Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story delivers one of the most inventive gameplay frameworks in the Mario & Luigi series. Players flip between controlling Mario and Luigi inside Bowser’s body in a side-scrolling platformer and guiding Bowser himself in a top-down RPG adventure around the Mushroom Kingdom. This dual-world approach keeps each hour fresh as you navigate Bowser’s digestive tract—complete with bouncing Blorbs and slimy hazards—while also rescuing citizens outside his body and unlocking new areas with his fiery breath or mighty tail swipe.

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Combat embraces the franchise’s trademark action command system. Enemies roam the field so you can dodge or jump on them to gain a preemptive strike. Once in battle, you issue turn-based commands but must time button presses perfectly to deal extra damage or block incoming attacks. Bowser’s fights rely more on screen-wide brawling moves, while Mario and Luigi use timed Bros. Attacks inside Bowser’s gut, offering complementary rhythmic challenges.

Leveling up feels satisfying yet strategic. Each stat—HP, strength, defense, speed, even quirky ones like mustache power or horn luck—can be boosted when you level. However, pouring all bonuses into your favorite stat yields diminishing returns, so you’re encouraged to balance your team. This system adds a light layer of resource management as you decide whether to shore up Bowser’s toughness or enhance Mario’s attack combos for the hardest boss encounters.

Graphics

On the Nintendo DS, Bowser’s Inside Story pushes the hardware to its limit with colorful, highly detailed backgrounds and fluid animations. Inside Bowser, walls pulse and move organically, while gooey textures and animated Blorbs pop off the screen. Outside, the Mushroom Kingdom bustles with life—Toad Town’s spires and warp pipes are rendered with clarity, and Bowser stomping across the overworld feels weighty thanks to dynamic shadows.

Character sprites are charmingly expressive. Mario and Luigi’s exaggerated eyes and cheeky animations inject humor into every attack and idle animation. Bowser himself is a real standout: his scale, horns, and layered shell are brimming with personality, whether he’s rubbing his stomach or unleashing a flame attack. The DS’s dual-screen format also shines during larger-than-life boss battles or comedic cutscenes, where dialog bubbles and animations span both displays.

Cutscenes and dialogue sequences are presented with crisp artwork and playful touches, like magnified eyes or dramatic zooms that enhance the story’s comedic beats. Though the game doesn’t boast high-definition visuals by modern standards, its art direction and color palette remain timeless, ensuring that each environment—from the slimy depths inside Bowser to the sunny fields of the Mushroom Kingdom—feels vibrant and memorable.

Story

The narrative kicks off with a dire outbreak in the Mushroom Kingdom: a strange ailment called “The Blorbs” is turning citizens into gooey monsters. Princess Toadstool summons Mario and Luigi to strategize a cure, but the meeting is upended when Bowser crashes in and is once again humiliated by the brothers. Evicted from the castle, he encounters a shady figure offering a mysterious mushroom that promises to help him finally best Mario.

After gobbling down the mushroom, Bowser gains a sinister new power—he begins to inhale everything in sight, inadvertently swallowing the Mushroom Kingdom along with Mario and Luigi. This twist sets up a layered storyline: inside Bowser’s body, the brothers must find a way to disrupt the Blorb infection from the inside, while outside, Bowser—powered up but increasingly confused—rampages through his former realm. The result is a continually evolving plot that balances goofy humor with genuine stakes.

Supporting characters shine, too. Toads, Yoshis, and familiar faces like Kamek offer lighthearted banter or side quests that expand on the world and reward exploration. The interplay between the three protagonists creates comedic gold, especially when Bowser unwittingly spouts lines he doesn’t understand, and Mario & Luigi break the fourth wall sizing up each new threat from within his gut. This unique storytelling elevates Bowser’s Inside Story above a standard RPG.

Overall Experience

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a delightful blend of platforming, RPG tactics, and light puzzle-solving that will appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike. The pacing strikes a perfect balance between humor-driven story beats and challenging battles, ensuring players rarely feel the adventure dragging. Exploration is rewarded, whether you’re hunting hidden coins in Bowser’s stomach or unlocking secret Toad houses in the overworld.

The game’s dual-character dynamic fosters a sense of continual novelty. Switching between the Bros. duo and the Koopa King allows for varied gameplay, and the upgrade system encourages experimentation with stat builds and Bros. Attacks. Battles remain engaging from start to finish thanks to the series’ signature timing mechanics, which demand both strategic thinking and nimble reflexes.

With its vibrant graphics, clever level design, and humorous narrative, Bowser’s Inside Story stands out as one of the Nintendo DS’s best RPGs. The quirky premise of saving your own nemesis while curing your home adds a fresh twist to the Mario formula. For anyone seeking a well-crafted, laughter-packed adventure with depth and heart, this title remains a must-play classic.

Retro Replay Score

8.6/10