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This thread has been linked to the game 'Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time'.
For those of you that thought Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was too ridiculously difficult for it’s own good, you’ll be relieved to know that Partners in Time is a lot easier. However, those of you who are looking for a challenge, you’ll be disappointed. This game won’t take too much effort to complete, whilst still managing to retain its natural charm.
The story unfolds as Professor E. Gadd (whom Luigi’s Mansion fans will all know and love) invents a machine that enables Princes Peach to travel back in time. However, chaos breaks out as an unfamiliar face is revealed- and not a princess in sight! Toadsworth loses consciousness with anxiety, and it is up to Mario and Luigi (who will shortly team up with their younger selves) to make everything right again.
In true Nintendo fashion, the whole gaming world is amazing- albeit losing the epic sense of adventure that made Mario’s other RPGs so great. Ditching them in favour of short “you are only allowed to go from point A to point B” type levels. Regardless of this, there is no reason to love the game any less- as the restricted sections themselves, graphically, are beautifully detailed. A lot of the world is slightly more 3D-afied than its GBA predecessor, although with a similar cartoony feel that everyone will love.
There are quite a few familiar tunes that you may find yourself whistling along to (such as Mario 64’s well-known castle song), and some interesting new ones that you’ll probably never hear again- all of which are splendid in their own ways. The sweet icing on the already satisfying cake, however, is the one word sentences and babbling that the brothers utter aloud.
This game plays almost pretty much the same as its forerunner, with the inclusion of the extra face buttons needed for the infant superstars. Also implemented is the superb use of the top screen. In certain situations, one must make take advantage of both the bottom and top screen respectively- such as shooting eggs up to the top screen as the elderly brothers, so that the babies can take a swing at them with their hammers. Even the touch screen is applied once in the game. However, it is never mentioned again- yet its lack of the touch screen use is more than made up for with the game’s tried and tested turn-based battles. Just as before, battles consist of the basic jump and hammer attacks, then there are the items and the slightly customised bros. items. The latter option is, in essence, a blend of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s attack items and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga’s bros attacks. Once an item is selected, the player must perform a combination of button tapping in order deal much damage to opponents (which means this time players can’t be lazy while actions are carried out by themselves).
As for the gaming world itself, there are many interesting and ingenious puzzles that will keep you smiling throughout- keeping the spirit of Mario RPGs alive. Unfortunately, without the expansive landscape that the others boast, the whole game doesn’t really feel like an adventure. Regardless of this, the out of battle bros moves work just as well as they did before- obviously, this time the babies are included in some of the more useful moves. At some points of the game, however, the older brothers will have to take the irresponsible route and split up with their younger selves to open up, otherwise unreachable, paths. Just remember that it’s all for the better.
In the end, it’s not a question of whether gamers are looking for a game that will last them a long period of time, but if they want a quality portable game that will more than delight in almost every level. This is just the title to answer that query- and is evidence that Mario hasn’t quite lost his spark just yet!
Graphics: 8/10 A rather cutesy looking game, with detail in every nook and cranny.
Sounds: 9/10 Some of the most wonderful tunes you will find on the DS, and you’ll never grow tired of Luigi shouting “babies”!
Gameplay: 9/10 This game makes great use of the top screen. The boss battles are lengthy, but not nearly as head achingly hard as Superstar Saga’s fiends. Levels are compiled with rather shrewd puzzles.
Lifespan: 7/10 This game should take you no more than 20 hours to complete. That’s the price for messing with time.
Overall: 9/10 On the whole, while this game isn’t nearly as big as its friends, there is no single better DS game to buy, whether you’re a fan of Mario or RPGs. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.
The story unfolds as Professor E. Gadd (whom Luigi’s Mansion fans will all know and love) invents a machine that enables Princes Peach to travel back in time. However, chaos breaks out as an unfamiliar face is revealed- and not a princess in sight! Toadsworth loses consciousness with anxiety, and it is up to Mario and Luigi (who will shortly team up with their younger selves) to make everything right again.
In true Nintendo fashion, the whole gaming world is amazing- albeit losing the epic sense of adventure that made Mario’s other RPGs so great. Ditching them in favour of short “you are only allowed to go from point A to point B” type levels. Regardless of this, there is no reason to love the game any less- as the restricted sections themselves, graphically, are beautifully detailed. A lot of the world is slightly more 3D-afied than its GBA predecessor, although with a similar cartoony feel that everyone will love.
There are quite a few familiar tunes that you may find yourself whistling along to (such as Mario 64’s well-known castle song), and some interesting new ones that you’ll probably never hear again- all of which are splendid in their own ways. The sweet icing on the already satisfying cake, however, is the one word sentences and babbling that the brothers utter aloud.
