Summary
On July 29, 2025,Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sagacelebrates its twentieth anniversary. While it was neither the first nor second hitMarioRPG, the debut ofMario & Luigiis still noteworthy for introducing a third strain ofSuper Mario Bros.RPGs that endured until its developer, AlphaDream, went bankrupt in 2019. Quickly endearing itself to fans and critics with its vibrant presentation, snappy combat, and clever writing,Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sagaremains one of the strongest entries inMario’s RPG catalog.
Nowadays,Mario & Luigihas taken a backseat to the still-ongoingPaper Marioseries and the revivedSuper Mario RPG, both of which are getting remakes likeSuperstar Saga’s own. The audio and visual changes inSuperstar Saga + Bowser’s Minionson 3DSdrew some fans’ ire, but the original Game Boy Advance release ofSuperstar Sagacan still be enjoyed on its anniversary thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Even thoughSuper Mario RPGandPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doortypically dominateMarioRPG discussions, new and old players alike still have plenty to gain by revisitingMario’s first handheld roleplaying adventure.
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Mario & Luigi Brought Something New To Mario RPGs
The main premise of theMario & Luigiseries emerges just a few minutes in whenMario and Luigi formSuperstar Saga’s two-man party. From then on, the player simultaneously controls both Mario and Luigi with the A and B buttons. Attacking and defending in combat involves the Mario brothers working in tandem just as much as they would while solving puzzles or playing minigames. Even while navigating one plumber’s battle menu, the other can be made to jump just to reinforce the game’s paired mindset.
Superstar Saga Got Mario & Luigi’s Core Appeal Right
Once this concept is in play, every facet of gameplay revolves around it. Players expecting tight platforming will find this falls short ofMario’s benchmark platformers, but they’ll still need to make Mario and Luigi jump over hazards and field enemies in sync. Then, in battle, players must track telegraphed enemy attacks to defend with the right brother. Further teamwork comes through cooperative actions, which are just as good at accessing new areas Metroidvania-style as they are at demolishing foes. The theme of teamwork applies to the whole series, but the simplerSuperstar Sagais where it gets undivided attention.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Provides A Timeless Experience
Besides its gameplay,Superstar Sagastill has many qualities that hold up twenty years later. Its cartoonish sprite art is gorgeous, and became AlphaDream’s signature even while working on other games, like a couple of odd action-adventure titles starringThe Legend of Zelda’s Tingle. A soundtrack byStreet Fighter 2andKingdom Heartsseries composer Yoko Shimomura, alongside a free multiplayer remake of the originalMario Bros.arcade game, were cherries on top of such strong visuals. Enhanced by all the main characters’ voice clips,Superstar Sagais worth playing for its charm alone.
A Great Script Completes Superstar Saga’s Package
After nailing its gameplay and presentation,Superstar Sagacompletes the set with equally strong writing. LikeSuper Mario RPGbefore it andPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doora year later,Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sagagoes beyond the typicalMariosetting. Players toured across the Beanbean Kingdom, a place comparable toSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s new Flower Kingdom, while accompanied by comedic, yet compelling writing. Producing new fan-favorites likeMario and Luigi’s rivals Fawful and Popple, alongside surprise returns like the different Yoshis and Koopalings,Superstar Sagadelighted fans from beginning to end.Super Mario RPG’s remake launching on its anniversary is likely just a coincidence, but that still pays honor toMario & Luigi: Superstar Sagaas one of its greatest successors.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
WHERE TO PLAY
An adventure so big, You’ll need both Bros.!Prepare for an epic journey beyond the borders of the Mushroom Kingdom as Mario and Luigi team up for a hilarious, action-filled role-playing game! The deep storyline and gripping puzzles of a role-playing game combine with awesome action elements to make this adventure a Mario experience like no other.* Cross the border! A huge cast of wacky characters and strange new enemies await in the vast lands of the Beanbean Kingdom.* Bros. power! A unique simultaneous control setup lets you control each brother separately or team them up for supermoves!* Buddy up! You’ll need to team up to take on jumping challenges and an action-packed, reflex-testing battle system.* Get linked! Link up with any Super Mario Advance games for multiplayer Mario Bros. madness!
