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Review of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story on Nintendo DS

by Gemma Looksby Gemma Looksby photo Sep 2009
Cover image of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story on DS
Gamefings Score: 9.5
Platform: DS DS logo
Released: 15 Sep 2009
Genre: Role-playing
Developer: AlphaDream
Publisher: Nintendo

Introduction

Step right up, folks, to a tummy-tickling adventure where the infamous Mario brothers find themselves taking a very, very unconventional detour into the bulging belly of their nemesis, Bowser! That's right, folks, it's a wild ride inside the fleshy fortress of the Koopa King himself. Forget your typical RPG plot lines - we're diving deep into Bowser's guts (literally) because, apparently, it's there where the real fun begins!

Gameplay

So how does this bizarre journey play out? You're controlling Mario and Luigi as they perform their best impression of ninja acrobats inside the cavernous belly of Bowser while simultaneously managing the king himself in the overworld. It's like trying to juggle flaming swords-while riding a unicycle-on a tightrope. The gameplay masterfully alternates between two worlds: Mario and Luigi gallivanting around like little intestinal explorers, and Bowser doing his usual 'punch first, ask questions later' routine in the majestic Mushroom Kingdom. You'll use the DS's touchscreen to unleash some wicked dual-character combos and 'attack pieces' to knock some sense into the foes which should never be exposed to the likes of digestive granola. There are also snack-sized mini-games tucked away, testing how well you can help Bowser digest food while preventing his body from shutting down like your old Windows XP on a bad day. So you better be quick on your feet because if Bowser goes down, so do Mario and Luigi. Insert your best "it's a trap" joke here! Special moves cost SP (not to be confused with your social points, which you can accumulate by selecting the right memes at parties).

Graphics

While the visuals are cartoony, they shine brighter than my future on a Friday evening with friends. Character designs are charming, capturing every ounce of personality our Italian plumbers of questionable life choices possess; Bowser looks as intimidating as ever, yet you can't help but chuckle every time he tries to interact with Mario and Luigi who are basically like quirky little parasites at this point. As for the environments, they effectively replicate the quirky nature of previous Mario games while introducing clever, colorful designs that make Bowser's insides look like a psychedelic carnival (digestive troubles not included).

Conclusion

In a world where pasta reigns supreme, and Bowser's interior resembles the weirdest roller coaster you've ever been on, 'Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story' elegantly wraps up as one of the most charming RPGs around. Whether you're battling evil minibosses or working your way through the inner workings of a dragon-sized Koopa, the game serves up humor, action, and camaraderie that's as satisfying as your favorite pizza slice. If you haven't yet taken the plunge into this oddball journey, now's the time to don your plumber's cap and get ready for a truly hilarious adventure. Don't just sit there (in front of your computer), go play it!

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