Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Mario & Luigi: Brothership
	; For alternate box art, see the related gallery.
Developer	Acquire
Publisher	Nintendo
Platform	Nintendo Switch
Engine	Unreal Engine 4
Release dates	November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024; November 7, 2024;
Languages	English; Japanese; Chinese (Simplified); Chinese (Traditional); Dutch; French (Canada); French (Europe); German; Italian; Korean; Portuguese (Brazil); Spanish (Latin America); Spanish (Europe);
Genre	RPG
ESRB:	- Everyone
CERO:	- All ages[?]
PEGI:	- Seven years and older[?]
USK:	- Six years and older[?]
ClassInd:	- General audience[?]
SMECCV:	- All ages[?]
Gmedia:	- Seven years and older[?]
GRAC:	- All ages[?]
GSRR:	- Six years and older[?]
UAEMC:	- Seven years and older[?]
ACB:	- Parental guidance[?]
FPB:	- Thirteen years and older[?]
Mode	Single player
Format	Nintendo Switch: Game Card Digital download
Input	Nintendo Switch: Joy-Con Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

This article is about the Nintendo Switch game. For the digital soundtrack album on the Nintendo Music app, see Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Nintendo Music).

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a role-playing game released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on November 7, 2024. It is the sixth original installment in the Mario & Luigi series and its eighth installment overall, following the 2015 original title, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, and the 2018 remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, respectively. It is the first Mario & Luigi game to be initially released for a home console, as well as the first in the series to feature Kevin Afghani's voice work. Another major change to the series is the full implementation of 3D environments and character models and an art style that resembles the games' official artwork more, which was seen previously in a limited capacity during the giant battles in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and the giant battles in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, as well as in the papercraft battles in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.

First announced during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the first Mario & Luigi title not to be developed by AlphaDream, which ceased operations immediately after filing for bankruptcy on October 1, 2019. However, several developers from AlphaDream who were originally involved in previous Mario & Luigi games returned for the development of Brothership in key roles.^[13] Acquire assumed the role of lead developer, known for its work on the Tenchu and Octopath Traveler series. The game was made using Unreal Engine 4.^[14]

This is the first Mario & Luigi game whose series logo has been slightly recolored. This is also the first Super Mario–franchise title and the first Nintendo-published title overall to omit the GSRR rating on the standard box art version officially distributed in Hong Kong.

Story

Prologue

In the Mushroom Kingdom, Luigi panics as he is being chased by a swarm of bees in a forest near Peach's Castle, and accidentally runs off a cliff before Mario clings onto his hand in time to save him. Afterwards, Mario and Luigi's hands begin to glow, and a mysterious vortex materializes above them which teleports the brothers, Princess Peach, the Toads, Bowser, and his minions away to a distant land named Concordia.^[11]

Upon arrival, Mario wakes up on a distant island all alone and thinks about where Luigi could have gone. He suddenly starts hearing Luigi calling his name, and Mario tries to go to where the source of the sound is. Eventually, he hears one last call from Luigi as he sees Shipshape Island sailing. Mario and Luigi spot each other, and the former tries to make a jump to the island. While almost not making it, Luigi saves Mario and the two are reunited once again. Mario then meets a local resident and Wattanist named Connie, who explains to them the history of Concordia, the world in which Shipshape Island resides. The center of Concordia used to house the great Uni-Tree that would connect the different districts of the land using energy known as Connectar, but after an unfortunate and catastrophic event where the Uni-Tree was destroyed, the continent was shattered and separated into numerous islands. With the help of the brothers, a newly planted Uni-Tree, and a flying pig-like companion named Snoutlet, the main objective is to reconnect the fractured islands back together again and restore Concordia to its former glory, with each unique island to explore.

Lushgreen Sea

Beginning in the Lushgreen Sea, Mario and Luigi first land in the art community of Rumbla Island, where they encounter Guardarms terrorizing the villagers. Once Mario and Luigi deal with them, the chief Willma thanks them and gives them the key to accessing the island's lighthouse. Once Rumbla Island reconnected with the Uni-Tree, Rumbla residents can access Shipshape Island, revealing that any island reconnected allows access across other islands via pipe, and also blooming flowers that grow on Connectar and releasing Sprite Bulbs.

