Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

 3DS
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 148 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 115 out of 148
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 148
  3. Negative: 11 out of 148
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  1. AsrielDreemur
    Nov 5, 2017
    8
    It's a pretty good remake of the original gba superstar saga. For those who had played the original gba version, the game mechanics might not seems familiar as before because they had updated or change some of the minor game mechanics. Overall, it's still the same game that we all love and remembered.

    For players who hasn't play the original game, you should definitely give this a try.    It's a pretty good remake of the original gba superstar saga. For those who had played the original gba version, the game mechanics might not seems familiar as before because they had updated or change some of the minor game mechanics. Overall, it's still the same game that we all love and remembered.

    For players who hasn't play the original game, you should definitely give this a try. It have a really good story, the graphic is is upgraded which looks great and fun game mechanics.    … Expand
  2. SuperMatt777
    Oct 16, 2017
    9
    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga back on the Gameboy Advance was an amazing game and the start of an amazing series. Featuring a charming cast of characters and a well thought out plot, the game was pretty stellar for it's time. However, it was plagued by messy overworld controls that sometimes came off as confusing and frustrating. Now, fourteen years later, the superstars return to theMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga back on the Gameboy Advance was an amazing game and the start of an amazing series. Featuring a charming cast of characters and a well thought out plot, the game was pretty stellar for it's time. However, it was plagued by messy overworld controls that sometimes came off as confusing and frustrating. Now, fourteen years later, the superstars return to the saga's start with updated visuals and, best of all, updated controls. So how does this remake stack to the original?

    Well the answer to that question is a matter of opinion, but to me, the remake was simply amazing. The updated visuals were one of the key things I loved about the game, taking Dream Team's sprite work and giving it a slight upgrade. While the sprites themselves are simply reused, the sprites are now affected by the lighting of the world around them, making them look much more visually appealing. Simply put, the game looked gorgeous. Some people say that the use of Dream Team's art style takes away from the original game. I personally disagree and think the game retains just as much charm as the original did.

    However, the one thing that I have to give the most credit to was the controls. Fixing the problem the original had, swapping through Mario and Luigi's large amount of individual abilities was made much easier in this game compared to the original. Each action has it's own icon and selecting the action is as simple as pressing the L or R buttons. Cycling through them may take a bit of time, but it's much better than swapping the brother's positions, then cycling through their individual abilities from there. On top of that, the game features the gameplay additions seen in later titles, such as two jumps on enemies when using the jump command and the fact that Mario and Luigi don't drop their hammers when counterattacking. And with these easier additions, enemies do gain a bit of a stat boost to even it out, so it doesn't make the game feel any easier or harder than the original.

    I do have one problem with this game. While I respect the fact that the game's main content remained unchanged, it was the lack of any true additions (outside of the Minion Quest, which I'll cover in a second), that surprised me. The biggest surprise was the fact that they didn't add a Battle Ring esque area featured in Bowser's Inside Story, Dream Team and Paper Jam. It was something I would've loved to look forward to and would've been an easy and fitting addition. However, nothing of the such was added and that's pretty much my only disappointment.

