bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Mario & Luigi (GBA)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 5 Months

Strengths: Fun light-hearted take on the RPG genre with Mario characters, good graphics

Weaknesses: N/A

Summary: Like the console game Paper Mario before it (and after if you consider the Gamecube Paper Mario), Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga is a combination RPG/platformer/adventure game. This basically combines all of my favorite genres, so this game appealed to me right from the start. You control Mario and Luigi in tandem (one follows the other) around in a quest to retrieve Princess Peach's voice. When you come upon enemies you enter a battle screen where you can unleash specific attacks with each brother (which of course upgrade in RPG-fashion as time goes by). While these battles are turn-based, they involve the player much more than most RPG's because you are required to hit certain buttons at certain time to do more damage or block incoming attacks. Yes, you can just sit there and watch them, but you won't be nearly as effective or have nearly as much fun. This is one of the best GBA games there is, and thus I highly recommend it. I just picked up the brand new Nintendo DS version (which is a sequel to this game) and can't wait to open that up and play it! If you have a Nintendo DS you might want to pick up the GBA version before you play Partners in Time (the new one).

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Dialogue, gameplay

Weaknesses:

Summary: Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is a must buy. You can skip the rest of the review and buy this game. The Mario Bros. must once again go on an adventure to save an imperiled kingdom, and Alpha Dream helps them do it in style. If you're still reading, here's why it's a must buy. Visually Mario and Luigi is brilliant. Alpha Dream has taken the well known Mario universe and added their own unique spin to it. All the new elements added by Alpha Dream are both new and integrated with the Mario look. Audio is similarly excellent, with the occasional voice and hummable marioesque tunes combined with slapstick effects. Mario and Luigi shines when it comes to gameplay and story. Simply put this game has some of the best writing in gaming. This game is laugh out loud hilarious with multiple layers of comedy. Children will laugh at the goofy antics of the characters while adults will appreciate the double entendres and levels of humor. The game design also shines as a byproduct. The player will control both Mario and Luigi simultaneously and the game uses this dynamic to present the player with several interesting puzzles and powers. Both brothers gain unique abilities and skills, and they must often be used in combination to progress. The battle system thankfully eschews random battles, and allows players to use button presses and skill to help in fights-similar to the Paper Mario games. Rpgs are judged on the story and the depth of the battle system and puzzle design. By these standards Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is a big winner. A hilariously whimsical story and brilliant dialogue really flesh out the Mario universe. The brother dynamic combined with excellent design and puzzles in addition to solid battle system make the game a very good rpg. Add in beautiful graphics and sound, Superstar Saga is a a must buy for gamers.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: Awesome humor, great gameplay, Fawful

Weaknesses: Controls sometimes clunky on the field

Summary: All of the Mario RPGs have been good, and this one is no exception. From Alpha Dream, the awesome makers of other hits such as Tomato Adventure and Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games, this game has all sorts of wacky puzzles involving Mario and Luigi doing all sorts of hijinks. The battles are also quite interesting and interactive, setting it apart from most other RPGs.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 20 Days

Strengths: Great GraphicsExcellent Gameplay MechanicsFun Story

Weaknesses: Rather ShortLittle Replay Value

Summary: This is a great game. Any of you interested in the series should check out it. The gameplay is fun and challenging and offers hours of fun. Anyone who owns this system should definately check it out.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Mario in an RPG game, getting to play as Luigi, timing aspect of battles, good graphics and sound.

Weaknesses: Story is not deep.

Summary: Superstar Saga shares more ties with Paper Mario then being a descendant of Super Mario RPG on the SNES. I really liked how Nintendo mixes the series up by allowing you to use both Mario and Luigi at the same time. You have to solve various puzzles through this interesting combination of characters. I love the timing aspect of the battles because you can time your hits in order to dole out more damage or time getting hit in order to increase your defenses. I think more RPGS should implement this system because it makes random battle encounters more interesting. The story is typical Mario fare but nothing too deep. People new to RPGs will find this game very accessible and there's enough here to even keep expert gamers interested.