Mario & Luigi: Sides of the Coin

Summary
Mario & Luigi: Sides of the Coin is a game by Nintendo and AlphaDream for the Nintendo 3DS. It features Mario & Luigi collaborating with their rivals, Wario & Waluigi, in a quest to uncover the mysteries of the Flipp World.

Plot
"Light. Darkness. Opposites from the day they came to be.

Though the night sky fills hearts with fear and doubt, from that same sky stars are born, casting rays of hope.

But just as light is born from darkness, so too is darkness born from light; should the two ever become one...

...some stars may not cast the same rays.

-King Philippe III, ruler of the Flipshroom Kingdom, 1,500 years ago

After a search through ruins nets Wario and Waluigi a special-looking coin, Wario accidentally flips it and the two are warped away. They are met by Mario, who looks to be in different colors. Wario defeats him in battle, but the two are confronted by a giant figure demanding the Heart Flippcoin.

Luigi drags Mario to Princess Peach's Castle to be present for her wedding. Mario is against the wedding, but secretly, so too is Peach. The wedding starts, and Prince Philippe waits at the altar for Peach. As soon as she reaches the altar, Bowser attacks. Mario gets Peach to safety and fights Bowser, defeating him yet again.

As the wedding is delayed, Philippe discusses Bowser issues with Mario and Luigi, and Luigi suggests they take it up with Peach. They go to her chambers to find her being abducted by a black humanoid with a red scepter and matching circular hat. He introduces himself as Flipheart and takes Peach with him out the window. Mario and Luigi (and Philippe, though trailing) chase them through Acorn Plains and to Layer-Cake Desert. He flips the Heart Flippcoin to transport them all away.

Mario and Luigi wake up to find Wario and Waluigi looking down at them. Their faceoff is interrupted by Starlow wanting an explanation. A blue Star Sprite named Bleutoil appears from Wario's pocket, telling her introductions are necessary. After getting acquainted, Bleutoil tells Mario they have transported to the Flipp World, a parallel world to Mario's world, called the Upper World. Bleutoil has lost many memories, but he knows it's his mission to prevent the Grand Ztar from awakening and being used for evil and that the Flippcoins might be connected. Wario mentions that one Flippcoin was how they got there, and Waluigi admits to the treasure hunting. Bleutoil had begun trusting Wario and Waluigi after they saved him from Flipheart. The group decides to team up in order to stop Flipheart and his three fellow Flipzards, so as to save Peach and unravel the mystery of the Flipp World.

Playable
Mario

Luigi

Wario

Waluigi

Supporting
Princess Peach

Starlow

Bleutoil

Toadsworth

Toad(s)

Prince Philippe

Lord Henry

Flipser

Flipmek

Sergeant Guy

Corporal Paraplonk

Private Goomp

Other
Flippa Bros.

Greazy

Captain Toad

Yoshi(s)

King Flip-omb

Mariachi Guys

Rosalina

Randy Bandflippy

Toad Scholars

Antagonists
Casinova

Flipheart

Flipmond

Flipclub

Flipade

Bowser

Kamek

Princess Flipeach

Flipworth

Flipio

Flipigi

Fliptoad(s)

Bosses
Koopa Bros.

King Ka-Thunk

Giant Lava Flibble(s)

Cheepskipper

Shadow Eye Flipji

Bouldergeist

Piranha Trio (Petey Piranha, Dino Piranha, Peewee Piranha)

Giga Flipaint Chomps

Flipser Jr. (optional)

Dry Flipser (secret)

Gameplay
This game is an overhead RPG with platforming elements. The object is to navigate Mario, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi through areas of the Upper and Flipp Worlds to complete objectives, battle enemies and reach the bosses of each area. The Mushroom Kingdom and Flipeach’s Castle act as Overworlds, and other areas of the Flipp World are accessible via Flippcoins. The aforementioned Flipp World versions of areas can only be accessed by stone pillars that contain Flippcoins, and one set of teammates progresses through a side-scrolling environment with platforming elements. Pairs need to be switched so as to progress, so to swap places with the other pair, use the ZL or ZR Buttons.

