It really does. Up to three trigger presses to select an action, and if you do one more it's four more.
I had an idea for a better scheme: triggers work when held, not pressed. Press the back bro's button while holding R to bros. jump, press either bro's button while holding L to hammer with that bro, and press either bro's button while holding L and R to hand with that bro. While I'm at it, A always controls Mario and B always Luigi regardless of who's in front, just like in battle.
My ideal romhack would be this control scheme in the Japanese version with European language options. I'd even take a crack at it had I the executive capacity; the GBA is a fascinating little machine.
I had an idea for a better scheme: triggers work when held, not pressed. Press the back bro's button while holding R to bros. jump, press either bro's button while holding L to hammer with that bro, and press either bro's button while holding L and R to hand with that bro. While I'm at it, A always controls Mario and B always Luigi regardless of who's in front, just like in battle.
My ideal romhack would be this control scheme in the Japanese version with European language options. I'd even take a crack at it had I the executive capacity; the GBA is a fascinating little machine.