Easy to Stomach: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story Review
Mario’s first excursion into the fanciful realm of roleplay was over 13 years ago, when Nintendo teamed with Squaresoft to create the whimsical Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES. Since then, the plumber has starred seven epic RPGs across 5 systems, granting him a solid place in the pantheon of role playing heroes, nestled between Cloud Strife and Chaz Ashley. Some still argue that Nintendo’s first team-up was the best attempt to add fix Final Fantasy’s plumbing, but Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story makes a strong attempt for that throne.
Bowser’s Inside Story is the third installment of “Mario & Luigi“, AlphaDream’s handheld RPG series that stars the world’s most famous pipefitters. All three games enjoy the same turn-based two man battle system, with game-specific tweaks thrown in to keep the games from feeling stale. This time, Bowser has accidentally inhaled Princess Peach’s castle, with Mario and Company still inside! The hook is that the player controls Bowser on the top screen, while the Bros help out from inside Bowser on the bottom screen.
Mario and Luigi are no longer free to explore their isometric surroundings, but instead are relegated to the 2 dimensional plane of Bowser’s bowels for some good old fashioned platforming, with RPG encounters thrown in for good measure. Groaning at the thought of stat management and turn-based boredom mucking up your 2D Mario game? Groan no more, as battles are quick and require more skill and timing than item procurement and min-maxing. The exploration aspect of the game is carried out almost entirely by controlling Bowser. The King of All Koopas creates a much needed change of pace from previous installments, as puzzle solving now incorporates Bowser’s smash-and-burn attitude rather than the thoughtful approach that Mario had afforded us in the first two games. Environmental objects that Mario and Luigi could hop right over become walls for Bowser to punch, breathe fire onto, or eat.
Mario & Luigi 3 seems to have a deep-seeded respect for anyone that picks it up. The battles and puzzles are simple enough for beginners, but still challenging to those of us with 13 years of “hit A…now hit A again” under our belts. The tutorials throughout the game are comprehensive, but able to be easily skipped, which allows the seasoned vet to get into the meat of the story quickly and lets first-timers leisurely stroll through the opening chapters. It is truly a game that can be paced for anyone.
The biggest reason to play through Bowser’s Inside Story (or any of the Mario & Luigi games) is the dialogue. The writers at AlphaDream certainly have their heads on straight; the character dialogue is irreverently self-aware to the point where it successfully tap-dances around all the generic trappings that keep me away from more JRPGs. I actually find myself looking forward to the next conversation between Bowser and his stomach, and cutscenes feel more like rewards than tedium. Every character has a very distinct and recognizable personality that anyone can enjoy, but they manage to sprinkle the game with plenty of inside jokes for Nintendo fans.
Earlier this year, Reggie Fils-Aime used the buzz-phrase “everyone’s game” when introducing Mario & Luigi 3. After spending a great deal of time with it, I can agree with the tag line: this is truly a game that anyone with a DS can enjoy, appreciate and feel challenged by. 
By far these are the best RPGs on the DS. Get that DQ and FF stuff outta here!
NOLA you write like DE; that’s a good thing!
How’s the music? Soft, slow versions of the MB theme?
Good review. I need to get this.
I missed the gift card given out with this at TRU. Anyone know where I can get this for cheaper than retail?
I like the tweak on the site; using game artwork instead of just screenshots.
I like RPGs that are more involved than just picking options from a menu.
So you get to attack with goombas? Cool!
This is the first DS game I have bought since June. I’m liking it so far.
Is this the first game (outside of SSB) that you get to play as Bowser?
I never finish any of the M&L games. This review reminded me that I need to go back.
I know Mario Kart, Tennis and Golf allow you to be the King of Koopas. I’m probably missing one.
How long did it take to finish? Any REALLY hard section that made you want to throw your DS out the window?
Wow, a second “A” in a month! To an RPG, too!
This has got to be one of the best DS games of the year.
Any cameos by other Nintendo characters?
This wasn’t on my list of games to play, but after reading the review, that has changed.
Never playing any of the game. I might have to try one.
Damn I’ve been meaning to pick this up and reading the review makes me wanna play it asap!
Do the older games EVER drop in price? I’d like to pick up the first two.
Good ,but not A good. More like a B+ to me.
Got it last weekend. I’m liking it so far, although it hasn’t quite hooked me yet.
Great review, SeanNOLA.
Do you need to play the first two to understand this one?
Good review!
No, not at all! One of the great things about this game is that it is feels like a continuation to series fans, but never directly calls back to the previous games, so new comers won’t feel like they missed out on anything. If you’ve never played a Mario & Luigi game, I would advise you to start with this one.
Good review, NOLA. I cant wait to play this. Hopefully I’ll pick it up soon.