Classic Nintendo Duos That Need An RPG Like Mario & Luigi Brothership

Key Takeaways

Mario & Luigi RPG series started in 2003 with unique duo gameplay that uses A & B buttons for each character.
Other classic duos like Wario & Waluigi, Diddy & Dixie, and Link & Zelda could work well in similar RPG spinoffs.
Active RPG combat systems can be adapted to different Nintendo duos, providing new gameplay opportunities for characters like Jesse & James.

As a longtime Nintendo enthusiast with a soft spot for underdog characters, I’ve always found Little Mac and Doc Louis to be a dynamic duo that deserves more screen time. Their unique bond, filled with witty banter and heartwarming camaraderie, is something I believe could translate beautifully into an RPG setting.

Back in 2003, I found myself immersed in the exciting world of the Mario & Luigi RPG series, which made its debut on the Game Boy Advance. This wasn’t just any ordinary RPG – it was the third attempt at creating an RPG franchise featuring our beloved plumber duo, and for the first time, Luigi took a significant role alongside his brother Mario.

Mario was assigned to A, whereas Luigi got the B key. This setup might be ideal for a role-playing game spinoff within various Nintendo series, especially with some creative duo suggestions to kickstart the process:

7 Wario & Waluigi

The Opposite Side Of Mario & Luigi

Classic Nintendo Duos That Need An RPG Like Mario & Luigi Brothership

Wario and Waluigi have never been the main characters in a game outside the Mario sports series. While Wario has appeared in numerous non-sports games, Waluigi has not. It might be intriguing to imagine a role-playing game reminiscent of the Mario & Luigi series but featuring antagonists instead, giving Nintendo an opportunity to explore their unique personalities more extensively.

As AlphaDream was working on the series, they experimented with this concept through the third game, “Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story”, where they made Bowser a co-protagonist. This innovative idea was too appealing to ignore, so whether Wario and Waluigi share the limelight in an RPG, a platformer, an RTS, or any other genre, these characters deserve more spotlight.

6 Diddy Kong & Dixie Kong

An Ape Escape

In the game “Donkey Kong Country,” initially released on the SNES, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong teamed up. Subsequent games in the series on the SNES featured two main characters, such as when Dixie joined Diddy in “Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest.” This duo proved particularly effective for an RPG spinoff, allowing players with diverse playstyles to find characters they could support.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine an RPG adventure where I take on the roles of Diddy and Dixie Kong, with our mission being to rescue Donkey Kong, reminiscent of our escapades in “Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest”. To make this experience even more thrilling, it would be fantastic if the game could incorporate the diverse mounts found throughout the series into battles or traversal, much like Rambi the Rhino. This would not only add a layer of excitement but also pay homage to the beloved elements that make the Donkey Kong series so unique.

5 Link & Zelda

2/3 Of The Triforce

In most games, Link and Zelda have primarily been portrayed as romantic interests rather than frequent collaborators. Additionally, Zelda is often depicted as needing rescue by players, which is commonly referred to as a damsel in distress situation. However, with the introduction of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, it appears that Nintendo might be embracing the idea of Zelda taking on a more active role, possibly even becoming a playable character. The beginning of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom hints at this possibility as both characters are seen exploring together, generating excitement among fans about what’s to come.

In other words, it’s reasonable to assume that the action-RPG battle system from the Mario & Luigi series could fit seamlessly into the realm of Hyrule. Taking inspiration from the Mario & Luigi: Brothership game particularly, a role-playing game featuring sailing, set within the world of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, would be an enjoyable experience given Tetra’s apparent skills among various Zelda characters.

4 Jesse & James

Prepare For Trouble And Make It Double

Jesse and James are characters specifically designed for the “Pokemon” animated series, serving as part of Team Rocket. Interestingly, they made an appearance in “Pokemon Yellow,” attempting to incorporate elements from the show. Throughout the anime, these two antagonists almost always attempt to snatch Pikachu away from Ash and numerous other Pokemon in nearly every episode. Despite their villainous nature, they are still entertaining to dislike, as they also seem to possess admirable traits beneath their mischievous exterior.

A set of admirable traits that might remind you of Wario or Bowser could be attributed to characters like Jesse and James, making them unconventional yet fitting protagonists for a unique spin-off within the world of Pokemon. The main series of Pokemon is already based on turn-based RPGs with Pokémon serving as party members. However, assigning battle roles to Jesse and James seems unusual. Nonetheless, there are creative ways to make it less jarring. In battles, they could direct their Pokémon in real-time strategy (RTS) or tactical conflicts, incorporating dynamic elements akin to the Mario & Luigi games for instance.

3 Fox & Falco

Do A Barrel Roll

In essence, it’s been about four years since we’ve seen a brand new game from the Star Fox series, with the release of Star Fox 2 in 2017. However, it should be noted that this game was actually based on a canceled SNES project, so the last original entry was actually Star Fox Zero in 2016. Throughout the series, many games have been aerial space shooters, but there have also been spin-offs that explore different genres such as platformers and real-time strategy games.

Apart from having one companion in the show, Fox also teams up with three others – Slippy, Falco, and Peppy. Among these trio, it seems that Fox and Falco would be ideal for a buddy-adventure role-playing game. Their frequent disagreements in the series create an opportunity for character development as they learn to cooperate in this proposed RPG scenario.

2 Callie & Marie

Pop Idols Under The Sea

In the late 2000s, games set in post-apocalyptic worlds became extremely popular and it appears this genre is here for the long haul. While Nintendo has only a few exclusive post-apocalyptic titles, such as the Splatoon series, these games offer an intriguing twist: humanity was destroyed, and fish evolved into humanoid creatures who inhabit remnants of human societies like Japan. This helps explain why characters like the squid-like Inklings exhibit Japanese customs, including their adoration for pop idols.

In each game, a popular music group serves as commentators to help players navigate the terrain. For instance, in the first game it was Callie and Marie, in Splatoon 2 it was Pearl and Marina who stole the show, while in Splatoon 3, Shiver, Big Man, and Frye were the beloved idols. Developing an RPG around any of these bands would be intriguing, perhaps a fusion of elements from games like Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, The World Ends With You, and Mario & Luigi. However, considering that Callie and Marie were the original pop sensations, they might be the most fitting for the role.

1 Little Mac & Doc Louis

Join The Nintendo Fun Club Today!

In the majority of the “Punch-Out” games, Little Mac is the main character, with his mentor, Doc Louis, by his side. At times, Doc offers sound guidance, but at other moments, he utters nonsensical lines such as extolling the benefits of becoming a member of the Nintendo Fun Club. Regrettably, the “Punch-Out” series has been inactive since its Wii release back in 2009.

Although fans might crave a straightforward sequel filled with boxing chaos, such an approach alone might not drive sales today. Instead, consider crafting a sequel or spinoff that incorporates an RPG (Role-Playing Game) system. In this scenario, Doc would guide Little Mac in combat training through turn-based battles set across the city. Major showdowns could be designed following the iconic style of the original Punch-Out games, serving as the culmination of Little Mac’s journey towards the top.

2024-11-10 08:34