Brilliant Fusion of Platforming, Comedy, and Role-Playing

While the Game Boy Advance is continually a receptacle for ports of Nintendo’s SNES games, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is a breath of fresh air for the GBA’s library. Developed by Alpha Dream, this title is an incredibly light-hearted and enormously entertaining Action/RPG that delivers not only great action, but tons of laughs.

The story begins as any good Mario game would: Bowser is going to kidnap Princess Peach. However, like many events that would follow, there is a slight twist: Princess Peach’s voice has been stolen and replaced with symbols that explode upon being uttered. Fearing for the safety of his castle, Bowser enlists the help of Mario (and Luigi) to travel to the neighboring BeanBean Kingdom and get Peach’s voice back. While the plot is not necessarily the most dramatic or harrowing tale, it is appropriate for Superstar Saga; light and amusing.

Superstar Saga is one of the funniest games I have played in quite a while and its goofiness is part of its charm. Mario and Luigi’s mannerisms in answering other characters’ questions are always worth a chuckle, if not an all-out laugh. Nearly all of the areas of BeanBean Kingdom are named in laugh-related ways (including Hoo Hoo Village and Joke’s End). Even the main villains maintain a comedic air, most notably the headgear-equipped Fawful. He alone is worth playing Superstar Saga, and I’m sure he will be seen in future releases (he regularly shouts “I HAVE FURY,” among other things).

The gameplay of Superstar Saga is the best of the Mario RPGs. Like any good Mario game, the gameplay is not only great, but has a nice variety. Not only will you run and jump, but swim, surf, and make coffee… yes, make coffee. The combat is also the best of the Mario RPGs Avoiding enemy attacks is based on your skill, as is using your special attacks. You’ll have to jump or use your hammer at the right time to avoid damage, and likewise you’ll have to input the right commands at the right time to do more damage to your foes. Superstar Saga’s gameplay is great and will keep you playing after the credits roll.

The sound of Superstar Saga is equally good. The music in all the different areas is appropriate, and many of the songs are rather catchy renditions of classic Mario tunes. The best part of the sound design is Mario and Luigi themselves: their reactions to nonsensical phrases are a hoot. The other effects are also quite good, considering the GBA’s speaker’s limitations.

Mario and Luigi is a pretty decent-looking game. The sprites are colorful and well animated. Mario and Luigi also have different amusing reactions that go well with their sound effects. The bosses are quite large and good looking as well; no blown up pixilated creatures with a different color palate here. While the game isn’t nearly as nice to look at as Metroid Zero Mission, its graphics are good and work well.

Controlling Mario and Luigi is generally simple; Mario uses the A button, Luigi uses the B button, and they each use one of the shoulder buttons. Movement in the BeanBean Kingdom is quite easy, and even takes on a traditional Mario-game style viewpoint at certain points in the game. The combat controls take a bit of getting used to, as the A button controls only Mario and the B button controls only Luigi. However, after about an hour with the game the controls become second nature.

A wonderful surprise of a game, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is one of the funniest and most delightful games to be released in a long time. While not necessarily difficult or dramatic, it is a joy to play and is yet another excellent RPG for the GBA. The characters are memorable, the gameplay excellent, and Fawful must again be mentioned as one of the funniest characters Nintendo has ever created. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s a perfect “anytime” game: light, easy to play, and enormously entertaining.

Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 9/10
Controls: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 9.5/10
Overall: 9/10