“Super Mario Multiverse” – Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS) by Jimmie Ramone

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

by Jimmie Ramone

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team is the fourth of five games in the series of role-playing games developed by AlphaDream, notably released during the “Year of Luigi” in 2013, celebrating thirty years since his first appearance in 1983’s Mario Bros. At the time of its release, I also happened to be in the market for a 3DS XL; naturally, it was hard to resist the allure of a shiny silver one decorated with artwork of my favorite fictional plumbers.

As a bonus, it also came pre-loaded with this article’s featured game. At the time, this was the only 3DS game I owned digitally. It was a format I came to appreciate, because it meant that no matter what game I happened to be focusing on at the time, I could always boot up Dream Team with minimal effort. The result was a surprising feeling of connection to the game’s drowsy protagonist — Luigi’s lethargic odyssey became the game I played during the late hours, lying in bed. I found a simple joy in it, the same I’d otherwise find in reading until I fall asleep. These were the only times I set aside to play it, and the fairly low difficulty and mesmerizing dreamscapes actually made it the perfect game for this purpose.

Dream Team was not without its faults. There was an excess of tutorials, even surprisingly late into the game. Given the timing of my play, it’s a miracle I was not beset with feverish dreams of swinging on quivering mustachios and carefully timed shell-stomping. Overall, though, it was an experience I enjoyed. The story was about what I had come to expect with Super Mario games in general; it was serviceable overall, with plenty of humorous banter and a familiar nemesis in Bowser. Antasma was a welcome addition to that dynamic, adding some narrative spice to that ages-old rivalry.

Because of the slow and steady nature of the time I spent with Dream Team, it took me just over two years to complete. I consider it time well spent, and despite the handholding often proving overbearing, believe it is every bit the same gem as fan favorites Superstar Saga and Bowser’s Inside Story. It’s a shame that overwhelming debt and high development costs brought AlphaDream low, and I can only hope that whatever development team crafts the next Mario RPG gives it the same loving care that was evident in all of this company’s work. 

You may read about those other Mario & Luigi games, along with many more being covered by my fellow authors taking part in this Super Mario Multiverse collaboration. Happy Mar10!

Jimmie Ramone, Not a Real Mage

Wahoo! You are a Super Reader! But the adventure doesn’t stop here… There’s more of this project in another castle! This article is just one level in an entire Super Mario Multiverse, a galactic collaboration between writers around the world sharing a bit of our hearts and memories about our favorite Mario games. Visit the Center of the Multiverse to see more: