We're huge Mario & Luigi RPG fans and can't wait for the newest chapter, Bowser's Inside Story, available for DS September 9th. Like previous games in the series (Partners in Time, for instance), Nintendo plans to retain the humor as well as the user-friendly battle system. This time, however, you wander through Bowser's insides in what's sure to be one of the most original adventures we've played.
Here's what happens (at least in the Japanese version). A strange plague known as The Blorbs invades the Mushroom Kingdom and super sizes all of the Toads. When Mario and Luigi meet with Peach to discuss containment of the disease, Bowser attempts to kidnap the Princess. After the plumbers kick his butt, Fawful (an evildoer from previous Mario & Luigi games) gives Bowser a strange mushroom that grants him the ability to inhale just about everything. Then Fawful brainwashes the big lug and orders him to swallow Mario and his bro, taking Peach's castle for himself. When Bowser comes to, he goes nuts and chases Fawful -- now it's Mario and Luigi's job to solve puzzles/combat enemies within Bowser to help him succeed.
Throughout the course of the adventure, you'll control both Mario and Luigi together and then Bowser. Actions that occur inside their rival affect what happens outside and vice versa; for example, Bowser can swallow an enemy that the plumbers can fight. As you make your way through the imaginative environments, you'll also engage in turn-based battles with a plethora of different enemies. Nintendo keeps things simple, so to attack, you just press a face button that corresponds to that character.
In addition, the game has various items to grab and equip. In some cases, you'll need to find 10 different parts of an item to use it, providing you have the right number of skill points. You'll also level up, and doing this allows you to buy/equip additional goodies.
Unfortunately, we haven't been able to spend a lot of time with Bowser's Inside Story, but it looks hilarious. We just hope Mario and Luigi don't come out the wrong end.
Chris Buffa is GameDaily's senior editor. He enjoys easy achievement points, first person shooters and starting trouble.
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