    Now, onto the Minion Quest, the game's new mode. A story that takes place during Mario and Luigi's own adventure, this story is about Bowser's scattered minions and their search for their missing king. The story stars a enthusiastic, yet bumbling Goomba who is more than eager to find King Bowser. He is aided by three more captains; a Shy Guy, a Boo and a Koopa Troopa. Their overall goal is to recruit Bowser's brainwashed minions and save Bowser himself. The overall story is essentially what pushes me to play this mode. The gameplay itself is nothing too spectacular. Players create a team of 8 minions to fight against hoards of other enemies. There are three types of minions; melee units, ranged units and flying units and each play a part of a rock-paper-scissors styled triangle. Melee units are strong against ranged units, ranged against flying and flying against melee. Setting up a proper squad to best counter the enemy units is where the strategy comes in. Once in a battle, however, the player does very little to control the action. Captain Commands can influence the battle and give you a boost in various areas, but that's about it. Still, despite the little player interaction, the mode isn't that bad and I appreciate it for the story and wide cast of characters you can recruit.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is indeed a faithful retelling of the original GBA masterpiece. While I'm disappointed in the lack of additional content, both the main story and the Minion Quest are enough to keep me satisfied. It's a solid remake that proves that Alpha Dream still has it when it comes to making us laugh with their charming cast of characters.    … Expand
  3. TheNCSmaster
    Oct 7, 2017
    9
    While I still think that Bowser's Inside Story is the better game I can't deny that this game is an incredibly close second. This remake brings all the life and charm from the original and cranks it up to 11, with it's beautiful graphics and fun battle system. I cannot recommend this game enough to anyone who is a fan of the original version or never got a chance to play it. There will beWhile I still think that Bowser's Inside Story is the better game I can't deny that this game is an incredibly close second. This remake brings all the life and charm from the original and cranks it up to 11, with it's beautiful graphics and fun battle system. I cannot recommend this game enough to anyone who is a fan of the original version or never got a chance to play it. There will be people out there who complain about this game being the reason we aren't getting a new Paper Mario (even though that argument makes no sense), but don't let those bad eggs deter you from this wonderful addition to the 3DS library.… Expand
  4. dbzgt
    Nov 10, 2017
    10
    Short and to the point. Flawless game, as good as the original. Superb characters you'll love, great lore in the new Beanbean Kingdom, fun gameplay, and deep storyline! A true Nintendo gem. Well done.
  5. 1x1ismath
    Apr 8, 2018
    10
    Best Game! This game is outstanding because of the quality and story. It is exciting to level up and collect items. So much to do in this game. However, one problem, once I complete the game I end up in the last save spot.
  6. ArcyTA88
    Oct 28, 2017
    8
    For players who have played the first Superstar Saga may not live up to memory for this game's mechanics due to these "improvements" for both battle and over-world.

    But for Bowser's Minions bring an expansion to unanswered questions during Superstar Saga. The mechanics give more than an RPG to enjoy with the least rage-quits and full amusement for the battle style, also giving the Mario    For players who have played the first Superstar Saga may not live up to memory for this game's mechanics due to these "improvements" for both battle and over-world.

    But for Bowser's Minions bring an expansion to unanswered questions during Superstar Saga. The mechanics give more than an RPG to enjoy with the least rage-quits and full amusement for the battle style, also giving the Mario series the first Pokemon-style battles.    … Expand
  7. EpicLadySponge
    Oct 6, 2017
    8
    Following as a successor to Dream Team and Paper Jam and functions as the first remake in the Mario RPG series, Nintendo attempts to take everything that was very lovable about Superstar Saga by forming it into more than just the original game for modern consoles. Now with graphics and gameplay blending in as its two latest predecessors and a side story to complete, Mario & Luigi:Following as a successor to Dream Team and Paper Jam and functions as the first remake in the Mario RPG series, Nintendo attempts to take everything that was very lovable about Superstar Saga by forming it into more than just the original game for modern consoles. Now with graphics and gameplay blending in as its two latest predecessors and a side story to complete, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions will finally be a dream come true for a lot of users who never had the opportunity to play the straight original game for the Game Boy Advance.… Expand
  8. BaranIsCool
    Oct 6, 2017
    8
    Pretty decent remake. The game has been balanced better so battles are more difficult as a result, and the battle mechanics have been updated as well. There is also a good amount of quality of life improvements that make the game flow better and make exploration of the overworld more enjoyable as it's quicker to switch between bros. moves.New art style is very good also, I'm not a fan ofPretty decent remake. The game has been balanced better so battles are more difficult as a result, and the battle mechanics have been updated as well. There is also a good amount of quality of life improvements that make the game flow better and make exploration of the overworld more enjoyable as it's quicker to switch between bros. moves.New art style is very good also, I'm not a fan of some of certain redesigns (regular toads, koopas, etc) but everything aside from those is intact and look fantastic. Overall this remake is a bit better than the original due to these improvements. Note that I said a bit since everything else is pretty much exactly the same, from the writing, to the structure of the game, and any problem that existed because of this is still there. Another thing I should note is that outside of the new Minions Quest mode, there isn't any new content (not even the battle/challange rings from the previous three entries). If you've played the original then there's not much point in buying this remake (unless you don't own it anymore) as it's very much almost the same as the original. Though if you haven't ever played the original then I'd recommend this version due to the numerous improvements and QoL changes.… Expand
  9. MazinroboX2
    Oct 27, 2017
    9
    This is a great game. Superstar Saga was already an astonishing game on the GBA, and this is an amazing remake of it. I have beaten it 100%, and I really liked the updated graphics and the enhanced mechanics, like pinning some parts of the map, which allows to mark, for example, bean spots before you get the mole ability, so that you can return to all of them later, and many moreThis is a great game. Superstar Saga was already an astonishing game on the GBA, and this is an amazing remake of it. I have beaten it 100%, and I really liked the updated graphics and the enhanced mechanics, like pinning some parts of the map, which allows to mark, for example, bean spots before you get the mole ability, so that you can return to all of them later, and many more inaccessible places that get unlocked with new abilities. The game wasn't very hard for me, but that may be because I am very experienced with Mario & Luigi games, having beaten all of them. It's cool they added an easy mode for younger and new players, but it would have been great if they had added something optional to increase the difficulty a bit too.