Overworld
Players can walk through the Mushroom Kingdom and Flipeach’s Castle in a 3D overhead environment. Jumping into “?” Blocks gives the player coins or items, and hitting a Heart Block fully restores the HP and SP of all teammates.

When the Bros. are all together, Mario, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi travel together two by two (the Mario Bros. to the right of Wario and Waluigi); when together or apart, Mario is always followed by Luigi and Wario by Waluigi. The Action Icon is listed in the top-right corner of the Top Screen, and as more Action Commands are unlocked, they can be toggled through by pressing the R Button, or return to the default Jump with the L Button. When a face appears in the A or X Icon, you can talk to a character; if a “!” appears, you can interact with an object you are facing.

Warp Pipes take the group to the Meringue Clouds, where a friendly Lakitu waits to help direct Mario and co. through available Warp Pipes to other areas in the Mushroom Kingdom. Another Lakitu offers Meringue Clouds’ specialty: Cloud Cotton Candy. It costs 10 coins, and it completely restores HP and SP. The Meringue Clouds hosts the Battle Ring, which is available after defeating Bowser & Kamek.

Likewise, once King Flip-omb unlocks his army’s cannons, they launch you to the Macaron Flipclouds in the Flipp World. Hitting the “!” Block unseals the gate, thus allowing connection between areas. A Lakiflip offers Puff Macarons for 10 coins, and like the Cloud Cotton Candy, they restore HP and SP. The Macaron Flipclouds hosts the Giant Battle Ring, which is available immediately.

Upper World
Peach's Castle/Toad Town

Acorn Plains

-Enemies: Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Waddlewings, Skipsqueaks, Chargin' Chucks, Giga Waddlewings

-Bosses: Koopa Bros. & Flippa Bros.

Layer-Cake Desert

-Enemies: Paratroopas, Blocksteppers, Ka-Thunks, Spikes, Pokey Wheels, Hammer Bros.

-Boss: King Ka-Thunk

Sparkling Waters

-Enemies: Cheep Cheeps, Discus Guys, Whirli-Bloopers, Spiky Madpoles, Dragoneels, Boomerang Bros.

-Boss: Cheepskipper

Frosted Glacier

-Enemies: Shy Guys, Bullies, Sniffle Thwomps, Ty-Foos, Frosty Bloopers, Ice Bros.

-Boss: Shadow Eye Flipji

Soda Jungle

-Enemies: Bandits, Ninjis, Boos, Meter Guys, Hypno Snifits, Nasty Scuttlebugs

-Boss: Bouldergeist

Rock-Candy Mines

-Enemies: Bob-ombs, Boxing Guys, Magmaarghs, Brolders, Paint Chomps, Fire Bros.

-Bosses: Piranha Trio

Meringue Clouds (hub)

-Battle Ring Bosses: Ninjakoopas (Koopa Bros. & Flippa Bros.), King Ka-Thunk, Shadow Eye Flipji, Bowser & Kamek, Flipeach’s Forces (Princess Flipeach in Fliptoad Droid, Flipio, Flipigi), Giga Flipaint Chomps, Piranha Trio, The Four Flipzards, Casinova, Battle Medley (Dry Flipser (Secret Boss))

Bowser's Castle

-Enemies: Goombas, Paratroopas, Shy Guys, Hammer Bros., Fire Bros., Boomerang Bros., Red Bullies, Gamble Guys, Quarterback Chucks

Flipp World
Flipeach's Castle/Fliptoad Town

-Boss: Flipeach's Forces (Princess Flipeach in Fliptoad Droid, Flipio, Flipigi)

Walnut Fliplains

-Enemies: Flip Soldiers, Flip Fliers, Fanner Flips, Floombas, Flippa Troopas, Waddleflips, Flipsqueaks

-Bosses: Petey Piranha, Club Paraflippa

Devil's Flip Cake Desert

-Enemies: Spike Flip Soldiers, Cannonflips, Diggflips, Blockflippers, Ka-Flips, Flipspikes, Hammflip Bros.

