Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

The brothers Mario have been reunited again following the fantastic `Superstar Saga' and this time they're joined by their own baby versions. They may be tiny and they may occasionally cry fountains of tears but that doesn't stop them from being formable fighters who can hold their own with their adult counterparts. The hook in `Partners in Time' is the time traveling between the past and present versions of the Toadstool kingdom. The Kingdom of the past has been attacked by aliens, the adult princess has been kidnapped (shock) and the Cobalt Star (the McGuffin of the story) has been broken into various pieces that need to be retrieved.

`Partners in Time' carries on that tradition of legitimately funny scripting set by `Superstar Saga' and most of the play mechanics remain the same. Much like the RPG console versions the handheld games are all about timing. Fights are turn based affairs requiring the player to time out strikes and defends. Players with difficulty getting the rhythm down may find themselves having some difficulties. Each creature type has a slightly different pattern and sometimes multiple attack sequences. It can take some fast reflexes but like most Nintendo games `Partners in Time' is designed to be beaten even by players with modest skills. One of the issues I have is the fact that it can be very difficult to manage all four brothers during combat even after hours of practice. It's actually even harder when the adult and baby version are separated because the adults uses X and Y while the babies use B and A. I found it challenging to get used one set of buttons and suddenly switch to the other especially when you need to switch between adults and babies quickly.

The Mario RPG's have always taken an aesthetic minimalist approach. There are five adjustable character attributes including the enigmatic `Stache'. The brothers can wear one pair of overalls and one badge to help boost stats or give special bonus abilities. Like every RPG made since the dawn of time the brothers will have an ever increasing (and potent) selection of items to choose from as the game progresses. If complexity is your bag the Mario RPG's may disappoint. It's all about simplicity. If anything Partners simplifies the experience even more by creating a more linear experience over `Superstar Saga'. The various collectible bean types have now been eliminated in favor of the generic `bean' so no more bean drinks.

The DS system has been on such a roll of late and `Partners in Time' is just one more five star game in a growing library of great DS games. With this game and Mario Kart Nintendo has really had a great winter season.

I was a bit nervous to get this game because I am not really a big gamer and there are not two but four characters to control but I was pleasantly suprised but how informative the game was on how to control the players' different attacks.

The game also has a lot of funny parts that will definitely make you laugh and there is never a repetitive and dull moment.

The only drawback is that once you are done with the game, you can't go back and redo any of the levels.

The smash success of Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga on the GBA is now followed by another smash on the DS. The game utilizes the touch screen greatly, and gives new innovation to an already golden formula, making it platinum.

You will once again take control of Mario and Luigi and save the Mushroom Kingdom and Princess Peach from danger. The thrat this time is a race known as the Shroob. Their home planet is no longer bursting with life, and so they decided to leave and check out your home. They're all lead by Princess Shroob, and they think the Mushroom Kingdom is the perfect place to conquer.

The events that take place in the game will take place in the present, as well as the past. Using not only Mario and Luigi, but baby Mario and baby Luigi. The game is full of as much love and heart as the previous title, being funny and having some of the most engaging gameplay ever presented in an RPG.

As with the GBA version, Superstar Saga, you'll control Mario and Luigi. The A button controls Mario and the B button controls Luigi. Just the same, the X and Y buttons control baby Mario and baby Luigi. And using all four characters isn't all that bad at all. The younger versions of our heros can be given piggyback rides to speed things up a little. You may find yourself having to use the children more often than not. They can fit into places their adult counterparts can't, and they can also be flailed to places the older brothers can't reach. You'll most likely control both sets independently, and that's fine as well.

Both sets work in different ways, however. Mario and Luigi use toned down versions of special abilities found in Superstar Saga. Mario and Luigi execute the jumps, while Baby Mario and Baby Luigi use hammers, which let them hit switches and bury underground.

Shopping hasn't changed at all. The only difference is that you'll have to buy baby clothes for the younger heros. Badges, thankfully, can be equiped on anyone.

Battling has undergone a big change, but I assure you it's for the better. You now control four characters in battle as opposed to just two. Some of your attacks can now be enhanced thanks to the babies. For example, they can perform an attack with their hammers while standing on their respected shoulders. Special moves in battle have also changed. Instead of learning all new techs, it's based on the items you have in stock. This is also enhanced by the babies. Some of your special techniques will involve all four of your players. Others will be slightly enhanced by using the babies, meaning they'll be more powerful. You may have to do some battles without your little buddies.

The same old "timed hits" which was introduced in the SNES classic, Super Mario RPG, still exists here. In your special attacks if you mess up the button combination it could cost you to perform a watered down attack instead of a successful rock hitting assault. The same goes for dodging techniques. As in the first Mario and Luigi game, enemies will clue you in on who they're attacking and you'll have to have the correct timing to dodge them. It takes time to learn, but it presents a very good challenge to the game.

Mario and Luigi Partners in Time does not slouch on the DS capabilities. You'll find yourself using both screens. The top screen serves as a map, and as a gameplay screen when the babies seperate from the adults. The top screen also serves to present story sequences rather well. The use of the touch screen may sometimes feel a little tacked on (like wiping off a dirty picture to make a discovery), but at least you'll actually use it.

Visually, the game stays true to the look and feel of the GBA title. It's good to see it doesn't make Baby Mario and Baby Luigi look too cute either. The DS also gives us a more sharper look at thing such as special attacks. The time periods also look distinctly different. The only problem that really presents itself with the visuals, is how some angles make jumps hard, and how some of the counterattacks are hard to pull off because of the angle.

The voice acting is fantastic. With a different variety, including the babies. It also sounds really lively. The sound is pretty well done too. Some of the themes (like the battle theme) you won't find yourself humming, but the music is good where it is, and it also stays true to the situation, as well as to the original GBA game.

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time is without a doubt, one of the best DS titles out there. While it's safe to say it doesn't outdo Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga on the GBA, you can be sure this is a damn good follow up.

The Good:

+Great graphics

+Wonderful combat system

+Engaging fameplay

+Solid graphics

+Great sense of humor

The Bad:

-Camera angles make some jumps hard

A solid DS title!

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