Editing Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

{{Infobox

|developer=[[AlphaDream]]

|released={{releasedate|Europe|July 12, 2013|Australia|July 13, 2013|Japan|July 18, 2013|USA|August 11, 2013}}

|modes=TBC

|ratings={{ratings|esrb=E10+|pegi=3|cero=A|usk=6|acb=PG}}<ref>[http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?sid=RqrIYbH4BOlytGum3HeCaQ%253d%253d&ncdctx=kgEkq9HyejgJRUG4%2bR8eH%2bujk9fY%2blOj5Sk5j1CYUW%252fKwWVnqJAqTX64yDr3G19e]</ref>

|media={{container|3ds=1|3dsdl=1}}<ref name="First trailer">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G43ICqZawsg]</ref>

|input={{input|3ds=1}}

'''''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team''''' ('''''Mario & Luigi RPG 4: Dream Adventure''''' in Japan and '''''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.''''' in Europe & Australia) is a title for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. It is the fourth installment in the [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario & Luigi'' series]]. The game was released in Europe on July 12th, 2013, Australia on July 13th and Japan on July 18th. It will be released in North America on August 11th. This game is part of "[[The Year of Luigi]]", celebrating the 30th anniversary of [[Luigi]]'s debut. As such, Luigi has a much bigger role in the game than in the previous ''Mario & Luigi'' games. A special edition [[Nintendo 3DS#Nintendo 3DS XL|Nintendo 3DS XL]] with a Luigi themed print was released in Japan as part of the event and includes a digital copy of ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' preinstalled on the SD card.

[[Mario]], Luigi, [[Princess Peach]], [[Toadsworth]], and the [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s are invited to [[Pi'illo Island]] by [[Dr. Snoozemore]] through a message in his Broggy and travel to the island on a hot air balloon for sightseeing. During the flight there, Luigi falls asleep and dreams of Mario fighting [[Antasma]]. Afterwards, he dreams of the balloon they were in to fall and crash, but instead Luigi wakes up and falls to the ground out of confusion. Later on, they reach to [[Pi'illo Castle]] and re-unite with [[Starlow]], where Peach and Toadsworth accidentally set off a test platform sending them to ancient Pi'illo ruins. Mario & Luigi follow upon pursuing the two through the ruins, find Peach and Toadsworth surrounded by a group of [[Smoldergeist]] which flee when the Bros. arrive. Here they find a Pi'illo, which later turns out to be [[Dreambert|Prince Dreambert]]. This action causes the Smoldergeist to come back and attack the Bros..

Upon beating the group and leaving the ruins the Bros. come to a collection room. Here Luigi takes a nap on the pillow. After everyone gathers in the collection room, a [[Dream Portal]] opens a portal to a place called the [[Dream World]]. This allows Antasma<ref name="NWR">[http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/33932]</ref>, unknown by anyone, to pull Princess Peach into the world against her will.<ref name="Second trailer">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE1sJUsa75E]</ref> After Mario chases after Peach into [[Dreamy Pi'illo Castle]], he comes across [[Dreamy Luigi]], Luigi's dream representation, who assists Mario through his treks in the Dream World.

Giving chase, the Bros. catch up to Antasma who creates [[Dreamy Mario]] to stop Mario, but upon Dreamy Mario's defeat, Antasma creates a portal to [[Dream's Deep]] and flees there, sealing it up afterwards to prevent the Bros. from giving chase. Mario and Luigi then find a [[Nightmare Chunk]] & break it, freeing Prince Dreambert. He then explains that there were two powers in the on Pi'illo island, the [[Dream Stone]] and the [[Dark Stone]]<ref name="NWR"></ref>, both stones have the power to grant wishes. The Pi'illo folk were protecting the stones from misuse. Then the Bat King, Antasma, came to steal the Dark Stone to fulfill his desires. The Pi'illo could not defeat him, though managed to trap him in the Dream World, however Antasma was able to destroy the Dark Stone at the last second, thus causing the Pi'illos souls to be trapped in Nightmare chunks upon being hit by one, thus rendering them helpless. Prince Dreambert, in a haste to save his fellow people then runs out, the Bros. following him. After catching up to Dreambert and saving some Pi'illos they learn from one in particular that [[Eldream]], a Pi'illo elder, knows how to reach Dream's Deep. The Bros. then set off to find him in [[Mushrise Park]].

Upon arriving at Mushrise Park the Bros. learn that [[Brickle]], the Manager of the park, has Eldream but will not give him up unless they catch him. After the Bros. chase him, gaining hammers during their attempts, they find him on top of a fountain, where he tries to flee but gets stuck in the fountain top. The Bros., going underground, turn up the water pressure causing the fountain to explode, and freeing Brickle. Meanwhile at Brickle's Maintenance hut, [[Grobot]], the hydrozation robot, gets hit by a large peace of the fountain, damaging it and causing it to go haywire. Brickle thanks the Bros. and tells them they can use his bed in his hut. Upon arriving there, Grobot is incredibly unstable and attacks Brickle. It then attacks the Bros. After defeating Grobot, Brickle is heartbroken although quickly gets over it and allows the Bros. to use his bed to free Eldream.

