History VideoGame / MarioAndLuigi

[[caption-width-right:350:Let's-a go!]]

Also, as the title implies, Luigi, ever the LesserStar in most ''Mario'' games, is given a much more prominent role here than in any other SpinOff game other than ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' and its sequels. Many of the jokes revolve around his tradition of staying behind during Mario's other adventures and how [[ForgettableCharacter hardly anyone knows who he is outside of the Mushroom Kingdom]]. But at the same time, he also gets to make a name for himself through his own heroics in each entry of the series, to point where he eventually earns the remembrance of characters who start off unable to remember his name.

''Mario & Luigi'' is a series of [[EasternRPG Eastern RPGs]] for Creator/{{Nintendo}} handheld systems, starring the eponymous [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Super Mario Brothers]]. It's the third EasternRPG series to star Mario, the first being the one-shot ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' made by [[Creator/SquareEnix Squaresoft]] and the second being the ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' series. Nintendo affiliate [=AlphaDream=] developed every title in the series up until their bankruptcy and closing in October of 2019, and every game thus far has featured a soundtrack composed by Creator/YokoShimomura.

A series of [[EasternRPG Eastern RPGs]] for Nintendo handheld systems, starring the eponymous [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Super Mario Brothers]]. It's the third {{RPG}} series to star Mario, the first being the one-shot ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', made by [[Creator/SquareEnix Squaresoft]], and the second being the ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' series.

On the surface, the games are fairly standard RPG stuff, with a field screen, a map, and a battle screen, equipment and items to collect, a smattering of statistics, and a suitably grand adventure. What sets it apart is how it integrates classic Mario elements into an RPG. The two leads are joined at the hip, the field screen is negotiated with platform action, and all sorts of [[ActionCommands action elements]] are added to the battles, up to elaborate "Bros" attacks which can be [[SomeDexterityRequired shockingly demanding]]. Enemy attacks can be avoided completely with proper timing, and can even result in [[DeadlyDodging counter-attacks]].

Also, as the title implies, Luigi, ever the LesserStar in most ''Mario'' games, is given a much more prominent role here than in any other SpinOff game other than ''[[VideoGame/LuigisMansion Luigi's Mansion]]'' and [[VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon its sequel]]. Many of the jokes revolve around his tradition of staying behind during Mario's other adventures and how [[ForgettableCharacter hardly anyone knows who he is outside of the Mushroom Kingdom]]. But at the same time, he also gets to make a name for himself through his own heroics in each entry of the series, to point where he eventually earns the remembrance of characters who start off unable to remember his name.

After [=AlphaDream=] declared bankruptcy in October 2019, Nintendo gained full rights to the IP.

''Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey'' in particular was a ''devastating'' flop in sales, most likely serving as the end of the series due to waning copies. The development team behind the series, [=AlphaDream=], [[CreatorKiller would go with it]] - [[https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alphadream-mario-luigi-nintendo-bankruptcy/ declaring bankruptcy as of October 2nd, 2019,]] and thereby very likely dooming their beloved series to a painfully abrupt conclusion.

Has a [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/BestEpisode/MarioAndLuigi Best Episode Crowner]].

''Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey'' in particular was a ''devastating'' flop in sales, most likely serving as the end of the series due to waning copies. The development team behind the series, [=AlphaDream=], [[CreatorKiller would go with it]], [[https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alphadream-mario-luigi-nintendo-bankruptcy/ declaring bankruptcy]] and thereby very likely dooming the beloved series to a painfully abrupt conclusion.

Tragically, as of October 2nd, 2019, the development team behind the series, [=AlphaDream=], [[https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alphadream-mario-luigi-nintendo-bankruptcy/ has declared bankruptcy]] - the ''Mario & Luigi'' series going down with it after ''Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey'' being a sales flop.

Tragically, as of October 2nd, 2019, the development team behind the series, [=AlphaDream=], [[https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alphadream-mario-luigi-nintendo-bankruptcy/ has declared bankruptcy]] - the ''Mario & Luigi'' series going down with it.

There are currently seven games in this series, two being remakes:

** Interestingly, after using the same design for all markets for three straight games, the remake of ''Superstar Saga'' goes back to the split designs, albeit differently. The [[https://www.mariowiki.com/File:MLSS_BM_boxart.jpg Japanese and American]] versions are inspired in the original, minimalistic cover used in Japan (although with a few more characters), while the [[https://www.mariowiki.com/File:Superstar_Saga_Boxart_ES.jpg European]] cover sticks to the old Western design.

There are currently seven games in this series:

There are currently six games in this series:

* FisherKing: Peach, possibly; it depends on whether or not an economic crash (see YouFailEconomicsForever below) like the one in ''Superstar Saga'' happens every time she gets kidnapped.

* InterimVillain: Fawful. In the first game, he was [[BigBad Cackletta's]] [[TheDragon Dragon;]] in the second, he was only seen as a cameo while the role of the BigBad was taken by the Shroobs; and finally in the third he becomes the BigBad.

* IntentionalEngrishForFunny: Fawful's speech patterns, especially his CatchPhrase "I HAVE FURY!", are a homage to {{Good Bad Translation}}s of older video games.

* CallAHitPointASmeerp: Critical hits = "Lucky hits" (in addition to what the games call critical hits: using an attack that an enemy is weak to), Skill/[[LuckStat Luck]] = "[[BadassMustache 'Stache]]", MP = "BP" ("Bros. Points") in the first game and "SP" ("Special Points") in the third.

* TookALevelInBadass: Bowser took levels in badass as the series went along. In ''Superstar Saga'', he's a ButtMonkey. In ''Partners in Time'', he's an actual threat, albeit a minor one. In ''Bowser's Inside Story'', he's one of the protagonists, though he still has some ButtMonkey tendencies. In ''Dream Team'', he's [[BigBadDuumvirate one of the main villains]] alongside Antasma, is taken seriously as a threat, [[spoiler:and eventually ends up replacing Antasma altogether]].

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/798px_mario_&_luigi_series_logo3.png]]

* DenserAndWackier: Without question, these games are the silliest in the Mario Bros. universe (apart from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'').

*** ''VideoGame/MinionQuestTheSearchForBowser'' (The above remake's alternate mode)

*** ''VideoGame/MinionQuestTheSearchForBowser'' (UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, bundled with the 3DS remake)

* OhCrap: Mario and Luigi do this a lot. Sometimes appropriate background music is added.