Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey Reviews
The excellent writing, silly premise, and fun combat all translate well to the updated visual style. The added Bowser Jr. mode is worth exploring, even if it's not the main attraction
If you haven't played the original version this is the game for you. It looks pretty and colorful even though some elements are a bit outdated.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Mario & Luigi series has seen incredible popularity since its debut with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is regarded as one of the best in the series. It brought back Bowser as a playing character and teaming him up, unknowingly, with Mario & Luigi; something that hasn't been done since Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Like the remake of Superstar Saga Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey brings back the original game with updated visuals, new content, and changes to the original game that makes it more accessible. For those who missed out on this gem of an RPG now is your chance to experience this outstanding adventure and if you did there's plenty of reasons to journey again with Mario, Luigi, and Bowser again.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey stands as a well-made remake of a game that was excellent to begin with, polishing up the original in small ways and adding some extra content that meaningfully establishes its own identity. If you've ever been a fan of the Mario & Luigi series (or are looking for a reason to dust off the old 3DS), do yourself a favour and pick this game up. Although Bowser Jr.'s Journey is just an ‘okay' addition, the inventive battles, great writing and creative gameplay of the main game make this one an easy recommendation.
Ten years after the original, Mario & Luigi's third adventure makes a great come bakc, thanks to its graphic renewal and the addition of a new campaign, once again staring Bowser Jr. Whether you already played the game or not, this reedition of one of the best episodes the series delivers should definitively be worth your time.
Review in French | Read full review
The humor, dialogue, and characters all add up to a zany adventure that is sure to have you laugh out loud on more than one occasion. The remake stays faithful to the game released nearly a decade ago but gives a facelift to the visuals and music, putting fresh paint on a classic. Bowser Jr's Journey is a nice addition, but might prove to be a bit too passive and at times too uninspired for many to see it the entire way through.
A great new version for one of the most beloved Nintendo's RPG games. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey is a most have to all 3DS owners.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Don't let Mario and Luigi's top billing fool you. This game is as much about Bowser and his spunky son as it is about Nintendo's popular plumbers. Bowser's Inside Story is a great remake of the DS classic, boasting JRPG gameplay that still feels fresh and fun a decade later. The addition of Bowser Jr.'s Adventure, meanwhile, gives the young Koopa prince a much-deserved turn in the spotlight along with the Koopalings. Battles in the main game can be a bit too long while Bowser Jr.'s skirmishes could be a bit more fleshed out. Overall, however, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey is a must-have for your 3DS library.
The core of Bowser's Inside Story is a great remake that brings it into the modern era with beautiful visuals and a soundtrack that's truly memorable.
For as great as Bowser's Inside Story is, it does little to justify busting out the 3DS again.
You go inside of him, so it really couldn't get any deeper than that.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a remarkably polished remake with well-balanced updates that makes the game all the more enjoyable. If you’ve been champing at the bit like a chain chomp to play another Mario & Luigi RPG, you can’t go far wrong with Bowser’s Inside Story. We’ll be here, keeping calm and chortling.
One of the best of the modern Mario RPGs comes to 3DS with a few new tweaks and a cute new mode, and it's just as fulfilling as ever.
Much like the SuperStar Saga remake, this game is a fine revisit to a great game, but doesn't feel necessary.
Bowser Jr.'s Journey may not offer a ton of new content, but the core game is as good as ever. It might not be as enticing for returning players, but those on the hunt for a fun, relaxing RPG with quirky humor and a silly story will feel right at home.
The effectiveness of the game's humor doesn't always tie back to the concept of Bowser as a frustrated, impotent vessel.
While I don’t personally think it is the best introduction to the beloved franchise—I feel like I missed a lot of little things—it was never designed to be, and it is a strong title with good gameplay, fun comedy, and a lot of memorable scenes. For me, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (as well as Bowser Jr’s Journey, which, while aimed at younger children, is still entertaining) is worth the price tag.
It's tough to recommend this release to anyone who already owns the DS version, a game that is still completely playable no matter which member of the 3DS family you own. Everything that was great about the original is still great here. But if you're one of the dwindling number of people still rocking a 3DS and you have yet to take a trip to the bowels of Bowser, it's an unforgettable adventure full of wit, charm, and comedy. Bowser Jr's Journey may not add anything worthwhile in regards to gameplay, but it does reaffirm that the strength of the Mario & Luigi franchise lies in its writing.
In an age where remakes and remasters are as hotly anticipated as the biggest AAA title, it's great to see yet another gem from yesteryear arrive, giving players who never experienced it the first time around a second chance and letting players who enjoyed it originally revisit just what made it stand out to them. The Mario RPG series is a perfect example. It is criminally underrated and deserves to be lauded far more. Any new opportunity to do that is a blessing. This was an awesome game almost a decade ago and now it has gotten a fresh lick of paint and it is looking better than ever.