I am a super-fan of this series and I am here to defend this game, because I genuinely believe it deserves some more love. I am absolutely glad that I purchased this remake. The comments on this article are troubling me. Fair warning, the rest of this comment is LONG:

I don't think it is fair to call the graphics of the 3ds remake "bad" just because it's not the original. Its true that the original has that certain charm that's been brewing for 10 years because many of us played it as young kids. It's a very cartoony and goofy looking experience. However, I think that those things make it the perfect recipe for some particularly powerful nostalgia that skews people's current perceptions, because the remake is the objectively better looking of the two versions and there is no other reason to say that the original "looks better". The remake gets rid of those black outlines around everything, makes the environments more realistic and colorful, and there is now shading that adds more depth. The environments themselves are now more detailed, (for example, Bumpsy Plains now actually having visible grass instead of a sea of yellowy green, and Bowser's insides now have floating cells and microorganisms). I concede that the frame rate and a few sound effects were made less enjoyable, though. But those aren't deal breakers by any means. What ISN'T to love about this new look? There is no need for such a mawkish attachment to the original.

Next, some people think this game should have been on the Switch instead. It would undoubtedly sell millions, but would you guys really be happy with how they would have to fundamentally redesign the game for that to happen? The game makes constant use of both screens, touch controls, and mic controls (in the original). It would hardly look or feel like the same BiS we all know and love. At least on the 3ds, it can retain the same classic feeling and look. If people aren't happy with the small changes made on the 3ds, why would you be any more satisfied with a flat out renovation? They might as well make a brand new M&L installment for the Switch instead. So what if the original is playable on the 3ds? That shouldn't be a deterrent to people who have genuine interest in this game. If you want it, get it! It's not the end of the world if you have to bust out your older hardware for another game.

I seriously doubt that the people who wanted Partners in Time to be remade would be any happier if that DID happen instead of BiS. The same complaints would be here: "The original is playable on the ds already!" "Why isn't this on the Switch?" "The original is way better!" The results would have been the exact same, possibly even worse since PiT wasn't well received compared to other M&L games to begin with. The recent mawkish attitude towards that game is due to nostalgia as well, not that I hate PiT, I love all M&L games.

The Bowser Jr's Journey portion is not terrible at all. Its story is amazing and it's full of memorable moments. What a shame that people are overlooking it. Dieter's quotes are the best. "It'll only alter 97% of your DNA." But really, it's got genuine character development for the Koopalings and junior and it actually has a moral.

Overall, I had a very fun time with this remake and it's such a shame about how it's got all these factors working against it. It looks and plays phenomenally, and I daresay the definitive version of BiS. It will be underrated forever and I SERIOUSLY hope that haters don't kill the series by not buying these games. On Nintendo's end, someone over there better understand that it's not "Mario & Luigi" that people aren't interested in anymore, it's the 3ds, and that the series should continue on the Switch to boost sales again. It felt good to get this off my chest, thanks if you read the whole thing!