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Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story game review

Mario returns! It’s always an event when a new Mario game is released. That’s because Nintendo always has surprises in store when it comes to the mustachioed plumber.

MARIO & LUIGI: BOWSER’S INSIDE STORY
Nintendo for DS/DSi
mario-cover
Graphics: 7.0
Sound: 9.0
Gameplay: 9.0
Replay Value: 8.0
Overall Score: 9.0
Pros: Good, long RPG; laugh-out-loud funny; unusual gameplay.
Cons: Levels and art are somewhat repetitive; graphics should be more detailed; not enough use of touchscreen.

FUN AND FUNNY FROM THE START

Most of Mario’s pals are in the humorous Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story. Even the title is a pun: Much of the game takes place inside Bowser’s body. The gruff dragon swallows Mario, Luigi, even Princess Peach.

You know Bowser is a bad guy, but why would he do such a thing? Blame that weird, bespectacled Fawful (from the two earlier Mario and Luigi games for DS). He entices the dragon-like turtle to swallow a Lucky Mushroom. It’s a Vacuum Mushroom that makes Bowser inhale Mario and the gang.

There’s much more to the story. Citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom have eaten The Blorbs. It makes them grow into big bloated balls that roll around uncontrollably. It’s like a huge epidemic has taken over.

Does it all have to do with Fawful? Maybe. Fawful is such a weird guy. The character that originally appeared in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga talks like Yoda-meets-E.T. He also wants the Mushroom Kingdom for his own dastardly plans.

mario-1ROLE PLAYING

In this multilayered role-playing game (RPG), it’s up to you to save the day. You get to play as Mario and Luigi deep within the guts of Bowser. You also get to play as Bowser, who’s trying to save his castle from Fawful.

As with any RPG, you have to level up constantly to gain more power. That’s because you need more strength to battle the bigger bosses. Sometimes you have to beat the same creatures over and over again. But that’s the nature of this beast: There are only so many varieties of enemies that fit into any RPG.

However, the Mario & Luigi portion of the game often plays like a platformer. You have to run and jump through Bowser’s guts to proceed in the game. If you’ve never played an RPG before, this is a great way to ease into it. When you level up, you get a kind of pat on the back for doing so. It all makes you feel sure and powerful.

To help you in your fighting, you can earn special badges that protect you along the way. Find them during play or buy them in The Shop with coins you’ve collected.

mario-2POWERUPS, BUGS AND BOTS

The coolest early powerup you get is a green shell. You use it almost like a hockey player does a puck. Mario shoots it into an enemy and it rebounds off the baddie to Luigi. As the puck moves faster and faster, you knock it back between the brothers and the monster to eliminate it. But you have to be precise. If you don’t kick the green shell at the right time, either Mario or Luigi will miss it and fall down.

At another point, there’s something like a virus bug inside Bowser. One thing you have to do to get rid of it is jump on the thing’s tongue. Later, you deal with a weapon called Super Ultra Wonder Ultimate Ruthless Great Iron Ball. And watch out for the Super Ultra Great Mega Trashy Monster Bot.

Whoever wrote the game’s script is a true goob. It’s hilarious. Now and then, you might even miss a move or hit due to a fit of laughter.

mario-3BOWSER’S BATTLES

Mario and Luigi help Bowser, but that doesn’t mean Bowser doesn’t have anything to do. In his portion of the game, he deals with all manner of monsters and kooks, including an odd Frenchman stranded on an island. If you take the rope and pull the island to shore (with help from the plumbers inside Bowser), the Frenchman gives you a special powerup.

Sometimes Bowser becomes a giant when he fights, so much so that you have to turn the DS vertically to witness the sheer size of the battle. Here, you’ll use the DS stylus to attack. But you can’t simply brawl. You have to hit at exactly the right time. Early on, you’re told that the baddies will give a signal regarding how they will attack you. So keep your eyes open to win.

Exhaling into the microphone will make Bowser breathe fire during these battles. Breathe deeply and blow hard.

THE FINAL WORD

If you like the old-school games, you’ll love some of the mini games. One is a tribute to the classic Space Invaders game. There’s just so much variety in Bowser’s Inside Story gameplay, you won’t get a better deal (unless you buy the upcoming Pokemon in October).

Some folks have quibbled, saying Nintendo doesn’t have the great games this year. Sure, there’s no new Zelda for Wii, and we’ll have to wait another year for Super Mario Galaxy 2. But truly great games like Bowser’s Inside Story should silence many naysayers. It’s the must-have Nintendo game for the DS this season.

87 Comments on Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story game review

  1. HOW DO YOU GET BOWSER OUT OF THE SAFE!?

    • Here is tip for you ahead of time: listen to Starlow and she will tell you where to go. Here is what you need: go to Dr. Toadley’s office.

  2. How do Mario and Luigi burrow?

  3. bomdiggity guy awesome // January 28, 2010 at 8:56 pm // Reply

    how do you defeat the train when you are trying to get the second star cure

    • The only way to defeat it is to use the flame attack on it. If you are having trouble destroying it in time, here’s a tip: use a small electric fan if you have one. Good luck.