In [[Dreamy Mushrise Park]] the Bros. encounter [[Dreambunny]], Eldream's pet rabbit, who's carrying the nightmare chunk containing Eldream. [[Dreamy Brickle]] interrupts them though saying the rabbit is what will bring people to his park and competes with the Bros. for it. After Mario and Luigi corner Dreambunny, it gives up the Nightmare Chunk, allowing the Bros. to free Eldream. Eldream opens a portal to Dream's Deep with the use of Dreambunny and then goes to spend some time with his pet. The Bros. enter said portal and proceed to Dream's Deep.

The Bros. quickly corner Antasma but are held back by his obnoxious screeching. Meanwhile in the real world, Starlow is watching Luigi when [[Kamek]] appears along with [[Private Goomp]], [[Corporal Paraplonk]] and [[Sergeant Guy]], all three now promoted to royal guard. [[Bowser]] then enters, demanding the location of Peach, and upon catching the princess's scent, jumps into the Dream Portal. He arrives in Dream's Deep right where the Bros. are confronting Antasma. Upon being convinced by Antasma and his claims of new moves and such, Bowser fights with Antasma against the Bros. After being beaten by the Bros., Antasma increases Bowser's power and floors Mario, Luigi and Peach. Antasma then flees with Bowser, stating they will get Peach later as they have work to do. Eldream who arrives on the scene, helps get the Bros. and Peach back to the Real World.

Back in the Real World, the Bros. learn that Antasma is going after the Dream Stone, which resides in [[Dozing Sands]]. Upon reaching Dozing Sands, the Bros. meet [[Britta]], a ruthless construction manager who says she can't help them as there is no more treasure in the already explored areas besides the path with the large sand slide. The Bros. learn that to get up the sand slide they have to find the four Pi'illo Keepers of the [[Dozite]]s, special stones that fit into [[Zeekeeper]] statues, when all collected would allow them to proceed up the sand slide. After finding three of the Dozites, the drill monster, [[Torkscrew]] eats the fourth Pi'illo Keeper, resulting in a chase on the [[Drilldiger Tool|Drilldigger]]. Upon drilling it several times in a chase, it coughs up the Pi'illo Keeper, who, like the other Keepers, was trapped in a nightmare chunk.

After placing the last Dozite in the last statue, the sand slide becomes climbable and Britta races ahead of the Bros. to the newly accessible area in hopes of treasure. Upon reaching the new area Torkscrew attacks Britta and swallows her. After beating Torkscrew to the point of which it explodes, Britta is freed, however fades in and out of consciousness in a bad state and is carried off for medical attention. The Bros. approach the ruins that hold the Dream Stone to discover Antasma and Bowser had already stolen it. Prince Dreambert realizes that the Dream Stone's alter is a [[Dreampoint]], a point where one can enter the Dream World easily. Dreambert suggests that the Bros. try to find the [[Dream Stone Soul]] who may be able to tell them where Antasma and Bowser went with the stone. Upon hearing this, Mario enters the Dream World as Luigi sleeps on Dreambert on the Dreampoint, into [[Dreamy Dozing Sands]]. After finding the Dream Stone's Soul, it tries to hide as it doesn't want to get involved but is pestered to the point it is consumed by fury, turning into massive [[Drilldigger]] to get rid of the Bros.. Dreamy Luigi, fusing with many [[Luiginoids]], then becomes [[Giant Luigi]] to defeat Drilldigger. After doing so, the Dream Stone's Soul tells Luigi where the Dream Stone was taking, [[Mount Pajamaja]].

To reach Mount Pajamaja, the Bros. need to take a tour there, signing up requiring them to go to Wakeport. At Wakeport, the Bros. run into [[Kylie Koopa]], who doesn't remember them yet offers them some optional work at her office, and [[Popple]] who just robbed a building in broad daylight, who remembers but doesn't recognize the Bros. Upon signing up for the tour and arriving, everyone who signed up but the Bros. flee in fear before the tour even starts. Mario and Luigi learn from one of the two tour guides, [[Lil'Massif]], that the tour can't start unless [[Big Massif]], his older brother and the other tour guide, shows up.

During their search, the Bros. help a [[Hooskin]] make a proposal, gaining some items upon doing so and learning of a hint to Big Massif's location. The Bros. later find Big Massif voluntarily asleep on a Dreampoint. Luigi then falls asleep in an attempt to connect to Big Massif's dream to wake him up. The Bros. succeed in both that and in entering [[Dreamy Wakeport]], but discover that to meet [[Dreamy Big Massif]] they have to beat his four apprentices with special conditions involved. After beating all four, it is revealed that Dreamy Big Massif was disguised as the Referee. Upon beating Dreamy Big Massif, Big Massif wakes up, notices he slept in and starts the tour to and up Mount Pajamaja.

