That means you can experience where it all began, from obtaining the Poltergust 3000 and cleansing its four areas of dastardly ghosts to treasure hunting and eventually saving Mario. While praised for its new ideas, visuals, and audio, Luigi’s Mansion received its fair share of criticism for the short playtime and low replay value.

Still, as part of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, it’s worth checking it out for historical purposes (and Halloween celebrations) if nothing else. For more details on the other games, check out our reviews for Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Luigi’s Mansion 3.

The newest Media Create report for video game hardware and software sales in Japan last week is now out, and it was a pretty quiet week overall last week. Nintendo Switch sales continued to rise week on week, reverting to selling over 50,000 units in the week, presumably due to excitement for the upcoming Pokemon Let’s Go and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, while PS4 continued to fall (it’s now at a bit over 16,000 units sold last week), and the 3DS stayed flat in spite of a major new release last week. This means that, much like last week, Switch topped hardware charts

Said new 3DS release was the remake of Luigi’s Mansion, which launched in Japan last week, and topped software charts. Elsewhere on the charts, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild all continued to show strong legs week on week, as is usual.

The charts next week will be special, since that is the week Pokemon Let’s Go finally launches. How will this game, which has proven divisive so far, end up doing? We’ll have to wait to see. Meanwhile, check out the full hardware and software charts for this week below.

Software Sales

1. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion (Nintendo, 11/08/18) – 27,370 (New)
2. [PS4] Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII (SIE, 10/12/18) – 25,740 (443,731)
3. [NSW] Super Mario Party (Nintendo, 10/05/18) – 23,333 (324,685)
4. [PS4] Red Dead Redemption 2 (Limited Editions Included) (Take-Two Interactive, 10/26/18) – 16,819 (184,061)
5. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 04/28/17) – 8,466 (1,826,744)
6. [NSW] Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Microsoft, 06/21/18) – 7,562 (357,898)
7. [NSW] Splatoon 2 (Bundle Version Included) (Nintendo, 07/21/17) – 6,783 (2,690,893)
8. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Limited Edition Included) (Nintendo, 03/03/17) – 5,706 (1,153,183)
9. [PS4] Tetris Effect (SIE, 11/08/18) – 4,372 (New)
10. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Bundle Version Included) (Nintendo, 10/27/17) – 3,780 (1,831,692)
11. [PS4] Marvel’s Spider-Man (Bundle Version Included) (SIE, 09/07/18) – 3,771 (301,895)
12. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (The Pokemon Company, 11/17/17) – 3,349 (1,756,810)
13. [PS4] Deracine (Limited Edition Incldued) (SIE, 11/08/18) – 3,086 (New)
14. [NSW] Kirby: Star Allies (Nintendo, 03/16/18) – 2,963 (639,247)
15. [PS4] Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Limited Edition Included) (Ubisoft, 10/05/18) – 2,832 (85,706)
16. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! (Bandai Namco, 07/19/18) – 2,481 (223,236)
17. [NSW] Neko Tomo (Bandai Namco, 11/01/18) – 2,148 (6,298)
18. [PS4] Warriors Orochi 4 (Limited Editions Included) (Koei Tecmo, 09/27/18) – 2,025 (153,214)
19. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (Square Enix, 03/09/17) – 1,977 (198,896)
20. [PS4] Soulcalibur VI (Bandai Namco, 10/18/18) – 1,824 (35,590)

Hardware Sales

1. Switch – 54,235 (43,747)
2. PlayStation 4 – 8,154 (8,693)
3. PlayStation 4 Pro – 7,927 (8,847)
4. New 2DS LL – 4,243 (4,226)
5. PlayStation Vita – 1,869 (1,945)
6. New 3DS LL – 1,681 (1,775)
7. Xbox One X – 360 (129)
8. 2DS – 294 (273)
9. Xbox One – 46 (61)

Development

Luigi’s Mansion was originally shown off as a tech demo for the then-upcoming GameCube at Nintendo Space World in 2000, and it was soon decided by Nintendo that they would make it a full game and release it as a launch title for the GameCube. Nintendo set out to make it different from usual Mario titles, choosing not to make it a platformer and not having a jump button, and also deciding that Luigi would be the main protagonist of the game instead of Mario. The game was officially announced E3 2001.

Originally, Nintendo had planned on including RPG elements in the game, however, this was scrapped, along with an entire area that players could ignore, because these were not in line with Nintendo’s vision for the game. Since GameCube systems were also built with stereoscopic 3D support, Nintendo had internally been developing Luigi’s Mansion with support for the same as well, but since 3D television screens weren’t commonly supported or used at the time, this idea was scrapped as well.

