Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is a unique role-playing game where you'll travel through time, controlling both the present-day Mario and Luigi and their baby counterparts. You'll explore the Mushroom Kingdom's past and future, battling the alien Shroobs and solving puzzles by coordinating the actions of all four characters. It's a charming adventure that blends classic platforming elements with deep RPG mechanics.
This guide will help you conquer every challenge the past and present throw your way. We'll cover everything from basic controls and essential item management to advanced Shroob-slaying strategies. If you're looking to master time travel and inter-dimensional combat, this walkthrough will ensure you don't miss a single collectible or struggle with any boss fights.
VIM FACTORY [0508]
Guide to defeating the Hammer Bros. boss in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Learn their attacks, weaknesses, and strategies to progress through the Vim Factory.
The first thing to do when you enter the factory is to enter the warp pipe, which leads you deeper in the factory. Save here and step on the blue switch to enter a new area.
This area is guarded by Hammer Bros. They have been controlled by the helmets on their heads, which were made by the Shrooms so that they can guard the factory. Fortunately for us, their L33T speak makes for a very entertaining skit. In fact, the scene with the brainwashed Hammer Bros. is most definitely one of the best in the entire game. Fortunately for them, the adults are taken away by...a giant nostril machine?! Now it's up to the babies to defeat these goons, and it won't be a walk in the park. Err, factory...
BOSS: Hammer Bros. HP: 100
The Hammer Bros. are the first boss of the game, and they aren't tough, considering you only have the babies to fight them. Their main attack consists of one bro hitting the other one, which is curled into a ball. He is flung at one of the babies. Jump with whomever is being targeted at. Make sure to jump a tad earlier to counterattack and deal some damage to the attacker.
Their second attack isn't used as much when both are alive. One Hammer Bro will throw numerous hammers at the babies. If the top of the hammer falls off, then do not jump; it will pass over your head. If the weapon stays in tact, then jump to avoid getting hit by the it. Determining who is going to get hit is easy; just see which baby the hammer is heading towards.
These guys have a lot of HP compared to the toddlers, but the fight should now take a long time. If you counterattack nearly every turn in fact, the battle should end quite quickly. This is a great opportunity to use some Bros. Items, as well as test out Fire Flowers if you haven't already. You should have plenty of the items by now, so keep using them. When only one Hammer Bro stands, the battle is a lot easier, so start to normally attack and conserve your Bros. Items.
When you defeat the Hammer Bros, their brainwashing helmets will break off. Feeling guilty for their actions, the two will reward the babies with hammers and teach you how to use them! Press R to switch to your hammer, then press X for Baby Mario to slam the hammer to the ground. It is used to break boxes and activate switches. Press Y for Baby Luigi to hop on Baby Mario's shoulders. Press Y again to send the pair spinning underground. Now you can travel underground; great for tunneling under gates.
You can use this technique, Baby Drill, to uncover beans. Drill underground near an "X" mark on the ground, then press Y under the "X" mark to come up and uncover a bean. With the new hammers in hand, step on the yellow switch to the left and enter the doorway.
You'll have to put your hammers to the test in the next couple rooms. Baby drill under the gate to enter a large room. First off, the gated area in the lower left corner holds some Mushrooms, so grab them. Head to the gated area at the top right corner and drill under it. Hop up on the stairs and go down around the edge of the room. Drop down into the closed area and hit the switch on the wall with your hammer.
Jump up the stairs and go left this time. A gap will be in your way, so jump with both babies to the ledge across. Drop down into the closed-off area immediately after crossing the gap and hit the switch. Drill under the gate and jump up the stairs. When on the ledge again, drop down to ground level. The two switches activated some ledges at the top of the room. Jump up the ledges and enter the small doorway, which leads into the air ducts.
The southern path leads to a dead end. Go down the path anyways because you'll find some Refreshing Herbs there. Go back and head left this time. Follow the path until you find an enemy. When you battle with the Spiny Shroopa, the Hammer Bros. will return to teach you how to attack with your hammers.
Their spiny carapace will damage you if you jump on it. To attack, press the designated button for whomever is attacking (remember to select Hammer). When the baby holds the hammer above their head, press the designated button when the hammer shakes to deal extra damage. When the Spiny Shroopa hops forwards to attack, hold down the designated button for whomever is getting attacked. Release it to send the hammer crashing down on it.
Alrighty, once that's down, go down the first path to find a Mushroom Drop, then take the second path to get out of the air duct. Drill under the left gate in the next room to find coins, Refreshing Herbs, a bean, and Unarmed Jeans. Take the right path to enter a large room.
There is a huge tree in the middle of the room. Smash the four lightbulbs surrounding the tree to make the tree sneeze out the adults! With the adults in hand, use them to throw the babies on the ledge in the corner. Hit the switch to open the door, then head through to return to where you fought the Hammer Bros.
Head through the door and defeat all of the Lakitufos and Dr. Shroobs. Grab the Cannonballers from the block and enter the doorway. Step into the warp pipe, and when you emerge, save your game. Snag the Refreshing Herbs in the left side of the room and use
PEACH'S CASTLE [0509]
Follow this walkthrough for Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time to navigate Peach's Castle, learn the Spin Jump, and find hidden items like the Training Badge and Super Mushroom.
- 1Upon meeting E. Gadd, he'll inform you about time holes appearing throughout the castle, blocking your main path. Save your game and proceed to the garden.
