Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time follows on from Nintendo games such as Paper Mario. It is an RPG with a twist, you play as both Mario and Luigi. The Princess has been kidnapped and you have to save her "again" from the evil clutches of Bowser & Baby Bowser.

After Peach has been kidnapped you start your adventure. Both on level 1, easy to kill, not very powerful, and lacking in items and special moves. This soon changes though as you become engrossed in the game. When you are not in a level you get a map occupying the screens showing you where you can travel, there is a set route though that you have to take.

On entering a level you come across trees, baddies, and boxes that contain items. The baddies you can have battles with, this is done by entering their personal space, I'd do it by jumping on them so you get the first hit, this gives you the first attack in the battle screen. So once you have started the battle you are all put in front of a crowd and have to do battle, you get to use items you have picked up along the way. The battle is done in sequence so each character has a chance to do damage, defend, or run away.

After you finish a battle, victorious or not, you receive XP which you need in order to level. Once you level up you learn new moves and can use different items. You also earn money, coins, that can be spent in a number of different shops on your journey.

Without going into anymore detail and spoiling the story the game is fantastic. It is very addictive and has a lot of hours of game play. The graphics and music are both excellent. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience to find out how the story unfolds and has lots of twists along the way.

It is well worth buying if you are either into RPGs or Mario games. You won't be disappointed.

5 out of 5.