Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

 DS
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 461 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 412 out of 461
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 461
  3. Negative: 22 out of 461
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  1. MichaelD
    Jan 9, 2011
    3
    I don't see what's so good about this game. If you want an addictive game for the DS, I would suggest either New Super Mario Bros. or Mario Kart DS.
  2. TheCodeIsRed
    Mar 31, 2014
    2
    I love the Paper Mario series thus my reasoning to buy this. I first found it to be fun and new. But as the "mini games" started to pile up and I started to get into the ridiculously boring "monster" battles. So to take a break from the hundreds of boss battles, I went off exploring. But that was boring too. I found myself moaning and groaning as I moved on. By the time I got to the giantI love the Paper Mario series thus my reasoning to buy this. I first found it to be fun and new. But as the "mini games" started to pile up and I started to get into the ridiculously boring "monster" battles. So to take a break from the hundreds of boss battles, I went off exploring. But that was boring too. I found myself moaning and groaning as I moved on. By the time I got to the giant robot fight I was done. Too mentally burnt out to play. I was just that sick of the Mario Bros doing mini games in Bowser and Bowser taking part in horribly boring battles. I just didn't care to beat the boss and move on to even more redundant battles and bloody mini games. Just not my cup of tea.… Expand
  3. jake17
    Nov 9, 2020
    0
    It's a great game that go's on far too long. I enjoyed my time with it but within 8 hours I was losing it for a 20 hour game which made me start to lose interest.
  4. nahobino5_
    Jun 26, 2021
    3
    I found playing this to be incredibly stressful and not rewarding. The characters and graphics are the most charming part.
  5. Webosxdxdxddd
    Aug 30, 2023
    0
    This game is just not worth playing. They overstuffed everything and it feels so bloated. The minigames were painful, the giant battles were mediocre, the soundtrack is just OK, and the humor is very dry. If you want to play an RPG title on a DS, try Partners in Time, because this one... No, just no.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best DS Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 58
  3. Negative: 0 out of 58
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    90
    Fans who loved the first two games shouldn't hesitate in picking up Bowser's Inside Story. It features everything that makes the series enjoyable and adds onto it everything but the kitchen sink. Despite a few minor flaws, it's a game that features an ingenious game design synonymous with Nintendo games and is easily one of the best DS games of the year.
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  2. Worth Playing
    96
    The bottom line on Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is that it's one of those games that every DS owner should buy, period. Regardless of your feelings about RPGs, the title is just so entertaining and well-executed that you're nearly guaranteed to love it.
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  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    92
    The freshest, most vital RPG on the DS for ages. You'd be daft to pass it up. [Nov 2009, p.76]
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