- 2The Toadsworths will attempt to teach Baby Peach the Spin Jump. After their failure, Luigi will ask them to teach the move to Mario and Luigi.
- 3Press R to select the Spin Jump move. Press B to have Luigi hop on Mario's shoulders, then press B again to perform the spin. This move allows you to cover long distances.
- 4Complete the training course to master the Spin Jump.
- 5After training, visit the shop to purchase new clothes and badges.
- 6Exit the shop, go up the stairs, and step on the switch to reveal a doorway. Save your game here.
- 7Collect the items located to the right of the doorway.
- 8Proceed left through the library and collect any items found there.
- 9Return to the library after collecting the items.
- 10Step on the lower bookcases to reach the top. Spin Jump to the left from the top of a bookcase to find a Training Badge within a block.
- 11Go to the far right bookcase to find a Super Mushroom.
- 12Return to the previous bookcase and Spin Jump to a ledge.
- 13Collect the 1-Up Super located to the right of the ledge.
- 14Use the warp pipe to regroup with your party.
- 15Once ready, enter the time hole to be transported to a familiar area.
- The Spin Jump is crucial for covering large gaps and reaching new areas. Practice it well.
- Stock up on useful clothes and badges at the shop before proceeding further into the castle.
- Training Badge
- Super Mushroom
- 1-Up Super
PEACH'S CASTLE [0512]
Follow this guide to navigate Peach's Castle in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Learn the Bros. Ball technique, power up machinery, and race against time to reach the Gritzy Desert.
- 1Back at Peach's Castle, report to E. Gadd. He cannot decipher the drawing yet but advises you to continue finding the shards. Save your game.
- 2Head to the courtyard to meet the Toadsworths. They will teach you a new technique: the Bros. Ball.
- 3Switch to the Bros. Ball option and press A to curl up into a ball. This allows for faster movement and the ability to move up steep hills. The Bros. Ball can also be used to power machinery.
- 4Go to the left side of the castle, near the left stairwell, to find a small piece of machinery. Enter it as a ball and roll around to power it up. This will reveal a warp pipe.
- 5Enter the warp pipe to access the sewers beneath the castle.
- 6Save your game. You can explore the sewers; enemies are scarce (only Goombas appear occasionally), and there are many coins and Mushrooms to find. You might encounter a familiar, furious face if you travel through the pipes enough.
- 7When ready, return to the ground floor of the castle.
- 8Head up the left stairwell and proceed onto the bridge.
- 9Enter the middle chamber, which is a giant tower. The exit is secured by a cage, indicating another way to ascend.
- 10Throw the babies and control the adults. Walk to the left and hit the Event Block to start a timer.
- 11Race up the series of ramps to the top before the timer expires.
- 12Once at the top and through the gate, hit the Event Block and exit to the balcony.
- 13Regroup using the warp pipe and enter the time hole that leads to Gritzy Desert.
- The Bros. Ball is essential for faster travel and accessing certain areas or activating machinery.
- The sewers are relatively safe and offer opportunities to collect coins and Mushrooms.
- The tower ascent requires speed; be prepared to move quickly once the timer starts.
SHROOB MOTHERSHIP [0518]
Guide to the Shroob Mothership in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Learn how to navigate, collect items, and defeat enemies with Kylie Koopa's help.
Alright, you've made it to the Shroob Mothership! First things first, let's get you situated. As soon as you land, make sure to save your game. You'll see some platforms to jump up; head up there to grab a Max Mushroom, then find the exit to the next room.
Now, you'll need to use the babies. Throw them up onto the platform to your right. Once they're up there, have the adult Bros. Spin Jump over to join them. From that ledge, use Baby Spin to reach an even higher platform for two Ultra Drops. After that, head to the right to exit.
You'll find yourself on a long track. Grab the items scattered along the way. Again, throw the babies up onto the ledge ahead and continue forward. You'll come across a gate; use Baby Drill to go under it and snag some coins. Drop down to reunite with the adults. Grab the Copy Flowers, and then get ready to fight some Guardian Shroobs. After you've dealt with them, keep moving forward. You'll see a slotted area – use Baby Cakes to fit inside and grab some items, including a Drain Badge. Once you've collected everything you can, proceed to the next area.
Time to get the babies to the top floor of the mothership. Once they're up there, have the adult Bros. walk over to the Event Block. Watch as it sprouts wings and flies away – seriously! Follow it through the dark corridor. Whenever it stops, quickly switch to controlling the babies and hit the switch directly above where the block is. This will light up the area, allowing the adults to interact with it. Keep doing this as it flies down the hallway until a wall eventually lowers. Regroup with the adults at the exit and move on.
You'll find another Event Block here. Hit it, and don't worry, this one won't fly away! It'll create a path leading to the entrance. While you're here, it's a good idea to head back to the entrance and save your game again. When you're ready, head through the doorway to the north.
Use Baby Spin to reach a ledge with some coins. Then, step on the blue switch to open the way forward. Uh oh, looks like you're about to be ambushed by Princess Shroob and her goons! But don't worry, Kylie Koopa arrives just in time to save the day and help you all make a daring escape. Continue through the door, grab any items you see, save your game one more time, and then head through the next doorway.
Kylie will spot a giant keyhole on the side of the ship. Remember that key she found back in Gritzy Caves? It looks like it might fit here! She inserts the key, but instead of opening something useful, it triggers a trap door, sending you all plummeting out of the mothership! What a way to go!
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