Every Mario & Luigi RPG, Ranked Best to Worst

If there’s one thing Nintendo has mastered beyond colorful worlds and mushroom-based power-ups, it’s turning the Mario brothers into some of the most charming RPG heroes around. The Mario & Luigi RPG series blends humor, adventure, and surprisingly strategic combat that keeps fans coming back every generation. But with so many entries across handhelds and remakes, the ultimate question is: Which Mario & Luigi game truly reigns supreme?

Today, we’re ranking every Mario & Luigi RPG from best to worst, based on gameplay depth, story creativity, humor, innovation, fan reception, and overall replayability. Whether you’re team Bros. Attacks or team “Bowser should star in everything,” this list will help you discover which titles still hold upand which might stay in your backlog a bit longer.

#1. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (2009)

Bowser’s Inside Story is widely considered the crown jewel of the franchise, and honestly, it’s not even close. The game lets you control both Mario and Luigi inside Bowser’s bodywhile also playing as Bowser himself. The dual gameplay loop stays fresh, hilarious, and surprisingly epic. The writing is peak Mario RPG humor, Fawful steals every scene, and the Bros. moves are at their most polished.

Combat feels fluid, boss battles are memorable, and Bowser’s overworld segments add depth to exploration. Even today, fans and critics often call it not just the best Mario & Luigi game, but one of the best Nintendo DS titles ever released.

#2. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003)

The game that started it all, Superstar Saga set the tone for the series: comedy forward, creative battle mechanics, and an irreverent take on the Mushroom Kingdom. The Beanbean Kingdom is still one of the most charming RPG settings ever created, and the Bros.’ synchronized attacks were revolutionary in their day.

The original holds up extremely well, and the 3DS remake modernized it without losing its quirky personality. Superstar Saga is a masterclass in pacing, balancing exploration, puzzles, and combat with whimsical writing and unforgettable characters.

#3. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (2013)

Dream Team is ambitious and packed with fresh ideasnamely Luigi’s talent for falling asleep becoming a world-saving mechanic. (Honestly, relatable.) The dream sequences are visually impressive and shake up the usual Bros. formula with gravity-defying attacks and surreal environments.

While the tutorial sections run a bit long, the game offers lengthy content, clever battles, and some of the most polished animations in the series. Dream Team lands comfortably near the top thanks to its creativity and depth.

#4. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005)

Bringing Baby Mario and Baby Luigi along for the ride was a bold move, and Partners in Time delivers a darker tone than its siblingswithout losing its comedic spark. Time travel, Shroobs, and double-layered puzzle-solving create a unique adventure that stands out in the RPG lineup.

Juggling four characters in combat can get chaotic, but it also leads to some of the franchise’s most technical boss fights. Fans appreciate this entry for its story, challenge, and willingness to stretch beyond the typical Mario format.

#5. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey (2019)

The 3DS remake of Bowser’s Inside Story had big shoes to fill. While the updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements are welcome, its release late in the 3DS’s lifecycle meant many players never experienced it. The additional campaign, Bowser Jr.’s Journey, adds a fresh tactical twist, but it’s not compelling enough to bump the remake above the original.

Still, as remakes go, it’s exceptionally polishedjust overshadowed by timing and the dominance of the DS classic.

#6. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (2017)

This remake brings new visuals, refined mechanics, and an optional supplemental game starring a squad of Goombas (Bowser’s Minions). It’s a faithful reboot that keeps the charm intact. However, the Minions mode isn’t essential, and the original game’s magic was already near perfect.

Great for newcomers, solid for veterans, but not a transformative jump.

#7. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (2015)

Paper Jam isn’t a bad gameit’s just missing the storytelling heart and wild creativity fans expect. The crossover with Paper Mario sounds dreamy on paper (pun intended), but it doesn’t fully capitalize on the potential of combining two RPG titans.

The battle system is fun, and Paper Mario’s abilities add spice, but the quest structure leans heavily into fetch missions. Still, it’s polished, colorful, and enjoyable for players who simply want more Mario RPG goodness.

Why These Rankings Hold Up

Across gaming forums, fan discussions, and reviews from trusted U.S. gaming sites, one consensus remains clear: the Mario & Luigi franchise thrives when it balances humor, innovation, and meaningful gameplay evolution. The top-ranked entries push boundarieswhether through inventive settings, creative combat systems, or laugh-out-loud storytellingwhile lower-ranked titles feel more restrained or mechanically repetitive.

Regardless of ranking, the series as a whole remains a gem in Nintendo’s library. Even the “worst” Mario & Luigi game is still a good time, thanks to the iconic duo’s charm and the developers’ commitment to fast-paced, timing-based RPG combat that feels fun even 20 hours in.

Final Thoughts

The Mario & Luigi RPG franchise has taken us through dream worlds, digestive systems, alternate dimensions, and papercraft battlefieldsand that creativity is why fans want the series revived on modern hardware. Each game brings a unique flavor, but Bowser’s Inside Story stands tall as the most complete, most beloved, and most brilliantly executed entry.

Whether you’re revisiting classics or discovering them for the first time, these games offer some of the best humor and battle mechanics in Nintendo’s universe. And honestly, who knew a pair of plumbers could carry an RPG franchise this hard?

of Additional Experiences and Commentary

If you’ve played through the Mario & Luigi series, you’ve probably noticed something: these games are powered not just by tight mechanics, but by pure personality. Each title feels like an interactive cartoon packed with expressive animations and jokes that somehow land for both kids and adults. And if you grew up with them, each entry leaves a distinct memory.

For many longtime Nintendo fans, Superstar Saga was their first exposure to an RPG that didn’t take itself too seriously. The moment Mario and Luigi perform synchronized poses or chaotically tumble through cutscenes, you realize this isn’t your standard fantasy quest. It’s goofy, lighthearted, and joyfulbut still grounded by smart combat requiring timing and attention. That balance helped define the franchise.

Then there’s Partners in Time, which continues to be one of the most debated entries. Some adore its darker tone and emotional momentsrare for Mario gameswhile others miss the lighthearted energy of Superstar Saga. But if you experienced it on the DS at launch, you probably remember the Shroobs being genuinely unsettling and the time travel story taking unexpected turns. It’s the kind of game you appreciate more as an adult.

But let’s be honest: the moment Bowser’s Inside Story hit shelves, every fan collectively said, “Oh. THIS is the one.” If you’ve ever seen someone play it for the first time, you know that goofy grin that appears when Bowser inhales half his enemies or accidentally saves the world despite having the energy of a grumpy housecat. And controlling Bowser in giant kaiju-style battles? Pure handheld gaming bliss.

Even the lesser-loved entries, like Paper Jam, have their moments. The trio attacks featuring Paper Mario are undeniably fun, and the papercraft battleswhile a little strangemake for great spectacle. And for many fans, Paper Jam was their last chance to experience a new Mario & Luigi adventure before AlphaDream closed its doors.

If you’re revisiting the series today, you’ll also notice how different each title “feels” despite sharing a common mechanic foundation. Some games are puzzle-forward, others lean on exploration, while a few focus heavily on battle timing mastery. This variety gives the franchise longevity. It never feels like a copy-paste formula.

As fans impatiently wait for Nintendo to revive the series on Switch or its successor, one truth stands strong: Mario & Luigi RPGs have a dedicated fanbase because no other games quite mix slapstick humor, expressive animation, and clever timing-based battles the same way. These titles are comfort foodwarm, familiar, and satisfying.

So whether you’re ranking them, replaying them, or discovering them for the first time, one thing’s clear: the Mario & Luigi RPG series remains one of Nintendo’s most imaginative legacies.

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