-Bosses: Giant Lava Flibbles, Dino Piranha

Seltzer Flipwaters

-Enemies: Flimpolines, Flippa Divers, Starflips, Flipp Flipps, Flippi-Bloopers, Dragonflips, Flipperang Bros.

-Bosses: Peewee Piranha, Flipser Jr. (optional)

Popsicle Flipcier

-Enemies: Flipskimoes, Flip Viruses, Flip Guys, Flibullies, Sniffle Flimps, Ty-Flips, Flipice Bros.

-Boss: Spade Chieflip Chilly

Fructose Flipjungle

-Enemies: Flimberjacks, Shamanflips, Bandflips, Flipjis, Fliboos, Flypno Snifits, Nasty Scuttleflips

-Boss: Diamond Flinty Mole

Jawbreaker Mines

-Enemies: Elite Flip Soldiers, Flip Arsonists, Black Flibelts, Flip-ombs, Fliparrghs, Brolflips, Flipfire Bros.

-Bosses: Giga Flipaint Chomps, Heart Fliparrgh

Macaron Flipclouds (hub)

-Giant Battle Ring Bosses: Club Paraflippa, Diamond Flinty Mole, Spade Chieflip Chilly, Heart Fliparrgh, Giant Ztarbot, Battle Medley

Flipser's Castle/Ztar Chambers

-Enemies: Flipzard Apprentices, Sword Flip Soldiers, Shield Flip Soldiers, Sprinter Flip Soldiers, Flip Mages, Automaflips, Scienflips, Juggerflips, Flip Generals

-Bosses: Four Flipzards, Casinova, ???? (Final Boss)

Items
Items are consumables that usually are usable only once, whether in the overworld or during battle. They can restore points, heal status effects, or do other things. Here is a list of items (and their effects) that can be collected by defeating enemies in battle, hitting “?” Blocks in the overworld, or buying them at shops:

-Mushroom: Restores 30 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-Super Mushroom: Restores 60 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-Ultra Mushroom: Restores 100 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-Max Mushroom: Restores 150 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-Nuts: Restores 25 HP to each teammate.

-Super Nuts: Restores 50 HP to each teammate.

-Ultra Nuts: Restores 75 HP to each teammate.

-Max Nuts: Restores 100 HP to each teammate.

-Syrup: Restores 30 SP to one teammate.

-Super Syrup: Restores 50 SP to one teammate.

-Ultra Syrup: Restores 80 SP to one teammate.

-Max Syrup: Restores 120 SP to one teammate.

-Candy: Restores 20 HP and 10 SP to one teammate.

-Super Candy: Restores 60 HP and 30 SP to one teammate.

-Ultra Candy: Restores 120 HP and 60 SP to one teammate.

-Max Candy: Completely restores all HP and SP of one teammate.

-1-Up Mushroom: Restores ½ HP of a fallen teammate. (1/4 if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-1-Up Deluxe: Completely restores all HP of a fallen teammate. (1/2 if used on Wario or Waluigi.)

-Garlic: Restores 30 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Smelly Garlic: Restores 60 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Foul Garlic: Restores 100 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Pungent Garlic: Restores 150 HP to one teammate. (Half if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Life Eggplant: Restores ½ HP of a fallen teammate. (1/4 if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Deluxe Eggplant: Completely restores all HP of a fallen teammate. (1/2 if used on Mario or Luigi.)

-Refreshing Herb: Heals a teammate of their Status Conditions. (Does not restore decreased POW, DEF, or SPD.)

-W Anvil: Can be used on a single enemy to inflict damage as well as DIZZY, or in the center of the opponents to inflict less damage as well as TRIP.

-Lakitu Cloud: Casts a fog over all teammates, protecting them from damage for 3 turns.

-Cannon Pipe: Has a 30% chance of launching a single enemy from battle. Will damage both the enemy and the teammate who used it if it fails.

-Mystery Box: Can inflict/heal damage, increase/decrease stats, can protect from damage for a set number of turns, can inflict random status conditions…and can target anyone.

