Daniel AgiusAfter a prolonged absence from Nintendo’s release schedule, the Mario & Luigi series finally makes its debut on the Nintendo Switch with a thrilling new adventure on the high seas.
Fans of charming RPGs starring Nintendo’s iconic mustachioed plumber have been enjoying a golden era of releases recently. It began with the stunning remake of the classic Super Mario RPG, followed by the highly-anticipated return of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, brilliantly retooled for a modern audience. Now, Mario & Luigi: Brothership has set sail on the Switch, offering an all-new RPG experience that stands out as a shining entry in what is, for many, the best subseries of the Mario RPG lineage.
This fresh instalment reimagines the classic formula with a vibrant, updated art style and a unique seafaring theme that breathes new life into the beloved series. Brothership preserves the series’ signature “rub your head, pat your belly” style of turn-based gameplay, where timing and coordination are key, while introducing polished mechanics and innovative features tailored for Nintendo’s hybrid console. It’s a triumphant return that blends nostalgia with modern flair, charting an exciting course for the franchise’s future.
Let’s start with the obvious: Mario & Luigi: Brothership is absolutely stunning. While it takes a noticeable departure from the pixelated charm of Superstar Saga and Partners in Time and the more polished 3D aesthetic of later entries, this latest installment is a visual triumph, standing as the best the series has ever looked. Compared to the somewhat constrained visuals of the recent Nintendo 3DS remakes, Brothership feels like a breath of fresh air, taking full advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s more powerful hardware.
The last outings of Mario and Luigi felt tethered by the limitations of portable consoles, but here, their seafaring escapades come alive in a beautifully rendered, delightfully vibrant world. The game embraces a subtle cel-shaded art style that perfectly complements its playful tone, making every scene a feast for the eyes. This visual splendor is further enhanced by the journey itself, which sees the brothers exploring a series of uniquely themed islands. One moment, you might be rolling across golden dunes under an endless sun, and the next, leaping through a lush forest soaked in perpetual rain.
Each environment is brimming with personality and detail, creating a dynamic world that’s as enjoyable to look at as it is to play in. Mario & Luigi: Brothership is not just a game; it’s a colorful, nautical adventure that truly sets sail on the Nintendo Switch in style.
This high-seas adventure sets itself apart by entirely leaving behind the familiar Mushroom Kingdom and plunging into the brand-new, never-before-seen world of Concordia. Unlike previous settings explored by the brothers, Concordia is an archipelago of distinct islands, each with its own challenges and mysteries. Mario and Luigi must visit every one of these islands, working to reconnect them to the Great Lighthouses and restore power to the world. While the story may not deliver many jaw-dropping twists, the novel structure ensures that exploring, solving puzzles, and engaging in the series’ signature timing-driven, turn-based battles remain consistently engaging.
As always, Mario and Luigi shine as a dynamic duo, with Mario controlled using the A button and Luigi mapped to the B button. This intuitive system reinforces their bond, both in combat and during exploration. The game goes a step further with the introduction of “Bros. Moves”, which allow the brothers to team up in more creative and literal ways. Classic “Bros. Attacks” return, enabling powerful team-based abilities during battles, but the real innovation comes in the form of new navigation mechanics.
While Luigi still dutifully trails behind Mario for much of the journey, these new moves let the brothers combine their abilities in unique ways. For instance, they can spin into a hovering UFO shape to cross large gaps or transform into a rolling ball to navigate tight spaces or avoid environmental hazards like quicksand. Adding even more variety is Luigi’s new “Luigi Logic” mechanic, which allows him to act independently for specific tasks, further differentiating this adventure from past entries.
Together, these gameplay features bring a fresh flavor to Brothership, making it feel distinct from any other installment in the Mario & Luigi series. The bond between the brothers is more than just a narrative element—it’s woven deeply into the gameplay, creating an experience that feels as charming as it is innovative.
