Review

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Common Sense Media says

Funny, wildly imaginative romp with cartoony combat.
Age
8
Quality
 

  • The game has a positive message about working as a team and helping others in need - even when you don't personally like them.
  • Some of the characters, notably Bowser, are rude, sneaky, and impatient; but the game does a good job of showing that this behavior is a liability. Many of the characters are invested in supporting each other, albeit through fighting enemies.
  • Even for those unaccustomed to RPG games, the play is simple, with lots of tutorial advice. Some of the action-based play uses timing, but it should be easy for players familiar with Mario-style platforming games.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this newest Mario role-playing game features a complex, fantastical narrative that may frighten (or simply baffle) very young players. And with battles at the heart of the gamplay, characters do inflict pain on each other. But for kids old enough to read, this is a charming story with brilliantly designed and executed gameplay, set in the colorful and familiar Mushroom Kingdom.


This review of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story was written by
Age
6
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

Kid, 11 years old
July 26, 2011
 
belly of the beast
Funniest game on ds! Fawful,starlow,bowser,mario,luigi and the toads are so funny and help add the atmosphre to one of the best ds games ever

Teen, 14 years old
July 15, 2010
 
Mario & Luigi : Bowser's Inside Story is one of the best RPG's available on the DS. There are are many humorous lines of dialogue throughout the game. Some younger players may find this game to be quite difficult though.

Teen, 15 years old
October 13, 2009
 
Fun and Intuitive
I really enjoyed, there was a lot of reading, which may not appeal to most gamers but I liked it. You can get it for free ezlockerzinvites.weebly* Pretty simple and shouldn't take much time.

Kid, 10 years old
July 22, 2010
 
Mario & Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story

Kid, 10 years old
July 22, 2010
 
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Adult
October 5, 2009
 
Finally, the sequel we wanted from the get-go!
This is what Partners in Time SHOULD have been, a sequel that's actually better than its predecessor. You will be amazed with how much you can do in this game. While Partners in Time was too short, this one can take well over 20 hours to beat. Also, while Partners in Time had you constantly reusing the same concepts outside of battle over and over again, only introducing one new feature in each area, this game introduces something new, even putting a unique spin on the old concepts, every 5-30 minutes. Also, it's not just one plot. What made Superstar Saga interesting was that there was more than one storyline going on. PIT kinda felt rushed as there were few plotholes and they just dove right into the "collect stars" storyline. Also, this game doesn't hand you the three stars. You actually have to work for them whereas PIT gave you the last 2 Cobalt Star Shards after making you deal with all kinds of torment getting the first 3. Also, the Bros Attacks: In PIT, Nintendo introduced this horrid idea called Bros Items. That meant after using a Bros Attack, you'd need to find another copy of it before you could use it again. Luckily, this game brought up the Bros Point system and even introduces more inventive Bros Attacks than PIT had. Sure, they'll never be as cool as the ones from SSS, but at least they did a better job with this one. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I've said enough. You really gotta play this game. This should have been game of the year, not Scribblenauts! It's the sequel we should have gotten from the start.

Teen, 13 years old
May 2, 2010
 
the game rocks
Fun game to play but the levels are pretty hard

Kid, 8 years old
October 4, 2009
 
peachy prencess in trouble
I love it very much I want to play it on the comepouter may I please play it.

Parent of 8 year old
December 23, 2010
 

Kid, 10 years old
April 18, 2011
 
Not that good
I sorta liked this game. It wasn't very good because it goes back to a certain point in the game which most of you would have probably beaten. I wouldn't get it. The only reason I have it is because my dad got it for me as my first DS game. Just don't buy it.

(Nintendo DS)
Mario comes through with a puzzler for everyone.
(Nintendo DS)
New Super Mario will woo old and new fans.
(Nintendo Wii)
Engrossing and action-packed; so much fun for 8+.
(Nintendo Wii)

Fantastic outer space odyssey with coop play.