Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – Nintendo Game Boy Advance (2003)

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga revitalized the Mario RPG subgenre with its vibrant humor and innovative mechanics. The story begins when the nefarious Cackletta and her assistant Fawful steal Princess Peach’s voice, replacing it with explosives, which forces the Mario brothers to team up with an unlikely ally—Bowser—to travel to the neighboring Beanbean Kingdom.
The gameplay stands out for its “Bros. Actions,” where players control Mario with the A button and Luigi with the B button simultaneously to solve environmental puzzles and execute timed “Bros. Attacks” in turn-based combat. This emphasis on timing and coordination turned traditional RPG battles into an engaging, rhythmic experience. Upon release, the game received widespread critical acclaim for its witty writing, expressive sprite animation, and accessible depth, eventually becoming a beloved staple of the Game Boy Advance library and spawning a long-running franchise.