Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Sep 14, 2009
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 115
  3. Negative: 11 out of 115

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  1. SnoozerBear
    Dec 13, 2009
    9
    Review: Mario & Luigi: Bowser
  2. GamerOfGames
    Jun 1, 2011
    10
    Bowser's Inside Story, to put it quite simply, is an AMAZING game. The plot is great, the concept is great, and the battles are great. And don't forget about Fawful. Fawful and his "I HAVE FURY!" quote are just hilarious. But what I feel is best about Bowser's Inside Story is the ability to play as Bowser! Half of the game is dedicated to his side of the story, and Mario and Luigi can help Bowser accomplish his goals from inside his own body! Then...he grows HUGE. That is EPIC. Controls are better than ever too. I love this game, and recommend it to anyone and everyone.… Expand
  3. MichaelD
    Jan 9, 2011
    3
    I don't see what's so good about this game. If you want an addictive game for the DS, I would suggest either New Super Mario Bros. or Mario Kart DS.
  4. RJV
    Aug 4, 2011
    10
    This is not like any Mario game you have ever played. There is a bit of platforming, but that is turned into a puzzle. It is almost like a Pokemon game, but you only have three characters: Mario, Luigi, and Bowser! The plot is actually semi developed in this game, and Bowser doesn't kidnap Peach this time. Instead he is tricked into inhaling her, as well as Mario + Luigi and the rest of the mushroom kingdom, by Fawlful, the new bad guy, not really worth remembering him though. Inside Bowser's body the two Legendary plumbers try to find and rescue the princess, somewhere in Bowser's 2D innards. Meanwhile Bowser, wandering the Mushroom Kingdom, tries to take back his castle, which has been taken over by Fawful. You enter battle scenes as the plumbers or the Koopa King, and this is where it is similar to Pokemon. You will see the similarities almost immediately. A great game, but a little bit easy. Still,you won't beat every boss on your first time, and if you want to collect all the bonuses there will be plenty of replay after you beat the main story. Fantastic.… Expand
  5. JamieJ.
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Wow. I'm a first-timer to RPG's like this, but... wow. Best DS game of the year? I think so. It's a real shame then that not many people are taking much notice of it and passing it on as shovelware. =(
  6. VincentD
    Oct 31, 2009
    8
    Overall, an amazing triumph in the Mario and Luigi series. The game has done an astounding job of keeping the series as fresh as possible without sacrificing quality. However, there are some things I have to harp on. The story is great at times, however I did not find it to be laugh out loud hilarious. It's very Sunday Morning Cartoon humor rather than funny, and often times, you9;re mood while playing effects how much you enjoy the actually story. Also I did find that the game was being pretty ridiculous at times for the purpose of adding length to the game. *Spoiler Alert Waiting an hour to let Bower's back heal was pointless and awkwardly placed towards the later end of the game. As for gameplay, the game achieves perfection. The special attacks in this game are ridiculously awesome to both execute and perform. I personally love the art and graphics in this game and appreciated all the little touches in the character and enemy animation. It's definitely a keeper and one of the best DS games of this year and one of the best RPGs.… Expand
  7. totlmstr
    Oct 6, 2009
    9
    I just finished this game a few days ago, and this is such a hilarious game. The first two hours and the final three hours (with some odd stuff in between) are by far the best moments in the game. Luigi just makes incredible amounts of nonsense (for example, he slaps himself to get out of a dizzy state), and his actions alone just ramps it up to ten. However, almost everything in between the intro and end is usually in this order: go someplace, solve puzzles (sometimes a bit literally), fight a boss who normally gets a funny intro, and press forward. In a nutshell, that's pretty much it to the game. Be prepared to get a bit bored. On the other hand, there's the minigames that are spot on on using both screens or normally using just one. Each minigame has simple controls and very fun gameplay. For example, in order to get Bowser alive for a giant boss fight, you need to shoot energy balls that come in two colors. It may seem a bit overused, but it's perfect for the situation.… Collapse
  8. DanialC
    Oct 7, 2009
    10
    A great, funny, and entertaining game. The specials feel awesome to pull off and each boss battle is a real treat.
