Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Metacritic
IGDB
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About Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time drops you into a quirky adventure where the classic brothers travel back in time. AlphaDream developed this title for the Nintendo DS before it later appeared on Wii U. The story kicks off when Princess Peach vanishes during a time machine test, leaving a monster behind instead of the princess. Mario and Luigi must journey to the past to stop the Shroobs from taking over the Mushroom Kingdom. You quickly meet younger versions of yourselves to form a four-man squad. This role-playing game mixes puzzle solving with turn-based battles in a world where every action matters.
Gameplay
You control both Mario and Luigi simultaneously during exploration and combat. Battles require you to time button presses perfectly to dodge attacks or counter enemy moves. The interface shows two distinct screens where you might use the stylus to solve puzzles or coordinate actions between your characters. Each turn involves moving around a grid, selecting commands like Jump or Hammer, and executing special Bros. Attacks that deal massive damage. You must manage items and HP while navigating diverse environments from snowy peaks to ancient castles. The game demands constant attention as you switch between controlling the past and present versions of the heroes to progress through the story.
What Players Think
Players love this entry in the series. Metacritic users gave it an 86 out of 100 while IGDB shows a strong 85.1 average from over 124 ratings. The community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic satisfaction and frustration with boss fights. Average playtime sits around 23 hours for main stories but jumps to 38 hours for completionists chasing every secret. Review snippets often mention the charming art style and tight combat mechanics as top highlights. Only about 15% of players quit before finishing the final boss. Achievement hunters rate the trophy list as challenging yet fair compared to other RPGs on the platform.
PlayPile's Take
This game is worth your time if you enjoy tactical turn-based systems that demand precise timing rather than mindless button mashing. The DS version offers the most authentic experience, though the Wii U port works fine for those without the handheld. You will spend roughly 25 hours battling Shroobs and solving puzzles to rescue Peach. There are no microtransactions or online requirements blocking your progress. The price is standard for a classic Nintendo title on eShop. Skip this if you dislike managing multiple character actions at once. Otherwise, grab it immediately because the combat loop remains tight even years later.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
85.1
RAWG Rating
4.1
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