For those searching for the CIA format, it is important to clarify the technical landscape. As a DS game, Partners in Time is natively compatible with the 3DS. However, users often seek a CIA installation for the convenience of having the game icon on the home menu, rather than running a flashcart or an DS exploit like TWiLight Menu++.
With the technical hurdles removed, let’s revisit the game itself. Partners in Time is often misunderstood. It abandons the open-world of Superstar Saga for a linear, chapter-based structure. You hop through time holes across the Mushroom Kingdom, chasing the alien Shroobs.
The plot is a classic time‑travel romp: Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach from the Past and Future, forcing Mario and Luigi to team up with their younger (and older) selves to rescue her. The narrative is surprisingly rich for a Mario title—there’s a clear sense of urgency, a handful of memorable dialogue moments (especially between the two generations of brothers), and a satisfying resolution that ties up the time‑paradox nicely. mario+and+luigi+partners+in+time+3ds+cia+updated
The updated build does not alter the script, but the added subtitles for cut‑scenes (now selectable in the options menu) help players catch every joke, even on the 3DS’s higher resolution screen.
The updated 3DS CIA version of Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time brings AlphaDream’s beloved second‑generation RPG to a modern handheld. The build runs cleanly on current 3DS firmware and on the most recent releases of popular 3DS emulators (e.g., Citra). While the core game remains unchanged, the update adds a few quality‑of‑life tweaks—most notably a refined save‑state system, optional fast‑forward for battle animations, and a small UI scaling fix that makes the tiny DS text easier to read on the 3DS’s larger screens. For those searching for the CIA format, it
If you already own a legal copy of the DS cartridge, the CIA is a convenient way to preserve the experience on newer hardware. (We do not condone piracy; this review assumes you have a legitimate source.)
As of 2026, no. AlphaDream filed for bankruptcy in 2019. Nintendo has shown no interest in reviving Partners in Time. The fan project “Partners in Time DX” (a full 3DS remake) was shut down by a DMCA in 2022. The updated CIA is, for all intents and purposes, the definitive edition. It respects the original hardware while fixing 90% of the DS-era frustrations. The updated 3DS CIA version of Mario &
On “New” 3DS, New 3DS XL, or New 2DS XL hardware, the updated CIA enables the higher clock speed and L2 cache, virtually eliminating load times when entering Vim Factory or Yoob’s Belly.