Upon returning to Shipshape Island, a weird capsule washes up on the beach with someone inside, but they are unable to open it. Willma visits Shipshape and says either of her two children, Maykit or Billdit, could make hammers for them. They are trapped on Twistee Island, home to a music-induced plant, and Raynforst Island, where some Toads ended up getting lost, respectively. Once either of Willma's kids makes the duo their hammers, they open the capsule to find Arc, son of Patriarc and expert on currents, who also warns them that someone took over one of the Great Lighthouses. Once Mario and Luigi find both Maykit and Billdit, Rumbla Island is attacked by more Guardarms, along with their boss Gorumbla, who is revealed to have been raised by Willma and only went on an art-breaking spree due to lack of attention. After defeating him and returning to Shipshape, the duo is rewarded with the Red Shell and Green Shell Bros. Attacks.

Mario and Luigi then encounter and reconnect Florall Island, learning the UFO Spin there. Once reconnected, they are close to the Great Lighthouse Island, but Connie goes to Florall Island for a minute, recalling how her mentor Cozette used to take her there. Once Connie comes back to Shipshape Island, the Uni-Tree connects the currents to lead to the Great Lighthouse Island. Inside the sublevels, Mario and Luigi encounter Spite Bulbs, Sprite Bulbs that run on stale energy from being disconnected from the Uni-Tree. Soon, they find a mysterious trio feeding Spite Bulbs to a Gobblick, leaving it to fight the brothers as they get away. After defeating the boss, Mario and Luigi lead Connie to the top of the lighthouse, where she can reactivate it using the Bonding Can, which creates a current to the Color-Full Sea.

Unknown to the brothers, the trio reports to a mysterious figure, who sees the brothers as not a threat, yet claims to need to see them himself.

Color-Full Sea

Mario and Luigi quickly reach the next Great Lighthouse, but it is blocked by a massive wall, so they decide to return once they have a plan to breach the wall. They decide to head to Desolatt Island, where bird creatures called Snaptors are abducting the residents. They then meet a group of kids named Ireen, Loog, Dulles, and Ellow, calling themselves IDLE. They claim to be protectors of the island and are the only ones who know how to get to the Lighthouse, so they test the brothers by playing hide and seek. Once the bros. find all of them, they are led to the lighthouse, where they encounter the mysterious trio once again, ordering the Snaptors to take their captives away. The villains reveal themselves to be Ecks, Ten, and Shun, calling themselves the Extension Corps. The mysterious figure also appears, revealing himself to be known as Zokket, and orders Ten to deal with the brothers. After beating Ten, he drops a Power Tap and Battle Plugs, special objects that allow the brothers to produce various effects in battle.

Once Desolatt Island is reconnected, IDLE arrives at Shipshape, and a star washes up on the beach, which is revealed to be Starlow. She claims that Princess Peach is also in Concordia at Merrygo Island and asks Mario and his brother to find her. Once arriving at Merrygo Island and traveling through its maze, Mario and Luigi encounter more Snaptors, but are saved by the resident genius Technikki, who offers her assistance once the island is reconnected. The brothers soon find Peach at the lighthouse and reconnect the island.

Back at Shipshape Island, Technikki and Peach arrive, with Technikki theorizing that the Snaptors must have rested on another island, which might lead to Zokket. Peach volunteers to get kidnapped to lead them to the island, with Luigi volunteering as well by accident. Either way, the Snaptors lead them to Lottacoins Island, and Mario and IDLE go to save them, with Technikki providing the Zapperator and a Yoshi Egg for Hatch Me if You Can. They find out that Zokket and the Extension Corps are kidnapping residents to use for labor over the production of something sinister at the Great Lighthouses, also threatening the workers of Lottacoins to guard the building. Mario and Luigi are temporarily trapped, but make their escape via tube with the help of the Bro Ball move. Ellow is soon taken, and the bros. and IDLE rush to find him on the roof of the Duplex Towers. The Extension Corps send a Mega Snaptor to deal with the brothers. Mario and Luigi defeat the boss and reconnect the island.