After climbing up to the summit of Mount Pajamaja, the group comes across the mammoth guardian of the mountain, [[Mammoshka]], who is currently sleeping. The Massif's get by unnoticed but Luigi sneezes, waking up Mammoshka, who gets enraged when it sees the Bros. After beating the Guardian, the Bros. proceed to the summit where they find Antasma, Bowser, Kamek, Private Goomp, Corporal Paraplonk and Sergent Guy with four large speakers. It is revealed that the Dream Stone needs to charge before it can grant wishes. Private Goomp then turns on the speakers and music known as the [[Dreambeat]]s starts playing, making all who hear it fall asleep, except for Pi'illos, Starlow, Antasma and Bowser (who is covering his ears). The Bros. try to escape but Luigi falls asleep while Mario fights the drowsiness. Dreambert suggests going to the Dream World to escape the music until it's over upon stumbling upon one in their escape. Mario manages to escape the Dreambeats by diving through the Dream Portal of a nearby Dreampoint into [[Dreamy Mount Pajamaja]], but the Dream Portal soon closes as the music has made Luigi so deep in his sleep that it can't remain stable.

Meanwhile, the entire island falls asleep and [[Dream Orbs]], orbs created by those who sleep, are absorbed into the Dream Stone to power it. Mario suggests to cause a eruption in the Dream World's volcano to stir Luigi awake to re-open the Dream Portal. Upon reaching the summit, the Bros. discover the dream version of the mountain volcano, [[Mount_Pajamaja_(Boss) Mt. Pajamaja]], is alive and anger it by popping a pimple on its nose. Mt. Pajamaja's reaction sends the Bros. running back to where the Dream Portal was but it hadn't re-appeared yet, leaving the Bros. to face Mt. Pajamaja, resulting in another Giant Luigi battle. After beating the Volcano, the Dream Portal reappears and Mario returns to the real world. Starlow and Dreambert discuss their next plan of action and decide to hide Princess Peach as that would be Bowser's prime target and head back to Pi'illo Castle.

 

At the crater of Mount Pajamaja the Dream Stone is finished charging and Antasma makes the first wish. Antasma wishes for a Castle for him and Bowser, one that is impenetrable and also one that is feared, and a large castle, a mix between Bowser's and Antasma's designs, comes out of the Dream Stone and floats into the sky. Antasma then tries out the castle and destroys several small islands around Pi'illo island with large lasers. Then a large impenetrable shield surrounds the castle. Bowser dubs this castle [[Neo Bowser Castle]]. Antasma then offers Bowser the next wish. When the Bros. arrive at Pi'illo Castle, they find everyone in panic and soon learn what the first wish was for. They decide to find Princess Peach and protect her and find out she's at [[Driftwood Shore]].

 

When they arrive, they are told to go see [[Broque Madame]] who has disguised Peach and Toadsworth as Block folk. It is suggested that Peach should be hidden in the Dream World from Bowser. The Bros. meet Popple again who is on a tour but still can't find anything worth stealing. After that the Bros. find a Dreampoint and they meet [[Seadric]], a [[Seadring]] that would be glad to help hide Peach. It is suggested though that Peach should be held deeper in this Dream World and Seadric suggests the use of [[Dream Eggs]] to expand the world. Seadric then tells the Bros. to go see his two brothers and one sister to get their three Dream Eggs. After doing so, Seadric expands the world and then tells the Bros. to meet him in the next area after finding the prizes he left for them. After meeting up, the Bros. asked why he left monsters, with Seadric replying that monsters shouldn't be here and that something bad got in. After the final expansion and hiding Peach in the deepest part. It is revealed that Peach was actually Kamek in disguise, along with the royal guard, Private Goomp, Corporal Paraplonk and Sergant Guy, and it's revealed they already had Peach. The royal guard then battles the Bros. and reveal they can only be beaten if all of them are KO'd at once. After doing so, they are demoted to janitors and teleported out by Kamek who then leaves.

 

The Bros. start looking for a way to get to Neo Bowser Castle when they discover [[Dr. Snoozemore]] has returned and go to see him. Upon finding him in the collection room of Pi'illo Castle, he is startled to see a living Pi'illo. He suggest trying to find the [[Zeekeeper]] to break the shield around the Castle. Dreambert remembers seeing a Zeekeeper statue in Dream's Deep in Pi'illo Castle. The statue would've allowed the Bros. to find the Zeekeeper's location but to their dismay, it is deactivated. Upon reactivating it, Mario and Luigi learn to summon the Zeekeeper, they must use the [[Ultibed]], which in order to access, must first be built by a Bedsmith once they collect the five Zee Parts scattered across the island.

 

The Bros. have little trouble getting the parts, but upon finding the [[Jelly Sheets]], a group of [[Fly Guy R]]s steal it. The Bros. locate the group taking a break on the path towards the Blimport. Mario devices a plan to steal the sheets back. While the Bros. sneak by, Starlow and Dreambert have a loud conversation about a rumour of Bowser having a birthmark in a certain place in a certain shape. The Fly Guy Rs get interested and distracted allowing the Bros. to steal it back before having to fight the Fly Guy Rs.

 

After collecting the necessary parts the Bros. head to Wakeport and run into Popple again, who is trying to steal from [[Pi'illo-per]]'s, a Pi'illo artifact collector, collection room. The Bros. follow Popple to a sealed-off area full of ruins. Popple mistakes [[Wiggly]], a Wiggler, as a security guard. When the Bros. walk past Popple he pulls them to one side and still doesn't remember them. He then tricks the Bros. into helping him fight Wiggly, by talking first, and then after insulting Wiggly fighting him. Popple causes problems to the Bros. during the battle by enraging Wiggly, preventing a Bro from dodging or saving his own skin. After Wiggly is defeated he turns on the Bros. immediately but is beaten. Upon learning Wiggly wasn't a security guard he insults Wiggly again, getting chased, and claiming he's had enough of the island.