In 2018, Nintendo announced a remake for the game for their handheld, the 3DS. Luigi’s Mansion released on the 3DS in August of 2018, featuring full stereoscopic 3D thanks to the 3DS’ functionalities.

Story

Luigi’s Mansion sees players taking control of Luigi, who receives a letter telling him that he has won a mansion as the prize for a contest, even though he entered no such contest. When Luigi shows the letter to Mario, the two agree to meet outside the mansion. When Luigi arrives at the mansion, he finds that it looks much more sinister than he’d imagined, and quickly realizes that things are not right with the place. When Mario is nowhere to be found, Luigi sets out to look for his brother in the mansion, which he finds is haunted. Luigi is aided by Professor E. Gadd, who gives him a special vacuum cleaner-like device called the Poltergust 3000, which can be used to suck up ghosts.

Gameplay

Luigi’s Mansion is split across four chapters. Luigi explores the mansion continuously in each chapter, looking for keys to unlock rooms to unlock new ones and navigating around ghosts while doing so. As players progress through the game, new rooms in the mansion are unlocked with each new stage. Each stage also has a boss battle that players fight at the end of the stage, while there is also a training area, as well as Professor E. Gadd’s lab, which can both be visited in between stages. In the lab, players can visit the gallery to view all the portrait ghosts, which are the bosses, they have captured.

Luigi’s Mansion does not have regular combat, nor does it have platforming controls like Mario games usually do. To defeat ghosts, Luigi must suck them into the Poltergust 3000, a device like a vacuum cleaner that is given to him by Professor E. Gadd. Luigi must first use his flashlight to stun ghosts, and then use his vacuum cleaner to drain the ghosts’ health. When their health reaches zero, they get sucked into the Poltergust. Some ghosts also have more health than others, and can break free of the Poltergust’s pull and leave Luigi open to taking damage. Luigi must also clear out every room of the mansion he visits and make sure all ghosts within have been captured. Once a room has been cleared, it lights up, while the background music in the room also changes. Additionally, in rooms that haven’t been cleared, Luigi nervously hums along to the music, while in rooms that have been cleared, he whistles the music cheerfully.

Rooms also often contain hidden items and treasures such as coins, and gems, which often appear in treasure chests after a room has been cleared. Luigi must use his Poltergust to suck the treasure out of chests. There are also various kinds of ghosts that have unique behaviours and can require different methods for being captured. For example, Boos are hidden and can only be found in rooms that have already been cleared by Luigi, and often require back-tracking. The portrait ghosts, or the bosses, also require players to meet certain conditions before they can be drawn out, which entails looking for medallions that Luigi can use to modify the Poltergust to suck up objects in the environment to use against portrait ghosts.

Luigi also has a device called the Game Boy Horror, which functions as a map, and is also given to him by Professor E. Gadd. The Game Boy Horror contains information about the rooms Luigi has visited and cleared, and the rooms that are still locked, while also containing information about the treasures and hidden items he has found in rooms. The Game Boy Horror also has a Boo tracker, which tells Luigi through a beeping sound and a yellow light that turns red when Luigi is in close proximity to a Boo. Capturing all Boos, of which there are fifty in the game, is necessary for completion.

Luigi’s Mansion on the 3DS is largely similar to the original GameCube release, but comes with a few added features. The game features full stereoscopic 3D support, which was originally going to be in the GameCube release as well, but was taken out during development, since stereoscopic 3D television screens were not common at the time. There is also Amiibo support, which can grant certain in-game bonuses, such as being revived when the player dies, as well as the aforementioned Boo radar. The strobe light from Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on the 3DS is also included in the 3DS remake of Luigi’s Mansion, and players can choose to equip it and use it instead of their regular flashlight. Additionally, the game also includes a mode where players can beat their highest scores in portrait boss fights. The remake also contains co-op functionality- if two players own the game, they can play through all of it together, while if only one players owns the game, they can invite another player to tackle only boss fights with them.

Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.

Luigi’s Mansion has been released and remade for the 3DS. Grezzo, the studio that developed this title alongside Nintendo, went about and built the game from the ground-up for the 3DS version. What that means is that there have been subtle little tweaks to things like artstyle, lighting, and character models, although it should be said that all of this was done with a lot of respect to the source material. Cutscenes and animations are very true to the Gamecube classic. Lighting is far more moody compared to the older title and can actually be an improvement in establishing atmosphere. Performance is near-identical to the original though some particle-intensive rooms, like the Cold Storage room, the game can slow down a bit. But if you haven’t played the title since it released for the Gamecube all those years ago, you probably won’t notice any differences at all.

