Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
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| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | |
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| Developer(s) | AlphaDream |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Release date(s) | NA November 17, 2003 JPN November 21, 2003 EUR November 21, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E (Everyone) PEGI: 3+ CERO: All ages |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance |
| Media | 64-Megabit cartridge |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, known in Japan as Mario & Luigi RPG (マリオ＆ルイージRPG Mario ando Ruīji Ārupījī?), is a role-playing video game developed by AlphaDream and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Superstar Saga is the third Mario role-playing game, following Super Mario RPG for the SNES,and Paper Mario for the N64.
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[edit] Plot
In the introductory sequence, Princess Peach is in her castle awaiting an ambassador from the BeanBean Kingdom. The "Ambassador" is revealed to be the evil witch Cackletta, and aided by her (intentionally) Engrish-speaking henchman Fawful, steal Princess Peach's voice, replacing it with a literally explosive vocabulary that cause explosions by speaking. Mario is then told that the Princess is in danger. In his haste to save the Princess, Mario unknowingly drags Luigi to the castle. It is there that they find Bowser who wanted to kidnap the Princess Peach, but does not want to anymore because kidnapping the princess in her condition would ruin his castle.
Unlike previous Mario games Bowser is not the key adversary this time around, instead this role is assumed by female witch named Cackletta. During the course of the game Mario and Luigi learn that the Cackletta's goal is to activate the beanstar, an object that will grant the holder's wishes, with the aid of princess's voice rule the world. The brothers join forces with the "flamboyant" Prince Peasley to defeat Cackletta and get the princess's voice back to save not just the BeanBean Kingdom but also the Mushroom Kingdom as well.
While Bowser does play a role in the game he acts more as Mario's ally rather than nemesis, and the princess is not captured. However, midway through the game, Bowser becomes possessed by Cackletta, resulting in the twisted Bowletta, who, towards the end of the game, gains control of Bowser's Castle, including all of the minions in it (even the Koopalings). Bowletta plans to take over the BeanBean & Mushroom Kingdoms, eventually capturing the princess in the process, returning to the "status quo" of the Mario games, with Bowser as the enemy (to an extent) and the princess in danger.
[edit] Gameplay
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga features a unique battle system similar those of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario in which timed button presses are crucial to both increasing damage of party attacks and reducing the damage of enemy attacks. This system, however, is even more important in Superstar Saga, as well-timed button presses can not only increase damage done by attacks, but also completely avoid or even counter enemy attacks as well.
In terms of gameplay, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga differentiates itself from most other role-playing games mainly due to the amount of interaction that is required between Mario and Luigi. Unlike Paper Mario, "Superstar Saga" requires active and continual cooperation between the two main characters in order to solve environmental puzzle as well as during battle. Where this game differs is to how much correlation there is between the two. For example, gaining an ability in the overworld will also unlock a new skill in battle.
Unique to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is Bros. Moves, which become available after new abilities are gained. Brothers Moves allow Mario and Luigi to attack as a combined effort. They require the use of Brothers Points (BP) depending upon how many points used determines the maximum amount of damage that can be dealt and the degree of difficulty required to execute the selected ability. The effect of a Bros. Move is based heavily on the players button press timing. Performing the maneuver correctly will maximize damage to enemy characters. Players can also learn "advanced commands", which allow Mario and Luigi to perform Bros. Moves in a different way.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Reception
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In 2007, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was named 12th best Game Boy Advance game of all time in IGN's feature reflecting on the Game Boy Advance's long lifespan.[1]
[edit] Sequel
Nintendo released Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, on November 28th, 2005 for the Nintendo DS system. Even though both Superstar Saga and Partners in Time are RPGs, the majority of the content in the sequel contains new gameplay. However, there are a few elements from Superstar Saga in Partners in Time, such as the inclusion of Fawful in Princess Peach's castle's sewers in the Partners in Time game.
There are also Bros. Moves in both games, but these differ between the two games as in Partners in Time, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are involved in some of the Bros. Moves. As a result, some moves require more than two protagonists. Furthermore, the Bros. Moves in Partners in Time are actually items and do not use the Bros. Points system that Superstar Saga does.
[edit] References
- ^ Craig Harris (2007-03-16). Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time. IGN.com. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.
[edit] External links
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Super Mario RPG |
