Every Mario & Luigi Game, Ranked (2024)

Super Mario continues to be Nintendo's most popular franchise, and it's earned the audience's trust to take ambitious genre pivots, much like the Mario & Luigi RPG series. Developed by AlphaDream for various Nintendo handheld platforms, Mario & Luigi isn't Nintendo's first attempt to transform Mario’s world into an RPG, but it's proven itself to be one of the more consistent examples.

Starting in 2003, the Mario & Luigi series lasted for 15 years and seven games — five titles and two remakes — that still receive a lot of attention from hardcore Super Mario and RPG fans alike. It's unclear if a new Mario & Luigi entry will ever be released, but it never hurts to take stock of the series' many highs and lows.

Updated on July 25, 2024, by Antonio Samson: With the announcement of Mario & Luigi: Brothership, this is the first new entry in the series since 2019. There are plenty of entries that are worth checking out before the newest game comes out. This article was updated to provide more information and to meet CBR's editorial and formatting standards.

7 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Is A Mixed Crossover

Where Paper Mario Meets Classic RPG Elements

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is the latest original entry in the franchise, and it definitely takes a bold swing with its decision to crossover with Super Mario's other RPG genre spin-off, Paper Mario. Paper Jam puts Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario up against Bowser and Paper Bowser, who use their combined forces to siege the Mushroom Kingdom. There's a lot of potential in a crossover concept, and it's unfortunate that this idea couldn't be further explored and refined in sequels. Unfortunately, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam doesn't commit enough to the crossover, and most of the Paper Mario series elements, like Sticker Star's system, feel like afterthoughts.

There's still a lot to like in this sequel between the sharp writing, standout soundtrack, and three-person battle system. However, the plot is quite thin and the Paper Toad missions quickly grow repetitive. Paper Jam might be the weakest of the Mario & Luigi titles, but it's far from a bad game and the giant mecha-like papercraft sequences are some of the most entertaining moments from the entire franchise. Thankfully, the that were released afterward mean that Paper Jam isn’t the most recent game in the series that comes to mind for fans.

6 Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time Is A Retro Adventure with Baby Mario and Baby Luigi

A Time-Traveling Quest with Dual-Screen Puzzles

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is the second entry in the franchise and the first for the Nintendo DS, which heavily makes use of its new hardware's dual-screen mechanic. Partners in Time is a time-traveling adventure that's oddly dark for a Super Mario game, which deserves some respect and, hopefully, something that future Super Mario games will explore. The Shroobs are easily one of the most destructive forces that the Mushroom Kingdom has ever faced, and they genuinely feel dangerous.

In order to save their timeline, Mario and Luigi must travel back in time and work with their past selves — Baby Mario and Baby Luigi — which helps redeem these two characters who have a history of being more annoying than advantageous. The biggest factor against Partners in Time is that it’s too linear of a game in comparison to the rest of the franchise and very little of the world gets explored, particularly in the present. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the Nintendo DS’s best games and an important stepping-stone for the Mario & Luigi series.

5 Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Unleashed The Dream World In 3D

Expanding the Dream World Concept

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team greatly expands upon the franchise's Dream World concept, which results in some genuinely inventive battles that benefit from the previous games' already-strong foundation. Dream Team is the franchise's first 3DS game, which turns into a mixed bag of results. There's no question that Dream Team looks incredible and puts past titles to shame, but as a newer 3DS title, there's a lot of forced gyroscope mechanics and controls that don't do the game any favors.

The addition of badges helps effectively streamline battles and Dream Team is also a lengthy experience that deserves accolades for being such a substantial adventure that doesn't take any shortcuts. Unfortunately, this epic quest begins to feel bloated in its final act by those who haven't been won over by its cute charms. Tutorials are also nothing new for Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario games, but Dream Team really goes overboard in this department and these forced exercises drag down the momentum during its otherwise exciting start. There's still a lot more good than bad in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and subsequent 3DS entries learn from its mistakes.

4 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Is The Begining Of The Legacy

The Inaugural RPG That Set the Standard

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is the game that started it all, and it’s very likely that this series wouldn’t have ever grown into what it is today if its inaugural title wasn’t such a fully-formed success. At the time of Superstar Saga’s release, the only previous Mario RPGs were Paper Mario and Super Mario RPG, which are both inferior to this Game Boy Advance delight. Superstar Saga doesn’t just establish a confident and enjoyable battle system, but also Mario & Luigi’s trademark sense of humor. As fun as Superstar Saga is to play, it’s also just a genuinely entertaining story to read that’s full of surprising twists.

Superstar Saga also makes fantastic use of Princess Peach as a character, who actually feels like a distinct individual with a personality. The Beanbean Kingdom is full of life and nuance, as are series villains, Fawful and Cackletta, who feel completely different from Bowser. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga has the most to prove and it often feels like it works the hardest as a result.

3 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions Is A Classic Charm With A Strategic Twist

The Classic with Enhanced Mechanics and New Tactical Depth

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is a lovingly crafted 3DS remake of the original Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, a standout title from the Game Boy Advance era. The remake includes quality-of-life improvements such as streamlined menus and enhanced controls, making the game more accessible to new players while preserving the core mechanics that made the original so beloved. The voice acting and script have been updated to ensure the humor and story are as engaging as ever.

One of the standout additions is the Bowser's Minions sub-game, which provides a fresh layer of strategic gameplay. In this mode, players command a team of Bowser's minions, navigating through various missions that blend tactical combat with resource management. This side game offers a new perspective on the Mushroom Kingdom's conflicts and deepens the overall experience by allowing players to engage with Bowser's underlings meaningfully.

2 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Is An Epic Tale From The Inside Out

Bowser in a Unique Dual-World Adventure

Bowser has always been one of Super Mario's most intriguing and complex characters, and his role in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story offers a refreshing and captivating twist to the series. In this unique installment, the King of Koopas is thrust into the spotlight in a way that profoundly alters the traditional gameplay dynamics. The adventure begins with Bowser swallowing Mario and Luigi, setting the stage for an unexpected and endearing alliance. This scenario introduces a novel gameplay mechanic where the interactions between Bowser, Mario, and Luigi are essential and cleverly intertwined.

The game makes exceptional use of the Nintendo DS's dual screens to deliver an engaging and innovative gameplay experience. Players can control Bowser on the bottom screen, while the heroes inside him are navigated on the top, creating a dynamic and immersive interaction between the characters. This setup allows for creative problem-solving and puzzles that leverage the unique perspective of having two distinct yet interconnected worlds.

1 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey Revitalizes A Classic

Modern Enhancements and New Strategic Gameplay Revive a Fan Favorite

Additionally, the remake includes enhanced controls, refined audio, and additional quality-of-life features that make the game more enjoyable and accessible. The voice acting and script have been updated to match modern standards, ensuring that the humor and charm of the original remain intact while benefiting from contemporary enhancements. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey revitalizes a classic RPG experience with fresh content and modern polish, making it a valuable addition to the Mario & Luigi series and a delightful experience for returning players and newcomers.

The new Bowser Jr.'s Journey mode introduces a strategic layer to the game. Players take on the role of Bowser Jr. and manage his minions in tactical battles. This sub-game adds depth to the overall experience by allowing players to engage in a different style of combat and strategy, complementing the main storyline in meaningful ways.

Mario and Luigi Bowser's Inside Story

RPG

Franchise

Super Mario

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS , 3DS

Released

September 15, 2009

Developer(s)

AlphaDream

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence

How Long To Beat

22 Hours