"Controls in this title are manageable once you wrap your head around them. In order to compensate for the lack of a C-stick, the 3DS version has you tilting your gyroscope to aim your Poltergust up or down."

In this title, you’re tasked with navigating your way through a haunted mansion in order to find where your brother Mario disappeared off to. To protect yourself, you meet up with Professor E. Gadd and are armed with the Poltergust 3000, a vacuum cleaner that can suck up ghosts as well as interact with the environment to find keys and the like. There are a handful of different ghost varieties that require different strategies to beat, but they all boil down to flashing your flashlight at them and then sucking them up while they’re vulnerable. The titular mansion is separated into a whole bunch of rooms that usually require you to either exorcise the area of ghosts or solve a quick puzzle in order to progress. Neither the combat nor the puzzles are ever too taxing and they shouldn’t give any player too much trouble.

Controls in this title are manageable once you wrap your head around them. In order to compensate for the lack of a C-stick, the 3DS version has you tilting your gyroscope to aim your Poltergust up or down. But if you have a New 3DS, this is a moot point, as you can use the handheld’s right-side nub for aiming. The rest of the controls feel natural though it may take you a few minutes in order to comfortably be able to turn around and aim your flashlight at a ceiling ghost. The lower screen allows you constant access to a map, which is handy for remembering where to go or what door a key goes to. Once you’re given access to the Gameboy Horror, essentially a handheld viewfinder that lets Luigi scan things in the environment, you can also use gyroscope controls. Overall, the compromises the 3DS makes to accommodate this Gamecube title are acceptable and well-implemented.

Luigi’s Mansion 3DS brings a few changes that can warrant a double-dipping for die-hard fans. The chargeable strobelight from Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is here and you’re able to switch between that and the classic flashlight at any time. There are achievements that you can pursue while playing for a little extra challenge. There is amiibo functionality with a few different effects, giving you a Boo radar or a revive for when you run out of health. These things don’t change up the experience greatly and with the lack of difficulty in the title, it’s questionable whether or not they were really needed, but it’s there for whoever wants it.

"Boos are different from regular ghosts because they stay hidden in rooms that you’ve cleared and they can escape to other rooms once confronted."

Making your way through the mansion itself is as enjoyable as you remember it. Luigi’s Mansion is filled with creativity and it’s great to explore every corner of the haunted abode. There are no repeated rooms outside of a few bathrooms and each room has a handful of places for ghosts and treasures to hide. Because even though you may want to find Mario, that’s not your real goal. What you really want is money. Tons of it. There’s gold coins, bills, gold bars, and even diamonds and rubies tucked away in the crevices of this mansion and you’re going to want to find as much as you can before you finish the game. As archaic as a scoring system is in games nowadays, there’s something so satisfying about sucking up a gaggle of dollar bills as they explode out of a cabinet that you won’t care.

If there is one huge downside to Luigi’s Mansion, it’s the length. Luigi’s Mansion is an incredibly short title and it’s not unheard of to beat it in about five hours on a casual run-through. There is a harder version of the mansion with more difficult enemies and more treasure that unlocks after you complete the game your first time but this doesn’t change up the game much and only feels like a bandage on the length issue rather than a real solution. Even still, it doesn’t feel like the game pads itself much and every moment is progressing you further into the mansion. That is, until you meet up with the Boos.

Boos have always been an issue in Luigi’s Mansion. Boos are different from regular ghosts because they stay hidden in rooms that you’ve cleared and they can escape to other rooms once confronted. This is a fun mechanic until you look at the numbers behind it. There are fifty of them in total and all of them are required to be caught before you can finish the game. Since they only appear in rooms that you’ve already cleared, this leads to a lot of back-tracking. And if you reach the end-game with a large amount of Boos left in the wild, it can be an incredible pace-breaker to stop story progression and hunt for them. There is the aforementioned Boo radar to help figure out which rooms they are in, but that requires players to have an amiibo on hand and it only points out three Boos before its used up. It’s strange that Nintendo, 17 years after the initial release of Luigi’s Mansion, couldn’t find out a more elegant solution to this objectively bad bit of game design.

"Luigi’s Mansion on 3DS is a great recreation of the original classic."