Technikki works on a rocket to get to the Great Lighthouse, but needs Stickem Oil, found in Allsand Island. The bros. launch themselves to the island and find it infested with dangerous creatures known as Sharkbones. They quickly divert them to get the oil and reconnect the island. Before Technikki is able to finish the rocket, Connie heads out again to Allsand Island and recalls her mentor's kindness, saving her from almost sinking in quicksand. Returning to Shipshape Island, Technikki finished the rocket, but it can only be controlled at a close distance, so IDLE volunteers to control the rocket. They launch themselves and survive the explosion, allowing Mario and Luigi to infiltrate the Great Lighthouse. Inside, they find the kidnapped residents being forced to work and guard the mysterious production of Glohm, extracted from the Spite Bulbs of the Great Lighthouse. The brothers soon encounter Zokket and the Extension Corps, with Ecks summoning Sharpcask to deal with Mario and Luigi. After the defeat of the boss, the bros. lead Connie to reactivate another Great Lighthouse, this time creating a current to the Brrrning Sea.

Unknown once more, Zokket is talking to an egg and states how the Glohm will lead to "his rebirth." IDLE also leaves with Princess Peach as a new member to scout the seas.

Brrrning Sea

This time, Mario and Luigi only have access to Bulbfish Island, where they meet the couple Burnadette and Chilliam, princess and prince of Skorcheen Island and Slippenglide Island, respectively. Their villages have been at feuds with one another, so they ran away to Bulbfish to be wed. Mario and Luigi try to access the island's lighthouse, but notice some of the residents acting cold to one another. There is also commotion of the Chief Leyden being accused of stealing the valuable Bulbfish Eggs from the fish pens, with the chief, his assistant, the security guard, and the couple being the suspects. Leyden orders the brothers to clear his name before he allows them to access the lighthouse. Upon investigating, the couple is the prime suspect, only because they are outsiders. The security guard was hired by the assistant to protect the underground area, but he seemingly has no relation to the fish pens. The security guard only allows the brothers to investigate the underground once realizing they are seeking justice. Inside, they find a diary that suggests the assistant had a grudge against the chief. Before they can report this to Leyden, the assistant makes a public arrest of Burnadette and Chilliam, as they were found with the eggs. However, Mario and Luigi believe the couple was innocent and ask the security guard for the key. The brothers also realize that the guard had suspicions about the assistant, but said nothing, so he could still get paid. About to redeem himself, he was going to give the key, but was struck by a mysterious light that made him as cold as the other odd residents. The brothers were still able to get the key and free the couple while soon discovering Ecks hiding and mentioning the experiments to be a success, ordering the Zok Troops to spread the Glohm. Once he leaves, the brothers find the assistant running away, and chase him to the lighthouse, where he confesses not only to stealing the eggs but also to being Leyden's son. They seemingly make up, only for them to fight and for the villagers to accept the assistant as the chief's aide.

Once the brothers return to Shipshape Island, Burnadette and Chilliam arrive and request that Mario and Luigi connect Heatfreeze Island so they could wed there, despite the two villages still being in a feud with each other. Once the bros. arrive, they are forced to judge the two villages' meals. Both meals were too hot and too cold, but they suggest eating them together, an opinion both villages disagree with, only making them more competitive. Upon being left alone, Mario and Luigi make their way to the lighthouse and reconnect the island, also realizing that Zokket is behind the spread of cold-hearted residents. However, before they can say anything at Shipshape Island, the Extension Corps arrive and blast Chilliam with Glohm, explaining how it turns anyone into seeking isolation. Burnadette begs the brothers to find a way to turn Chilliam back, with Connie recalling a doctor named Vulko who claims to have seen everything in Skorcheen Island, and IDLE claiming to have found the Extension Corps' secret lab in Slippenglide Island.

Burnadette and Chilliam celebrating their marriage

Investigating the lab at Slippenglide yields no results, as not even the Extension Corps knows how to cure it, not even Zokket's true goal. Before the brothers can reconnect the island, they run into a group of Goombas searching for Bowser and Koopa Paratroopas searching for the Goombas themselves. They defeat both groups, not realizing Bowser Jr. was also present on the island and had just left. Finding Dr. Vulko trapped in Skorcheen Island, Mario and Luigi head to reconnect the island to reopen the path for Vulko. They also encounter a Bob-omb Squad and a Hammer Bros. squad before arriving at the lighthouse. Returning to Shipshape with Vulko reveals that the cure to Glohm is Ampberries, feeding one to Chilliam and curing him. Burnadette is grateful and yearns to marry soon to Chilliam. Mario and Luigi offer to help find a Wedding Cake and a Flower Crown. Shun, disguised as a merchant, gives the brothers alternative options that are likely traps. Either way, the bros. find the items and attend the wedding at Heatfreeze Island. Technikki also gives the brothers the Bomb Derby and the Jump Helmet.

