Summary
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga introduced a new strain of Super Mario Bros. RPGs with its vibrant presentation, snappy combat, and clever writing.
- Despite taking a backseat to other Mario RPG series, the original Game Boy Advance release of Superstar Saga can still be enjoyed on its anniversary thanks to Nintendo Switch Online.
- Superstar Saga's gameplay revolves around teamwork, with players controlling both Mario and Luigi simultaneously, requiring coordination in combat, puzzle-solving, and platforming.
On November 17, 2023, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga celebrates its twentieth anniversary. While it was neither the first nor second hit Mario RPG, the debut of Mario & Luigi is still noteworthy for introducing a third strain of Super Mario Bros. RPGs that endured until its developer, AlphaDream, went bankrupt in 2019. Quickly endearing itself to fans and critics with its vibrant presentation, snappy combat, and clever writing, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remains one of the strongest entries in Mario's RPG catalog.
Nowadays, Mario & Luigi has taken a backseat to the still-ongoing Paper Mario series and the revived Super Mario RPG, both of which are getting remakes like Superstar Saga’s own. The audio and visual changes in Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions on 3DS drew some fans’ ire, but the original Game Boy Advance release of Superstar Saga can still be enjoyed on its anniversary thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Even though Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door typically dominate Mario RPG discussions, new and old players alike still have plenty to gain by revisiting Mario's first handheld roleplaying adventure.
Mario & Luigi Brought Something New To Mario RPGs
The main premise of the Mario & Luigi series emerges just a few minutes in when Mario and Luigi form Superstar Saga's two-man party. From then on, the player simultaneously controls both Mario and Luigi with the A and B buttons. Attacking and defending in combat involves the Mario brothers working in tandem just as much as they would while solving puzzles or playing minigames. Even while navigating one plumber’s battle menu, the other can be made to jump just to reinforce the game's paired mindset.
Superstar Saga Got Mario & Luigi's Core Appeal Right
Once this concept is in play, every facet of gameplay revolves around it. Players expecting tight platforming will find this falls short of Mario's benchmark platformers, but they'll still need to make Mario and Luigi jump over hazards and field enemies in sync. Then, in battle, players must track telegraphed enemy attacks to defend with the right brother. Further teamwork comes through cooperative actions, which are just as good at accessing new areas Metroidvania-style as they are at demolishing foes. The theme of teamwork applies to the whole series, but the simpler Superstar Saga is where it gets undivided attention.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Provides A Timeless Experience
Besides its gameplay, Superstar Saga still has many qualities that hold up twenty years later. Its cartoonish sprite art is gorgeous, and became AlphaDream's signature even while working on other games, like a couple of odd action-adventure titles starring The Legend of Zelda's Tingle. A soundtrack by Street Fighter 2 and Kingdom Hearts series composer Yoko Shimomura, alongside a free multiplayer remake of the original Mario Bros. Arcade game, were cherries on top of such strong visuals. Enhanced by all the main characters’ voice clips, Superstar Saga is worth playing for its charm alone.
A Great Script Completes Superstar Saga's Package
After nailing its gameplay and presentation, Superstar Saga completes the set with equally strong writing. Like Super Mario RPG before it and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door a year later, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga goes beyond the typical Mario setting. Players toured across the Beanbean Kingdom, a place comparable to Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s new Flower Kingdom, while accompanied by comedic, yet compelling writing. Producing new fan-favorites like Mario and Luigi's rivals Fawful and Popple, alongside surprise returns like the different Yoshis and Koopalings, Superstar Saga delighted fans from beginning to end. Super Mario RPG's remake launching on its anniversary is likely just a coincidence, but that still pays honor to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as one of its greatest successors.
- Released
- November 17, 2003
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- AlphaDream
- Engine
- gabeg
- Franchise
- Super Mario Bros.
WHERE TO PLAY
An adventure so big, You'll need both Bros.!
Prepare for an epic journey beyond the borders of the Mushroom Kingdom as Mario and Luigi team up for a hilarious, action-filled role-playing game! The deep storyline and gripping puzzles of a role-playing game combine with awesome action elements to make this adventure a Mario experience like no other.
* Cross the border! A huge cast of wacky characters and strange new enemies await in the vast lands of the Beanbean Kingdom.
* Bros. Power! A unique simultaneous control setup lets you control each brother separately or team them up for supermoves!
* Buddy up! You'll need to team up to take on jumping challenges and an action-packed, reflex-testing battle system.
* Get linked! Link up with any Super Mario Advance games for multiplayer Mario Bros. Madness!
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Wii U
- Developer
- Vanpool
- Publisher
- Vanpool