 

The Bros. then find Pi'ill-oper who is amazed at the Bros. Pi'illo artifacts and takes them to his prize possession, [[Bedsmith]], who is trapped in a Nightmare Chunk. When the Bros. finally reach the Nightmare Chunk, [[Earthwake]], the guardian holding the nightmare chunk in its head, activates and forms a robot made of buildings resulting in another Giant Luigi battle. After beating Earthwake and breaking the nightmare chunk, Bedsmith is more than happy to help, but needs to meet the Bros. at his workshop in [[Somnom Woods]] to build the Ultibed.

 

After arriving in Somnom Woods, Bedsmith makes the Ultibed, and then tells the Bros. to find the Zeekeeper they would have to sleep in the temple in Somnom Woods. To reach the temple, the Bros. have to free the [[Pi'illo Masters]] which hold the keys to reaching the temple. Mario and Luigi, however slightly slowed by the antics of the [[Nommon]]s, manage to save all six of the Pi'illo Masters and are able to continue towards the temple. Unfortunately, upon reaching the ideal spot for the Ultibed to be slept on, the temple's defence system releases the guardian, [[Pi'illodium]], who then attacks the Bros.

 

After defeating the guardian, the Bros. then place the Ultibed into position, and Mario enters [[Dreamy Somnom Woods]] to find the Zeekeeper. Climbing up the large tree towards where the Zeekeeper sleeps, Mario and Luigi survive several of the tree's confusing tricks and make it to the top, where they find a large rainbow egg (known as the [[Zee Egg]]) of which Mario smashes, releasing the Zeekeeper who instantly attacks the Bros., this soon triggering another Giant Luigi battle. After the Zeekeeper is defeated, he notices Dreambert with the Bros. and reverts to his usual casual demeanour, no longer hostile.

 

Upon hearing the dire situation, the Zeekeeper agrees to help after being promised (against Mario's will) that after Antasma's defeat he would get every single coin Mario has, takes Mario out of the Dream World and then proceeds to scope out Neo Bowser Castle, once doing so returns near the forest entrance, awaiting the Bros. to shatter the barrier. Once they board the Zeekeeper and he flies near the castle, he unleashes the Wakebeam upon the castle, shattering the barrier and causing the castle to plummet in an empty area slightly to the north of where the forest entrance is, right between Mt. Pajamaja and Somnom Woods. The Zeekeeper lands with the Bros., and then rests, allowing Mario and Luigi to then storm the castle once prepared after a shopkeeper rushes by to set up shop near the castle to reap much cash from desperate shoppers.

 

Upon infiltrating Neo Bowser Castle, Kamek casts a spell on the rooms and passages, making it harder for the Bros. to navigate the castle. Upon doing so, Kamek and Antasma flee into the Dream World through a platform behind a sturdy fence. Mario and Luigi soon figure out the tricky navigation, and eventually are able to chase after the duo into [[Dreamy Neo Bowser Castle]]. After hunting down Kamek, they do battle with him, however Kamek exits the battle midway in order to flee to another Dream World, releasing the spell on the areas in Neo Bowser Castle and leaving.

Mario and Luigi follow suit and re-enter Neo Bowser Castle, and proceed deeper. Meanwhile, upon Bowser stating his desire to conquer the world now, Antasma suggests Bowser sleeps due to his potential dream energy being raw and powerful. Bowser agrees to this line of logic, and goes along with the suggestion. Mario and Luigi after continuing through, find Kamek who casts a similar spell as before on to the nearby rooms, making navigation tricky. Antasma appears and once again opens the Dream Portal, the evil duo entering again from a similar fenced off platform.

Upon Mario and Luigi once again maneuvering the tricky corridors of this next area and setting the wind turbines to blow the huge rolling Bob-ombs over a gap in their track and on to the switch removing the gate fence, they return to the platform and re-enter the Dream World. After escaping the rising lava, the Bros. find Kamek disguised as Peach, however do not fall for it this time, causing Kamek to drop the act and engage battle with them yet again. Deep into battle, Kamek once again exits the duel along with the Dream World, heading deeper into the castle yet again, causing the Bros. to follow.

Mario and Luigi quickly catch up to Kamek, startling him as he was in the middle of muddling up the rooms. He flees through another Dream Portal, as like before. The Bros. adapt to this area's emphasis on large rolling Bob-ombs, and manage to lower the gate blocking the platform Luigi would then sleep on. Mario enters the Dream World, and eventually finds Kamek who takes the Bros. head-on this time. After a rough battle, Kamek is defeated soundly, and the magic departs from the Real World, allowing Mario and Luigi to continue upon their leave of the Dream World. The battered Kamek then decides to use the rest of his magic to assist Bowser, and disappears.

