Brothership adds more RPG depth to the series, but its flat writing and overabundance of gimmicks drag it down.

I used to play Mario & Luigi RPGs on the Nintendo DS a long time ago. I always got a kick out of how they cleverly blended controls for both Mario and Luigi with button-mapping, making it feel like you were taking both on an adventure.

This one, titled 'UFO Spin', sees the pair deploy their new UFO move in an attempt to remove a runaway coin from a nearby drain. Once again, there's no actual gameplay to be seen here, but if you need convincing that the series' slapstick humour is present and correct, look no further.

But he’s had a particularly strong run in role-playing games on the Switch, with recent remakes of both Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and the original Super Mario RPG. Now we have Mario & Luigi: Brothership which keeps the streak alive with a blend of charm,

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is an excellent return to Nintendo’s otherwise languishing role-playing game (RPG) spin-off series, packed chock-full of charm, wit, and whimsy, plus pleasingly detailed combat mechanics that will deliver hours of fun.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership requires 9.9 GB of storage, larger than previous Mario RPGs on the Switch. Acquire is co-developing the game. Fans anticipate the November 7 release, eager for a new Mario and Luigi RPG after a hiatus.

If you haven't already seen our review of Mario & Luigi: Brothership here on Nintendo Life, our reviewer PJ O'Reilly gave the game an "excellent" 9 out of 10 stars - mentioning how this latest entry takes the long-running series to "new heights".

Turn-based battles are more engaging and creative than they ever have been in Mario and Luigi Brothership, the first new RPG instalment for 9 years.

Mario & Luigi finally set sail on a home console for the first time ever, and my word is it a resounding success. The typical reaction-based combat of the series is back and more refined than ever, with the addition of unpredictable elements like Luigi Logic and some cool super moves with the new Bros. Attacks.

Despite a few lurches here and there and some so-so exploration, Mario & Luigi Brothership offers an enjoyable voyage with smooth sailing, and a punderful script that brings the laughs. It has a new developer and an extra dimension, but the same dedication to humor and brotherly love.