  9. ShawnP
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    This game is easily the best Mario RPG ever. Luigi is really funny, and so are Mario and Bowser surprisingly. Special moves are more like minigames and actually force you to do something so they are more powerful. Fighting as all 3 is really fun. The story is different from the usual save Peach story. Normal battles are never to easy or to hard. You never nail avoiding enemy moves all the time, which adds more challenge. Badges can actually help you in tough situations. If it wasnt for the unbalanced boss battles this game would be near perfect.… Expand
  10. FrankR
    Oct 11, 2009
    10
    An almost perfect game in my opinion. The only bad thing is the pollen minigame.
  11. WillC
    Oct 22, 2009
    9
    Easily the most intentive Mario RPG since Paper Mario 2. The writing is witty and sharp. The graphics are charming. The combat is fun. The music is memorable and while its not reinventing the Mario & Luigi formula its still great fun.
  12. Ssseth
    Oct 22, 2009
    8
    Rock solid Mario RPG'ing. The game had a little bit of a been here, done that feeling but that didn't make it any less fun. Hopefully they introduce some new game play elements in the next Mario RPG.
  13. TimO
    Sep 27, 2009
    10
    The first Mario and Luigi RPG absolutely amazed me. After playing the 2nd, I was a bit disappointed, even though it was very good. After hearing about the release of a 3rd Mario and Luigi RPG I expected it to not live up to its predecessors, but I was wrong. Bowser's Inside Story may be the best game ever made for the Nintendo DS. A suberb and at times hilarious plot, exciting and intuitive battles, and fun puzzles that require you to utilize the abilities of all three charactors make Bowser's Inside Story soar over the first two Mario and Luigi RPGs and any other Nintendo game I have ever played.… Expand
  14. AnthonyS
    Dec 15, 2009
    10
    This is a great RPG. I highly recommend it to fans of the series, newcomers alike and people who just like fun. Complete whit Mario & Luigi's fake Italian, a living French stereotype block, Navi who's in disguise as some star thing(lulz), only not as annoying, and many funny moments as well as being a blast to play, and I loved the touch screen controls. Best of all, YOU GET TO PLAY AS EFFING BOWSER!!!… Expand
  15. Luigibarqs
    Jan 8, 2011
    8
    Although the game's battle system, story, music and engine in general is amazing, this game still fails in my opinion to capture the truly epic feel of its prequel Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for GBA. You can play as Mario and Luigi like the other two Mario & Luigi games in the series and as an added twist, Bowser as well which hasn't been done since Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars back on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. An interesting mechanic is while playing RPG battles as Bowser, you can sometimes use a special skill and then switch to battling the same enemies as the Mario & Luigi which can cause an interesting change in tactics. There are also special Godzilla-like special boss battles as Bowser also which make unique and interesting use of the microphone and touch screen. There are also boss challenges and minigames as well which are pretty fun as well.… Expand
  16. Bathmat
    Jan 19, 2011
    9
    I saw the reviews of this game and I saw they were excellent. Then I bought the game myself. It says on the back of the case "Most Hilarious Mario RPG" and I was a little nervous. But AlphaDream have handled the humour brilliantly. Although Fawful's gags may take a while to get used to, you'll soon get the gag and tune in. The gameplay is really good and it's so damn addictive. The graphics may make your eyes vomit a little, but it's still very cartoony and nice. The whole RPG experience feels great and it almost never gets boring. Well, except for the levels where you're Mario and Luigi where you have to scatter about the place looking for something and it does take ages. Not only that, the combat should've been better and it does get hard in a bad way. Aside from those flaws, it's still a very great game. Have a DS? Don't have the game? I mean, come on. What are you doing?… Expand
  17. kcs4
    Jan 7, 2011
    10
    Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is a great game for the DS. The fact that it is an RPG that allows to create Mario, Luigi, and Bowser the way you feel like it makes it amazing.
  18. BlogDog123
    May 26, 2011
    10
    Easily the best RPG I ever played (go cry, Final Fantasy! Not saying that it isn't good) I ever played, and the only game with a talking bean for an antagonist (alright, Superstar Saga had Fawful, too). This RPG has laugh-out-loud moments, a great story, excellent controls, and one of the best and most beautiful final boss themes ever.
