Backhand of Justice

Bowser’s Inside Story is the third Mario & Luigi RPG game, and as a newcomer to the series, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I associate Mario with jumping on enemies, super mushrooms and saving the Mushroom Kingdom. Fortunately for purists, that’s all here and more.

Bowser’s Inside Story is charmingly simple, witty and inventive, and is one of the best and most accessible RPGs I’ve played recently. Both Bowser (a surprising protagonist) and Fawful (the antagonist) are hilarious, and the light RPG elements and timing based gameplay are a refreshing change from standard Japanese RPG fare. You can’t go wrong with Bowser’s Inside Story (apart from the dubious name).

Delightful fun

Bowser is the big bad guy of the Mario universe, and in past games he merely roars, laughs and steals princesses from the shockingly incompetent Mario brothers. Little did I know that he is the funniest character in all of the Mushroom Kingdom; fortunately Bowser’s Inside Story clarified that for me.

From his overly cocky and aggressive attitude that frequently gets him into sticky situations (where he is bailed out unbeknownst to him by the Mario brothers), to his bumbling and hero-worshipping minions, Bowser is given a fantastic makeover in this game. No longer is he a one dimensional villain, he’s an amusing character whose dialogue makes the game as fun to watch as to play.

The story in Bowser's Inside Story is absolutely ridiculous and random. Residents of Toadtown are inflicted with an illness called 'The Blorbs' which makes them swell up to monstrous size. Why? Why not?

Fawful is also a fun antagonist, whose word inflections and odd behavior give him a non-threatening demeanor although to be fair for much of the game he manages to be one step ahead at all times and is therefore a worthy foe. The whole game has a Saturday morning cartoon feel to it, and the relationship between Bowser and the Bros is very Penny and Brain or Scrappy and Scooby.

Time it right

The gameplay in Bowser’s Inside Story is entirely timing based. You choose which attack to use, and then depending on your timing you can hugely increase your damage. In addition, each enemy attack can be countered with the appropriate use of an ability at the right time; it doesn’t just prevent damage, it also damages your opponent.

This is one of Mario & Luigi's many special attacks. They start slow but quickly become crazy, timing-intensive affairs

Both Bowser and the Mario brothers also have a range of special attacks that are either timing based or stylus based. They are diverse and give the battles a needed change of pace. Leveling up is streamlined and the game never ventures into that ‘oh my god not more enemies’ feeling that can happen in Final Fantasy.

In addition to the standard battles are the occasional events such as where Mario and Luigi have to power up Bowser’s muscles from the inside to help him complete a task, or even the epic moments when Bowser grows to mammoth size and fights a castle (I cannot reiterate enough how incredible castle fighting is).

Finally, there is an interesting interplay between Bowser and the Bros during fights. Bowser can inhale enemies which sends them inside Bowser where the Mario brothers can take them out.

Teaming up to traverse the perils that live inside Bowser is certainly a welcome change from the standard environments of the Mushroom Kingdom

Puzzle elements

Both Bowser and the Mario brothers also have a couple of abilities they can use while exploring the world. Bowser can punch and breathe fire while Mario and Luigi can spin jump, drill and hammer world elements. The game includes many puzzles where the solution involves using one of these abilities in the proper manner.

This would be compelling enough for gameplay, but Bowser’s Inside Story takes it one step further and involves situations that involve both Bowser and the Mario brothers. There is a segment where Bowser can drink water or step away from the fountain, which either floods or empties his body and opens up different areas for the Brothers to explore.

Straight out of Duke Nukem is Fawful's helpful right hand: Pig Man o' Doom!

There is another situation where Bowser can step up to a light and shine light through his body which also changes the environment for Mario and Luigi who are shrunk down and inside him. These puzzle elements are simple enough that they never become frustrating, but are also an inventive change of pace.

Bowser’s Inside Story isn’t a complicated game: the items are simple and easy to find, the combat and puzzles are for the most part a breeze and the real enjoyment is found in perfectly timing attacks and counters and in listening to the characters. The game is a joy to play and other than Henry Hatsworth (the greatest DS game of all time) it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had.

If constant sarcasm, Bowser complaining about gaining too much weight and losing his lithe frame and (I kid you not) fighting castles with a 100 foot tall Bowser sound fun to you, then give Bowser’s Inside Story a shot. If those don’t sound like fun, maybe you need to reevaluate your values.