Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

About

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team is a quirky action RPG where players control both brothers as they navigate dreamscapes and reality to rescue Peach. The game blends platforming, puzzles, and turn-based combat with the 3DS’s dual-screen tech. Switch between Mario and Luigi to solve environmental challenges, with each brother having distinct moves like hammer smashes and green fireballs. The story splits between Pi’illo Island and a surreal Dream World where enemies and terrain shift unpredictably. The game’s standout is its creative use of the 3DS’s hardware, like tilting the system to navigate water levels or using the second screen for combat menus. The humor lands well, with the brothers’ banter and over-the-top villains keeping the tone light. While some battles feel repetitive, the dream logic of level design, where platforms and enemies flicker between realities, adds a fresh twist to the Mario & Luigi formula. Launched in 2013 with a 78/100 Metacritic score, it’s a niche entry for fans of the series’ offbeat charm.

Storyline

One day in the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, Toadsworth, and some Toads are invited to Pi'illo Island, which is said to contain a special power that makes people fall asleep. During the flight, a dark pillow falls onto a blimp and transforms into a dark figure who Mario defeats. After defeating him, the blimp malfunctions and crashes into the Pi'illo Blimport. However, it is revealed that it was all Luigi's dream. The group proceeds to Pi'illo Castle, where they meet Starlow. Mario and Luigi go to a room where Peach and Toadsworth accidentally set off a test platform sending them to ancient Pi'illo ruins. Mario & Luigi follow and eventually find Peach and Toadsworth, as well as a Pi'illo, which later turns out to be Prince Dreambert. They find a collection room where Luigi takes a nap on the pillow. After everyone gathers in the collection room, a Dream Portal opens a portal to the Dream World. The dark figure from Luigi's dream pulls Princess Peach into the Dream World. After Mario chases after Peach into Dreamy Pi'illo Castle, with the help of a dreamy version of Broque Monsieur, he comes across Dreamy Luigi, Luigi's dream representation, who assists Mario through his treks in the Dream World.