  19. Yulo303
    Feb 21, 2013
    10
    This game is what I would regard as "the ultimate Mario RPG". I'd recommend this to any gamer whether he/she played the Mario rpgs before, didn't play them or doesn't even know what a RPG is. It's that good. The villain in this game is Fawful, who may be the most memorable Mario villain ever with his engrish lines such as "A WINNER IS YOU" or "I HAVE CHORTLES!". Definitely do give this a try HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!… Expand
  20. xXAnthonyXx
    Jan 18, 2011
    10
    I got it with mixed expectations but soon then, I got hooked, I've had it for 3 weeks and I can't stop playing it. The game is just awesome, my favorite DS game....ever..
  21. Chalorn
    May 3, 2011
    1
    I signed up for Metacritic just so I could give a negative review for this game. It is not an RPG. It is a series of touch-based minigames that increase in difficulty and soon become ridiculous.
  22. xZippy
    Feb 1, 2013
    9
    This game was extremely well written and introduced some painfully genius and original gameplay elements coupled with the RPG factors. I loved it the whole way through. There is no valid reason why anyone who enjoys Mario games should pass this game up. Being able to play as both the Mario Bros. and Bowser was a nice twist and made the game that much more enjoyable. The game stays fun and creative and you shouldn't find yourself being bored. At least, that's how it was for me. Alright, now onto the only negative I can think of... The game gives those great turn-based battles where you're able to dodge your enemy at every chance rather than just sit there and take damage, but dodging enemies requires trial-and-error learning, and some attacks are so wonky and unpredictable that they're extremely hard to dodge, but even then, you still build up a tolerance to it and eventually perfect your timing. It can be frustrating, but it doesn't damage the game at all. Overall, an excellent game that everyone should play. I'd give anything for a 4th Mario RPG game right now.… Expand
  23. Serin
    Feb 18, 2012
    9
    This game is like Super Mario RPG for the SNES on steroids. The quirky, humorous story is still there with plenty of funny dialogue, but the battles have taken a major turn from "hit A at the right time to hit harder" to "JUMP oh God now smack it with your hammer okay draw 7's on the screen aaghghgh!" If it sounds hectic, it's because it is. And it is SO MUCH FUN! You play as either Mario and Luigi or as Bowser (which is the best part, everyone agrees) exploring the different areas and leveling up in your standard RPG way: buying new equipment, upping stats, etc. But as you do that, you'll also be digging up magic beans, trying to catch blitties (block kitties), and fighting your way through battle after battle where mastery of timing becomes the difference between finishing a battle with taking no damage and losing everything. And yet despite all this, the game has plenty of ways to make it friendly for beginners: you'll occasionally find "retry clocks" that let you start a battle from the beginning, it always makes sure to explain thoroughly any new special attack you learn with the opportunity to practice it, and the game is very generous with coins and exp won from battles so you're not forced to grind. Even my wife who primarily plays casual games had a lot of fun playing it all the way from start to finish. Definitely worth buying!… Expand
  24. pavi132
    Feb 15, 2013
    6
    I really wanted to love this game and would have given it an 8/10 or maybe a 9/10 if not for a few problems that marred the experience. It is a pretty cool RPG with some neat interactive battle mechanics. It has a light but fun story. It isn't particularly interesting, but it's enough to keep you somewhat invested. The itemization was done pretty well also. The choice of putting the two heroes in a setting within the main antagonist of the series was incredible in theory. However, in practice, the developers severely screwed up. The good parts involve changing the internal environment of Bowser through his actions and navigating levels with Mario and Luigi this way. The bad parts come when you need Mario and Luigi to manipulate the inside of Bowser to create a change in him. These are done through some pretty frustrating mini-games. Sometimes it's just because they become very difficult and long to the point that if and when you mess up (and chances are you will many times), you not only lose coins but have to start over from the beginning and go through the whole thing again. Other times, such as the infamous pollen mini-game, the controls feel terribly unresponsive to the point that the mini-game seems unfair. The worst part is that many of these are mandatory and force you to complete them before you can move on with the game at all. You can't explore anything else or go anywhere else as a break, and you can't get around doing them. You just have to sit there and try to work your way through them. This could have been a terrific Mario RPG game, possibly better than its predecessors due to the very interesting setting, if not for these mishandled and seemingly forced mini-games.… Expand
  25. Rockoman100
    Aug 13, 2012
    10