Mario and Luigi are once again stopped from their trek deeper into the castle quite soon by several intense flames being shot out of three Dream Worlds, and then realize they must enter each of the Dream Worlds and stop whatever is causing the flames. Upon succeeding in doing so, Mario and Luigi enter the doorway at the end to find Bowser sleeping on Antasma as a pillow with a barrier protecting him. Dreambert states that the strange purple vines they've seen everywhere throughout the castle are what powers the building, and that they originate from Antasma. Luigi suggests they enter Bowser's Dream World, Dreambert realizing they could try what they did with Big Massif with Bowser. Dreambert connects himself to the vines as pillow form, and Luigi sleeps on him, Mario entering the Dream World.

After traversing the Bowser-infested Dream World, the Bros. soon come across Bowser gulping down chunks of meat. Bowser spots Mario and Luigi, and orders to have more meat served to power him up, finishing all the meat, and entering a rage upon finding that out. He starts inhaling the area around him, growing in size just like when he ate the meat. Bowser then jumps off the ground and into a pit in what seems to be a fatal fall. Mario and Luigi run over to where Bowser jumped, and look down in the pit. They see no sign of Bowser, and assume he's been dealt with. Mario and Luigi try to move, but they are knocked back by a Giant Bowser wrecking the place up, clearly unharmed.

Luigi signals Mario that they're going to do what they normally do in this situation, a Giant Battle. The real Luigi confidently signals Starlow, and a Giant Battle commences. Upon Bowser getting struck by Finishing Bros., Mario and Luigi celebrate, only for Kamek and some Magikoopas to appear and power Bowser up, causing the Giant Battle to continue. When Luigi manages to make Bowser woozy and open to damage, the Bros. start up Star Driver, another version of Finishing Bros. where Dreambert powers up the star instead. With this attack being successful, the Bros. defeat Giant Bowser.

Mario and Luigi leave the Dream World and after pursuing the evil duo, discover that Bowser was planning to double-cross Antasma all along. Antasma reveals he had made a wish on the Dream Stone for the ability to create Dream Portals at some point, and flees from Bowser through one. Bowser, meanwhile, flees himself with a [[Koopa Paratroopa|Paratroopa]] holding Princess Peach. Dreambert decides to fight Antasma just as he did centuries ago, and loses. Mario decides to avenge him and jumps into the Dream Portal himself. [[Dreamy Luigi]] and a barely conscious Dreambert join in the fight to assist him. After Mario defeats Antasma for good, they leave the Dream World, knowing they still have Bowser to take care of.

Narrowly avoiding [[Private Goomp]], [[Sergeant Guy]], and [[Corporal Paraplonk]]'s [[Bob-omb]] attacks, Mario, Luigi, Starlow, and Dreambert make it to the castle balcony, where Bowser and Peach await. Bowser boasts about the power he now has, with the Dream Stone and Peach in hand. Suddenly, Peach and Starlow activate their wish power from [[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|the previous game]] and, at the request of Dreambert, destroy the Dream Stone. Bowser is initially shocked about this, but then screams in rage, "NOT YET!" as he inhales the Dream Stone's pieces and becomes a form known only as [[Dreamy Bowser]]. Mario and Luigi engage battle with him, and upon winning, knock him flying into the sky. Suddenly, without the Dream Stone to maintain it, the castle begins to crumble, but the Zeekeeper gives Mario and friends a lift back to Pi'illo Castle just in time.

Back at the castle, Toadsworth is so relieved to see the princess. Dreambert presents the Zeekeeper with the Dream Stone's essence extracted from Bowser's body, hoping to get it repaired. He does so, but it becomes the [[Dream Coin]], which spouts infinite coins, instead. The Zeekeeper explains that he made it this way because simply having the power to grant all wishes is too risky, and it's more intuitive to "buy" one's wishes. Dreambert pouts at the sight of the concoction, but Broque Monsieur says it'd be a great attraction, and Mario, Luigi, and Peach agree. Meanwhile, Bowser and his minions are desperately trying to escape the island in the [[Koopa Clown Car]], and Bowser announces he will come back for revenge, finally remembering Luigi's name. They are then showered in coins from the Dream Coin, Private Goomp and Sergeant Guy rock the Koopa clown car so much, trying to get coins, that it falls into the ocean. The group then start their vacation, shown during the end credits.

==Gameplay==

The gameplay shifts between [[Luigi]]'s dream world, where Mario and Luigi move in a 2-D fashion, and the regular world, where they freely roam the overworld. While Mario is playing inside Luigi's dreams, [[Starlow]] can move Luigi's face to affect the area, such as spinning platforms. The battles give the player [[coin]]s directly from enemies in battle, like ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''. [[Badges]] similar to those in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' make a return in this game. Sometimes Gifts also appear in between or after battles. Giant battles from ''Mario & Luigi's Bowser Inside Story'' return, this time with Luigi instead of Bowser. The games art style also changes in this installment due to the shift to 3D. Unlike the previous games' basic sprite style, this installment uses a pre-rendered visual that makes the sprites smoother with the backgrounds.

The bottom screen of the 3DS displays the area map. Unlike previous installments, the map shows and follows the actual location of the Bros.

