeed on a large scale. By 2006 it already had 39 million accounts worldwide, and its cumulative revenue reached $1.8 billion by 2011 and topped $3 billion as of 2020. In 2014, it ranked in the top 10 MMOs worldwide by revenue.
Memorable Music
MapleStory's background music has also been well received. Given how long the game has run, it brings back memories for people who played it in the past. The music of "Aquarium," a town in the Aqua Road area, was even included in some Korean music textbooks. Nexon formed its own music production team in 2016, and in 2017 it recorded music with an orchestra in Budapest, Hungary.
A Game That Keeps Changing
The "Big Bang" update in July 2010 was a major overhaul that significantly changed the game's core code and many systems. That same year, the "Chaos" update introduced PvP and professions, and on July 9, 2015, "Reboot World" was added, blocking trading in exchange for emphasizing the fun of growing on your own. Through these repeated major changes, the game has continued its service for more than 20 years.
It hasn't always been well received, however. In 2024, Nexon was fined 11.6 billion won for violating the Electronic Commerce Act after changing the drop rates of some MapleStory items without informing players. The controversy over loot boxes (randomized items) remains an unresolved issue for the game.
Series and Influence
| Title | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MapleStory DS | April 15, 2010 (Korea) | Single-player game for the Nintendo DS |
| MapleStory 2 | July 7, 2015 (Korea) | Sequel with voxel-based 3D graphics |
| MapleStory M | October 2016 (Korea) | Mobile game for iOS and Android |
There's also a 25-episode anime that aired on TV Tokyo in Japan from October 2007 to March 2008, and in Korea a comic book series, Comic MapleStory, based on the game's setting was published. The game expanded into comics, animation, and card games, becoming a brand of its own.
MapleStory's influence is most visible in the business practices of the Korean game industry. At a time when monthly subscriptions were taken for granted, it showed that free play and cash items could also generate big revenue, and many later online and mobile games adopted a similar structure.
How to Play Today
MapleStory is still in service on PC. In Korea, you can download and play it for free from Nexon's official MapleStory website, and in North America, Europe, and elsewhere from Nexon's global site.
If you're just starting, one option is to choose a Reboot-type world, where trading is blocked but solo progression is easier. If you'd like to play on a smartphone, you can choose MapleStory M. For people who miss the simpler MapleStory of old, Nexon America announced in April 2025 that it is developing a "Classic World" for the global server that recreates the early experience.
Since it's a game people play for a long time, it's best to spend on cash items and loot boxes only within a budget you've set in advance.