-Beans: Beans can be collected in the field, but cannot be used during battle. However, they are consumables that permanently increase the selected stat of the teammate who consumed it. Here is a list of beans:

-Heart Bean: +1 HP

-Heart Bean DX: +3 HP

-Special Bean: +1 SP

-Special Bean DX: +3 SP

-Power Bean: +1 POW

-Power Bean DX: +3 POW

-Defense Bean: +1 DEF

-Defense Bean DX: +3 DEF

-Speed Bean: +1 SPEED

-Speed Bean DX: +3 Speed

-Stache Bean: +1 STACHE

-Stache Bean DX: +3 STACHE

Gear
Gear can be equipped to the teammates to increase their stats or provide other kinds of effects. As the game progresses, more different and powerful kinds of gear can be purchased at any Gear Shop. Each teammate has a default slot for boots, hammers, and one kind of wear (overalls, gloves, or special items). Gear can also be found by defeating enemies in battle or hitting “?” Blocks.

Level System
As the team engages in battles, they gain EXP Points, and if they achieve enough, they level up. Leveling up allows an increase in most of the teammate’s stats. You may then use a Spin Counter to select one stat and press the A Button to stop the wheel; whatever number appears is the number of additional points by which the selected stat increases. At certain levels, the teammates increase in rank, allowing several Rank-Up Bonuses to be added to the teammates (2 at the Special & Treasure Ranks).

Mario & Luigi Ranks                 Wario & Waluigi Ranks
Level 1                                     Mushroom Rank                                  Coin Rank

Level 7                                     Shell Rank                                           Pearl Rank

Level 15                                   Acorn Rank                                         Diamond Rank

Level 23                                   Bell Rank                                             Sapphire Rank

Level 30                                   Flower Rank                                        Ruby Rank

Level 38                                   Star Rank                                            Emerald Rank

Level 46                                   Special Rank                                       Treasure Rank

Rank-Up Bonuses
Gear Slot +1: Grants an extra gear slot. (Can be chosen twice.)

HP UP: Grants an additional 2 HP every time you level up.

SP UP: Grants an additional 2 SP every time you level up.

POW UP: Grants an additional 1 POW every time you level up.

DEF UP: Grants an additional 1 DEF every time you level up.

SPEED UP: Grants an additional 1 SPEED every time you level up.

STACHE UP: Grants an additional 1 STACHE every time you level up.

Star Point Max +10: Increases the maximum Star Points by 10. (Only one teammate among Mario or Luigi can select this.)

Dark Star Point Max +10: Increases the maximum Dark Star Points by 10. (Only one teammate among Wario or Waluigi can select this.)

Jumpman: Boosts Jump power by 25%.

Hammerhead:Boosts Hammer power by 25%. (Mario & Luigi only.)

Dynamo Magnet: Boosts Hammer Toss power by 25%. (Wario & Waluigi only.)

Aether: Boosts Element power by 25%.

Counterer: Boosts counterattack power to 200%.

Wing Cap: Adds a three-second flutter to jumping dodges.

Iron Body: Reduces damage received from enemies by 25%.

Quick Level: Increases EXP earned from enemies by 20%.

Dealer’s Flip: Allows you to choose the effects of the Flip Command. (Only one teammate can select this.)

Shroom EXP: Increases EXP earned every time you eat a Mushroom. (Mario & Luigi only.)

Garlic EXP: Increases EXP earned every time you eat Garlic. (Wario & Waluigi only.)

Life Saver: Returns 1-Up Mushrooms or Life Eggplants that are used in battle.

Big Lucky: Doubles damage from Lucky Hits.

Quick Healer: Doubles the effects of restoration items in battle.

Quick Item: Allows you to a second time after using an item in battle.

Teamwork: Reduces SP needed for Team Attacks by half.

Super Star: Decreases cost of Star Points/Dark Star Points needed to use Battle Cards. (Only one teammate can select this.)

Actions
Jump: The default action for all four teammates. Pressing the characters’ respective Button allows them to jump in the air and come back down. Jumping under Blocks activates them; “?” Blocks give you items or coins, while “!” Blocks activate something in the area. Jumping on an enemy allows you a First Strike, unless the enemy has spikes or is made of fire, in which case the teammate will be damaged instead.