===Battle system===

The battle system in the overworld is similar to those in previous titles, but the system in Dream World is different, as Mario will fight in all battles with Luigi's dream form. There are now five categories of attack, as in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''. They are [[Jump]], [[Hammer]], [[Items|Item]], [[Dreamy Luigi|Luiginary Attacks]] (in the Dream World) or [[Bros. Attacks]] (in the Real World), and [[Flee]]. If a player loses a battle and tries again, a sixth option appears, which is the Hint option. Also during battles if the player fails at Bro. moves a numerous amount of times in battle a slo-mo feature will activate allowing for easier hits. There can be more than five enemies in battle, as in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''. The [[Rank]] feature returns again. One change is the lack of [[Lakitu]]s from the level up system.<ref name="''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' 22 minutes of gameplay demo"/>

===Status Effects===

Effects can be caused by enemies, gear and more. Some increase/decrease Mario and Luigi's stats and some them from attacking. In this game, there is no Poison effect like the previous ''Mario & Luigi'' games. Enemy effects can't be combined but others can.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

!width=3%|Type

!Effects

|align="center"|Trip

|align="center"|This effect makes either Mario or Luigi trip over, stopping them from avoiding a single attack. There is a rare chance that when it is their turn, they will not get up and attack.

|align="center"|Dizzy

|align="center"|This effect causes Dizziness to Mario and Luigi. They will not be able to attack or dodge for a few hits.

|align="center"|Burn

|align="center"|This effect is similar to the Dizzy effect, but actually hurts Mario and Luigi. The effect ends after being hit either once or twice.

|align="center"|Mini

|align="center"|This effect makes either Mario and Luigi very small. It makes them inflict less damage. When in the dream world, using the hammer attack when mini still causes the Luiginoids to be normal size.

|align="center"|Pow Up

|align="center"|This effect increases the Power of Mario or Luigi. It can combined with the other increasing effects.

|align="center"|Def Up

|align="center"|This effect increases the Defense of Mario or Luigi.

|align="center"|Speed Up

|align="center"|This effect increases the Speed of Mario or Luigi, allowing them to attack more regularly because they are faster than the enemies.

|align="center"|Pow Down

|align="center"|This effect decreases the Power of Mario or Luigi. It can combined with the other decreasing effects.

|align="center"|Def Down

|align="center"|This effect decreases the Defense of Mario or Luigi.

|align="center"|Speed Down

|align="center"|This effect decreases the Speed of Mario or Luigi, making the enemies attack before Mario and Luigi.

===Out-of-Battle Techniques===

There are techniques that Mario and Luigi learn throughout their adventure, that can't been used in battle. The first techniques are jumping. The player uses {{button|3ds|A}} (or {{button|3ds|Y}}) for Mario and {{button|3ds|B}} (or {{button|3ds|X}}) for Luigi. Upon pressing {{button|3ds|R}}, it will cycle the bros' current techniques, going to to different ones gained later on. There are four sets of different techniques. When in the dream world, the only ability that both of the Bros. can use is the jump ability, while the hammer is exclusive to Mario's hammer and only Luigi can use Luiginary Work Possess.

 

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

!Location Unlocked

|rowspan=2; align="center"|Jump

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|A}}

|rowspan=2; align="center"|1

|align="center"|Mario will jump. He can use this to make a starting attack and jump to places that can't be walked to. It is the most commonly used technique in the game.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|Start

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|B}}

|align="center"|Same as Mario's jump but for Luigi.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|Hammer

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|A}}

|rowspan=2; align="center"|2

|align="center"|Mario hammers whatever is in front of him. He can hit buttons and break Nightmare Chunks that can't be broken with jumping.

|align="center"|[[Mushrise Park]]

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|B}}

|align="center"|Luigi hammers Mario so he becomes squashed. Mario will then be able to go into smaller areas that can't be reached normally. If Luigi hammers Mario again he will return to normal size. If Mario is standing on softer ground, Luigi will hammer him into the ground so he can move underground. He can use this ability to dig up beans and other things. Use the A button for Mario to jump out and ground.

|align="center"|[[Dozing Sands]]

|align="center"|Spin Jump

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|A}}

|rowspan=2; align="center"|3

|align="center"|Mario will jump on Luigi. Pressing A again will initiate the spin jump so Mario and Luigi can spin things and spin other to further away platforms. Press B when Mario is on top of Luigi to return to normal.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|[[Mount Pajamaja]]

|align="center"|Drill

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|B}}

|align="center"|Luigi will jump onto Mario's back; press the B button again to launch the drill. It will drill whichever way Mario and Luigi are facing. Drilling can smash through rocks, and go into drill cannons that shoot out Mario and Luigi in different directions after Mario and Luigi have drilled in. Press the A button while Luigi is on Mario's back to return to normal.

|align="center"|Ball Hop

|align="center"|{{button|3ds|A}}/{{button|3ds|B}}

|align="center"|4

|align="center"|Mario and Luigi will jump into ball, which will endlessly jump until the player press A or B again. The jumps that the ball make are higher so the bros can reach higher places. It is also used for Ring Puzzles, where Mario and Luigi must jump through rings without touching the same space again. It is performed in Sonnom woods.

|align="center"|[[Mount Pajamaja]]

(Dream World Only)

Luiginary Works are special abilities found in the [[Dream World]]. When Dreamy Luigi is near a Luiginary Work, both react to each other, causing them to be surrounded by a green light. Dreamy Luigi, then, can "possess" the object, creating a special object that can be controled by the sleepy Luigi, with Starlow's help. As said by Dreambert, the Luiginary Works are the objects of connection between the real world and the Dream World.