Aside from Boos, the other notable ghosts that you’ll come face to face with are portrait ghosts. These are the boss ghosts and they all require unique strategies to defeat. They usually require some environmental interaction in order to become vulnerable to a vacuum attack. Most of them are pretty easy but there a small handful that have unique mechanics or transport you to an arena in order to have more creative battles. These large bosses are standouts. It would be nice to have more of these types of bosses since they challenge the player more but that may not be within the scope of a handheld remake.

There is also multiplayer functionality for friends to play with each other. If both players have this title, they can play through the whole game with each other. However, if only one player has the game then they can only fight bosses together. Multiplayer includes a lot of input lag and it can make the bosses that require quick reflexes a lot more difficult than they were originally.

Luigi’s Mansion on 3DS is a great recreation of the original classic. The entire adventure is here and it’s just as charming and unique as ever. Fans of Luigi’s Mansion who pick this up won’t be disappointed with what they find in this package. However, it should be said that as $39.99 title, you should consider whether or not five or so hours of original gameplay is worth it to you. This 3DS version is cheaper than what you’ll be able to find for copies of the original on Amazon, so if you are interested in Luigi’s Mansion, this is the version for you. If you decide to take the plunge though, you’ll find a Nintendo experience like no other that’ll have you wanting more.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo’s Luigi Mansion is now available on the 3DS, bringing the cult-classic GameCube title to handhelds in remade form. There’s plenty to beware in Luigi’s first spooky outing, but fortunately, he has the Poltergust 3000, Professor E. Gadd, and brotherly love to guide him. Check out the trailer below.

Along with outlining the gameplay mechanics, such as switching between the Original and Strobulb light, the trailer provides a closer look at some of the entities haunting the mansion. Some are familiar, like the iconic Boo, while others include body-builders, dancing couples, and “fried rice enthusiasts”. Exercise caution, because these ghosts aren’t messing around.

The usual four stages and training areas are included, but the 3DS remake also includes stereoscopic 3D support and Amiibo functionality. That’s on top of the new graphics, an in-game map that’s viewable on the touch-screen, and a boss rush mode. Luigi’s Mansion is available now for the Nintendo 3DS in North America, and will arrive in Europe on October 19th. Keep in mind that a true sequel, Luigi’s Mansion 3, is slated for the Nintendo Switch in 2019.

WWE 2K19

Another year, yet another WWE 2K title from Yuke’s and Visual Concepts. Don’t get us wrong – there’s a lot to look forward to in WWE 2K19. Showcase Mode returns, this time focusing on Daniel Bryan’s journey from humble newcomer to Wrestlemania main eventer. MyPlayer Towers allows for daily, weekly and pay per view challenges with, and MyCareer mode will also return to provide a more linear story for your custom created wrestler. With stars like AJ Styles and pre-order bonuses like Rey Mysterio and Ronda Rousey, will WWE 2K19 regain some semblance of glory when it releases on October 9th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC? Time will tell.

Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game

Creating a proper video game experience centred around H.P. Lovecraft’s horrifying creations is tough. Nevertheless, we’re incredibly hyped for Cyanide’s Call of Cthulhu. Players assume the role of investigator Edward Pierce as he heads out to Darkwater Island near Boston to solve the death of a family. Focusing more on investigation and conversations, Call of Cthulhu will also see Pierce struggling to maintain his sanity in the face of hallucinations and cult-like figures. Will he make it out alive? We’ll find out on October 30th when the game launches Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

LEGO DC Super-Villains

Why should good guys have all the fun? Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO DC Super-Villains is turning the tables by allowing us to control a variety of famous villains. Of course, while gameplay is similar to previous LEGO titles, complete with two-player co-op, it’s now possible to have a fully customizable character that’s integrated into the story. If battling heroes as the Joker sounds appealing – that too from the lens of LEGO humour – then LEGO DC Super-Villains might be worth checking out when it launches on October 16th for North America and October 19th worldwide for Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Super Mario Party

Before the latest Smash and much before anything that could potentially keep your friendships together, the first Mario Party for Switch will be releasing on October 5th. Super Mario Party, as the name implies, brings new mini-games, the ability to play on a single Switch and even linking multiple platforms together for certain activities like Toad’s Rec Room. The jury is out on whether the gameplay actually improves on predecessors. Just try to stay friends after extended play sessions.

