Mario & Luigi: Brothership Reviews
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a delightful return for the beloved series, with deep gameplay and vibrant worlds that make it a must-have on Nintendo Switch, despite a few minor design shortcomings.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Although the formula is bordering over-familiar at this point, it's been long enough between entries that this return to the Mario & Luigi series is incredibly welcome. It manages to feel fresh enough with interesting new wrinkles that play on this new world and story's overall themes, and its obsession with fraternal bonds results in probably my favourite take on the Bros. to date.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is an epic RPG for Mario standards. It has everything one might hope for, all wrapped up in a beefy package. The erratic framerate won’t impress long-time gamers and even the load times might wear down a kid’s patience, but the trade-off is some of the most appealing art and animation seen on an RPG on Switch.
Overall, Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a sensational game that features the well-worn mechanics of Mario RPGs but takes them to a higher level, keeping each new step fresh, yet consistent. As you explore, you keep on encountering new characters, new lands, and battles that keep you hooked for almost the whole game, an extremely impressive feat across the many hours it takes to finish. Bros. Moves and Attacks allow you to continue to explore new avenues for the brothers, and Luigi Logic gives you more freedom than ever in a Mario & Luigi game. Power Plugs allow you to take control of battles, deal massive amounts of damage, or gain amazing buffs for the brothers, which may change the outcome of battles. Each enemy and boss brings something new to the table, continuously testing your comprehension of the skills you’ve acquired. For anyone with a Switch, you should play Mario & Luigi: Brothership.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is far from the duo's best RPG outing, but that's not to say it is a bad one. The combat is engaging enough to remain entertaining throughout the 40+ hour adventure, even as it crawls along against the tide.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership falls into that odd zone of being fine but not exceptional. I think it's comfortably the third best Mario & Luigi game, but it's a distant third and a far cry from the franchise's heights. I had a lot of fun, and I don't regret playing it, but it lacks that certain special something that made the first and third games in the franchise really shine. It's still a fun RPG adventure with some fantastic combat, but it's the weakest of all the Mario RPGs released this year.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a fun addition to the series and for the Switch. It has fun gameplay and great humour, but feels repetitive at times and quite long.
By Mario RPG standards, this is not one of the better ones, particularly when it comes to the pacing, design, and story. What saves Mario & Luigi: Brothership from sinking completely is the strategically engaging and fun battle system, delightful animations that go hand-in-hand with the cartoony art style, and the excellent soundtrack. Other gameplay ideas miss their target, and things become a drag far too quickly.
Nintendo says goodbye to the platform with another very enjoyable title. Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a solid offering that should interest many gamers. If the Big N hardware is your main platform, you should not hesitate.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the biggest and most ambitious game from the franchise, and it was worth the wait. It maintains the soul of the Mario & Luigi games and it also adds a lot of interesting things that makes it a complete and sublime experience. It can be the beginning of a new and bright future for the brothers.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A game carried by its scrappiness more than its technical feats or original ideas. It might be overshadowed by its older sibling series, but that doesn't mean it can't be a fun and packed experience.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It takes a while, but when The Brothership is in full swing, it is an excellent action RPG after all these years: exploration, arcade elements, tactical strategy and the mix of gameplay is top-notch. We are so glad that the Switch has its entry in the series.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a silly and surprisingly challenging RPG with a unique world traversal mechanic and superb variety of puzzles. However, the unavoidable enemies and lengthy battles might put off folks who are looking for a more casual affair. 🚢
Mario & Luigi: Brothership succesfully brings back the charm of this good old RPG series after whopping 11 years. And they did it with grace, especially for a new studio that replaced the original AlphaDream.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Those familiar with the series might give Mario & Luigi: Brothership a solid addition to the franchise; for most of the general public, however, it really isn't a groundbreaking title. For dedicated RPG fans who tend to prefer more robust and immersive experiences, perhaps this won't quite cut it.
Being one of the lowest of the Mario and Luigi games is still like scoring a C+ in sushi quality in the heart of Tokyo. It’s not that your product is bad, it’s that other products are far, far better. Brothership is decent and has some really fun concepts, but there are others, already in place in other games, that I like far more and detract from my interest in continuing to explore Brothership beyond the end game. I celebrate the return of the series, and hope that the sales and the acclaim from others foster another chance at bat for wherever Nintendo steers its ship next.
This will be music to the ears of kids who grew up on the series, but for the uninitiated, there’s nothing quite like the Mario & Luigi games. Mario & Luigi Brothership does its best to appeal to a wide range of players with charming presentation and a strong new Battle Plug system, but not everyone will be enamored with its reflex-testing gameplay.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership brings a nostalgic return to the beloved RPG series with engaging combat, charming presentation, and heartfelt sibling dynamics. However, its lackluster story, forgettable characters, and technical hiccups hold it back from being a true masterpiece. While it has moments of fun and familiarity, it struggles to stand out in a year brimming with excellent Mario RPG releases.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership marks a triumphant return for the popular franchise. The vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay create an inviting experience that appeals to both new players and long-time fans.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is slightly easier than previous games in the series, but it’s still a super fun RPG experience. Set sail, unite islands, time your jumps, and enjoy this light yet highly entertaining adventure.
Review in Unknown | Read full review