  4. I have never played Mario and Luigi:Bowsers inside story but it looks very fun.

  5. bomdiggity guy awesome // January 26, 2010 at 10:40 pm // Reply

    how do you defeat bowser the second time you encounter him please HELP i am going to cry

    • I was there before too. Here is a strategy for you: go into the toad town caves and keep beating the monstersuntil you are level 20 or your HP is 100+. To replensih the monsters, go into the pipe into toad town and then back.

  6. cool game

  7. Masterblaster3 // January 24, 2010 at 7:23 pm // Reply

    HOW DO YOU GET BOWSER OUT OF THE SAFE AND HOW DO YOU GET TO JUNKER!!!!!!!

  8. how do you beat the grape dudes after you find princess peach? i keep trying but im stuck

  9. how do you slide with bowser’s shell

  10. I’m stuck!!! What do you do when you have a turtle shell on you and you are up in the cloud?

    • im stuck in the cloud with a shell i keep hitting the A block

    • Go into the toad town caves and find the tod that askes you if you can hit far-off things. Use the ability to get into the entrance at the top of that section of the map and continue the story from there.

  11. How do you get past the worm in bowsers body?

  12. how do you deafet minbus in faeful theater?

  13. I can’t beat the fawful bug in time!! It always escapes! Can someone help me ? 🙂

  14. im stuck at the dark star plz help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  15. Cocoa puffs123454321 // January 17, 2010 at 10:20 pm // Reply

    HOW DO YOU BEAT THE VIRUS MARIO AND LUIGI!

    • first you kill the mario virus then the luigi virus gives him half hp then kill the luigi virud and the mario virus cant use a 1-up shroom then kill the anti mario and youre done

  16. how do you free bowser from safe

  17. how to beat the dark star not dark bowser the dark star

    • In order to defaet the dark star you jump on fawfuls eyes and break them and then defaet his legs and then use Jump Helmet on Dark Star Core a few times and he is destroyed The outside of bowsaer is defeated and you have to super fast press X to suck the dark star inside bowser’s body
      Let me know if that helped

  18. how do you save after you beat the game??????

  19. bowser’s inside story is hard!!!! I’m on the part where you battle bowser for the first time!!!!! What moves do i need to beat him??? Please reply today, cause i have to go to school tomorrow!

    • if it is in the castle the battle:
      JUMP on bowser and to dodge his attack press A when the flame is really close
      If it is in the doctor:
      when he’s about to do is special flame then the star sprite comes press A and hold on and to get luigi press B and hold A at the same time and you can dodge his attack

    • I already beat bowser but im stuck the Dark Star

    • TO JJ56 WHEN YOU DO THAT JUMP ATTACK YOU PRESS A AFTER YOU JUMP ON HIS HEAD

    • Sorry it’s the 27th,but I don’t know how.If I had the game I would try to find out.

  20. Mini Man9979 // January 7, 2010 at 4:24 pm // Reply

    How do you beat bowser?

  21. HOW THE HECK ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BEAT THE TRASH CAN GUY?!

    • only attack cans when luigi is in them. otherwise use some strong special attacks. i reccomend using greatbadge and powerfulbadge. when it is full use it with snack basket

  22. im on the trash monster and it wont die what to do…

  23. How can you make bowser do a body slam?

  24. Can u go to new places after u beat dark bowser

  25. BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  26. Best game!

    How do you get past the five headed thing when you find peach?

  27. rpg lover, is it really that hard to type out mario and luigi?
    Mario and luigi games are ok, but my favorite mario rpg might be super mario rpg on the snes. Old games rock!

  28. It is cool about bowsers inside story awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!bye peace!

  29. this game ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

  30. the best rpg game of mario is m&l ss and m&l pit

  31. im stuck at the part when mario has to break the statue and collect the blocks, can you help me?

  32. im stuck and I cant continue, cause i used an action replay.

  33. asome! i so want that!

  34. I think that that`s the coolest game ever!I hope I get it for Christmas.:):)

  35. I have it and it is real fun!

  36. what is the little yellow floating ball character with
    the little star??????????????

  37. Pikachu Lover 12 // December 13, 2009 at 7:57 pm // Reply

    Can someone tell me how to beat the Trash Can Man????????????????????????

  38. HEEEELLLP or suffer // December 13, 2009 at 3:28 pm // Reply

    how do i make bowser jump im stuck!

  39. IS THE LAST BOSS HARD?

  40. I THINK IM GETTING IT FOR X-MAS

  41. I’ve beat this game 13 times and it is still fun!!! Think I’ll do it another 17 times! I beat it the 1st time in not even a day!

  42. Josh The Pikachu Lover // December 8, 2009 at 6:34 pm // Reply

    The game is not very hard. I’m battling the the trash can man, and about to beat him.

  43. im on the last lvl but i need help

  44. I beat the whole game! Even Dark Bowser!!!!

  45. What is the game like

  46. ive beat half the game 🙂

  47. Red Poke'oopa: Riolu // November 28, 2009 at 4:42 pm // Reply

    MY FRIEND BEET THE GAME!!…but he forgot to save…

  48. I WANT THIS MARIO GAME NO

  49. ima hotdog to eat.

  50. This is definetly the best mario game ever, full of detail(despite the Boy Scout review)and certainly not repetitive.

    P.S. I have this game.

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