This game plays almost pretty much the same as its forerunner, with the inclusion of the extra face buttons needed for the infant superstars. Also implemented is the superb use of the top screen. In certain situations, one must make take advantage of both the bottom and top screen respectively- such as shooting eggs up to the top screen as the elderly brothers, so that the babies can take a swing at them with their hammers. Even the touch screen is applied once in the game. However, it is never mentioned again- yet its lack of the touch screen use is more than made up for with the game’s tried and tested turn-based battles. Just as before, battles consist of the basic jump and hammer attacks, then there are the items and the slightly customised bros. items. The latter option is, in essence, a blend of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s attack items and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga’s bros attacks. Once an item is selected, the player must perform a combination of button tapping in order deal much damage to opponents (which means this time players can’t be lazy while actions are carried out by themselves).
As for the gaming world itself, there are many interesting and ingenious puzzles that will keep you smiling throughout- keeping the spirit of Mario RPGs alive. Unfortunately, without the expansive landscape that the others boast, the whole game doesn’t really feel like an adventure. Regardless of this, the out of battle bros moves work just as well as they did before- obviously, this time the babies are included in some of the more useful moves. At some points of the game, however, the older brothers will have to take the irresponsible route and split up with their younger selves to open up, otherwise unreachable, paths. Just remember that it’s all for the better.
In the end, it’s not a question of whether gamers are looking for a game that will last them a long period of time, but if they want a quality portable game that will more than delight in almost every level. This is just the title to answer that query- and is evidence that Mario hasn’t quite lost his spark just yet!
Graphics: 8/10 A rather cutesy looking game, with detail in every nook and cranny.
Sounds: 9/10 Some of the most wonderful tunes you will find on the DS, and you’ll never grow tired of Luigi shouting “babies”!
Gameplay: 9/10 This game makes great use of the top screen. The boss battles are lengthy, but not nearly as head achingly hard as Superstar Saga’s fiends. Levels are compiled with rather shrewd puzzles.
Lifespan: 7/10 This game should take you no more than 20 hours to complete. That’s the price for messing with time.
Overall: 9/10 On the whole, while this game isn’t nearly as big as its friends, there is no single better DS game to buy, whether you’re a fan of Mario or RPGs. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.
By the way, like my FFVII review, bear in mind that I wrote this review at least a year ago. I just thought I'd share it with those of you that missed the game. ;)
For those of you that thought Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was too ridiculously difficult for it’s own good, you’ll be relieved to know that Partners in Time is a lot easier. However, those of you who are looking for a challenge, you’ll be disappointed. This game won’t take too much effort to complete, whilst still managing to retain its natural charm.
The story unfolds as Professor E. Gadd (whom Luigi’s Mansion fans will all know and love) invents a machine that enables Princes Peach to travel back in time. However, chaos breaks out as an unfamiliar face is revealed- and not a princess in sight! Toadsworth loses consciousness with anxiety, and it is up to Mario and Luigi (who will shortly team up with their younger selves) to make everything right again.
In true Nintendo fashion, the whole gaming world is amazing- albeit losing the epic sense of adventure that made Mario’s other RPGs so great. Ditching them in favour of short “you are only allowed to go from point A to point B” type levels. Regardless of this, there is no reason to love the game any less- as the restricted sections themselves, graphically, are beautifully detailed. A lot of the world is slightly more 3D-afied than its GBA predecessor, although with a similar cartoony feel that everyone will love.
There are quite a few familiar tunes that you may find yourself whistling along to (such as Mario 64’s well-known castle song), and some interesting new ones that you’ll probably never hear again- all of which are splendid in their own ways. The sweet icing on the already satisfying cake, however, is the one word sentences and babbling that the brothers utter aloud.
This game plays almost pretty much the same as its forerunner, with the inclusion of the extra face buttons needed for the infant superstars. Also implemented is the superb use of the top screen. In certain situations, one must make take advantage of both the bottom and top screen respectively- such as shooting eggs up to the top screen as the elderly brothers, so that the babies can take a swing at them with their hammers. Even the touch screen is applied once in the game. However, it is never mentioned again- yet its lack of the touch screen use is more than made up for with the game’s tried and tested turn-based battles. Just as before, battles consist of the basic jump and hammer attacks, then there are the items and the slightly customised bros. items. The latter option is, in essence, a blend of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s attack items and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga’s bros attacks. Once an item is selected, the player must perform a combination of button tapping in order deal much damage to opponents (which means this time players can’t be lazy while actions are carried out by themselves).
