Of the three big Mario RPG series, Mario & Luigi feels like the closest to the mainline games. That’s because there is as much of an emphasis on platforming as there is typical turn-based RPG battles. Even in battles, there is some platforming involved not only in attacking enemies but countering them.
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While exploring the world, Mario and Luigi can perform traversal skills called Bros. Moves. They will combine to perform unique abilities from turning into a spaceship to glide around to melting ice boulders with the magic of fire. Let’s go through every Bros. Move in Mario & Luigi: Brothership and rank them based on usage and creativity.
4 Bro Ball
Samus Called And Wants Her Move Back
The Bro Ball will constrict these two into a tight little ball similar to Samus’ Morph Ball form in the Metroid games. It’s a bit faster to move as a ball throughout the world but that’s not the big use for it. Instead, players can access smaller areas through holes left in walls via the Bro Ball. They can still hop but not very high. The Bro Ball’s standing achievement will happen on Allsand Island.
As the name implies, this island is covered in quicksand. A few steps into this murky sea will send Mario and Luigi down to a grainy grave but the Bro Ball will not make them sink though. A later upgrade, Ball Blitz, will add a charging ability to the move while stationary. Like Sonic’s charges in his games, the Bro Blitz will shoot the plumbers forward for a burst of speed or up a wall if they hit the right ramps. There are also thin bridges players can speed across if they time their boosts correctly.
3 Jump/Hammer Mode
Jump Up Superstar
Even though there is not a name for it, the normal mode of transportation should be explained. Players can tap between Bros. Moves using the right analog stick on the Switch controller and the “normal” transportation mode is symbolized by a boot. Mario and Luigi will move normally in this mode and they can jump on enemies or across gaps using the A and B buttons. Players can manually make Luigi jump or he will do it automatically. Overall, this basic mode is just like moving Mario in a 2D mainline game except from a top-down perspective which is common in these RPG spinoffs.
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Eventually, this mode will get upgraded when players get a hammer from either Billdit or Maykit in Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Using the X and Y buttons, players can smash enemies, break through rocks, and hit switches. The most interesting use of this power involves players leaving Luigi at a switch to hit so that Mario can move forward. Maybe the switch, for example, will move platforms in the air or turn walls around in a maze. The hammer is a classic weapon in the franchise, so it makes sense to use it as a tool in Mario & Luigi: Brothership.
2 UFO Spin
Glide Past Gaps With Ease
UFO Spin is technically the first Bros. Move that players will acquire. The two plumbers will link hands and spin around fast enough so that they look like a stereotypical alien saucer. This technique will allow players to float across gaps, a traversal move seen in previous Mario & Luigi games. The difference here is that the UFO shape hasn’t been seen before and is odd. Timing is everything as players can only keep them in the air for a few seconds before crashing down.
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The gliding ability alone can open up many new pathways that players may not have considered before like in a Metroidvania. Later, players will get the UFO Vacuum upgrade for the technique. This will add a suction function to the form, allowing players to grab things like platforms which can be used to create makeshift bridges. There are also vents throughout the islands that players can suck Gold Coins through, which is the currency of this RPG. It’s a weird upgrade but the vacuum suction has its uses.
1 Fire & Ice
A Classic Power-Up Returns
There weren’t many power-ups in the first Mario game but the one that stood out was the Fire Flower. It has been a constant power-up in the franchise as fireballs can often kill enemies quickly and from afar. Nintendo seemingly liked that power-up enough that they made an ice version via the Ice Flower. They both return in Mario & Luigi: Brothership and their long-ranged ability helps players get the jump on enemies at the start of combat. Luigi uses the Ice Flower while Mario uses the Fire Flower.
Fireballs are less diverse in terms of puzzle-solving as they can melt ice or ignite things. The developers seemingly thought of more unique ways to use the ice powers though. Players can cool lava, for example, or freeze fountains to turn them into platforms. They are typical ice abilities in video games but that doesn’t make them any less impressive. It’s a shame the Fire Flower wasn’t highlighted as much, but overall this Fire & Ice Bros. Move as a set in Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a blast.
- Franchise
- Mario & Luigi
- Released
- November 7, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 37 hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- November 7, 2024