In the FBI main menu, navigate to SD -> cias . Scroll through the list until you find the Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time file. Press A on the file, then select . Deleting the source file after installation saves valuable space on your SD card. Step 4: Finalize and Play
The gameplay utilizes all four face buttons to control the four brothers simultaneously. It features complex puzzle-solving, active-timed dodging, and inventive "Bros. Items" that require precise rhythmic inputs. Because the game originally relied heavily on the dual-screen setup of the Nintendo DS to display separate actions occurring in the past and present, it translates perfectly to the physical hardware layout of the Nintendo 3DS. Understanding the CIA Format on 3DS
Because the 3DS displays are larger and have a different aspect ratio than the DS, the game will default to a stretched view. If you prefer the authentic, razor-sharp look of the original 2005 release, from the Home Menu to trigger native DS resolution mode. Troubleshooting Common Issues The Game Displays a White or Black Screen on Launch
Copy this new .CIA file to your 3DS SD card and install it using . Method 2: NDS Forwarder Generator (On-Console)
Once you have your CIA file (the forwarder you generated), the installation process is straightforward using the FBI application. Here’s the standard method: mario and luigi partners in time 3ds cia
Boot your 3DS into custom firmware, and open FBI.
: Native Nintendo DS backups exist in .NDS format, not .CIA.
Here’s a solid, fictional “story” for a Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time 3DS CIA—framed as a fan’s hopeful pitch or a “what if” scenario, not an actual release.
A is the installable file format for 3DS games, apps, and DLC. Since Partners in Time is a DS game, you can’t directly install it as a CIA like a native 3DS title. Instead, the community creates forwarder CIAs – small installable files that launch the DS ROM from your SD card via TWiLight Menu++ or NDS Bootstrap . In the FBI main menu, navigate to SD -> cias
The story is one of the wildest in the Mario catalog. Princess Peach takes a trip into the past and gets kidnapped by a race of alien mushroom creatures called the Shroobs. This forces Mario and Luigi to travel back in time to save her. The hook? They team up with their baby selves.
I won’t link to ROMs or pre-made CIAs here. If you own the original DS cartridge, dumping your own ROM (via GodMode9 on 3DS or a DS flashcart) is legal in many regions for backup purposes. Creating a forwarder from your own dump is the cleanest method.
After you have CFW installed, you will have access to the and key applications like FBI , which is the primary tool for installing CIA files. Make sure FBI is installed on your Home Menu—most CFW guides will do this for you during the final setup steps.
For those looking to dive back into this classic via their 3DS, here is what to expect in terms of time commitment: Deleting the source file after installation saves valuable
Most emulation and homebrew communities also strongly discourage piracy, advocating for users to . This process involves using a modded 3DS and its original cartridge to create a personal backup. The community often enforces this rule strictly to maintain the ethical foundation of game preservation.
Along their journey, the Mario brothers encountered various allies:
Do you need help from a physical cartridge?