Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is an excellent RPG full of humor and excitement. Intelligent Systems gave us the equally impressive Paper Mario for N64. AlphaDream now continues the grand legacy of exciting RPG games set in the Mario world with Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga for GBA. Each of these games have been developed by different companies but all have had their own unique qualities. Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is one of those GBA games you don’t easily forget because of its beautiful graphics, intense gameplay and its very humorous and well-crafted storyline.

Yes, you heard it correctly, Luigi, who has always remained in Mario’s shadow, now has a major role in the adventure. Both Mario and Luigi will have to work together because it is through teamwork that they will be able to solve the many clever puzzles along the way. Each character is controlled individually, Mario with the A button and Luigi with the B button. It’s not like other RPG games where one button controls all characters at the same time. This control scheme is necessary because there will be times when you have to control both brothers at the same time, like in battle where both of them are being attacked and both must dodge the attacks. This control scheme can be a bit confusing at first but you will eventually get used to it.

I was impressed by the design of many of the different types of boss battles because you will have to understand how they attack before you can defeat them. There is once instance where you will have to go up against a huge Piranha plant but can only defeat it by understanding the meaning of the different colors it changes to in battle. Later, you will have to go up against an enemy that is made up entirely of soda. Regular battles with enemies also require strategy as certain enemies require different tactics to be defeated. Some enemies such as the spiked ones are better dealt with by hammers than by jumping on them. Yes, as in other Mario RPG games you can find special badges along the way, which are accessories that will upgrade your stats in many areas. One badge will let you do double damage on spiked enemies. You can find badges, health items, as well as armor in village shops that you come across in your journey.

There are many different regions that you will traverse in the Beanbean kingdom. You will journey across a forest, a desert, a beach area, a university, an underwater area and many others created in stunning detail that makes you appreciate the power of the GBA to provide such visuals. There is one area that has waterfalls cascading down a mountain in the background or the desert that shows little puffs of dirt being blown by the wind. Many little details such as this are scattered throughout the game. The familiar RPG trappings are here, Mario and Luigi go up in levels when enough experience has been gained and they can level up in attack, defense and other stats. You are also given the chance to apply a certain amount of random points to one specific area that you choose as a bonus.

There is not much to find fault with in this game beyond the initial frustration with controlling both brothers.Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is one GBA game you just have to purchase this holiday season with its well-crafted story, beautiful graphics and very exciting gameplay!

Final Grade: 96%