Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey Reviews
Already the best game in the Mario & Luigi series, the new graphics and presentation raise it to new heights on the 3DS!
Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story returns, this time to the 3DS in a new version of the original which might not be a revolution but brings its mix of charming visuals, soundtrack, gameplay mechanics and humour. The additional Bowser Jr. component does not bring extraordinary changes but this is a good and enjoyable experience that brings back one of the most memorable RPGs featuring some of Nintendo's most beloved characters.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
"Unnecessary remake of good game."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Bowser’s Inside Story is one of the best in the Mario RPG titles and should be played.
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.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey is a one-two punch of fun, casual and amusing gameplay, complete with all the expected charm, humor, and challenge expected of a game in the Mario Universe. Bowser's Inside Story is one of the more odd and varied titles I've ever played, but it is a little too easy. The overall product combines several of the best game styles into one, yet the final product feels incredibly cohesive and is a must play modern Mario experience.
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
If you've never played a Mario RPG before and feel stubborn about not jumping in with the SNES era, this would be an excellent starting point. But do it quickly, and make sure you catch up – this is a genre you've definitely been missing out on.
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.
An addictive and snappy game with a lot of charm, worth your time and cash.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This 2009 classic is definitely worth playing. It's comical, quite varied, generally well-paced, and, most of all, fun!
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.
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.
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
Mario & Luigi: Viaje al centro de Bowser + Las Peripecias de Bowsy arrives at Nintendo 3DS with the same magic, the same mechanics, and the same charm that a whole generation of players fell in love with a decade ago.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
One of the best portable role-players ever made and a joyful mix of bizarrely inventive gameplay and surprisingly sharp comedy.
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.
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.
It's tough to recommend this release to anyone who already owns the DS version, a game that is still completely playable no matter which member of the 3DS family you own. Everything that was great about the original is still great here. But if you're one of the dwindling number of people still rocking a 3DS and you have yet to take a trip to the bowels of Bowser, it's an unforgettable adventure full of wit, charm, and comedy. Bowser Jr's Journey may not add anything worthwhile in regards to gameplay, but it does reaffirm that the strength of the Mario & Luigi franchise lies in its writing.
While I don’t personally think it is the best introduction to the beloved franchise—I feel like I missed a lot of little things—it was never designed to be, and it is a strong title with good gameplay, fun comedy, and a lot of memorable scenes. For me, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (as well as Bowser Jr’s Journey, which, while aimed at younger children, is still entertaining) is worth the price tag.