Description: If you thought their last adventure was insane? In this sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the brothers travel back in time to retrieve Princess Peach, only to come face to face with baby versions of themselves, the princess and Bowse.... Read More
Description: If you thought their last adventure was insane? In this sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the brothers travel back in time to retrieve Princess Peach, only to come face to face with baby versions of themselves, the princess and Bowser. Teaming up with their young selves will soon send Mario and Luigi on a quest of lunatic proportions as players must control both the adult AND baby versions of the Mushroom Kingdom heroes. Players use the top screen to study the land, keep track of the pair of brothers not under their control or maximize combo moves in battle. With twice the Mario brothers and twice the laughs, this massive sidesplitting adventure could only find a home on the dual screens of the Nintendo DS. Minimize
Strengths: First time the Classic Paper Mario formula hits the DS
Weaknesses: Just lacking that special something
Summary: Mario & Luigi Partners in Time is a combination platformer/RPG in the vein of Paper Mario: The 1000 Year Door on the Gamecube and Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga on the GBA. You control both Mario and Luigi in an effort to (what else) save Princess Peach. This time you are joined by the baby versions of Mario and Luigi, who you meet with the help of a time machine. You then travel to different locations in the present and past to solve the mystery of what happened to the adult Princess Peach.
As with the other games, the battles take place on a stage and are turn-based affairs but with a real-time element to them. While you can select your attack and hit the appropriate button (each brother and baby brother is assigned to a face button) to execute it, in order to make it through some of the more challenging fights you will need to master the timed button presses that enhance your attack (such as pressing Mario's button just as he lands a jump on a Goomba) or allow you to dodge the enemies attack. This battle dynamic keeps you intimately involved in the battles as they take place.
Overall, the game is excellent, though, in comparison to the Gamecube Paper Mario or even the GBA incarnation, there is just a little something missing from this game. I definitely recommend it, but it is lacking that certain something to make it the best Paper Mario yet (the Gamecube version holds that title for now).
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Strengths: Well designed gameplay. Each of the four face buttons is assigned to its own character. The real fun is in the challenge of pressing the right button to activate the right character at the right time.
Weaknesses: Best in shorter periods of play. Can get repetitive. Also, many players may be turned off by the cartoony and childish antics and storyline.
Summary: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is the DS follow up to the very well made Mario & Luigi Super Star Saga (Gameboy Advance). Partners in Time continues the style of "action-RPG" in which the player participates in the turn-based battles with timed button presses. When it is the player's turn (offense), they will have the opportunity to cause more damage during an attack by pressing the A button, for instance, just as Mario makes contact with the enemy. Luigi is controlled by pressing the B button (during battle) and Baby Mario is assigned to the X button and Baby Luigi is assigned to the Y button. When it is the enemy's turn to attack (the player is on defense), each button enables its character to dodge or deflect an attack depending on the situation (if pressed at the correct time). That is the most basic the gameplay gets. Once you get a handle on attacking and countering, you will discover new abilities and attacks. Many new attacks have all 4 brothers participating, which requires you to press each brothers button in many different combinations. Each "Bros. Attack" will last as long as you keep up the combo (you will have to find the right buttons and press them faster and faster) until you reach the maximum damage that can be dolled out in one turn - this is where the real challange and skill lies. Personally, I have never really been interested in turn-based RPGs but I like the Mario and Luigi series because of the action that is required for each move and the higher level of player control to the battles. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is a long game and well worth the price of admission. Some people may be turned off by the kiddy scenarios and cartoony antics but if you can accept the silly dialog, there is a deep game to be found here.
67% of People (4/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Strengths: Great turn-based RPG with a sense of humor.
Weaknesses: Graphics could have been much better with the upgrade to the DS.
Summary: If you've played any of the Mario RPGs (Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, etc.), you'll love this one. The brothers are back, and this time on the Nintendo DS. It's a lot like the first iteration of this series, but that's not a bad thing. The unique aspect of the gameplay is learning when to press "A" at the right time to get the most out of your attacks (defense as well). It's simple, but very engaging as well. The story is funny, just like the prequel, and the adventure is long enough. If you're looking for a good RPG for the DS, look no further!
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Weaknesses: Sprites aren't much improved from the GBA incarnation
Summary: A sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for the Game Boy Advance, Partners in Time picks up where it left off in terms of fluid gameplay and cutesy graphics. Now pairing up with Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, you use two screens to accomplish similar tasks as the first game.
I would have liked to see the graphics refined a little since the original title, but they game is more than fun enough to let this detail slide.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Summary: Mario & Luigi DS is the lastest quest for the brothers. In this RPG like game combin with Mario gameplay is something anyone can get into. The humor is great and makes the story intersting. My only complain is the lack of using touch screen. Aside from a very minor part the touch screen isn't a factor at all.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Strengths: Great production values, wonderful characters, funny.
Weaknesses: Lacks challenge, depth, replay value.