As for the gaming world itself, there are many interesting and ingenious puzzles that will keep you smiling throughout- keeping the spirit of Mario RPGs alive. Unfortunately, without the expansive landscape that the others boast, the whole game doesn’t really feel like an adventure. Regardless of this, the out of battle bros moves work just as well as they did before- obviously, this time the babies are included in some of the more useful moves. At some points of the game, however, the older brothers will have to take the irresponsible route and split up with their younger selves to open up, otherwise unreachable, paths. Just remember that it’s all for the better.
In the end, it’s not a question of whether gamers are looking for a game that will last them a long period of time, but if they want a quality portable game that will more than delight in almost every level. This is just the title to answer that query- and is evidence that Mario hasn’t quite lost his spark just yet!
Graphics: 8/10 A rather cutesy looking game, with detail in every nook and cranny.
Sounds: 9/10 Some of the most wonderful tunes you will find on the DS, and you’ll never grow tired of Luigi shouting “babies”!
Gameplay: 9/10 This game makes great use of the top screen. The boss battles are lengthy, but not nearly as head achingly hard as Superstar Saga’s fiends. Levels are compiled with rather shrewd puzzles.
Lifespan: 7/10 This game should take you no more than 20 hours to complete. That’s the price for messing with time.
Overall: 9/10 On the whole, while this game isn’t nearly as big as its friends, there is no single better DS game to buy, whether you’re a fan of Mario or RPGs. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.
The story unfolds as Professor E. Gadd (whom Luigi’s Mansion fans will all know and love) invents a machine that enables Princes Peach to travel back in time. However, chaos breaks out as an unfamiliar face is revealed- and not a princess in sight! Toadsworth loses consciousness with anxiety, and it is up to Mario and Luigi (who will shortly team up with their younger selves) to make everything right again.
In true Nintendo fashion, the whole gaming world is amazing- albeit losing the epic sense of adventure that made Mario’s other RPGs so great. Ditching them in favour of short “you are only allowed to go from point A to point B” type levels. Regardless of this, there is no reason to love the game any less- as the restricted sections themselves, graphically, are beautifully detailed. A lot of the world is slightly more 3D-afied than its GBA predecessor, although with a similar cartoony feel that everyone will love.
There are quite a few familiar tunes that you may find yourself whistling along to (such as Mario 64’s well-known castle song), and some interesting new ones that you’ll probably never hear again- all of which are splendid in their own ways. The sweet icing on the already satisfying cake, however, is the one word sentences and babbling that the brothers utter aloud.
This game plays almost pretty much the same as its forerunner, with the inclusion of the extra face buttons needed for the infant superstars. Also implemented is the superb use of the top screen. In certain situations, one must make take advantage of both the bottom and top screen respectively- such as shooting eggs up to the top screen as the elderly brothers, so that the babies can take a swing at them with their hammers. Even the touch screen is applied once in the game. However, it is never mentioned again- yet its lack of the touch screen use is more than made up for with the game’s tried and tested turn-based battles. Just as before, battles consist of the basic jump and hammer attacks, then there are the items and the slightly customised bros. items. The latter option is, in essence, a blend of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s attack items and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga’s bros attacks. Once an item is selected, the player must perform a combination of button tapping in order deal much damage to opponents (which means this time players can’t be lazy while actions are carried out by themselves).
As for the gaming world itself, there are many interesting and ingenious puzzles that will keep you smiling throughout- keeping the spirit of Mario RPGs alive. Unfortunately, without the expansive landscape that the others boast, the whole game doesn’t really feel like an adventure. Regardless of this, the out of battle bros moves work just as well as they did before- obviously, this time the babies are included in some of the more useful moves. At some points of the game, however, the older brothers will have to take the irresponsible route and split up with their younger selves to open up, otherwise unreachable, paths. Just remember that it’s all for the better.
In the end, it’s not a question of whether gamers are looking for a game that will last them a long period of time, but if they want a quality portable game that will more than delight in almost every level. This is just the title to answer that query- and is evidence that Mario hasn’t quite lost his spark just yet!
Graphics: 8/10 A rather cutesy looking game, with detail in every nook and cranny.
Sounds: 9/10 Some of the most wonderful tunes you will find on the DS, and you’ll never grow tired of Luigi shouting “babies”!
Gameplay: 9/10 This game makes great use of the top screen. The boss battles are lengthy, but not nearly as head achingly hard as Superstar Saga’s fiends. Levels are compiled with rather shrewd puzzles.
Lifespan: 7/10 This game should take you no more than 20 hours to complete. That’s the price for messing with time.
Overall: 9/10 On the whole, while this game isn’t nearly as big as its friends, there is no single better DS game to buy, whether you’re a fan of Mario or RPGs. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.