The battles in Mario & Luigi: Brothership remain as engaging as ever, thanks to the signature timing-based button inputs that demand constant attention—a refreshing contrast to the more passive systems found in many modern turn-based RPGs. Successfully landing a jump attack, for example, is far more than simply selecting the option from a menu. It requires precise timing with the A or B button to ensure both Mario and Luigi are pulling their weight, maximizing damage output, and achieving top ratings. This active involvement keeps every encounter fresh and rewarding, blending strategy with player skill in a way that feels uniquely satisfying.
The game doesn’t stop there, though. As you progress, the battles grow even more dynamic with the introduction of inventive Bros. Attacks that put your timing skills to the ultimate test. These cooperative moves are both visually impressive and strategically rewarding, encouraging you to think creatively about how to approach each skirmish. Adding even more depth is the brand-new Battle Plug system, which fundamentally changes how you strategise in combat.
Battle Plugs are innovative attack modifiers that enhance Mario and Luigi’s abilities with a variety of offensive and defensive perks. For instance, the Kaboom Attack causes splash damage, hitting enemies adjacent to your primary target, while the Auto Mushroom plug provides automatic healing during battle without sacrificing your turn. These mechanics aren’t just a clever addition—they’re a game-changer, offering players the chance to customise their approach based on their play style or the specific enemies they’re facing.
What makes Battle Plugs particularly brilliant is their limited charge system, which prevents you from relying too heavily on any single modifier. This design choice forces you to experiment, adapt, and rotate between different plugs, ensuring no two battles feel the same. The combination of creative Bros. Attacks and the strategic flexibility of Battle Plugs elevates the combat system to new heights, making every encounter in Brothership a thrilling, ever-evolving challenge.
The islands of Mario & Luigi: Brothership bring a delightful freshness to the series, each offering a unique problem for Mario and Luigi to tackle within wildly different and imaginative contexts. These islands are compact and packed with variety, seamlessly blending logic puzzles, intriguing mysteries, and quirky tasks that often involve lending a hand to the people of Concordia. From investigating an underground dungeon to unravel an egg-related conspiracy to helping a retired dance champion rediscover their rhythm by tracking down the perfect pair of shoes, each island delivers a self-contained adventure that feels rewarding and distinctive.
The island-hopping structure quickly became a standout feature for me, providing a steady stream of new challenges and settings to explore. Better yet, once an island is reconnected to the Great Lighthouses, side missions and collectibles become available, adding layers of replayability and ensuring there’s always a reason to return. These optional objectives, alongside opportunities to level up and hone each brother’s unique skills, make revisiting islands as engaging as the first visit.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a charming reinvention of the beloved RPG series, one that had been adrift for far too long. Nintendo has breathed new life into the franchise with fresh gameplay mechanics like Bros. Moves and Battle Plug modifiers, ensuring the turn-based combat remains engaging and dynamic. At the same time, the nautical theme and island-based structure create a vibrant and exciting way to explore diverse environments, each brimming with micro-stories, puzzles, and mysteries.
While the overarching narrative plays it relatively safe, the game’s charm lies in the details and its execution. After spending over 20 hours aboard the hub vessel, Shipshape, and sailing through this enchanting world, it’s clear that Mario & Luigi has made the leap to HD home consoles seamlessly. This is a bold and confident return for the series, blending nostalgia with fresh ideas to create an adventure that’s as heartwarming as it is innovative.
Ultimately, I had a fantastic time playing Mario & Luigi: Brothership. It’s hard to go wrong with such iconic characters and a tried-and-true formula, but this title does more than just stick to what works—it refines and enhances the experience in ways that feel fresh yet familiar. For fans of the series or those new to it, this high-seas adventure is a voyage well worth embarking on.
This review utilised a Nintendo Switch key provided by Nintendo and Mario and Luigi: Brothership is out now on Nintendo Switch.
#roundtablecoop
Chris Inglis
