Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

The second installment of the quirky Mario & Luigi series pushed its idea into unexpected dimensions: what if not only the adult brothers fought side by side, but also their own toddler versions from the past? Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time from 2005 builds its entire gameplay around time travel and the interplay of four characters at once.

The game system is a turn-based RPG with an emphasis on action inputs. Attacks and especially defense require pressing a button precisely at the right moment, so even in battles the player never just waits around. The presence of both the adult and the miniature brothers means each of the four heroes is assigned to their own button, and the game exploits this both in battle and in solving puzzles in environments where the small and the big cooperate.

Behind the series stands the studio AlphaDream, which developed these distinctive turn-based adventures full of humor for Nintendo. The Nintendo DS made it possible to split the action across two screens, and the game played with their layout, especially when moving between the present and the past. This time the story leaves the usual Bowser behind and introduces an alien threat in the form of mushrooms called the Shroob.

The cultural significance of the series lies in how it managed to combine the accessibility of the mainstream Mario brand with the depth of a Japanese RPG and its own unmistakable humor. Partners in Time was well received and cemented the series' position as a fixture on Nintendo's handhelds, followed by further installments.

Thanks to its lighthearted tone, witty dialogue and cleverly designed battles, the game is a great entry into the RPG genre even for players who otherwise shy away from turn-based combat. It is never overly difficult, yet always remains fun and inventive.

Why play: A witty and original turn-based RPG where adult and toddler brothers fight side by side across time.