    By far the most creative Mario & Luigi game in the series. With an immersive story, fun and addictive gameplay, and engaging battles of epic proportions, this game is a must play for any fan of Mario RPG's, or not. It's just a must play in general. Seriously this is amazing. And while you're at it, reading this, go ahead and get Superstar Saga, and maybe even Partners in Time. They are all bloody amazing.… Expand
  26. Ouendaner
    Dec 28, 2012
    10
    I am delighted with this installment of Mario and Luigi as it is an adventure game with different modes, has variety in terms of actions that you can perform. You depend on several characters in order to continue the game and solve the various puzzles that proposes, with a story that does not get bored anyone regardless of age, making the main enemy of the great series of Mario cooperate with their greatest enemies without this knowledge. The fact that you can enter and leave the body of Bowser's something that I really liked to go out and explore with Mario and Luigi the outside world, you can access inaccecibles places to Bowser. One of the best games of all time… Expand
  27. SnivySomnia
    Oct 21, 2012
    8
    STORY: Slightly complex, but is easy to follow. It involves multiple Nintendo clichés such as a "Three Key Item" fetch quest. CHARACTERS: Fawful is a villain who's more lovable than anything. His "Engrish"(Impaired English) is cause for multiple hilarious moments. Bowser is still a childish brute and gets stuck in many awkward moments. Starlow a.k.a Chippy is a smart aleck who helps the bros. GAMEPLAY: This is the game's highlight. While playing as Bowser, you use the X and Y buttons to breath fire on all enemies or punch a single one with precise timing. He also has special attacks you can unlock by freeing his captured minions that use the touch screen. While playing as Mario & Luigi, it's all about the A and B buttons. You can either initiate a two part jump attack or a risky hammer strike(each hit a single enemy). Most of their special attacks are unlocked with the game's progression but there are two that are optional. There are also mini games for the bros that involve multiple gaming genres, such as Rhythm and 2D Shooter. MUSIC: There are more upbeat tracks in this game, like the main boss theme, but other great pieces like Dark Star Core. Not much of it is memorable, but it does fit the locations well.
    VISUALS: Aside from a few effects, EVERYTHING is done with pixels. For sprite animations, these are pretty damn well made and fun to look at.
    EXTRA CONTENT: Not much extra content to be found in the world itself. It's mainly focussed in the Globin Challenge Room for Mario & Luigi to either fight tougher versions of the bosses or test their skills with their special moves.
    FINAL ANALYSIS: I recommend this game to anyone. The story is admittedly weak, but the characters make up for it with great humor. Also, the gameplay is simple but addicting and the enemies all fight differently. This game makes use of the action commands in previous Mario RPGs, but better than ever. A 9.1 for an overall great game.    … Expand
  28. indoGAMER
    Dec 14, 2012
    10
    Well, this is a PERFECTLY AWESOME game for Nintendo DS system. It was the best Mario & Luigi sequel! Not just that, this game serves a different story where Mario, Luigi, and Bowser save the Mushroom Kingdom and Bowser's Castle from evil. It MUST have and MUST be played!
  29. modshroom128
    Nov 15, 2012
    9
    I had low hopes after playing the mediocrity fest that is partners in time I thought to myself: Nothing will be able to touch the brilliance this is "Mario RPG" on the snes. Paper mario for the N64 came close but in the end I gave up hope.

    Then this master piece is released. Oh man I was completely and utterly shocked at how how depth this game has. Play it now.
  30. RyanA
    Jan 11, 2013
    10
    This is one of the few instances that an RPG can be practically perfect, the other times being Golden Sun and Pokemon. The only things that I dislike about this game is the re-used sprites from the previous entries into the series for Mario and Luigi. Things to like- humour, music, final boss, story (seems more unique than most others), pickups, power ups, and mini games. Overall, 9.7/10

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 58 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 58
  3. Negative: 0 out of 58
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    90
    Fans who loved the first two games shouldn't hesitate in picking up Bowser's Inside Story. It features everything that makes the series enjoyable and adds onto it everything but the kitchen sink. Despite a few minor flaws, it's a game that features an ingenious game design synonymous with Nintendo games and is easily one of the best DS games of the year.
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  2. Worth Playing
    96
    The bottom line on Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is that it's one of those games that every DS owner should buy, period. Regardless of your feelings about RPGs, the title is just so entertaining and well-executed that you're nearly guaranteed to love it.
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  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    92
    The freshest, most vital RPG on the DS for ages. You'd be daft to pass it up. [Nov 2009, p.76]
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