Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey Reviews

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
90 / 100
Jan 11, 2019

The Mario & Luigi series has seen incredible popularity since its debut with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is regarded as one of the best in the series. It brought back Bowser as a playing character and teaming him up, unknowingly, with Mario & Luigi; something that hasn't been done since Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Like the remake of Superstar Saga Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey brings back the original game with updated visuals, new content, and changes to the original game that makes it more accessible. For those who missed out on this gem of an RPG now is your chance to experience this outstanding adventure and if you did there's plenty of reasons to journey again with Mario, Luigi, and Bowser again.

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Yes
Feb 22, 2019

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey was an enjoyable and familiar return to a game I thoroughly enjoyed years ago. Once again, Nintendo and the developers have delivered some top-notch work, injecting a fresh feel into this game and bringing it to a whole new audience while also delighting original fans like myself. With all the best kind of updates and smart inclusions, this title has rightfully earned a place alongside its companion titles on the 3DS system and all that’s left now is to wait for the inevitable Partners In Time remake.

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Mar 3, 2019

"Unnecessary remake of good game."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Feb 5, 2019

There really hasn’t been an outright bad Mario and Luigi game, but this one lays a worthy claim to being the strongest of all.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 22, 2019

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey brings the Bros. and their number one enemy back for a fun adventure that goes micro, macro, and everywhere in between. Carried by just how enjoyable Bowser is, the strong theming that affects both story and gameplay, and the always splendid battle system; it brings an already great game back for an encore.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 11, 2019

If you haven't played the original version this is the game for you. It looks pretty and colorful even though some elements are a bit outdated.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
Jan 28, 2019

The updated graphics and enjoyable Bowser Jr.'s Journey wonderfully complement a title that was already packed full of fun gameplay variety and hilarious absurdity.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 14, 2019

The humor, dialogue, and characters all add up to a zany adventure that is sure to have you laugh out loud on more than one occasion. The remake stays faithful to the game released nearly a decade ago but gives a facelift to the visuals and music, putting fresh paint on a classic. Bowser Jr's Journey is a nice addition, but might prove to be a bit too passive and at times too uninspired for many to see it the entire way through.

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Drew Hurley
Top Critic
9 / 10
Jan 22, 2019

In an age where remakes and remasters are as hotly anticipated as the biggest AAA title, it's great to see yet another gem from yesteryear arrive, giving players who never experienced it the first time around a second chance and letting players who enjoyed it originally revisit just what made it stand out to them. The Mario RPG series is a perfect example. It is criminally underrated and deserves to be lauded far more. Any new opportunity to do that is a blessing. This was an awesome game almost a decade ago and now it has gotten a fresh lick of paint and it is looking better than ever.

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Nintendo News
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2019

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a remarkably polished remake with well-balanced updates that makes the game all the more enjoyable. If you’ve been champing at the bit like a chain chomp to play another Mario & Luigi RPG, you can’t go far wrong with Bowser’s Inside Story. We’ll be here, keeping calm and chortling.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 18, 2019

For as great as Bowser's Inside Story is, it does little to justify busting out the 3DS again.

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3.5 / 5.0
Jan 17, 2019

The core of Bowser's Inside Story is a great remake that brings it into the modern era with beautiful visuals and a soundtrack that's truly memorable.

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Spaziogames
DottorKillex
Top Critic
8.2 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2019

This is a great combo that ten years ago defined the apex of the series. Now the differences are not so many and they're not enough to justify the full price of the release.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 1, 2019

This 2009 classic is definitely worth playing. It's comical, quite varied, generally well-paced, and, most of all, fun!

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 25, 2019

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey is a great package that is buoyed by the superb Bowser’s Inside Story, but slightly let down by the mediocrity of Bowser Jr.’s Journey

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GamingBolt
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jan 30, 2019

Bowser shines in this adventure that has stood the test of time, and remains every bit as riotously funny and compelling to play today as it was ten years ago.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 20, 2019

Much like the SuperStar Saga remake, this game is a fine revisit to a great game, but doesn't feel necessary.

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88%
Mar 10, 2019

Already the best game in the Mario & Luigi series, the new graphics and presentation raise it to new heights on the 3DS!

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 15, 2019

Don't let Mario and Luigi's top billing fool you. This game is as much about Bowser and his spunky son as it is about Nintendo's popular plumbers. Bowser's Inside Story is a great remake of the DS classic, boasting JRPG gameplay that still feels fresh and fun a decade later. The addition of Bowser Jr.'s Adventure, meanwhile, gives the young Koopa prince a much-deserved turn in the spotlight along with the Koopalings. Battles in the main game can be a bit too long while Bowser Jr.'s skirmishes could be a bit more fleshed out. Overall, however, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey is a must-have for your 3DS library.

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9 / 10
Jan 11, 2019

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey stands as a well-made remake of a game that was excellent to begin with, polishing up the original in small ways and adding some extra content that meaningfully establishes its own identity. If you've ever been a fan of the Mario & Luigi series (or are looking for a reason to dust off the old 3DS), do yourself a favour and pick this game up. Although Bowser Jr.'s Journey is just an ‘okay' addition, the inventive battles, great writing and creative gameplay of the main game make this one an easy recommendation.

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