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. kcs4
    Jan 7, 2011
    10
    Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is a great game for the DS. The fact that it is an RPG that allows to create Mario, Luigi, and Bowser the way you feel like it makes it amazing.
  2. AnthonyS
    Dec 15, 2009
    10
    This is a great RPG. I highly recommend it to fans of the series, newcomers alike and people who just like fun. Complete whit Mario & Luigi's fake Italian, a living French stereotype block, Navi who's in disguise as some star thing(lulz), only not as annoying, and many funny moments as well as being a blast to play, and I loved the touch screen controls. Best of all, YOU GET TO This is a great RPG. I highly recommend it to fans of the series, newcomers alike and people who just like fun. Complete whit Mario & Luigi's fake Italian, a living French stereotype block, Navi who's in disguise as some star thing(lulz), only not as annoying, and many funny moments as well as being a blast to play, and I loved the touch screen controls. Best of all, YOU GET TO PLAY AS EFFING BOWSER!!!… Expand
  3. SnoozerBear
    Dec 13, 2009
    9
    Review: Mario & Luigi: Bowser
  4. VincentD
    Oct 31, 2009
    8
    Overall, an amazing triumph in the Mario and Luigi series. The game has done an astounding job of keeping the series as fresh as possible without sacrificing quality. However, there are some things I have to harp on. The story is great at times, however I did not find it to be laugh out loud hilarious. It's very Sunday Morning Cartoon humor rather than funny, and often times, Overall, an amazing triumph in the Mario and Luigi series. The game has done an astounding job of keeping the series as fresh as possible without sacrificing quality. However, there are some things I have to harp on. The story is great at times, however I did not find it to be laugh out loud hilarious. It's very Sunday Morning Cartoon humor rather than funny, and often times, you're mood while playing effects how much you enjoy the actually story. Also I did find that the game was being pretty ridiculous at times for the purpose of adding length to the game. *Spoiler Alert Waiting an hour to let Bower's back heal was pointless and awkwardly placed towards the later end of the game. As for gameplay, the game achieves perfection. The special attacks in this game are ridiculously awesome to both execute and perform. I personally love the art and graphics in this game and appreciated all the little touches in the character and enemy animation. It's definitely a keeper and one of the best DS games of this year and one of the best RPGs.… Expand
  5. Ssseth
    Oct 22, 2009
    8
    Rock solid Mario RPG'ing. The game had a little bit of a been here, done that feeling but that didn't make it any less fun. Hopefully they introduce some new game play elements in the next Mario RPG.
  6. WillC
    Oct 22, 2009
    9
    Easily the most intentive Mario RPG since Paper Mario 2. The writing is witty and sharp. The graphics are charming. The combat is fun. The music is memorable and while its not reinventing the Mario & Luigi formula its still great fun.
  7. JamieJ.
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Wow. I'm a first-timer to RPG's like this, but... wow. Best DS game of the year? I think so. It's a real shame then that not many people are taking much notice of it and passing it on as shovelware. =(
  8. FrankR
    Oct 11, 2009
    10
    An almost perfect game in my opinion. The only bad thing is the pollen minigame.
  9. DanialC
    Oct 7, 2009
    10
    A great, funny, and entertaining game. The specials feel awesome to pull off and each boss battle is a real treat.
  10. totlmstr
    Oct 6, 2009
    9
    I just finished this game a few days ago, and this is such a hilarious game. The first two hours and the final three hours (with some odd stuff in between) are by far the best moments in the game. Luigi just makes incredible amounts of nonsense (for example, he slaps himself to get out of a dizzy state), and his actions alone just ramps it up to ten. However, almost everything in between I just finished this game a few days ago, and this is such a hilarious game. The first two hours and the final three hours (with some odd stuff in between) are by far the best moments in the game. Luigi just makes incredible amounts of nonsense (for example, he slaps himself to get out of a dizzy state), and his actions alone just ramps it up to ten. However, almost everything in between the intro and end is usually in this order: go someplace, solve puzzles (sometimes a bit literally), fight a boss who normally gets a funny intro, and press forward. In a nutshell, that's pretty much it to the game. Be prepared to get a bit bored. On the other hand, there's the minigames that are spot on on using both screens or normally using just one. Each minigame has simple controls and very fun gameplay. For example, in order to get Bowser alive for a giant boss fight, you need to shoot energy balls that come in two colors. It may seem a bit overused, but it's perfect for the situation.… Expand
  11. TimO
    Sep 27, 2009
    10
    The first Mario and Luigi RPG absolutely amazed me. After playing the 2nd, I was a bit disappointed, even though it was very good. After hearing about the release of a 3rd Mario and Luigi RPG I expected it to not live up to its predecessors, but I was wrong. Bowser's Inside Story may be the best game ever made for the Nintendo DS. A suberb and at times hilarious plot, exciting and The first Mario and Luigi RPG absolutely amazed me. After playing the 2nd, I was a bit disappointed, even though it was very good. After hearing about the release of a 3rd Mario and Luigi RPG I expected it to not live up to its predecessors, but I was wrong. Bowser's Inside Story may be the best game ever made for the Nintendo DS. A suberb and at times hilarious plot, exciting and intuitive battles, and fun puzzles that require you to utilize the abilities of all three charactors make Bowser's Inside Story soar over the first two Mario and Luigi RPGs and any other Nintendo game I have ever played.… Expand
  12. ShawnP
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    This game is easily the best Mario RPG ever. Luigi is really funny, and so are Mario and Bowser surprisingly. Special moves are more like minigames and actually force you to do something so they are more powerful. Fighting as all 3 is really fun. The story is different from the usual save Peach story. Normal battles are never to easy or to hard. You never nail avoiding enemy moves all the This game is easily the best Mario RPG ever. Luigi is really funny, and so are Mario and Bowser surprisingly. Special moves are more like minigames and actually force you to do something so they are more powerful. Fighting as all 3 is really fun. The story is different from the usual save Peach story. Normal battles are never to easy or to hard. You never nail avoiding enemy moves all the time, which adds more challenge. Badges can actually help you in tough situations. If it wasnt for the unbalanced boss battles this game would be near perfect.… Expand
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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

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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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