Man, Mario gets all the attention; the best mushrooms and even all the girls. That all changes this year, because it’s the year of Luigi. That’s the overall message from the perpetually delightful Nintendo president Satoru Iwata from yesterday’s Nintendo Direct.
In fact, the whole thing kicked off with Mr. Iwata donning a Luigi hat, and calling this year “The Year of Luigi.”
He went on to show off a few previously announced four-player multiplayer levels for upcoming 3DS showcase Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and detailed two online modes: Climber and Chaser. He also showed a baffling new new Polterpup Mode which has you searching for a gold-loving, ghost dog. Yes, really. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is coming on March 24
More exciting, for me anyway, was confirmation of a new Mario RPG for the 3DS, titled Mario & Luigi: Dream Team; a puzzle solving RPG that takes place entirely within Luigi’s head.
Yes, there’s even more Luigi coming – this time as DLC for the Wii U’s best game, New Super Mario Bros U. This Mario-less, “large scale DLC” will radically change each of the game’s levels and will be called New Super Luigi U.
In less prominent role, we’ll be seeing Luigi and his “Mushroom Kingdom neighbors” in the brand new Mario Golf: World Tour on 3DS.
“Luigi is just the green tip of the iceberg of all the great news we have to share with Nintendo fans this year and beyond,” said NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime. “We’re showing how Nintendo 3DS and Wii U continue to be a source of fun, entertainment and great surprises.”
I can’t say I’ve ever really cared much for Mario’s thinner, lanky, green-clothed brother – and I don;t expect that to change much this year, year of Luigi or not.
Last Updated: February 15, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
February 15, 2013 at 11:34
Why would I want to play with Luigi?… Wait, that didn’t come out quite right… Urm I mean… urrrr. Never mind
Admiral Chief Erwin
February 15, 2013 at 11:58
DOH
GTO
February 15, 2013 at 11:35
I couldn’t care less about lugi, but the games will be fun regardless.
Ryan Williams
February 15, 2013 at 11:52
Luigi’s Mansion IMO is better than any Mario game Ive played even galaxy.Preorded mansion 2:DarkMoon
Admiral Chief Erwin
February 15, 2013 at 11:58
You are such a Mario slut
Mathias
February 15, 2013 at 12:12
Is it ok to be bored of this franchise, or is there some kind of rule? Does that make me a gaming atheist or agnostic?
I’m fucking bored of Mario. Every kind of Mario. And Luigi, for that matter. And Yoshi. And Bowser.
Purple_Dragon
February 15, 2013 at 12:15
Yeah, other franchises get moaned at when they get to number 3 or 4.
Banana Jim
February 15, 2013 at 14:14
You’re not alone. Capcom gets a lot of heat for milking Street Fighter, but Nintendo has been milking blood from those udders for years. I’m not even convinced that the cow is alive any more…