    As for the Bowser's Minions quest, I have to say I really enjoyed it! All the text in it is hilarious, and it explains a few parts of the story that were unexplained during the main story of Superstar Saga, for instance, the invincibility mushroom's origin. The gameplay is quite simple but you have to do quite a few things during battles, which in my opinion are quite fun, although there is not much variety in terms of strategy, what works early in the quest will likely work too in future stages. The variety of your team, however, is quite cool, as you get to recruit more than fifty different kind of minions, which include the Koopalings, and a few special guests I won't mention!

    All in all, Superstar Saga is a superb RPG that feels modern in this 3DS version and the Bowser's Minions quest adds a few entertaining hours to the game, so I recommend this to any 3DS user, whether you played the GBA version of the game or not!    … Expand
  10. robertoiglesias
    Nov 10, 2019
    10
    A port of Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga was necessary imo. After all it was on the GBA. But what really makes this fantastic is the new Bowser’s Minions Story.
    This port was needed unlike 50% of Switch ports from the innocent Wii U
  11. Mario_Tierra
    Sep 25, 2019
    9
    Un maravilloso remake del que es mi juego favorito de Gameboy Advance. Mantiene toda la esencia y lo que más deslumbra es un apartado artístico precioso. Ya se veía bien el de Gameboy Advance, pero este lo hace aún más.
  12. SirAwesomeness5
    Jan 30, 2019
    9
    Having not played the original, I thought it was so nice, I played it twice! (really!) 9 out of 10.
  13. amphgodvgod
    Feb 24, 2019
    10
    Underrated game: Superstars is great and beloved sure but mroe people need to know this remake, which is that game, plus additions, a better look and the whole deal with the koopa minions adventures
  14. new2dsxl
    Sep 8, 2019
    9
    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    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.    … Expand
  15. ORHUN
    Feb 7, 2020
    10
    En iyi oyunlar listme giriş yapan bir oyun oyunun taşınılabilir bir konsolda olması onu heryerde oynayabileceğınız için iyi oluyor
    Farklı mekanlar zamanlar düşmanlar ise iyi yanlarından sadece bazıları 2 karakter olan mario ve luiginin farklı kostümlerle gezmeleri süper bulmacalar rekabetlerle süper bir single player bir oyun
  16. livelovelaugh22
    Apr 20, 2020
    9
    This game was a phenomenal remake to a phenomenal game. Period. M and L SS was the game that started it all. A fun yet clumsy storyline, with funny and sometimes dark characters, fun places to visit, and a fun battle system with unique attacks. Not to mention bosses, and a great soundtrack. Now imagine that, but with much better graphics, much smoother gameplay, and a whole new side gameThis game was a phenomenal remake to a phenomenal game. Period. M and L SS was the game that started it all. A fun yet clumsy storyline, with funny and sometimes dark characters, fun places to visit, and a fun battle system with unique attacks. Not to mention bosses, and a great soundtrack. Now imagine that, but with much better graphics, much smoother gameplay, and a whole new side game that is honestly great on its own. The only noticeable con is that the game can be way too easy. Other than that, one of the best Mario and Luigi games.… Expand
  17. Resetto
    Sep 8, 2021
    8
    This game is just a ton of fun. It may be easy, and some of the second half of the game can drag, but the game is just overall pleasing to play and pleasing to look at. This is in my opinion, the prettiest looking Mario and Luigi game.
  18. hector_bcn98
    Nov 4, 2022
    8
    Remake de un juego que ya era brillante en su original. Lavado audiovisual y poco más que añadir. Contenido adicional poco relevante.
  19. BeeSting1
    Jan 1, 2021
    9
    The perfect marriage of turn-based combat and QTEs.

