Mario & Luigi RPG Scores High in Famitsu #1 at Nintendo Cubed3

The weekly edition of Famitsu magazine has now been released in Japan, and along with it come the regular dose of reviews, this time including two big hits for Nintendo, with the third Mario & Luigi RPG from developer AlphaDream on the DS, as well as the Cing-developed Another Code sequel, R - Kioku no Tobira.

Check out the scores below, including other formats' games due out soon, such as EA's Skate 2 and Capcom's much anticipated Street Fighter IV:

Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (NDS, Nintendo): 9 / 9 / 8 / 9 - (35/40)
Street Fighter IV (PS3/Xbox 360, Capcom): 9 / 8 / 8 / 9 - (34/40)
Skate 2 (PS3/Xbox 360, EA): 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 - (32/40)
Another Code:R - Kioku no Tobira (Wii, Nintendo): 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 - (28/40)
Tantei Jinguuji Saburo DS: Fuserareta Shinjitsu (NDS, Arc System Works): 7 / 7 / 7 / 6 - (27/40)
Hidamari Sketch: Doko Demo Sugoroku x 365 (NDS, Idea Factory): 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 - (24/40)
Skate It (Wii, EA): 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 - (24/40)
Saka no Gabaibaa-Chan (NDS, TryFirst): 6 / 6 / 5 / 5 - (22/40)

According to details on NeoGAF, the Cing's two previous DS releases, the original Another Code and Hotel Dusk, scored 35/40 and 33/40, respectively. This Wii edition was seemingly marked down due to there not being as much puzzling as there is story-telling. Details from the review are somewhat glowing, with comments being made about how the transition to 3D has improved the cinematic direction considerably, whilst there is a larger emphasis on the story in general, as well as the in-game dialogue, with the story actually being akin to young adult novels from Europe. It is even stated that the soundtrack for the game is very impressive, yet overall there is too much focus on the story, leaving the four Famitsu reviewers feeling that the game's pace suffers.

As for Mario & Luigi RPG 3, the full translation from 1UP is as follows:

This is the highest-scoring game of the month (outscoring both SFIV and Skate 2), and while there are "no dramatic changes," Famitsu's reviewers could find very little to complain about. "The fun action and lovely pixel art of the previous game has been further polished, creating a game filled with the sort of fun only the DS can provide." The M&L-touring-Bowser's-body gimmick is lots of fun, it seems, and while one reviewer "would ask for a little more length," this is still "a great game, one that serves as an example of how games should be made."

Both games are already destined for a European release, although firm dates are currently unknown...