{|style="text-align: center; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"

|- style="background:#abc;"

!width=20% |Image !! Description/Function

|[[File:M&LDT Drill.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a drill. If Starlow spins Luigi's nose, it will cause the drill to spin as well which Mario can then hold onto to reach higher areas.

|[[File:3DS MarioLuigi3DS 022013 Scrn05.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a constellation in the background. When he does it, the stars turn into [[Luiginoid]] that can be stacked to help Mario with strong moves, such as the [[Ground Pound]] and [[Spring Jump]].

|[[File:M&LDT Clock.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a clock which can effect Mario's speed, this is done by Starlow either touching Luigi's moustache or nose.

|[[File:M&LDT Sun.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a a sun. Starlow can move his arm and make him to press a button near the frozen Pi'llow that is used to change the real world from hot to cold and vice-versa. If the real world gets hot, the sun in the Dream World makes the area similar to a desert. If it gets cold, the sun freezes and the Dream World turns snowy.

|[[File:M&LDT Planet.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a planet. Starlow can rotate a raft that Luigi is sleeping on to change the gravity in the Dream World.

|[[File:M&LDT Pinwheel.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a giant pinwheel. When Starlow spins Luigi's nose, the pinwheel causes wind in the Dream World.

|[[File:M&LDT Void.png|130px]] || Dreamy Luigi possesses a patch of matter, turning into a circular object with light revolving it, which when activated by Starlow via a switch in the real world, allows Mario to space-swim through the area freely.

|}

 

Giant battles play similarly to the ones in the previous instalment, with the boss on one screen and Luigi on the other. The battles now offer a choice of left-handed or right-handed play. Attacks and counter-attacks, like in the prequel, are used by tapping repeatedly, sliding in correct shapes and sliding repeatedly. As the playable character being different in this game, Luigi is instead able to perform a variety of the moves he uses in normal battle, such as his jump and hammer attacks, the latter having two variations. He is also given the option to work together with Mario to perform both a useful healing technique and a spinning stomp attack, as well as a finishing attack involving Mario piercing through the boss in question's weak point while riding a Star thrown by Luigi, all of which listed below.

 

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

|rowspan=1; align="center"|'''Jump'''

|align="center"|[[Jump]]

|align="center"|''Charge up for extra oomph!''

|The player must slide upwards on the Touch Screen upon Luigi having charged up power to stomp the enemy, where the player can slide upwards again to deal maximum damage with a bonus jump to the enemy.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|'''Hammer'''

|align="center"|[[Hammer Chop]]

|align="center"|''Slide fast for a harder hit!'' (''Slap foes to the background!'')

|The player must slide across the Touch Screen quickly in order to deal maximum damage with a horizontal hammer swing.

|align="center"|[[Hammer Uppercut]]

|align="center"|''Slide fast for a harder hit!'' (''Smack the foe backwards!'')

|The player must slide upwards on the Touch Screen quickly in order to deal maximum damage with a vertical hammer swing.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|'''Bros. Attack'''

|align="center"|[[Rhythm Mushroom]]

|align="center"|''Attack in tandem with Mario!'' (''Touch Mushrooms to heal up!'')

|The player must tap in time to Mario's mushroom throwing. Eating a mushroom successfully heals Luigi a bit.

|align="center"|[[Drill Stomp]]

|align="center"|''Attack in tandem with Mario!'' (''Spin more for a super stomp!'')

|The player must rapidly slide their stylus in circles either clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the prompt on the Touch Screen as Mario and Luigi stomp the enemy after each of the (maximum of three) spins.

|rowspan=2; align="center"|'''Final Attack'''

|align="center"|[[Finishing Bros.]]

|align="center"|''Aim with the 3DS!''

|Luigi jumps (after the player slides the stylus upwards) into space where he grabs a Star for Mario to ride on and throws it towards the boss, Mario directing to its weak point. The player needs to aim the star by tilting the 3DS. Missing the weak point causes a "OK!" attack. Getting a direct hit will get "Excellent!" with an action replay.

|align="center"|[[Star Driver]] (Exclusive to Final Giant Battle)

|align="center"|''Control the star to attack!''

|Similar to the Finishing Bros. attack, Luigi grabs a star. However, Dreambert powers up the star, making it grow to larger proportions. Mario then rides the star like before, and if the player is successful in avoiding incoming fireballs, the attack is also successful. This is only available after using Finishing Bros. on Giant Bowser.

===Unlockables===

Upon completing the game, two new features will be available, '''Jukebox''' and '''Hard Mode'''. Jukebox allows the player to listen to the game's soundtrack. In Hard Mode, enemies are stronger, and the maximum amount of items the bros can carry is 10. Like the previous games, should the brothers lose in a battle in Hard Mode, rather than having the option to restart it, they will automatically be taken back to the point where the player last saved their game.

