Despite its age, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is still worth playing on the Switch, even though other Mario RPGs are hot on its tail
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga will celebrate its twentieth anniversary on November 17, 2023. While it was neither the first nor the second hit Mario RPG, the release of Mario & Luigi was notable for introducing a third strain of Super Mario Bros. RPGs that lasted until its developer, AlphaDream, declared bankruptcy in 2019. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga quickly won over fans and critics with its vibrant presentation, snappy combat, and clever writing, and it remains one of the strongest entries in Mario’s RPG catalog.
Nowadays, Mario & Luigi have given way to the still-running Paper Mario series and the revived Super Mario RPG, both of which are getting remakes similar to Superstar Saga’s. Although some fans were outraged by the audio and visual changes in Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions on 3DS, the original Game Boy Advance release of Superstar Saga can still be enjoyed on its anniversary thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Despite the fact that Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door typically dominate Mario RPG discussions, both new and old players can benefit from revisiting Mario’s first handheld roleplaying adventure.
When Mario and Luigi form Superstar Saga’s two-man party, the main premise of the Mario & Luigi series emerges just a few minutes in. With the A and B buttons, the player can now control both Mario and Luigi at the same time. Attacking and defending in battle requires the Mario brothers to collaborate just as much as they do when solving puzzles or playing minigames. Even while one plumber is navigating the battle menu, the other can be made to jump in order to reinforce the game’s paired mindset.
Superstar Saga nailed Mario and Luigi’s core appeal.
When this concept is in play, every aspect of the game revolves around it. Players expecting tight platforming will be disappointed; however, they will still need to make Mario and Luigi jump over hazards and field enemies in sync. In battle, players must track telegraphed enemy attacks in order to defend with the appropriate brother. Cooperative actions, which are just as good at accessing new areas Metroidvania-style as they are at demolishing foes, foster even more teamwork. The theme of teamwork runs throughout the series, but it is most prominent in the simpler Superstar Saga.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Is A Classic Experience
Aside from its gameplay, Superstar Saga retains many qualities that are still relevant twenty years later. Its gorgeous cartoonish sprite art became AlphaDream’s signature even while working on other games, such as a couple of odd action-adventure titles starring Tingle from The Legend of Zelda. A soundtrack composed by Yoko Shimomura of the Street Fighter 2 and Kingdom Hearts series, as well as a free multiplayer remake of the original Mario Bros. arcade game, were cherry on top of such strong visuals. Superstar Saga is worth playing just for its charm, which is enhanced by all of the main characters’ voice clips.
A fantastic script rounds out the Superstar Saga package
Superstar Saga completes the set with equally strong writing after nailing its gameplay and presentation. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, like Super Mario RPG before it and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door a year later, goes beyond the typical Mario setting. Players traveled through the Beanbean Kingdom, which is similar to Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s new Flower Kingdom, while being accompanied by comedic but compelling writing. Superstar Saga delighted fans from start to finish, introducing new fan favorites like Mario and Luigi’s rivals Fawful and Popple, as well as surprise returns like the various Yoshis and Koopalings. The remake of Super Mario RPG releasing on its anniversary is most likely a coincidence, but it still honors Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as one of its greatest successors.