Hammer Techniques

-Hammer: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon once and pressing the A Button. Pressing this Button allows Mario to swing his hammer onto the ground. The hammer can be used to activate switches or smash blocking hazards. Using it on an enemy allows you a First Strike, and is ideal for enemies that have spikes or are made of fire. However, hitting an electrified switch is not possible with this hammer and requires Wario’s Hammer Toss instead.

-Mole Smash: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon once and pressing the B Button. Pressing this Button allows Luigi to swing his hammer onto Mario’s head and send him underground. Using the Control Stick in this state allows Mario to move while underground and go under grates that the others cannot pass through. Pressing the A Button will make Mario resurface. While Mario is underground, Luigi can still attack enemies with his hammer. This move cannot be used while Mario is standing on solid surfaces.

-Hammer Toss: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon once and pressing the X Button. Pressing this Button allows Wario to throw his hammer out and then use a magnet to pull it right back. This is useful in getting a First Strike on enemies from a distance, as well as hitting faraway switches that have an electric charge or hazards right next to pits. However, some objects are too sturdy for this Hammer and require Mario’s Hammer instead.

-Mini Smash: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon once and pressing the Y Button. Pressing this Button allows Waluigi to swing his hammer onto Wario’s head and shrink him into Mini Wario. Wario can move, jump and use his Hammer Toss in this state, but he can also go through small holes the others cannot. While Wario is tiny, Waluigi can toss his hammer above Wario’s head by moving the Control Stick in any direction and pressing Y. Pressing the Y Button again while stationary will make Waluigi hit Wario with his hammer again, restoring Wario’s size.

Jump Techniques

-Spin Jump: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon twice and pressing the A Button. Pressing this Button makes Mario jump onto Luigi’s shoulders, and they walk slowly in this mode. Pressing the A Button again allows the Bros. to spin like a helicopter for a few seconds. While doing so, the Control Stick allows them to move in any direction before landing. If they spin into cyclones, they can go higher by pressing the A Button. If Wario and Waluigi are present, they will automatically do the Spin Jump with Mario and Luigi. Press the B Button to cancel.

-Spring Dash: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon twice and pressing the B Button. Pressing this Button makes Mario jump onto Luigi’s chest, and he holds Mario in place. Pressing the B Button again allows the Bros. to leap about ten feet forward. Due to the angle of the Spring Dash, this can be used to maneuver through narrow passageways just above the ground. It can also be used to cross small gaps. If Wario and Waluigi are present, they will automatically do the Spring Dash with Luigi and Mario. Press the A Button to cancel.

-Swing-Ding Copter: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon twice and pressing the X Button. Pressing and holding this Button makes Wario swing Waluigi around and around until they start spinning quickly. Moving the Control Stick makes Wario move in that direction, and hitting the X Button makes Wario jump high in the air and slowly descend, allowing you to jump to high platforms that are normally out of reach with the Spin Jump. The Control Stick helps Wario maneuver while doing this. If Mario or Luigi are present, they will grab onto Waluigi. Press the Y Button to cancel.

-Screwy Bounce: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon twice and pressing the Y Button. Pressing this Button makes Wario jump on Waluigi’s shoulders, and pressing it again makes Waluigi bounce straight up while twisting. This is useful for twisting loose screws into place to open passages or hit items too high for the party to reach normally. Mario and Luigi do not have any part in this technique, even if they are present. Press the X Button to cancel.

Element Techniques (not usable in Flipp World)

-Fire Dash: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon three times, then pressing & holding the A Button. By releasing the A Button, Mario uses his patented Firebrand to set everyone on fire, then all four teammates run in four directions like an X. Using the Control Stick will adjust the group in a circle. This is useful in picking up items or allies who are trapped on the other side of fire that you cannot douse (there are usually switches to help with said fire). You can also use it to light torches that are on different sides of the room. If you press one of the four Buttons while the teammates are dashing, the teammate that corresponds with that Button will immediately stop and be doused. This is useful for having teammates stop on switches in specific places. If a burning teammate runs into any enemies, they are hit for a First Strike with Fire-based damage.