==Ranks==

Ranks works slightly differently from the way they did in ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''. Instead of set rewards, such as extra gear slots and shopping privileges, the player is given limited choices of what one Rank-Up Bonus they wish to give to Mario and Luigi respectively upon reaching a new rank per rank, excluding Rainbow Rank where the player gets two Rank-up Bonuses, giving the player the limit of five slots for bonuses per character if the player reaches Level 40.

*Mushroom Rank (default)<ref name="''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' 22 minutes of gameplay demo"/>

*Shell Rank (Level 8)<ref name="''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' Battle Tips & Luiginary Works">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM8YNwLulkw]</ref>

*Flower Rank (Level 16)<ref name="''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' Battle Tips & Luiginary Works">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM8YNwLulkw]</ref>

*Star Rank (Level 26)<ref name="''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' Battle Tips & Luiginary Works">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM8YNwLulkw]</ref>

The Rank-Up Bonuses are the following:

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

|align="center"|'''Gear Slot +1'''

|align="center"|''Increases your apparel slots by one, letting you use more gear!''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|align="center"|Can be chosen twice. The player can give a brother another extra gear slot if they have already chosen Gear Slot +1 before.

|align="center"|'''Badge Stock +1'''

|align="center"|''Adds an additional effect stock for your badges.''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|align="center"|If the player selects this for both Bros., they can have the maximum of four badge effect stocks.

|align="center"|'''HP Up+'''

|align="center"|''Gives you an additional +2 HP every time you gain a level.''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|

|align="center"|'''POW Up+'''

|align="center"|''Gives you an additional +1 POW every time you gain a level.''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|

|align="center"|'''BP Up+'''  

|align="center"|''Gives you an additional +1 BP every time you gain a level.''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Quick Level'''

|align="center"|''Gives you 20% more EXP from enemies you defeat, making it easier to level up.''

|align="center"|Shell Rank

|align="center"|20% bonus is applied to the total EXP earned from enemies after the battle.

|align="center"|'''Iron Body'''

|align="center"|''Reduces damage you receive from enemies by 25%.''

|align="center"|Flower Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Jump Man'''

|align="center"|''Boosts your solo-jump attack power to 125% of normal.''

|align="center"|Flower Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Hammerhead'''

|align="center"|''Boosts your solo-hammer attack power to 125% of normal.''

|align="center"|Flower Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Counterer'''

|align="center"|''Boosts your counter-attack power to 150% of normal.''

|align="center"|Flower Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Shroom EXP'''

|align="center"|''Makes Mushrooms give you EXP as well as HP. Mushrooms lovers level up easily!''

|align="center"|Flower Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Big Lucky'''

|align="center"|''Boosts the power of Lucky Hits so you can deliver 200% the normal damage.''

|align="center"|Star Rank

|

|align="center"|'''Casual Bros.'''

|align="center"|''Makes Bros./Luiginary Attacks cost half the BP they normally do.''

|align="center"|Star Rank

|align="center"|Can be stacked with the Bros. Ring.

|align="center"|'''Quick Healer'''

|align="center"|''Makes restoration items restore 200% of what they normally do (in battle).''

|align="center"|Star Rank

|align="center"|This ability only works if used on self (in the case of only one brother having that ability); with the exception of Nuts (both brothers heal), and 1-up Mushrooms.

==Special Attacks==

===Bros. Attacks (Real World)===

Bros. Attacks are powerful and complex team techniques that Mario and Luigi perform in unison in the Real World. These moves are unlocked by gathering the ten Attack Pieces in a particular area. Like in the prequel, the player is given the option to practice their unlocked Bros. Attacks in the menu. In this game however, certain Bros. Attacks are influenced damage-wise by either Mario's or Luigi's Boots POW stat, Mario's or Luigi's Hammer POW stat, or just Mario's or Luigi's normal POW stat, whose variable POW stat depends on who's performing the attack and how it involves them. Once again exclusive to this game, Mario and Luigi each have Bros. Attacks unique to themselves that only they can activate, excluding the 3D Red/Green Shell which they both share.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

! colspan="6;" style="color:white;background:red" | Mario

!style="background:lightcoral"|Special

!style="background:lightcoral"|Description

!style="background:lightcoral"|Effects

!style="background:lightcoral" width=3%|BP

!style="background:lightcoral"|Type

!style="background:lightcoral"|Location

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|[[3D Red Shell]]*  

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|''Use the A Button for Mario and the B Button for Luigi, and kick that shell!''

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|Similar to the previous ''Mario & Luigi'' games, Mario and Luigi kick a red shell at enemies. It ends with Mario using a charged kick upon Luigi kicking it to him.

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|4

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|Boots

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|[[Mushrise Park]]

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|[[Bye Bye Cannon]]

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|''Memorise the order that the shadows of Mario and Luigi launch into the sky. As they land, press the A Button for Mario and the B Button for Luigi. If you get it perfect, they'll descend in the opposite. Stay focused!''

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|Mario and Luigi jump into a cannon. A randomized sequence of them blast out. The player must hit the A and B Buttons in the same sequence Mario and Luigi came out, and if successful, must do the same sequence backwards for maximum damage.

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|7

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|Boots

|align="center" style="background:lightcoral"|[[Wakeport]]