STACK #241 November 2024

GAMING FEATURE

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Catching up One of the many great things about Mario & Luigi: Brothership is that you don’t need prior experience of the series to get right into proceedings. But, if you want to go back and explore other releases, here’s what to look out for…

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance, 2003 + 3DS, 2017) Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (DS, 2005) Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS, 2009 + 3DS, 2018) Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS, 2013) Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (3DS, 2015)

Get ready, Mario and Luigi fans, for after waiting nine years for a shiny new instalment of the action RPG series, this month sees Mario & Luigi: Brothership docking in what promises to be an electrifying adventure. Join us as we take a quick peek… Words Amy Flower MARIO & LUIGI HAVE GOT THE POWER!

Gameplay Just like previous entries in the series, players will utilise the brotherly bond of Mario and Luigi to unleash

powerful attacks in turn-based style, as well as cooperating to pass obstacles that they encounter during their travels. On top of the classic

DYK?

This is the first entry in the Mario & Luigi series of RPGs that isn’t exclusive to a Nintendo handheld.

hammer and jump attacks, one special attack involves the unleashing of all-conquering lightning, in keeping with the overall

Let it bee! Story-wise, it all starts one day in the

stand in their way, like the notorious Extension Corps, a trio of new, plug-based enemies in this electrically themed world. Look! Brothership is the first game in the Mario & Luigi series to deliver full 3D gameplay, and it does so via a very cool-looking cel shaded, comic book-like visual vibe.

electrical theme of the game. As always, there’s also a significant

exploration angle, as the brothers traverse Concordia, helping out those in need, as well as uncovering hidden secrets. Encounters

Mushroom Kingdom when Luigi is chased by a swarm of bees – right off a cliff, in classic Wile E. Coyote style. Luckily big bro Mario is on hand to, well, lend a hand, saving Luigi before they discover a curious vortex which,

naturally, they investigate… Which leads us to the vast

While familiar faces such as Princess Peach, various Toads, and the nefarious Bowser and Bowser Jr. are amongst those who make appearances on your adventure, prepare

world of Concordia, where the brothers set sail on the good Shipshape Island – which is part ship and part island – exploring a variety of isles and meeting old friends

to meet some helpful new characters too. A key one is Connie, a humanoid figure with a power plug for a helmet, as well as Snoutlet, a flying pink piggy power bank.

• Mario & Luigi: Brothership is out Nov 7

and new. Ultimately, they aim to save the day by solving puzzles and vanquishing those who

Around the world Our setting for this adventure, Concordia, consists of several drifting islands, including Heatfreeze Island, which has two feuding races inhabiting it, and is an isle of two halves – one is ice, the other magma! Then there’s Rumbla Island, giving off a bit of a Flintstones vibe, this island features lots of rocky things. Meanwhile, Lottacoins Island is heavily urbanised, with all sorts of hectic business going on. Others that will be encountered include Raynforst Island, which is overgrown with jungle and has rain that never stops, the desert-like Allsand Island, plus others that are variously a nature-packed tourist island featuring a giant tree as a landmark, one with all manner of old buildings – and kidnapper birds (eep!) – plus another, Merrygo Island, which is carnival themed, centred around a giant maze.

NOVEMBER 2024

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