Afterwards, the Uni-Tree reconnects the currents to lead to the next Great Lighthouse. Connie once again heads to Heatfreeze Island to talk to the newlyweds, mentioning how her mentor once gave her mittens. Once she returns, the bros. head out to the Great Lighthouse with Connie, only for them to get captured and forced into labor. Mario and Luigi quickly escape and rescue Connie, also finding the Extension Corps and Zokket again, who states that his plan is almost complete. Shun summons Pipegunk to finish off Mario and Luigi. Defeating the boss allows the bros. to let Connie reactivate the lighthouse, creating a current to the Gulchrock Sea.

As they celebrate on Shipshape Island, Zokket observes from above and notes how there are two thorns to his plans.

Gulchrock Sea

Fortress Zokket charging up an attack against Bowser's army

Shortly upon entering the Gulchrock Sea, they witness the Zok Troops on Fortress Zokket, Zokket's flying castle, fighting against Bowser's Minions in the skies, led by Bowser himself. Bowser is briefly stunned before noticing Shipshape and the Mario Brothers, ordering his troops to attack them. They shoot at Shipshape Island, and Mario and Luigi are thrown overboard, washing up at Offandon Island. As they explore, they free a boy named Buddy from being trapped in a rock, only for him to run away upon noticing the brothers. Further along, they realize that the island had been taken over by Bowser, as his flags are everywhere, and the residents get along with Bowser's minions, revealed to have taken over from Zokket's control. Bowser Jr. is there and offers a bounty to anyone who finds Mario and Luigi. They find Buddy again, who apologizes for running away, believing them to be nice and leads them to the lighthouse. Buddy gets caught by Bowser Jr., but being friends, he gives him a second chance. The Extension Corps were also at Offandon Island and believed that Bowser Jr. was the key to stopping Bowser from interfering.

Returning to Shipshape Island, they find out two islands were disconnected during the attack: Twistee Island, which became overrun by Glohm monsters, and Heatfreeze Island, being invaded by Bowser's minions. As the brothers reconnect the islands, on Heatfreeze Island, they are requested by the guardians of the island to help mend the village's relationship and provide them the Fire Flower and Ice Flower (allowing use of Fire & Ice), unaware that the wedding already healed the village's relationship. Once both islands are reconnected, Vulko, who has been treating Glohm victims, reveals his Ampberry collection to be low and in need of more. He tells the brothers that the only place where Ampberries grow is at Wayaway Island, which was an island even before Concordia broke. IDLE returns from another scouting mission and discovers that Bowser has made his base in Wayaway Island, and that there are no currents there to get close enough to reach the island. Luigi suggests that the brothers go in disguises in Offandon Island to find out information about how to get there. Technikki also gives the brothers Clockout Blow and the Yoo Who Cannon.

Bowser confronting a disguised Mario and Luigi

Back in Offandon Island, the brothers manage to fool the minions and residents and search for information, also encountering Bowser Jr. hanging out with Buddy. The bros. learn that there is a secret pipe in one of the four islets Bowser has taken over that leads straight to Wayaway Island. Before the brothers can leave, the minions offer them a drink, which Luigi accepts, blowing his cover. The bros. are imprisoned, but Buddy gives them the master key to help them escape. Bowser Jr. finds out and ends his friendship with Buddy, which upsets both of them.

Mario and Luigi set off to find the secret pipe, soon ending up at Wayaway Island, noticing the Extension Corps also sneaking in. Buddy had also arrived in hopes of apologizing to Bowser Jr. As the brothers enter, Kamek blocks the entrance to the throne room, making Mario and Luigi go through the castle to unblock the entrance. Inside, Bowser believes the brothers to be after him and not the Ampberries, initiating a fight. Once Bowser is defeated, the Extension Corps reveal they have kidnapped Bowser Jr., believing Bowser wouldn't touch them with his son in danger. Buddy tries to save Bowser Jr., but is Glohmed by Ten. As they escape with Bowser in pursuit, Mario tells Kamek the cure is Ampberries, but he still refuses to give the brothers any. Fortunately, the bros. learn from a Goomba where the berries are, and take some for Vulko.