    Good - I really like how the game does the tutorials. They do it and I really funny and amusing way, such that it didn't feel like a chore like most other games do. - the use of the a and b buttons was really clever. It felt so natural to control Mario and Luigi separately both while navigating the world and during battles. -    The perfect marriage of turn-based combat and QTEs.

    Good

    - I really like how the game does the tutorials. They do it and I really funny and amusing way, such that it didn't feel like a chore like most other games do.

    - the use of the a and b buttons was really clever. It felt so natural to control Mario and Luigi separately both while navigating the world and during battles.

    - Mario and Luigi games has the perfect balance between turn based command and real time action. I never fully enjoyed 100% turn based command games, because it just felt like a chess game. It got boring.

    - Mario and Luigi's Italian mumbling voices makes the cut scenes charming. Combined with the music and the funny little animations, and the art style just makes the whole package charming

    - the dialogue is great

    - the Mario RPG and the Mario & Luigi series are probably the only games that gives the world of super Mario context, a universe, and life to the IP.

    - the extra abilities like sucking in water, the different kinds of jumps, hammer all add so much variety to the gameplay. It's a perfect harmony of platforming action and wild encounter battles.

    - the puzzles built around the mini and dunk abilities are so well made. These abilities are so unique and fun to play with. I expect nothing less from Nintendo, the master innovators.

    - I like how the game doesn't tell you directly who the enemy is aiming for. Rather you have to figure it out based on what they say, or looking at the shadow the projectile casts on the ground. It really made me pay attention to the animations.

    - funny how they keep undermining Luigi

    - I like the anime archetype inspired characters like Prince peasely and the chuckola reserve old man.

    - I like how I can retry battles immediately. No unnecessary step retracing and no loading time wasted. Just straight back in the fight. More games need to do this.

    - the matching enemy in hoohoo hooniversity was cool

    - this is the only rpg where I actually enjoy wild encounters, cause the battles are so fun

    - save point right before bosses is great. As well as restarting at the start of battle after death, and small Mario puzzle deaths. Its great to get back right into it and master the timing instead of having to do unnecessary reloading and back tracking.

    - the retro side scroll small Mario is really cool

    - being able to practice executing supers is wonderful.

    - the map is layed out well. The white links prevent any cluttering. And the marker is useful.

    - the double blocks is a clever way using the separate character mechanic to solve puzzles

    Bad

    - the map is too simple. At times it appears I can cross to the other section on the map, but in actuality I'm blocked by something that's not shown on the map.

    - there's an over abundance of currency.

    - there needs to be location names on the map. Maybe an on off button wouldve helped.

