Summary
Mario & Luigi: Brothershipis looking like an exciting new entry to theMario & Luigiseries, but in a larger sense, it also seems like the clearest indication yet thatMariogames as a whole are headed back in the right direction. Mario is an iconic gaming mascot for a reason, and even the less exciting games that bear his name tend to be generally fun. Not all of his potential is always tapped, however, and it’s disappointing whenever theMariofranchise settles for simply being entertaining.
Revealed at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct,Mario & Luigi: Brothershipis the first entirely new game in theMario & Luigiseries since 2015’sPaper MariocrossoverPaper Jam.The title of the new entry is more than just a goofy way of saying brotherhood, as sailing across the seas in an island-like ship is central to the new adventure. It’s the first time that aMario & Luigigame has come to a home console of any sort, following the lead of franchises likePokémonin embracing the hybrid status of the Switch.
10 Nintendo DS Games That Should Come To Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch Online library could definitely benefit from the addition of some Nintendo DS games, and some would be especially compelling.
Mario RPGs Might Finally Be Able To Thrive Again
Mario & Luigi: Brothership Could Be The Dawn Of A New Era
A key tenet of theMario & Luigiseries is that they’re always role-playing games, running alongside thePaper Marioseries as naturalsuccessors to the originalSuper Mario RPG. Although the more story-focused side ofMariogames has never received quite the same mainstream attention as his platforming and karting outings, theMario & Luigigames have always received consistently strong reviews and cultivated a passionate fanbase. A fun combat system that puts an emphasis on timing and narratives that embrace both humor and heart make the experiences compelling, even if the action isn’t quite as fast-paced.
Nintendo, however, hasn’t always showeredMarioRPGs with love, and the 2010s especially didn’t necessarily feel like the best time to be a fan ofMario & LuigiorPaper Mario.While entries on the 3DS and Wii U continued to review well, they tended to feel less ambitious in their RPG elements, from narrative complexity to gameplay innovations. There’s been little information and a lot of speculation about the internal rules surrounding new creations, but whatever the situation is, the streak of brilliance that once broughtMarioRPGs into the limelight has definitely diminished.
The Thousand-Year Door Has Two Things That Need To Be In The Next Paper Mario
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has many aspects that the next true sequel needs to follow, with two in particular that shouldn’t be ignored.
GettingMario & Luigiremakes on the 3DS was a nice way to experiencesome of the bestMarioadventuresagain, even if it wasn’t as exciting as new games that matched their heights might have been. In the remake realm, however, things started to get particularly interesting with the Switch remakes ofSuper Mario RPGandPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Both games are often upheld as particular peaks forMarioRPGs, andNintendo putting significant effort into loyal remakes wasn’t exactly something that most fans expected.
WithMario & Luigi: Brothership, it feels like real progress in that realm might actually be happening again. Althoughit’s too early to tell ifBrothershipwill earn a place as one of the best games in theMario & Luigiseries, it does seem genuinely ambitious in a way that’s encouraging. The focus looks like it’s on Mario and Luigi once more (a trend toward heavy emphasis on supporting characters was a common cause for complaint in recentMario & Luigigames), and a new visual style feels fresh thanks to the Switch’s increased hardware allowances.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Showed Nintendo’s Creativity
2D Mario Platformers Moved Away From A Period Of Stagnation
The feeling of progress finally coming forMariogames isn’t restricted to only the RPGs, and the 2023 release ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonderalso offered something genuinely new. 2DMarioplatformers spent a long time stuck in theNew Super Mario Bros.mode, which was consistently fun but frustratingly uninspired. While the firstNSMBgame on DS felt like a breath of fresh air in the mid-2000s, by the time the 3DS entry limped into the picture with a weak coin collection gimmick and mediocre levels, it seemed obvious that the formula had played its course.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review: “Mario’s Most Magical Adventure”
Super Mario Bros. Wonder releases on Nintendo Switch this month, and for players young and old it’s nothing but a delightful experience.
Super Mario Wonder, on the other hand, is willing to be weird, with all kinds of strange effects, fascinating enemies, and clever gameplay shakeups to make it stand out. Nintendo is at its best when it’s willing to take risks, andSuper Mario Wonderproved that the company can still experiment with its most beloved franchise. It’s a sign that bodes well for whatMario & Luigi: Brothershipmight be allowed to try, and even something that doesn’t quite stick the landing could be memorable if it takes enough risks.
There’s Still A Lot That’s Unknown About Mario’s Future
It’s Easy To Be Hopeful Even Without Answers
It’s important to note thatNintendo hasn’t yet clarified what team is behindMario & Luigi: Brothership, which could be coming from several different sources under the publisher’s umbrella. AlphaDream, the studio traditionally known for theMario & Luigigames, unfortunately declared bankruptcy and closed its doors in 2019. That financial struggle is all the more reason why Nintendo putting the series back into action is surprising, but the enormous success of the Switch could definitely help attract more attention to this entry.
A couple of possible candidates for the studio behindMario & Luigi: Brothershipare Next Level Games and Camelot Software, both studios withMarioexperience that haven’t released a new game in two or three years.
A successor to the Nintendo Switch is expected to launch sometime in 2025, and it could also bring some exciting newMariotitles with it. Even if something like a potentialSuper Mario Odyssey 2could attract more attention and acclaim, however, the fact that a game likeMario & Luigi: Brothershipis coming out at all might be the best proof that theMariogames are alive and kicking. WithSuper Mario RPGandPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doorhaving both returned in the past year, getting a third, completely newMarioRPG is a fantastic cherry on top.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Mario and Luigi embark on a seafaring adventure across the island-filled world of Concordia, navigating treacherous landscapes and battling enemies using their signature Bros. Moves and powerful Bros. Attacks. With the help of new allies and familiar faces like Princess Peach and Bowser, the brothers must keep their ship, Shipshape Island, afloat while solving puzzles and confronting new foes.