Zokket and the Extension Corps holding Bowser Jr. captive

After giving the Ampberries to Vulko, the Uni-Tree connects the currents to lead to the final Great Lighthouse. They also spot Fortress Zokket emitting Glohm, with Zokket himself stating that his plan has reached its end. The bros. and Connie decide to head to the Great Lighthouse first to find a way near Fortress Zokket. Once at the Great Lighthouse, they find it to be the smallest of the others, with Connie stating how Zokket would have little use for it due to its size. The bros. do find information in regards to an egg calling itself Reclusa. Once at the top of the Great Lighthouse, Connie reactivates it for a final time, with the lighthouse creating a current straight to Fortress Zokket.

Once close enough, Mario and Luigi can launch into Fortress Zokket, with Bowser already inside and a path cleared. Once they reach Zokket and the Extension Corps, Bowser is also there to save Bowser Jr. However, Zokket uses him to his advantage, and lands Fortress Zokket at the center of Concordia, using the Great Lighthouses to shoot Bowser with a massive amount of Glohm, turning him into Glohm Bowser. As Mario and Luigi finish off Bowser yet again, Zokket thanks the brothers for ending Bowser's interference before trying to finish off Mario and Luigi with the Glohmatic Quad-Ray. Before that can happen, a voice tells them to run away and jump off the fortress, saving them.

Soon, Zokket visits Connie and tells her that the brothers are finished.

Stormstar Sea

Mario and Luigi meeting the Great Conductor

Mario wakes up similarly to the beginning of this adventure on the same island, this time with Luigi. The voice teaches them the Bro Bomb and guides them to the island's lighthouse, where it is revealed that the island is Conductor Island, home of the Great Conductor, guardian of Concordia. Snoutlet is revealed to be his assistant, assigned to the brothers when the Great Conductor summoned Mario and Luigi to help save Concordia. He also reveals that Zokket is actually Cozette, being controlled by an even greater threat. After testing the brothers via a fight, he believes that their brotherly bond is the key to saving Concordia and allows the brothers to reconnect the island to return to Shipshape Island.

Upon returning to Shipshape Island, they witness Fortress Zokket being protected by a barrier. Vulko suggests they find Adaphne in Jellyfish Island, who is claimed to be a "genius amongst geniuses," and also Technikki's rival. Upon arriving at Jellyfish Island, Adaphne agrees to help, only if they make her a Jellyfish Pizza. Upon completion, she falls for Luigi and agrees to help. However, she says that only her personal assistants could help, and to send Technikki and IDLE to Jellyfish Island to not get in the way, with her idea being to dive under the barrier. Technikki offers a counter-plan to glide over the barrier. Either plan requires an engine from Bowser's Airship, which the bros. go to get back to Wayaway Island.

Once they make it past the barrier, Mario and Luigi re-enter Fortress Zokket, with Zokket ordering the Extension Corps to deal with them or be dealt with. The Extension Corps separate Mario and Luigi, but they fail to realize they should have finished them off when they were apart. Finally, Mario and Luigi fight the Extension Corps, and the Corps, having lost, flee rather than face Zokket. Mario and Luigi can reach Zokket once again, and this time, Zokket decides to face the bros. himself. Upon being defeated, he realizes that they were too late anyway and collapses, satisfied, turning back into Cozette. Just then, the egg that Zokket had been watching over breaks, releasing Reclusa and attacking the bros. and Cozette before they escape.

