Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story Combat and giant battles: brothers, Bowser and Vacuum
Read the separate combat controls and prepare for sideways DS encounters.
Edition covered
Original Nintendo DS release. The 3DS remake, Bowser Jr.’s Journey and changed rank rewards are excluded.
Bowser fights with a different toolkit
His normal choices include punch, fire and Vacuum. Some enemies must be inhaled or have a weak point exposed before the brothers can finish the encounter inside him.
| Character | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mario / Luigi | Jump | Timed damage against suitable targets |
| Mario / Luigi | Hammer | Ground attack and defense |
| Bowser | Punch | Direct physical attack |
| Bowser | Fire | Flame damage against suitable targets |
| Bowser | Vacuum | Inhale eligible targets or objects |
| All playable characters | Special attack | Spend SP for stronger timed sequences |
The brothers retain timed A and B actions
Mario and Luigi use their own jump and hammer timing. Special attacks spend SP, and each attack has its own input rhythm or positioning task.
| Opponent | Setting | Control emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Bowser’s Castle | First giant confrontation | Learn stylus punch and microphone fire |
| Tower of Yikk | Lake-area tower | Read counterattack cues |
| Fawful Express | Train encounter | Efficient damage before it escapes |
| Peach’s Castle | Late giant fight | Alternate attack and defensive responses |
Giant battles rotate the DS sideways
The original DS release uses stylus motions for punches and microphone input for fire. These are different controls from the ordinary face-button battle system.
Collect giant-fight healing during the fight
Giant Bowser uses Mushrooms supplied within the encounter. Ordinary inventory assumptions do not cover this separate battle mode.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo game information or original manual | www.nintendo.com |
| Super Mario Wiki game reference | www.mariowiki.com |