Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is still a fantastic RPG fourteen years later. The Bowser’s Minions side story is an enjoyable, if occasionally tedious, diversion. But the main quest is better than ever with the same addictive combat, laugh-out-loud story, and a few modern polishes to the gameplay.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is one of the best in the Mario RPG series, and this 3DS remake only makes it better. The story, characters, and world are all a blast to explore, and longtime Mario fans will love every second.

Nintendo was able to keep the heart and soul of Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga while injecting new life into it. Not only do the visuals look stunning, but with a hearty side mode that adds more context to the story, this is easily the best way to experience the game. It isn’t perfect and there are a few things I would have loved to have seen, mainly stereoscopic 3D, but this gives players a great reason to pick up their 3DS’ again.

After 14 years, Superstar Saga is still one of the best M&L games out there... this time with a little more bad-ass added.

Bowser’s Minions is certainly a Marmite game, it won’t be for everyone but it’s a nice diversion from the main story. Although, considering how good the main story is, you might not want to be distracted from it. It’s good looking, humorous, and overall really good fun to play, there are mild annoyances with how the touchscreen is put to use, but they’re unlikely to spoil the joy the game will ultimately bestow upon you. It’s been fourteen years, but it’s time to get lost in the Beanbean Kingdom again.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sage is genuinely one of my favourite remasters in years – I can’t remember a time that I’ve smiled as much while playing a game. Good humour combined with smart mechanics and that Nintendo absurdity make for an exceptionally good mix. The game is as good today as it was back in 2003, and new addition Bowser’s Minions is a very entertaining extra. This is truly one of the finest RPGs there ever was.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a classic, and this new version is arguably the definitive version. Yes, Bowser's Minions is a harmless but shallow add-on, but the Superstars are the real attraction. This is a series that has a distinct and special place within Nintendo gaming, and after experimentation and not-always-popular approaches in the 3DS era of games, this takes us back to the IP's roots. What a treat it is, too - funny, smartly designed and pure unpretentious joy, this is a great start point for those that missed the original in the Game Boy Advance era, and should also be tempting to those with fond memories of the adventure.

Nintendo knows how to make good remakes and Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga + Bowser's Misions is another example of this. With this remake of the original game, Nintendo has made it a pleasure to return to the Kingdom, not only with Mario and Luigi, also with Bowser's henchmen in a mode that will hook you and leave you wanting more.

Mario & Luigi are back with a very enjoyable RPG adventure, accessible for any type of player. Also, it adds Bowser's Minions, so those who played the GBA original can discover new content, too.

As unnecessary Bowser's Minions may be, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is an excellent remake of one of the best RPG spin-offs in the beloved franchise.

Whether you’re a new or returning player, Superstar Saga holds up extremely well in both the story and gameplay departments – the great QoL changes and visual updates are just icing on the cake. Recommended for players young and old who love casual turn-based RPGs and anything Mario related.

If you've never played a Mario & Luigi game, this is a perfect entry point. If you're coming back to re-experience a game you've played and loved, it still holds up. If the main draw is the Minion Quest side game, this might be worth a pass, but it's amusing enough if you're going to pick up the game anyway. Either way, even after 15 years, I had a blast playing this game. I can't wait to get my hands on more Mario & Luigi titles, and hope they continue the series in the future.

Nintendo gave us a good example how remakes should be done. This new version of the beloved Game Boy Advance game reminded us why the first adventure on Mario & Luigi series was unforgettable for the fans.

Even in a year rife with excellent remakes, this stands out as one of the year's best. [Issue #30 – November/December 2017, p. 69]

A great remake for one of the most beloved Game Boy Advance games.

My time with Superstar Saga has been a joy – filled with hearty laughs and exciting boss encounters. Even though I can’t say whether it’s a remake worth revisiting to those who finished the original back on the GBA, I can say with confidence that those who missed it the first time around are in certainly in for a good time.

The original Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was a fantastic adventure, and this remake has not harmed it. You’ll find the same fun and challenging gameplay accompanied by the same witty dialogue that first appeared on the Game Boy Advance in 2003, but now everything looks and sounds much better. The new content, Bowser’s Minions, is not good enough to warrant a purchase by itself; however, since it’s completely optional, it’s also not a reason to stay away.