Arc trapped in one of Reclusa's flowers

Reclusa reforms Fortress Zokket into the Soli-Tree in the center of Concordia, forms a barrier of Glohm around it, and traps most of Concordia's citizens in dream flowers that confine them in their fantasies while slowly starving them. As Cozette apologizes for what she had done as Zokket, Cozette and Connie's bond fills her Bonding Can. Cozette claims that having enough bonds can break the barrier, with Mario and Luigi searching for survivors to provide their bonds. They search for Burnadette and Chilliam on Heatfreeze, collecting their bonds as a couple and giving Luigi the Max-Mix Vortex. Upon returning to Shipshape, Loog reports how the other members of IDLE went missing, and Rumbla is facing trouble again, with Mario and Luigi facing off against Glohm Gorumbla there. After restoring him, he apologizes to Willma. Mario and Luigi then collect Willma, Maykit, Billdit, and Gorumbla's bond as family. Mario and Luigi also find the IDLE members and collect their bonds as close friends.

After finding more bonds from the characters they have met, such as the Groovemaster Dyode and his apprentice Emmit, and Bowser Jr. and Buddy, who made up, they need one more, but Reclusa boasts that there is nobody left who isn't in his control. Connie suggests visiting the Great Conductor, who says how even foes have bonds, suggesting to find the Extension Corps, and also gives Mario the Conductor Connector. They find the Extension Corps back at their secret lab on Slippenglide, having tried to make amends. They agree to give their bonds as partners, while learning from Shun that Reclusa has been doing this to other worlds and must be stopped. Finally, with all bonds collected, Mario and Luigi, along with Connie and Snoutlet, head for the Soli-Tree.

Inside, they face Reclusa's minions, as well as various Glohmed creatures. Once deep enough, Mario and Luigi find an injured Cozette, who tried to face Reclusa by herself. Mario and Luigi head off to face Reclusa, only to find themselves back at the Mushroom Kingdom. Confused, they enter Peach's Castle, only for them to appear back outside. They eventually realize that they have been captured by Reclusa's flowers and are in a fantasy. They managed to break free, annoying Reclusa. Mario and Luigi then face Reclusa, who reveals that he plans to merge with the Soli-Tree and enforce isolation everywhere. Mario and Luigi are overwhelmed by his army, but Bowser arrives and begrudgingly helps, unaware of Reclusa's existence and still in search of Zokket. Reclusa rushes to the Soli-Tree, with Mario and Luigi in pursuit on a giant flying plug made by Snoutlet, using their fire and ice powers to counter Reclusa's attacks.

Weeping Reclusa after merging with the Soli-Tree

After the brothers seemingly defeat Reclusa, he reveals that he was faking it and proceeds to merge with the Soli-Tree, transforming into Weeping Reclusa. Bowser tries to fight back against him but is promptly batted away by the titan, who follows up by unleashing a wave of Glohm that knocks out Mario, Luigi and Snoutlet. Hearing the commotion above, Connie is motivated by Cozette to come to their aid, and she revives them with the power of bonds. After a motivational speech from Snoutlet, the brothers engage Weeping Reclusa in battle. They find that his new form is too powerful to beat head-on, and so they fly inside the tree, where Reclusa tries to defeat them by turning into the Weeping Core. He still fails and then decides to face them off for real. After an intense fight, Reclusa seemingly loses and fakes an epiphany before destroying the ground in an attempt to make Mario and Luigi fall to their doom, but the bros. prevail once more. Reclusa still refuses to understand how bonds are powerful and then fades away. Without Reclusa, his dream flowers vanish, setting all of the trapped victims free, and the Soli-Tree explodes, but Mario, Luigi, Connie, and Cozette manage to escape and return to Shipshape Island safely.

The Great Conductor appears and tells Mario and Luigi that when they reconnect the Uni-Tree, only then can he send them back, and he won't be able to do so later. Mario, Luigi, and Peach say their goodbyes as Shipshape Island heads to the center of Concordia. As the Uni-Tree reaches the center, all of the connected islands begin to reconnect. The Great Lighthouses expel the last of the Glohm and power up the Uni-Tree, fully growing and restoring Concordia at last. The Great Conductor opens a portal back to the Mushroom Kingdom, and Mario and Luigi say their last goodbyes, with Connie giving Mario a Uni-Tree sapling. As the portal takes them, Bowser sends his minions to return home as well. The portal then closes, and Concordia is finally at peace once more.

The game ends with Mario and Luigi sleeping at a hillside near Peach's Castle, where a Toad warns them that Bowser is attacking again, and the princess calls out to them for their assistance. As the brothers head out for another adventure, a planted Uni-Tree is seen, creating new Sprite Bulbs.

