"An outstanding Mario RPG"

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time is a Mario RPG that was released for the DS towards the end of 2005. This game is the sequel to the popular GBA RPG, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. While it was very similar to SS, Partners in Time strayed away from some aspects of SS and made it its own unique game. I see that this game gets a lot of criticism and is considered the worst Mario RPG, but I think that people don't realize the true quality of this game. This was one of my favorite Mario RPGS, so this review is my tribute to it.

Story
Deep in the universe, a lonely planet filled with aliens is searching for a new place to live. After looking for a suitable home, the Shroobs home in on the planet known as the Mushroom Kingdom. At the same time, Professor E. Gadd has finished his time machine, and Princess Peach ventures into the past to see the Mushroom Kingdom in older times. However, when the time machine returns, Princess Peach is missing, and the power source is destroyed as well. Mario and Luigi must venture into the Mushroom Kingdom's past and look for the shards of the Cobalt Star. This is quite an amazing story, and it is well written and very well thought out. Yeah, Princess Peach is missing again, but the use of the past and present Mushroom Kingdoms adds an exciting twist.

9/10

Controls
Controlling the characters in this game is quite simple and really not at all hard. The control pad moves the characters, A is Mario's action command, B is Luigi's action command, X is Baby Mario's action command, and Y is Baby Luigi's action command. There are also advanced controls such as different tools and abilities for the adults and babies. They are very well explained in the game, and it is quite easy to pick up on. The stylist is barely used, and I think it is only used at one point in the game when it tells you to. So, that's the basic outline of the controls. They are smooth, easy, and fluently progress you through the game at the lightest touch.

9/10

Graphics
This game as some amazing graphics. The DS's newer technology enhances the layout and makes it beautiful to look at. The top screen of the DS is your area screen, and the bottom touchscreen is the map of the area. Both screens are done beautifully in the graphics department, and they really make the game worth wile. The areas are appropriately done to match the mood of the levels as well. The Mario games have always produced wonderful graphics.

9/10

Music
There were some pretty good music choices in this game. Each area had a different toon, and some of the tunes from classic Marios were thrown in as well. I love it when a game combines old tunes and new tunes. That just shows that the tradition is still alive and running well. The music isn't really memorable to the point where you'll find yourself humming the tunes, but it is still good to listen to.

8/10

Content
And now, we get to the content of this Mario RPG. This game is filled with puzzles, areas to explore, and enemies to destroy. You have your typical RPG style battles where you go to a stage mode and gain experience from fighting enemies. You also level up and increase your stats as well. The game is pretty much set in the past of the Mushroom Kingdom. You will occasional return to the present time period to speak to E. Gadd or complete an objective. However, you will mainly be in the past. Your objective is to obtain all the shards of the Cobalt Star and to defeat the Shroobs. However, a game twist and 15-20 hours of gameplay is certainly worth it.

9/10

Fun Factor
This game is very fun. There are some aggravating points such as battles that could make you die and lose your progress a little bit. The only real aggravating thing about this game is doing parts over and over again if you fall in battle. You are returned to the last save point, which means you will most likely lose progress sometimes. Other than that, this game is a blast.

9/10

Replay Value
This game doesn't take very long to beat, so you may want to play through it again. There really is nothing to collect or nothing like that, so that downs the replay value a bit. However, you will most likely play through this game again at least once.

7/10

Rent or Buy?
You should definitely purchase this game to add to your Mario RPG collection. The story may be slow at times, but this game is fantastic overall and should be thoroughly enjoyed. Don't buy this game if you don't have the patience to die a couple of times and repeat stuff. It's an RPG after all. You have to think for yourself how to play through battles and progress through the game.

Overall
This game is receiving an 8.5 or a 9 rounded up for this system. Partners in Time is a grand old RPG, but it does have its flaws. Still, you will not be disappointed by this one.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/16/08

Game Release: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (US, 11/28/05)