The classic Mario and Luigi Formula is shaken up again with the ability to control Bowser.
The story starts out with the "blorbs" a terrible disease that causes toads to get so fat that they cannot move. Mario and Luigi are called to a meeting, but Bowser crashes the party. When he loses, he'll stomp off to the woods, where he obtains a Vacuum power, where he can suck anything into his body. In a sort of drunk-like state, he returns to Peach's Castle and sucks in Mario, Luigi, Starlow, Princess Peach, and many toads, and when Bowser comes to the next day, he doesn't remember what happened. The story will eventually lead to Fawful, who is trying to bring the Dark Star back to life.
The story in this game is very funny and well written. Some of the characters lines will stick with you, such as Toadbert's "By boogity!" after almost every sentence he speaks. The cut scenes in this game are fantastic, and well animated, such as Bowser growing into a giant form, or the Star Cure coming together.
Now, the actual game-play. It is an action-RPG. A controls Mario, B controls Luigi, and X and Y control Bowser. You use these buttons to do various actions, such as jump, blow fire, and use special powers. Mario and Luigi have special powers that they both do together. Unfortunately, some use too much emphasis on memorization, such as Yoo Whoo Cannon. Ones like Snack Basket work better. Bowser's attacks work good for the most part, but the Magikoopa attack is a dud.
Moving around the world works well. Bowser goes around the world, and Mario and Luigi travel inside Bowser. Every time you go to a new place, there are lots of enemies that have various attacks that you'll need to memorize, and it keeps the game play fresh.
There are several minigames in this game, which Mario and Luigi would do to make Bowser get extra strength or whatnot to complete a task. They work well, except certain ones like making Bowser sneeze or the one where you ride an emoglobin are really, hard, and what is annoying that is in certain minigames, you have 3 lives, but if you lose them you will lose coins, too, which is annoying.
Overall, Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, is a great action-RPG that is great for RPG fans, new or experienced. I highly recommend this game!