Gameplay

Mario and Luigi carrying and passing each other objects is a new mechanic to the series.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership introduces a mechanic where Luigi will come up with an idea for specific situations, indicated by an L-shaped exclamation point, known as Luigi Logic. Some can give him new abilities to use in the overworld to help Mario proceed, like squeezing through narrow gates, while others can be situational commands against bosses that can be used to land critical hits against them. Carrying is a new overworld ability the Bros. use throughout the game. With this technique, they can pick up objects to get them to a designated area and pass them between each other to clear obstacles on the way if need be.

Shipshape Island serves as the hub for the game (similar to Princess Peach's Castle in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time), having several shops and a cannon that shoots Mario and Luigi to the different islands at sea. Shipshape Island travels along currents of the seas, shown on the Ocean Map, accessed by examining the cannon or pressing , and the player can find and travel to different islands. On the Ocean Map, the player can choose which current to travel on and the speed at which Shipshape Island moves, between regular and faster speeds, by pressing . The player can navigate on the island as it moves to its destination point. More NPCs appear on the island as the player visits other islands, similarly to NPCs crowding the Starship Mario as the player progresses through Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Some gear can be crafted by the player at the Workshop on Shipshape Island with some materials. They are found by fishing or are dropped by enemies, and the ones obtained in battle are items often named after their respective island.

The main objective on the islands is to find their Lighthouse and link it to the Uni-Tree on Shipshape Island to reform Concordia. Each sea has its own Great Lighthouse, allowing the player to discover more islands.

Battle system

The battle system is similar to those in previous titles. Normal jump and hammer attacks now combine both brothers to execute when they are both up, called Attack Combos, reminiscent of Bros. Attacks from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga or attacking with the babies from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. If one of them is down or under a certain status condition (eg. dizzy), they return to attacking solo as they did in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story onwards. Emergency Guard returns from Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam and level-ups still no longer have a bonus stat minigame. The Rank feature returns with similar rank bonuses.

Bros. Attacks

Bros. Attacks return in Brothership, this time being given to the Bros. at set points in the story instead of collecting them from other sources such as Attack Piece Blocks, and all Bros. Attacks now end with a dramatic cutscene should the player gain an "EXCELLENT!" rating.

Mario
Name	BP cost	Description	Obtained
Red Shell	4	The brothers pass the shell back and forth, ending with a powerful kick from Mario aimed at one enemy.	After defeating Gorumbla
Hatch Me if You Can	7	Mario pulls out a Yoshi Egg that flies off-screen, the brothers walk in position waiting for it to fall back for the corresponding brother to dive for it, the other brother has to set it up as it flies over his head, then both brothers aim and spike the Yoshi Egg at any enemies within a radius. The Yoshi Egg causes damage to an enemy on hit, and creates a shockwave to damage enemies within a radius, after which Yoshi emerges and Ground Pounds the same enemy struck before for additional damage.	Before heading to Lottacoins Island
Bomb Derby	10	Luigi throws bombs at Mario, which he hits at the enemies with his hammer. The attack ends with the final bomb being hit up, which spawns homing missiles to attack all the enemies.	After linking Heatfreeze Island
Clockout Blow	12	An attack where Mario uses a clock to slow down his and Luigi's perception of time, then the Bros. attack the enemies with their hammers repeatedly as they show up on screen. After a while, one of the enemies will be hit into the air and juggled by one of the brothers, ending with a final strike from both bros. together, sending them back to the ground.	Before heading to Offandon Island
Conductor Connector	15	Mario and Luigi fly on the Great Conductor into space on a wire. As they reach space, Mario has to pull back to slingshot himself at the orbiting energy satellites, and Luigi has to stop him to plug into them at the right time. Doing so after two more rounds of the map expanding to reveal more of them, the laser is charged up, and Mario comes back down to the battlefield with Luigi. The two aim the laser at one of the enemies and line up the crosshair, dealing massive damage to it and creating a lingering shockwave that damages all enemies multiple times.	Given by the Great Conductor
Luigi
Name	BP cost	Description	Obtained
Green Shell	5	The brothers kick the shell at the enemies with each pass, which ends with Luigi kicking the shell at all grounded enemies.	After defeating Gorumbla
Zapperator	7	Requires the player to alternate between the and buttons for Mario and Luigi to create and charge up a growing thundercloud, then press the button to initiate the attack before the device's timer expires, striking all enemies on the battlefield several times.	Before heading to Lottacoins Island
Jump Helmet	9	The brothers walk to the foreground. Mario wears the Jump Helmet and moves left or right for Luigi to jump higher and higher, making him harder to see. It ends with Luigi doing a spinning stomp into the enemy.	After linking Heatfreeze Island
Yoo Who Cannon	12	Nine cannons are summoned, eight of them cover and create clones of Mario and Luigi, they have to be remembered when the cannons are firing whichever brother is in it one at a time; the final one has an explosion symbol instead of a red and green arrow placed behind the enemies, each successful shot the clones will fall into it after bouncing off the enemy, making it bigger. The attack ends with the clones being shot out and spinning rapidly as a giant Bro Ball, doing a U-turn and hitting all enemies.	Before heading to Offandon Island
Max-Mix Vortex	14	Mario and Luigi must throw fireballs and iceballs at the tornado. Once it is filled, they do a spin jump in it so that they can then control and catch enemies in it.	Given by Chilliam and Burnadette