Much more than a simple remaster, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga brings all the freshness of the first episode of the series, imbued with a lot of new stuff that adds content without denaturalizing the DNA of the game. Well done, Nintendo.

As if one of the best titles of the GBA library wasn't enough, Nintendo and Alpha Dream have put a lot of effort in this new version of their classic, with a brand new (albeit short) campaign and a great job on the technical side: this is the way to introduce good old games to new audiences.

The years have been kind to Superstar Saga, giving us a remarkable remake.

A wonderful new vision of the Game Boy Advance classic. This game combines a great variety of genres inside a wonderful and fresh JRPG, updated with a correct new adventure that is not as fun as the main plot.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowsers Minions is a delightful return to one of the best Mario games ever made. The game looks colourful and pretty and is yet again very fun to play. One of the best 3DS games of 2017 has arrived.

Simply put, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is a fantastic RPG for the 3DS. For those who were not fortunate enough to experience Super Mario RPG or the original Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, this is a must-have. The gameplay is fun, the puzzles are simple yet interesting, and the combat reminds us older gamers of a time when turn-based combat was at its peak.

It's great to see Nintendo bringing new life to their classics, especially after such a long time since the original Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was released. The graphics are dramatically improved, the map is more accessible than ever, and everything that you loved from the original is still here along with some bells and whistles and a brand new untold story.

Remake of the older Marios RPG – still funny, full of possibilities and opponents. To this is added a separate war miniature game, which, however, next to Mario acts rather static. [Issue#279]

As a first timer to the Mario & Luigi RPGs, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions makes a great impression for the series. I couldn’t tell it was an old game, holding up well with today’s current handheld games, thanks to the enhancements stemming from its sequels. I found being constantly active in battles a change from a lot of mainstream RPGs I’ve played, and the ageless dialogue stands the test of time, due to how well written the adventure is – it truly delights with its humorous, friendly comedy that can generate some real laughter. Unlike Metroid: Samus Returns, I feel Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is more for newcomers to the series rather than existing fans. I’m sure some fans will enjoy the new side content or replaying a better looking Superstar Saga that they haven’t touched for a few years, but for people who have never experienced Superstar Saga, then I whole heartily recommend grabbing your 3DS and picking up this delightfully charming, creative role-playing game.

Fourteen years after it's original release, Mario & Luigi : Superstar Saga is still a great game that we can enjoy thanks to the updated graphics, and the clever touch interface. A very good turn-based RPG overall.

While the newly-included Minion Quest falls short of the mark, the core content of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions holds up surprisingly well, even after all these years.

Superstar Saga is the real meat of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, and it's nothing but approachable, engaging, real fun and the addition of the wearisome Bowser's Minions doesn't take away from it. There's nothing new in Superstar Saga itself, but what's there is worth it.

Even though Minion Quest falters, it's still an optional outing that doesn't detract from what's fundamentally an excellent adventure. Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga has aged astonishingly well, and the various improvements offered in this remake only serve to make an already great game even better. Whether you're a series veteran or visiting the Beanbean Kingdom for the very first time, there's no better way to experience this classic RPG.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions a weird game to review. It’s a safe and fine remake of a good game that didn’t really need a remake - although new features like fast-forward are still certainly appreciated. It adds a new mode that isn’t very interesting and doesn’t offer much. Superstar Saga is still a fun game and I enjoyed reliving a little nostalgia, but I can’t help but feel the whole thing was unnecessary.

A worthy remake of one of the (if not the) most memorable iterations of the entire franchise. Every facet of the original has transitioned smoothly onto the newer hardware, and while the “warts and all” mentality of the combat may strike some as tiresome, the updated visuals and a wondrous retelling of various arcs of beloved characters both good and bad makes this throwback one of the more engaging titles available for Nintendo 3DS owners.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Bowser's Minions is a nice little game for Nintendo 3DS. Bowser's Minions is a great inclusion. Although in the end-game it's gets a little boring and repetitive. Nintendo surely knows how to create happy and safe places in their games.

