Mario and Luigi: Brothership was a standout moment for me during the Nintendo Direct where it was first revealed. AlphaDream has always developed the series, and I was genuinely saddened when news of the studio’s closure surfaced. Despite its ups and downs, this franchise has held a unique place in gaming, alongside the Paper Mario series, largely due to its mechanics that allow players to control both Mario and Luigi simultaneously. After such a long wait, it was exciting to see a new entry in the series finally arrive—but the question is, does it live up to expectations?
In Mario and Luigi: Brothership, the iconic duo embarks on yet another adventure, this time transported to Concordia, a magical realm once united by the Uni-Tree until a dark force overtook it. Concordia’s setting allows the developers to introduce an island-based game structure, where Mario and Luigi journey across the high seas, uncover new islands and work to restore the Uni-Tree in their quest to save the world of Concordia. This entry strongly emphasizes exploration, offering a refreshing twist to the gameplay. While the storyline is engaging, the real charm lies in its characters, with a variety of new faces joining the plumber brothers on their quest, enhancing the humor and camaraderie that fans of the series love.
Due to the Uni-Tree’s devastation, Concordia has been fragmented into numerous floating islands, each functioning as a miniature world unto itself. The inhabitants are now scattered across these islands, with Mario and Luigi working to reunite them and restore the Uni-Tree’s unity. The game’s main hub is located on the floating island called Shipshape, which features a telescope that players use to discover and navigate to the various islands of Concordia. The excitement of using the telescope lies in the unpredictability of what might be revealed next, adding an element of surprise to each discovery.
Exploration begins with the telescope on Shipshape, followed by Mario and Luigi being launched to the chosen island. Each environment offers distinct themes, keeping gameplay fresh and varied. As they journey through these islands, Mario and Luigi acquire new abilities and refine their signature Bro Attacks. These special attacks allow the brothers to unleash coordinated moves for increased damage, often placing them in unique combat scenarios. Timing is crucial for executing these moves effectively—landing the timing precisely maximizes damage output, while counterattacks are triggered by pressing the action button at the right moment, adding a satisfying layer of skill to combat.
One adjustment in this game’s controls, however, felt a bit unintuitive. Traditionally, each brother had a dedicated button for attacking—Mario with one button, Luigi with another. In this installment, initiating attacks requires pressing the same confirmation button for both brothers, with follow-up actions tied to their individual buttons, such as A or B. This change took some time to get accustomed to, as it alters the fluidity of the dual-control scheme fans have come to expect. Despite the initial adjustment, the core mechanics still deliver an enjoyable experience that showcases the brothers’ teamwork and skill.
The new cast of characters in Mario and Luigi: Brothership is certainly intriguing. Alongside familiar faces like Peach and Bowser, players are introduced to new characters like Snoutlet and Connie, who play essential roles in the storyline. The characters are designed with a unique, anthropomorphic look inspired by plug sockets, which adds a quirky charm to the game’s aesthetic. The story maintains a lighthearted, low-stakes tone throughout, giving it the feel of a fun, relaxed adventure rather than a high-stakes quest. Much of the enjoyment comes from exploring Concordia’s islands, uncovering secrets, and engaging in the game’s addictive turn-based combat.
Reflecting on the first Mario and Luigi game on the Game Boy Advance, I recall how it combined a surprisingly serious story with the familiar humor expected in a Mario title. Its narrative was engaging and cohesive, adding depth to the experience. Brothership, by contrast, feels like a step back in terms of storytelling. While it advances in gameplay design, exploration, and visuals—with its vibrant, diverse environments—the narrative itself is simple and lacks the compelling motivation seen in previous entries. Here, the Mario brothers seem to be completing tasks just for the sake of it, with little urgency or consequence driving them forward. This low-stakes approach feels somewhat underwhelming, especially considering that past games in the series have delivered more complex and engaging narratives. It seems as though Nintendo may have focused heavily on refining gameplay and exploration but at the expense of a coherent and impactful story.
The performance of Mario and Luigi: Brothership is worth noting, as it occasionally falls short of expectations. Visually, the game is stunning, especially on the Nintendo Switch OLED, where its vibrant colors and rich environments truly shine. However, there are moments when frame drops occur, causing noticeable stuttering. These performance issues are somewhat disappointing, though they are understandable given the limitations of the aging Nintendo Switch hardware. With confirmed backward compatibility for the Nintendo Switch’s successor, there’s hope that the game may see improved performance on future hardware.
In conclusion, Mario and Luigi: Brothership is a strong addition to the franchise. While the narrative may lack depth, the game makes up for it with engaging gameplay, a sense of adventure, and a charming cast of characters. It provides a lighthearted Mario experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome, keeping fans entertained without straying into overly complex storytelling. As a long-time fan of this spin-off series, I found the game to be an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Mario and Luigi: Brothership Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Platform: Switch (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