Battle Plugs

Main article: Battle Plug

A new battle feature in this game is Battle Plugs, which functions similarly to the Badges or Battle Cards in previous Mario & Luigi games. It is a new action that can be performed in battle, allowing Mario and Luigi to set and swap Battle Plugs to boost them up without taking an action. Each one has a unique effect and can create combos with each other. They are crafted with Lumenade by collecting Sprite Bulbs. When used, they last for a while based on charges and have to be recharged for an extended period based on turn counts. There is a limit on how many can be used at once, displayed by the number of sockets on the Power Tap in the Battle Plug menu.

Status effects

Status	Description
Trip	This effect leaves Mario or Luigi unable to avoid enemy attacks. It ends when their turn comes or possibly after getting hit.
Dizzy	This effect prevents Mario or Luigi from dodging attacks until their turn comes, but can be lost after getting hit. For enemies, it prevents them from attacking for several turns.
Burn	This effect hurts the character inflicted with it after each turn and disappears after several turns.
Ice	This effect freezes a target solid, immobilizing them for several turns. Characters take critical damage while frozen.
Glohm	This effect renders a Mario Bro. unable to use Bros. Attacks, Jump and Hammer Attack Combos with the other bro., and Luigi Logic, and lasts for the entirety of the battle if not cured. Refreshing Herbs have a 50% chance of curing Glohm, whereas Ampberries always cure it.
Pow Up	This effect increases a character's Power, allowing them to deal more damage.
Def Up	This effect increases a character's Defense, reducing the damage they sustain.
Speed Up	This effect increases a character's Speed, allowing them to act sooner than normal.
Pow Down	This effect decreases a character's Power, reducing the damage they inflict. It can be combined with the other decreasing effects.
Def Down	This effect decreases the Defense of a character, increasing the damage they sustain.
Speed Down	This effect decreases the Speed of a character, making them act later than normal.

Controls

Field

— Move
— Select / Jump (Mario)
— Cancel / Jump (Luigi)
- Hold — Fast-forward conversation
— Swing Hammer (Mario)
— Swing Hammer (Luigi)
— Allows Luigi to act on his own / Luigi Logic
— Open Side Quests menu
— Use Return Pipe (only on linked islands)
— Open Menu
— Open Ocean Map (only on Shipshape Island and linked islands)
— Select Bros. Moves

Fishing

— Reel (Mario)
— Reel (Luigi)

UFO Spin

— Spin
— Stop
Hold — Vacuum

Bro Ball

— Dash
— Brake
Hold — Accelerate
Release — Launch

Fire & Ice

— Throw Fire Ball
— Throw Ice Ball
Hold / — Charge Bro Bomb
Release / — Throw Bro Bomb

Cannon/Telescope

— Open Ocean Map
— Reset telescope
— Zoom with telescope / Fire at island (when discovered)
— Back

Ocean Map

— Toggle fast sailing mode
— Select current
/ — Zoom out / zoom in
— Fast-travel to current marked with cursor
— Back

Battle

Moves

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[A]

[12]

[13]

[14]