A surprisingly effort-filled remake of the first Mario & Luigi, which retains the same amusing script as before but revamps the graphics and presentation.

The operation, by itself, is mainly aimed at those who have never touched the original version for Advance.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is a mouthful, but this remastered classic is a keen reminder as to why the series has maintained such a high bar of RPG quality over the years. Its established formula and rhythmic pace make it a hard adventure to put down, even if some of its parts are more superfluous than substantial.

A great remake that ticks all the right boxes. Not only does the original game hold up incredibly well, but there are plenty of design and mechanical changes that make the game feel fresh. Bowser’s Minions is a great addition that complements the original game nicely. This is a great starting point for the Mario & Luigi series and is wholeheartedly recommended.

Bowser's Minions were not the reinforcements expected for Mario & Luigi, but such pugnacious tactical digression strengthens the hilarious narrative as well as the whole adventure, while the astonishing amount of content and gameplay improvements make this completely overhauled Superstar Saga even more shining.

A humorous new game mode and a major graphical overhaul offer treats to returning fans of the original game, though subsequent evolutions of the Mario RPG series leave Superstar Saga feeling slightly old-fashioned. With solid gameplay at its core and Bowser’s Minions to lighten the mood, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions provides a nostalgic, if not exceedingly memorable, visit to one of the best games of the Game Boy Advance era.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions remasters the original game but doesn't settle for that, adding a new Minion Quest mode and makes the original look slicker and more polished. This effort to bring the game to the current generation works like a charm, as the plot remains fun and welcome to dabble in and the game's variety makes it a very welcome addition to the Nintendo 3DS library.

While Superstar Saga may be a bit simplistic for more advanced players, its nostalgic appeal and overall fun is enough to justify its existence.

Ultimately, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions opens up a bit of a paradox. On one hand, Nintendo fans that have yet to play the game are bound to be younger and perhaps without the means to purchase as many new games. Therefore, although the 3DS version of the title is perhaps the best way to play the GBA classic, at $30 above Virtual Console price it may be worth considering the Wii U port. Those that don’t mind sinking their money into a remake should not be put off, however. Although Bowser’s Minions falls short of adding value to the package, Superstar Saga is still an excellent Mario RPG and one that holds up very well in today’s 3DS catalog.

Though lacking the difficulty, complexity, and ribbing humor of its successors, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is an aesthetically pleasing and fun enough remake of a beloved GBA title.

For many, tacking playable goons onto Superstar Saga won't be enough to revisit the world of Beanbean Kingdom mostly because the campaign is still the same uneven adventure it was before.

There's no strong reason to go back and play the original version of Mario and Luigi with this one around, and I had about as much fun now as I did in 2003. The interface amenities are certainly a nice touch, Bowser's Minions is a very respectable addition, and having a beefed-up role for the Koopalings as minions is something I personally delighted in experiencing. It's certainly not going to convert anyone who never cared for this style of game, but what's here is a fun romp.

A remake that leaves very little to wish for, even though the gameplay starts to feel a bit old by now. Still the best installment in the series.

Fans of the original will certainly adore the upgrades in controls, visuals and the addition of Bowser’s Minions, which adds some more gameplay to the package (though, honestly not as fulfilling as the main adventure). They will certainly want it and endure the shortfalls of the gameplay. If you’re new to the game, though, and a young gamer, the controls might be too frustrating to enjoy. I had a helluva time with the controls and could not really get on track with the gameplay because of it. And I’m a seasoned gamer. Anyway, for young gamers there are probably better options out there to start your 3DS adventures on before you hit a challenging game like this.

Superstar Saga is still a great adventure on the 3DS. It’s not in the range of Metroid: Samus Returns in terms of recreating a classic from the ground up, but it may be enough to satisfy fans of the series that may have been turned off by recent, weaker efforts such as Dream Team and Paper Jam.

One of the most important Mario RPG games that was a hit for the GBA console makes a comeback that suits Nintendo 3DS better and gives the younger audience a chance to experience a great adventure. However, older gamers will not really find a good reason to return, as the script and the mechanics are the same as the previous game and Bowser’s mission will easily become a repetitive addition.