-Vacuum Pull: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon three times and pressing the B Button. Luigi jumps forward, takes out the Poltergust 5000 and aims it. By pressing the A, X & Y Buttons, Mario, Wario and Waluigi push from behind to support Luigi as he uses the Poltergust to suck in unreachable items with the B Button. While holding something in the nozzle, Luigi and co. can move around as a collective group with the Control Stick. Any items sucked up can be shot back out by pressing the B Button again, and are useful for hitting switches that are too far for Wario’s Hammer Toss. Luigi can also use this to rescue anyone who is stranded on solitary footholds. If the B Button is pressed and not followed up by the A, X & Y Buttons, pressing B again makes Luigi blow out a tornado; if it hits an enemy, it initiates a First Strike with Wind-based damage.

-Stone Grip: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon three times and pressing the X Button. Wario digs his hands into the ground and pulls out a boulder from the ground or a large crate on metal floors (not usable on floating platforms). Wario can then press the X Button to set the item down, creating a foothold for ledges too high to reach. Wario can pick it up again by pressing the X Button in front of them. If it hits a rock (even rocks too hard for Hammers), the rock will become rubble. During this time, Mario’s, Luigi’s and Waluigi’s Action Icons show Hammers. Pressing A while Wario holds a boulder makes Mario hit the boulder with his hammer, and it sails left of wherever Wario’s facing; likewise, pressing Y makes Waluigi hit the boulder forward, and pressing B makes Luigi hit the boulder diagonally. If a boulder lands on/smacks into an enemy, it counts as a First Strike with Earth-based damage.

-Water Whirled: Found by using the R Button to change the Action Icon three times and pressing the Y Button. Then by pressing the X, A & B Buttons in order, Wario gets on Waluigi’s shoulders, and Mario and Luigi jump up and hold onto him while standing on Waluigi. Waluigi can move in any direction, even into enemies. Going under a falling stream of water in this state makes Wario open his mouth and swallow it all. In this state, Waluigi uses the Y Button to spin around and sprinkle water everywhere. This is useful in dousing flames that keep gates locked or watering plants that create footholds, and it inflicts a First Strike on enemies with Water-based damage. Next to a body of water, the group can use this technique to swim across (Wario does not need to swallow water for this).

Battle
Walking into an enemy engages the teammates in a battle. Battles are turn-based and turn order is determined by the SPEED stats. Each teammate and enemy has a given number of HP. Battle ends if you deplete your enemies’ HP, or if all teammates lose HP, resulting in a Game Over. If you successfully land a hit on an enemy in the field, you damage all enemies with a First Strike. If a teammate is walked into from behind before battle, they will start the battle with a TRIP status. All teammates use their respective Buttons to select icons and attack on their turn, and dodge with the jump or hammer on the enemy’s turn. Also, at any point before you attack on your turn, you can use Battle Cards by paying the right amount of Star Points, or flipping them face-down to make room for other Battle Cards (since only three can be face-up at a time). If you run out of cards, you can reshuffle the deck as well. After one teammate attacks, your turn ends and shifts to whoever has the next-highest Speed stat.

Battle Actions
-Solo Attack: opens a menu of different possible types of attacks to use on individual enemies. Solo Attacks do not use up BP, but they only hit one enemy at a time. Different types of attacks:

-Jump: allows the teammates to jump on a selected target. Pressing the teammate’s respective Button before landing allows a second jump; pressing the Button just before landing increases the damage dealt and an EXCELLENT! rating.

-Hammer: allows the teammates to raise their hammer to hit a selected target. Mario and Luigi walk up to their target and raise their hammer above their head, while Wario and Waluigi wind up to throw their hammers. Hitting their respective Button when the hammer flashes allows increased damage and an EXCELLENT! rating. The downside to doing this is that many enemies will be prepared in one of two ways (sometimes both):

-Some enemies will occasionally flash with an orange X, meaning that if Mario or Luigi use a Hammer Command, the enemies will skewer Mario or Luigi with horizontal spikes as soon as they approach, so only Wario and Waluigi may use their Hammer Toss to hit these enemies.

