If there were any character that people associated with video games, it would be Mario. With his first game released in 1981 -- known as Jumpman -- it was the beginning of the most popular character of all time. With the current hardware, it was difficult to create any character, but that hardly stopped the creator. The hardware was so limited that they gave Mario a hat because it was difficult to illustrate hair, and a moustache to outline where the nose ended, and the mouth began. Mario has gone from a three-coloured character, to a 3D character during his evolution.

More importantly, what brings us to this game was the dawn of Mario in an RPG. In 1996 -- on the Super Nintendo -- a role-playing game known as “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” was released onto the market, and was became a smash hit. The storyline was interesting, and the controls were fun and easy to play with. Graphically, for the time, the game looked excellent, and it is one of the shining stars of the Mario collection.

This game was so excellent, that the idea from it continued on, and several more Mario RPG games were released. Only 5 years later in 2001, Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 was released. The game reinforced the Mario RPG genre as a stable and thriving area to market to. This lead to the prequel of the game I am reviewing, which was Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. This was another role-playing game, with a fantastic storyline that was beautifully accepted. From all of Mario’s history, it leads us to the game... Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

In a warm and sunny day in the Mushroom Kingdom an inventor, Professor E. Gadd, finished construction on his masterpiece, a time machine. Fuelled by the immense power of a cobalt star Princess Peach, the notorious character known for being kidnapped, decides to take a trip with it, deciding to go back in time to the Mushroom Kingdom of yester yore. Accompanied by her friend Toadsworth, she was able to make her journey there, but failed to make the returning voyage.

Upon it’s return the time machine stood in shambles, and in princess’ place, a creepy shroom alien came out and attacked Mario & Luigi. After defeating and capturing the creature, several time holes appear around the Mushroom Kingdom. Under the advice of the professor, it was up to Mario and Luigi to save the day, the kingdom, and the princess. The Mario brothers leapt into the face of danger, like they always have, to save the world in its time of need.

Upon Mario and Luigi returning to the past, they find out that the aliens have devastated a mushroom city. The aliens remained in the city, including their flying saucers, trying to finish off the survivors. When all appears to be going well, the Mario brothers are taken down by an attack from one of the flying saucers, and it appears that the past, and the present are about to be ruined forever. Then in their darkest moment their child sized Mario Brothers come to their rescue. With a little help from a Bowser cannon, the pint-sized heroes save their future selves, where they team up from that moment on. The children reveal that the princess has been captured, and is in another castle, more specifically the Shroom Queen’s.

The Mario team is supplied with their regular rash of gadgets. While both teams can jump upon their opponents only the children, unless teaming with the adults, can use the hammer attack. Something that returns from the previous game is that you must press the attack buttons at the appropriate time to ensure maximum damage upon the opponents. While the babies are piggybacking their future selves they are able to chain their attacks, allowing them both to jump on the enemy at the same time.

Getting into battles will not be hard in the game. The hard part is ensuring you get the initial attack. Most of the time you are able to jump on the enemy and get in that important first attack. Throughout the battle you generally will only be only half an attack away from destroying your enemy, so if you get the important first shot in, it will remove them that much quicker.

You also have many different items. Each of these items will need to be controlled by the player to get the full affects of them. Things like kicking a Koopa shell back and forth on an enemy, throwing fireballs, or even having a crowd of the Mario brothers jump on the enemies in succession, will have you constantly button mashing, trying to keep the chain going.

You are also able choose what attacks hit you, which all depends when you respond to their attacks. You will need to respond to jumping over the enemies, or hitting them with a hammer when the time is right. You may be able to even get a counter attack, to further inflict your damage. It is also possible to dodge or counter every attack in the game. This adds to the challenge greatly, as it only takes a few blows to defeat the Mario gang at any given time. These things are what really holds the battle together, and makes it such a delight to play.