Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (Nintendo DS)
common sense media says
Funny, wildly imaginative romp with cartoony combat.
parents & educators say
- 67% say there are positive messages
- 33% say there are positive role models
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this newest Mario role-playing game features a complex, fantastical narrative that may frighten (or simply baffle) very young players. And with battles at the heart of the gamplay, characters do inflict pain on each other. But for kids old enough to read, this is a charming story with brilliantly designed and executed gameplay, set in the colorful and familiar Mushroom Kingdom.
Educational value:
The game requires use of logic and strategy. There's a significant amount of reading required to follow the story, as well.
Positive role models:
Some of the characters, notably Bowser, are rude, sneaky, and impatient; but the game does a good job of showing that this behavior is a liability. Many of the characters are invested in supporting each other, albeit through fighting enemies.
Ease of play:
Even for those unaccustomed to RPG games, the play is simple, with lots of tutorial advice. Some of the action-based play uses timing, but it should be easy for players familiar with Mario-style platforming games.
Violence & scariness:
In battles, characters punch, stomp, and hit one another with hammers to cartoony results.
Language:
Not an issue.
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
More on Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Screenshots
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 67% say there are positive messages
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say it's educational
Most useful reviews by all members
LuigiAndAVTRlover4
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
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kid, 12 years old
good game
VEY VILOENT GAME DO NOT PLaY IT!
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kid, 11 years old
good game
VEY VILOENT GAME DO NOT PLaY IT!
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Giygas
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Mario & Luigi : Bowser's Inside Story is one of the best RPG's available on the DS. There are are many humorous lines of dialogue throughout the game. Some younger players may find this game to be quite difficult though.
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LucJB
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
young kids will like it and older kids will think it's stupid
it's a easy game for those Mario and Luigi fans.
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MovieLover10
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
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JakeSully1
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Mario & Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story
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Earthgirl13
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
the game rocks
Fun game to play but the levels are pretty hard
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layman9
parent of 10 year old
parent of 10 year old
Bowser's turn to rumble!!!
This game requires skill, but, as with many other games, practice makes perfect. I am especially fond of the Giga-Bowser battles, since you have to use your physical abilities, such as quick reflexes and long periods of blowing into the microphone. If you like combined genres, then this is the game for you! -10 year old
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pechy prencess
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
peachy prencess in trouble
I love it very much I want to play it on the comepouter may I please play it.
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Sunset reader
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
belly of the beast
Funniest game on ds! Fawful,starlow,bowser,mario,luigi and the toads are so funny and help add the atmosphre to one of the best ds games ever
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magz1027
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Not that good
I sorta liked this game.
It wasn't very good because it goes back to a certain point in the game which most of you would have probably beaten.
I wouldn't get it.
The only reason I have it is because my dad got it for me as my first DS game.
Just don't buy it.
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mikoa
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Fun and Intuitive
I really enjoyed, there was a lot of reading, which may not appeal to most gamers but I liked it. You can get it for free ezlockerzinvites.weebly* Pretty simple and shouldn't take much time.
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nduns
adult
adult
Finally, the sequel we wanted from the get-go!
This is what Partners in Time SHOULD have been, a sequel that's actually better than its predecessor. You will be amazed with how much you can do in this game. While Partners in Time was too short, this one can take well over 20 hours to beat. Also, while Partners in Time had you constantly reusing the same concepts outside of battle over and over again, only introducing one new feature in each area, this game introduces something new, even putting a unique spin on the old concepts, every 5-30 minutes. Also, it's not just one plot. What made Superstar Saga interesting was that there was more than one storyline going on. PIT kinda felt rushed as there were few plotholes and they just dove right into the "collect stars" storyline. Also, this game doesn't hand you the three stars. You actually have to work for them whereas PIT gave you the last 2 Cobalt Star Shards after making you deal with all kinds of torment getting the first 3. Also, the Bros Attacks: In PIT, Nintendo introduced this horrid idea called Bros Items. That meant after using a Bros Attack, you'd need to find another copy of it before you could use it again. Luckily, this game brought up the Bros Point system and even introduces more inventive Bros Attacks than PIT had. Sure, they'll never be as cool as the ones from SSS, but at least they did a better job with this one. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I've said enough. You really gotta play this game. This should have been game of the year, not Scribblenauts! It's the sequel we should have gotten from the start.
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