-Some enemies will occasionally flash with a violet X, meaning that they have a built-in magnetic reflector, and they’ll reflect Wario and Waluigi’s tossed Hammers right back at them. Wario and Waluigi won’t have a chance to defend, so only Mario and Luigi may use their Hammers to hit these enemies.

-Element: allows the teammates to use attacks that vary in element depending on the teammate. If enemies alternate flashing orange and purple X’s, Hammers are useless, so an Element attack is more preferable. Element attacks can hit aerial enemies, but are stronger against ground enemies. Different elements do Critical damage depending on what kind of enemy they hit:

-Fireball: Mario moves a short distance away from an enemy and charges up his Firebrand. The created fireball increases in size, and then Mario uses the A Button to lob a huge flame to scorch the enemy, dealing Fire-based damage. The larger the ball of flame is when Mario flashes, the more damage he does when he unleashes it. This attack does Critical damage to foes that are either flammable or use wind-based attacks.

-Poltergust Cyclone: Luigi stands a short distance away from an enemy and begins sucking it up with his Poltergust 5000. When he flashes, pressing the B Button makes him suddenly blow a tornado at the enemy. The enemy then flails and lands on its head, taking Wind-based damage. The closer to when Luigi flashes the Button is pressed, the more damage is inflicted. This attack does Critical damage to enemies that are helpless when flipped, or enemies that use rock-based attacks.

-Chunk Chuck: Wario walks to a short distance away from an enemy and thrusts his fists into the ground. He then pulls up a chunk of earth (that turns out to be a boulder) using the X Button, and he smashes it on the enemy, inflicting Earth-based damage. The higher Wario’s arms are when he flashes, the bigger the boulder. This attack does Critical damage to enemies with spikes, or enemies that use water-based attacks.

-Trick Flood: Waluigi goes up to an enemy and takes out a fire hydrant. He raises it up above his head and then uses the Y Button to slam it into the ground, and it instantly sprays an enemy with a stream of water for Water-based damage. The higher up the hydrant is when Waluigi flashes, the more water spews out. This attack does Critical damage to enemies that are on fire or use Fire-based attacks.

-Flip: allows the user to flip the Flippcoin they currently possess and send the enemy to or from the Flipp World by mashing the Buttons of the user and his partner (Mario and Luigi, Wario and Waluigi). If a pair of teammates is currently in the Flipp World, then the Flippcoin will decide what happens after enough Button mashing: if the coin ends up Heads, all combatants present, regardless of what side they’re on, will be sent to where the other teammates are, and they will join the fight. If the coin ends up Tails, only the enemies will be sent away. Regardless, all four teammates will earn equal EXP. The pair that left the initial battle setting will automatically return there after battle ends.

-Team Attack: allows the user to select a Team Attack from the list to use against an enemy. If three teammates are KOed, or one of each pair is KOed, the Team Attack icon will be darkened and unavailable for use.

-Items: allows the user to select an Item from the list to use on a teammate/teammates or an enemy/enemies.

-Run: allows the user to flee from battle. Will fail if the combined SPEED of the teammates is lower than the combined SPEED of the enemy/enemies.

Battle Cards
Battle Cards return from Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam to be used in battle on the Bottom Screen. Battle Cards can be purchased from Card Shops, with decks made for use in battle. Three Battle Cards are face-up, with a new one flipped every turn if there is space. Once the deck runs out, the remaining cards must be used before the deck is shuffled and reset. Players create a deck of ten cards that can be used by giving the proper amount of Star Points, which are accumulated through Action Commands. However, things are a bit different this time around: Starlow and Bleutoil act as avatars who store Star Points, but Starlow stores regular Star Points and Bleutoil stores Dark Star Points, introduced by Ludwig and Larry in Paper Jam. Both can be stored at once, but Star Points go towards activating cards that heal damage, increase stats, nullify damage or do other miscellaneous effects, while Dark Star Points go towards activating cards that deal damage, inflict status problems, trade coins/health for more Star Points/Dark Star Points or other miscellaneous effects.