Summary: The best thing that Mario & Luigi Partners in Time has going for it is its wonderful use of Mario characters. The interaction between the adult and baby Marios and Luigis is a lot of fun, and the supporting characters lend a lot of humor and charm.
Unfortunately, as much as I like the setting and characters, the game itself is on the dull side. The difficulty level is not very high, which is not bad in itself, but it lacks challenge or accomplishment. I don't really feel like there's much to discover with regards to strategy, secrets, or side-quests.
Each character has a number of attacks, combination attacks with other characters, and the ability to use items. As fun as this sounds, I found most of the items and combinations irritating. All of them are based on timing of button presses.
I'm no stranger to this -- I thought direction and button presses to do special attacks was fun in Final Fantasy III. But that was years ago, and if anything, the mechanics in Partners in Time feel like a step backward and less interesting and fun.
After awhile, all the battles feel exactly the same. New enemies and items appear, but they become variations on a theme. The game seems to stagnate, and really seems to lack the excitement or cool factor that usually accompanies an RPG as you get higher in level.
Technically, the game is great. The game uses both screens of the DS, sometimes dividing the characters into upper and lower regions, and having the player solve puzzles in each to go forward. While the touch screen isn't used in this game, the clever usage of the dual screens more than makes up for it.
This is a good game for kids. Production values are high, the game is colorful and fun, and the characters are irresistable. It makes me feel guilty to write a grouchy sounding review, but the game itself is not as fun or as interesting as the characters that star in it.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Summary: If you have play the GBA version of this game (Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga), you will like this one. Besides the same old parts, this one also adds two characters: Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. Now you can use A, B, X and Y buttons to control four different characters. Great story lines, a little bit crowded graphics, good music and very addictive. Highly recommend to purchase one.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Summary: This game has a great battle system. It is pretty unique as far as RPG games go. It's not just picking from a menu, but also timing your attacks right. The story is decent, but no one expects a final fantasy type story in a mario game. The text is pretty funny and so are some of the situations. Recommended for all!
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Strengths: Interesting script and crazy gameplay make it a memorable play through
Weaknesses: Too easy for a large part of the game, does not use the DS strenghts well
Summary: A worthy successor to the Gameboy game. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time has hilarious dialogue, difficult puzzles, and more action than the original game. But with all the additions the game is still true to the original quest and should be an easy pick up for those who haven't experienced this handheld adventure
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Strengths: Overall, easy gameplay with not too much text found in typical RPGs. Excellent option to block attacks.
Weaknesses: Too easy. Not a true RPG, which lacks extensive magic and attacks.
Summary: This game is fun for the young at heart - those turned off by the complicated attacks and magic. This is a great replicate of the SuperStar Saga for the GBA. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is a must for any DS owner - with simple and relatively easy gameplay.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Strengths: Very very funny game. Great story, now with the new Mario Bros. babies.
Weaknesses: It's an RPG so might not appeal to everyone.
Summary: This game made me laugh out loud several times. Very fun as most Mario games are. If you like any of the previous Mario RPG games you will love this one. Definetely recommended.
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Strengths: fun, player is constantly involved, always want to play
Weaknesses: short, limited replayability, only uses touch screen once, did not use microphone
Summary: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is a great game. I played it constantly for several weeks and it never got boring. During the game you play as big Mario and big Luigi, or little Mario & little Luigi or with all 4 of them. The characters can jump, attack with a hammer, attack with "Bros." items. When the character levels up you get increased hit points, attack, defense, speed. You complete sections to move onto new sections of the game.
The games seems a little short - but maybe that's because I played it so much that I beat it quicker than other games. Also, now that I have beaten it, there's no real reason to play it again - maybe when I don't have any current games to play...
But it was a lot of fun and I would recommend the game to anyone.
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Strengths: Some nice puzzles. Fun story. Interesting gameplay. Colorful.
Weaknesses: Just a step below the original. Easier than the first.
Summary: Partners in Time is a great game. I mean, really good, and you should play it. But it is a notch below the original Superstar Saga. It's slightly easier and a little less humorous. But it does look better on the DS hardware. Not to mention, there are a lot of nice little touches in the game.
Definately play this but I also suggest you play the Superstar Saga first.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
Summary: This game is hilarious with crazy story lines and funny dialogues. It takes about 20 hours to complete this game which is sufficient for a RPG. It has a crazy battle, which you need to TIME it just right for specials. You are using all 4 characters, Mario and Luigi, and Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. Some of their special attacks you have to use all 4 characters to time it using their own specified buttons. I will recommend to people who love RPGs, Mario games, and especially who loves to laugh.
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Weaknesses: Time travel aspect not fully explored.
Summary: Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga was an excellent game, and this sequel improves upon it in many ways. For one, Baby Mario and Luigi are added to the mix, providing help with clever puzzles and extra abilities in battle. The top DS screen is used as a map for the most part, which is tremendously helpful. The battles are just as fun as before. The main downside is that the new villians just aren't as funny or interesting as Fawful and Cackletta.
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