Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Mario & Luigi Partners in Time

Strengths: First time the Classic Paper Mario formula hits the DS

Weakness: Just lacking that special something

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...
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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).

By mojave - Oct 2, 2006

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (DS)

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.

Weakness: Best in shorter periods of play. Can get repetitive. Also, many players may be turned off by the cartoony and childish antics and storyline.

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,...
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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.

By cotebryan - Jun 23, 2006

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time

Strengths: Great turn-based RPG with a sense of humor.

Weakness: Graphics could have been much better with the upgrade to the DS.

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...
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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!

By Ma12kez - Aug 4, 2006

Mario and Luigi are back

Strengths: Great Mario RPG

Weakness: Sprites aren't much improved from the GBA incarnation

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...
Read Full Review

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.

By botticus - Aug 4, 2006

Mario & Luigi are back

Strengths: good humor, intersting story

Weakness: week use of the touch screen

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.

By t260 - Jul 29, 2006