    - the overworld map lacks way too much detail. When trying to navigate to a new area, it's difficult to tell exactly where I am. Perhaps they intended this. But still frustrating at times when it looks like an area connects but in reality it doesn't exactly. Misleading visually. - A lot of the enemy attacks intended for the player to react to a specific animation to see which bro the enemy attacks ends up being pointless because the game allows the player to hit X to make both jump at the same time, which allows both to dodge or counter the attack. If the game only allowed on to jump for these attacks, it would've made fixed the issue and forced the player to counter with the intended challenge. I felt more enemies should've had attacks that punished the player for using X to dodge or counter.    … Expand
  20. Icefang
    Mar 19, 2023
    10
    Remake of my favorite childhood game and no complaints whatsoever. Thank you for this masterpiece and I hope this company is magically revived.
  21. TSNintendogamer
    Apr 28, 2022
    10
    This game is great. I love how this game has an easy mode too but I remember getting the game when I was a kid to give it too a friend but I only got to play it alittle bit. However years year, I got the game in 2017 and beat it a couple years later due to losing the game. The game was mostly easy but the final boss was no joke. The puzzles were fun but easy too. There was one timeThis game is great. I love how this game has an easy mode too but I remember getting the game when I was a kid to give it too a friend but I only got to play it alittle bit. However years year, I got the game in 2017 and beat it a couple years later due to losing the game. The game was mostly easy but the final boss was no joke. The puzzles were fun but easy too. There was one time where I didn't know where to go because I didn't know where to upgrade the hammers and there should've been an indication for it. However other then that, the game is flawless and alittle short but then again it was a gba game. As for the story, I really like how funny fawful is. There's a reason he became a force to be reckoned with. The game can also get alittle dark with peach losing her voice. However I can't help but feel alittle bad for bowser because he is just a joke in the game. Lastly I love how the developers put in an extra game mode which completely changes genres. That section relied a bit on luck but it was really fun and I loved how it explored things from the enemies perspective. It was a fun game and it's too bad that alpha dream went bankrupt because the games weren't on switch. I felt like it was good enough on the 3ds.… Expand
  22. RVamp101
    May 14, 2023
    8
    Mario and Luigi: Superstar saga is a great way to start a series. I played the 3ds remake so i don't have the issues with how the games looks compared to it's original. But i liked my experience with the main story, have to lower it's score because of it's whack side mode "Bowser's Minions". Not fun, not original.
  23. DolphinReviews
    Jul 20, 2022
    8
    A fantastic RPG. The newly added Bowser's Minion is nothing great. Very forgettable and plays like a mobile game. The main game, however, is amazing. The game is filled with so much life and charm. Not many turn based RPG's find a way to make the gameplay fun, this one delivers.
  24. TheDuner13
    Aug 6, 2022
    8
    goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood
  25. FunkyPopMan
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is absolutely incredible. It reaches the same level of quality as the original smoothly. The game tries to make itself more understandable than the original but it doesn't really change a lot from the original. On top of that, you have health blocks as opposed to being healed completely and automatically after every boss fight. Now you can heal yourself completely without items in many areas. The game also has marker points and is now more useful when switching bros. Unfortunately Luigi cannot switch with Mario in the same way as the original, but the move sets are laid out more simply and you can access one by just a press of either shoulder button. This is faster than the original, and is even faster with the touch screen. It doesn't have those funny retro-sound effects but it definitely gets the job done with some stat changes and a new side-story that is pretty boring but at least there's something extra.… Expand
  26. JasonPrivy
    Feb 24, 2023
    8
    This is a very nostalgic game for many people sadly I wasn't able to be on the craze when it started but it is still a solid game would play again and recommend it
  27. DrRobotnik
    Mar 20, 2023
    10
    The absolute BEST JRPG of 2017!! Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is a perfect remake of the Game Boy Advance title that has completely redone visuals, a ton of quality of life features, new content in the form of Minion Quest and new secrets to be found. This game also allowed every Mario & Luigi game to be played on the Nintendo 3DS which makes being able to play all ofThe absolute BEST JRPG of 2017!! Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is a perfect remake of the Game Boy Advance title that has completely redone visuals, a ton of quality of life features, new content in the form of Minion Quest and new secrets to be found. This game also allowed every Mario & Luigi game to be played on the Nintendo 3DS which makes being able to play all of the games much easier unlike other RPG series, like Persona, which require you to own multiple consoles to play all the games. Pretty much, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is better than Persona 5… Expand
  28. Pilest
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    This series had been a part of my early childhood for quite a while so being able to play the first game after so long felt really good. It differentiates itself from other games in the series by its take on bros. attacks, world traversal moves, and its more comical style of humor. It’s fun, bowser’s minions sucks cock. 8/10

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best 3DS Game of 2017
7
#7 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. RPG Fan
    Jan 22, 2019
    85
    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.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    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]
  3. RPGamer
    Nov 29, 2017
    70
    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.
    Read full review
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