Play Mario & Luigi - Partners in Time Online

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time came out for the Nintendo DS in 2005, developed by AlphaDream and published by Nintendo. It arrived early in the DS lifecycle, making interesting use of the dual screens for both exploration and combat. The game sends Mario and Luigi back in time to team up with their baby selves, creating a quirky setup that stands out even among other Mario RPGs.

You control both adult and baby Mario and Luigi, switching between them to solve environmental puzzles and navigate areas screen by screen. Your main goal is to stop an alien race called the Shroobs from invading the Mushroom Kingdom's past. Combat uses timed button presses for attacks and dodges, and the brothers can combine their abilities, like using the babies' hammers or the adults' jumps, to hit enemies or interact with the world. The pacing is brisk, with plenty of short, accessible dungeons and light platforming, though some boss fights demand sharp timing. It feels like a clever, hands-on twist on turn-based combat, where every action keeps you engaged.