Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (tentative title) is the upcoming third title in the Mario & Luigi series, for the Nintendo DS. It was confirmed on October 2 at the Fall 2008 Nintendo Conference and is currently slated for release Feb. 11, 2009 in Japan, and April 1 in America.

Plot
It is currently thought that the story takes Mario and Luigi across the Mushroom Kingdom to solve the mystery of and find the cure for the Metakoro disease, which causes its victims to swell to huge sizes. At one point, Bowser also tries to kidnap Peach, but he fails. Also, he decides to help the bros., because he might be crushed by a big Toad if not. In a second attempt, he uses something called a "Lucky Mushroom?" which gives him the ability to inhale everything. He uses this ability to eat Peach, along with Mario, Toadbert, and a yellow Bob-omb-like character. As seen in a screenshot, Mario and Luigi must get out the body. Bowser seems also to know that he needs the Bros. So, he tries to drink water in the nearest fountain to "help" Mario and Luigi to escape.

It is also speculated that Fawful may be an antagonist in this game, since some enemies bear a resemblance to him. The Flying Saucers featured in the trailer have green domes instead of the purple of Shroob Saucers, and are speculated to belong to Fawful. Looking closely at these UFO-like devices will reveal what appears to be a pair of bluish spectacles, similar to the ones Fawful wears. Also, at one point in the trailer, Bowser is seen chasing a blurry green and red figure riding a flying device. However, it also speculated that the green and red figure is Prince Peasley. There are also some kind of iron walls seen in a screenshot with the map. Due to the purple color, black mid and red spots, it may spectulate that the Shroobs also return. However, in the prequel, all Shroobs were destroyed by baby tears. Because the black mid on the wall looks like a star, it can also be a Ztar-like wall.

Gameplay
The trailer shown at the conference did not reveal a large amount of information, but one could see a giant spherical Toad rolling on the screen, Mario and Luigi using a Green Shell on a green bug-like enemy, and Bowser using Fire Breath on two tree-like enemies.

Battles seem to have changed little, with Bros. Items making a return. Bowser also has a system of attack items. A new element has been added to battles, a meter at the bottom of the screen with Mario and Luigi's heads on it. It is currently unknown what purpose this meter serves. Additionally, there are now six categories of attack during battle, as opposed to Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time ' s five, or Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga ' s four. No details about the sixth type of attack are known. It appears to be a brown sphere and a white sphere, but that is not certain.

Overworld icons have slightly changed. They now display the health of the character. Bowser uses two buttons in the overworld, X to punch, and Y for firebreath.

It is also possible that Bros. Items and Bros. moves have been merged, or that Bros. attacks will return, since in one image, below the HP number there is a second number next to a Green Shell icon. Also, Mario and Luigi use a Bro Flower in the trailer, and are seen to change into their fire suits.

The title of the Japanese game is called Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!!. Just like in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Mario & Luigi RPG in Japan) and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (Mario & Luigi RPG 2x2 in Japan), the title of the game may have something to do with the gameplay, such as the only characters playable being Mario, Luigi, and Bowser.

Playable

 * Mario
 * Luigi
 * Bowser

NPCs

 * Princess Peach
 * Toadsworth
 * Toadbert
 * A new yellow bomb-like character with a lit fuse on its head.
 * Kamek
 * Toads
 * There are speculations that Fawful will appear in the game, but it is unconfirmed.

Enemies

 * A new type of Shy Guy
 * Goombas (An enemy to Mario and Luigi. Bowser uses them in battle)
 * Koopas (An enemy to the Mario Bros. They obey Bowser)
 * A new Goomba-like species that is pink-orange with black eyes (in Bowser's Stomach)
 * A round dumpy creature that looks like a Flurry and holds a club (in Bowser's Stomach)
 * A Treasure Chest with Banjo-Kazooie like eyes
 * Two different types of trees with eyes.
 * Green Spinies (in Bowser's Stomach)
 * An insect creature that resembles Fawful.
 * A Monty Mole-like creature with a resemblance to Fawful.