Release (UK): 27/01/2006
NTR-ARMP-FHUG
Release (USA): 28/11/2005
NTR-ARME-USA
Release (Jap): 29/12/2005
NTR-ARMJ-JPN
Genre: RPG
Developer: Nintendo Co., Ltd., AlphaDream Corporation, Ltd.
Publisher: Nintendo Co., Ltd.


A time-bending RPG adventure
Released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS, Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time continued the beloved RPG series, combining quirky humour, turn-based combat, and unique time-travel mechanics. Players controlled both Mario and Luigi in the present and their younger selves in the past, solving puzzles and battling enemies across two timelines to rescue Princess Peach from the evil Shroobs.
Time travel and dual gameplay
The game’s standout feature was its time travel mechanic, where players alternated between the two versions of Mario and Luigi to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Each set of brothers had their own abilities, and players had to think strategically about how to use them together. The DS’s dual screens allowed the game to display both timelines at once, making the time travel concept visually engaging and intuitive.
Fun combat and charming story
In battle, players used the touch screen and buttons to control the Mario brothers’ attacks, timing them for maximum damage and dodging enemy strikes. The game’s witty writing and humorous dialogue added charm, making it more than just a typical RPG. Partners In Time was a standout title for the DS, offering an enjoyable mix of strategic gameplay, character-driven storytelling, and memorable time-travel adventures.