Team Attacks
Team Attacks can be acquired from characters in the overworld and used in battle. Team Attacks are done by two teammates working together, and they usually involve items familiar to Mario veterans. Team Attacks require Special Points to use, and Special Points can be refilled with Syrups or Candies. Some Team Attacks can only be used on one enemy, some on all of them. No matter what, at least two teammates must be present to use these attacks. Each teammate has three exclusive Team Attacks, while they all can access the four Group Team Attacks, which require all four teammates to be active to use.

Mario's Team Attacks
1) 3D Red Shell

2) Super Spring (Spring Mushroom)

3) Cherry Cyclone (Double Cherry)

Luigi's Team Attacks
1) 3D Green Shell

2) Egg Barrage (Yoshi Cookie)

3) Star Meteor (Grand Star)

Wario's Team Attacks
1) 3D Gold Shell

2) Metal Mettle (Metal Box)

3) Gold Rush (Gold Bars)

Waluigi's Team Attacks
1) 3D Blue Shell

2) Bullet Bill Rally (Tennis Rackets)

3) Wind-Up Stomp (Goomba's Shoe)

Group Team Attacks
1) Giant Flip (Flippcoins)

2) Four Corners (Giant Bob-omb)

3) Symphony Block (Note Block)

4) Mario Party

Giant Battles
At certain points, the Flipzards will enlist certain monsters to fight the group at giant sizes. At these times, Mario will usually have the right item to fight, and Starlow and Bleutoil will combine their energies to create a Mega Mushroom; one teammate will consume these two items and fight the giant boss on his own. Unlike previous Giant Battles, these use the same controls as a regular battle, except the one teammate uses all four buttons for different attacks. The other teammates ride on the giant teammate’s head and supply him with Mega Mushrooms. You have three Star Gauge slots, and the giant teammate fills them by doing action commands. If all three are filled, the three other teammates can obtain one Mega Mushroom from Starlow and Bleutoil; using it will refill your Mega Meter. The Mega Meter depletes the more time passes, and once it does, you can only use the Mega Mushroom command. If this is the case, the enemy can then move twice after you grow back. You cannot use any items in the battle, but every enemy has a certain special attack; the attack is quite hard to counter, but if it is successfully countered, the enemy will drop a Big Heart, refilling half of the giant teammate’s life bar. After the enemy’s life bar is nearly depleted, Bleutoil will prompt the Finishing Flip command, in which the giant teammate jumps in the air with a Flippcoin his size, and, using the Control Stick to aim, stomp with it on the enemy’s weak point (with their respective Button) and banish them from the dimension. Other than that, the controls vary depending on the boss fight.

Battle 1: Giant Hammer Suit Mario VS Club Paraflippa
Mario's Controls:

A: Hammer Jump

B: Triple Toss

X: Mega Mushroom

Y: Shell Defense

Battle 2: Giant Kitsune Luigi VS Diamond Flinty Mole
Luigi's Controls:

A: Flying Hammer

B: Kitsune Stomp

X: Stone Defense

Y: Mega Mushroom

Battle 3: Giant Wario-Man VS Spade Chieflip Chilly
Wario-Man's Controls:

A: Mega Mushroom

B: Wario Waft

X: Aerial Toss

Y: Super Elbow

Battle 4: Giant Pengiun Suit
Waluigi's Controls:

A: Freeze Shield

B: Mega Mushroom

X: Penguin Dive

Y: Icy Stomp

Battle 5: Giant Starbot VS Giant Ztarbot
Starbot's Controls:

A: Star Shower

B: Hyper Spin

X: Mega Mushroom Battery

Y: Shooting Star

Extra: Grand Star Finale

Expert Challenges
Expert Challenges are tasks the group clears over the adventure via battle. Many will be similar to those of Dream Team, while some return from Paper Jam. Challenges include, but are not limited to: dodging ten attacks per area, achieving ten Excellent attacks per area, getting a certain amount of Lucky Hits, or collecting coins for winning. Completing Expert Challenges will earn you Challenge Points. These can be redeemed for some of the best gear in the game. Clearing all challenges will unlock two pieces of gear in the list: the Duplex Crown (allows Mario or Luigi to move twice per turn) and the Double-Crosser Cape (allows Wario or Waluigi to move twice per turn). All pieces of gear on the list are able to be purchased in a single playthrough.