Best Mario & Luigi Games
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Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, this role-playing game follows Mario and Luigi after they are inhaled into Bowser's body. Gameplay alternates between controlling Bowser in the overworld and the brothers inside him, solving puzzles and engaging in turn-based battles. The game introduced giant Bowser battles that made use of the DS touchscreen and microphone.
A Nintendo 3DS remake titled Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey was released in 2019 with updated graphics and an added side story.
This game rightfully deserves the number one spot. The story is amazing, the villain is both perfectly easy to love and hate, the whole idea of playing as Bowser is wonderful, and the giant battle mechanic is lots of fun.
People keep comparing this to Partners in Time, so I'll throw in my two cents as well. I find it kind of petty that people like PiT more because you can play as four characters rather than three. First off, Bowser hits harder than both babies combined ever did, and I hated how the babies always did barely any damage by themselves, despite at one point being a higher level than the adults.
Also, I personally found it annoying to always have to rely on the babies to use the hammer and to collect beans, and also to solve most puzzles. While it is a bit weird having to wait so long to actually walk around in a 3D environment as the brothers in this game, it still holds up much more than PiT, having better graphics and a better soundtrack. But hey, that's just my opinion.
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Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time
Released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS, this sequel introduces time travel between the Mushroom Kingdom's past and present. Players control both adult and baby versions of Mario and Luigi to solve puzzles and battle enemies together. The story involves rescuing Princess Peach from the alien race known as the Shroobs, while expanding the series' turn-based combat through dual-screen mechanics.
Partners in Time is the best game in the series. There are many factors to this: The first being the amazing soundtrack. It doesn't get any better than Partners in Time.
In addition, the bosses, consisting of infamous ones such as Kamek and Bowser, plus totally original ones such as the Shrooboid Brat and Mrs. Thwomp, are some of the best in the series, and all are amazing. The final battle with Elder Princess Shroob marks one of, if not the hardest boss fights in the series. With 3,500 health, it's more than any other in the series. Oh, and that's just phase one. Elder Princess Shroob helps to bring to life the evilness that the Shroobs stood for in the vilest way.
Partners in Time also has a wide diversity of worlds, a few of my favorites being Yoshi's Island, Thwomp Volcano, and Star Shrine. Partners in Time is simply an amazing game and should be at the top of this list.
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Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Launched in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, this entry centers on Luigi's dreams being used as portals to a dream world. Players navigate both the real world and the Dream World, where Dreamy Luigi assists Mario with enhanced abilities during battles and exploration. The game is set on Pi'illo Island and introduces new characters such as Prince Dreambert and the antagonist Antasma.
Absolutely delightful experience. Though it drags at some parts, at others it hits hard with its atmosphere and dreamlike premise. Every major plot point feels powerful or at the very least thematically fun and fitting.
Combining the 2D graphics with 3D environments has been kind of sucking the magic out of recent entries, but I am willing to defend it here. This property made the game stand out from previous entries, increased the overall scope of the game, and truly gave the game its sweet "Dreamy" feel. I think it goes without saying that this entry has the best overall soundtrack in the franchise.
You may disagree, but from my experience (having finished all the first four entries), this one will be my favorite episode in the entire franchise, even with its flaws.
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Originally released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, this was the first game in the Mario and Luigi series. It takes place in the Beanbean Kingdom, where Mario and Luigi attempt to recover Princess Peach's stolen voice. The gameplay features real-time button-based attacks during turn-based battles, setting the tone for future entries.
A 2017 Nintendo 3DS remake titled Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions added enhanced visuals and an additional side mode focused on Bowser's army.
This game rocks due to beautiful visuals and great animation, but why is Princess Peach being defenseless and incapable of taking care of herself?! She is putting us in trouble at Teehee Valley because we have to rescue and escort that bad-tempered princess of the Mushroom Kingdom from many minions. That ruined the whole game!
Nonetheless, the whole game is awesome! But the text? It is confusing. The story? Average. This game is overrated, but it is nonetheless the best Mario RPG, especially in that segment where Mario and Luigi encounter Kirby and Wario on posters! This game is beautiful, and the music is beautiful! I would give this game a 6.8. Ah, the good old days...
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Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
Debuting in 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS, this crossover combines the Mario and Luigi series with Paper Mario elements. The story begins when Luigi accidentally releases Paper Mario characters into the main universe. Players use a three-character battle system featuring Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario, which adds new strategic layers to combat. The game also includes paper-based mechanics such as folding enemies and large-scale papercraft battles.
Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam is the best game in the series. This game has the best bosses, music, and gameplay. Paper Mario makes the battle system a lot more interesting and this adds more strategy to the game.
The weakest part of this game is its story. Bowser kidnaps Peach for the billionth time and Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario have to save her. Another thing some people don't like about this game is the papercraft battles. If you can get used to the controls, then it's not as bad as people say it is. Overall, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam is definitely a game Mario and Luigi fans should check out.
Although this is when the Mario and Luigi series started to go downhill, at least it's not what Sticker Star did to the Paper Mario series. This game is still an enjoyable game.
Sadly, while this game used the Princess Peach gets kidnapped by Bowser story, the great thing about this game is probably the papercraft battles and the music. They were excellent. The papercraft battles are very unique and the best thing about the game. It helps it stand out from other games, and the music was excellent. Just listen to Mountaintop Secrets. It's one of the best songs ever made.
Paper Mario makes the battle system quite interesting, as it allowed for trio attacks and his own attacks are different from Mario and Luigi's (no pun intended).
The only big downside is that the story is (as you read above) boring, and the worlds are the same grass, desert, and beach worlds, but at least the worlds don't feel too empty. It's a pretty good game overall.
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Mario & Luigi: Brothership
There is currently no officially released or announced Mario and Luigi game titled Mario and Luigi: Brothership. As of the most recent confirmed information, the Mario and Luigi role-playing series has not received a new original entry since Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam in 2015. Nintendo has not announced any new mainline Mario and Luigi titles for the Nintendo Switch under this name.