Mega Man 11

No, this isn’t a new Mega Man X title but Mega Man 11 looks pretty darn good with its sumptuous visuals. The same platformer shooting action that fans know and love is still here with eight Robot Masters to fight across eight stages. However, the new Double Gear system has us more intrigued. Mega Man can now activate the Power Gear system to fire a powerful shot or slow down time with the Speed Gear. At low health, a super powerful blast can be activated using both gears. Time Trials, Missions, leaderboards and more are included with the base story. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long as Mega Man 11 releases on October 2nd for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Treyarch’s latest Black Ops breaks away from an established Call of Duty tradition by having no single-player campaign. Nevertheless, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will have multiplayer, three Zombies maps instead of one (each with their own stories) and the Battle Royale mode Blackout. Blackout has already impressed many with its level of polish and well-crafted world design. Zombies will bring mutations and challenges to keep PvE players occupied. Will the entire package hold up over a long period of time? We’ll find out when Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launches on October 12th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Soulcalibur 6

Yet another long-awaited sequel is Bandai Namco’s Soulcalibur 6. Classic characters like Mitsurugi, Sophitia and Kilik return along with a few new characters including Geralt from The Witcher 3 as the story revisits hidden events from the first game. Soulcalibur 6 won’t just feature the same weapon-based combat we’ve always loved – it will have special moves, special slow-mo sequences and the return of ring-outs. If that weren’t enough, along with the Soul Chronicle story mode, there’s Libra of Soul, a campaign for one’s custom character. Soulcalibur 6 is out on October 19th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Releasing just a year after Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey veers even further into RPG territory. The story this time around is set in Ancient Greece with two protagonists – Alexios and Kassandra. As a Spartan mercenary that travels away from home, you’re given the option of fighting in the Peloponnesian War for either Sparta or Athens. With more combat possibilities, an impactful dialogue and choice system, beasts like Medusa and an even larger world to explore, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey promises an even more epic adventure when it releases on October 5th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Forza Horizon 4

Perhaps the best open world racing title of this year – and several other years – Forza Horizon 4 heads to jolly old Britain for one’s Horizon shenanigans. Working one’s way up as a rookie to the Horizon roster, there are now four seasons to play through with their own respective events and Showcases that open up. Forza Horizon 4 also packs tons of vehicles, player housing, an improved progression system that constantly rewards the player, Forzathon live events, Seasonal championships and much, much more to race through. It’s out on October 2nd for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC.

Red Dead Redemption 2

We’ve been waiting since 2010 for Rockstar to deliver a sequel to Red Dead Redemption and it’s almost here. Though the story takes place before the events of the first game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive step forward in terms of visuals, world design and missions. Players will control Arthur Morgan, traveling with the Van der Linde gang, fraternizing with your comrades and picking up new activities in the process. You can partake in bank heists, build your relationship with an entire town, go hunting, fish and so much more. That’s not even including the online mode which launches in November. Red Dead Redemption 2 releases on October 26th for Xbox One and PS4.

Honorable Mentions:

• Starlink: Battle for Atlas
• Luigi’s Mansion
• Just Dance 2019
• Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
• Warriors Orochi 4
• The World Ends with You: Final Remix
• Disgaea 1 Complete

After his role in Super Mario Odyssey, it’s Luigi’s turn to hog the spotlight for Nintendo’s platforms. Along with announcing Luigi’s Mansion 3 for the Nintendo Switch, which releases in 2019, a release date for the upcoming remake of the original Luigi’s Mansion for the 3DS was confirmed not too long ago. To better understand how it plays, check out the latest trailer below.

Luigi’s Mansion first released in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube and is what introduced several series mainstays like Professor E. Gadd, the Poltergust 3000 and whatnot. In the 3DS remake, players will still have to navigate a creepy mansion to save Mario. However, there’s now an in-game map that can be seen on the touchscreen. A boss rush mode will also be added for the sake of additional content.

Considering how much criticism the original release got for its length and controls, one has to wonder if Nintendo will address these issues in the remake. That said, the game does remain a fan favourite, so there’s plenty to look forward to. Luigi’s Mansion arrives for the Nintendo 3DS on October 12th in North America and October 19th in Europe.

The Nintendo 3DS will never die- now in its eighth year on the market, Nintendo has made it clear that it intends on keeping the system around for the next year at the very least; today, it showed exactly how it plans to do that.

In addition to Detective Pikachu, which was already announced for a 3DS release later this month, Nintendo revealed three major games for the 3DS at their just concluded Nintendo Direct presentation- the first is WarioWare Gold, which brings the largest collection of WarioWare microgames ever to the 3DS, and utilizes the touch screen, gyro controls, 3D effect, microphone, and buttons. Next up is a port of the GameCube classic Luigi’s Mansion (which incidentally got a sequel on 3DS); both these games are due out this year.

The final big 3DS game announcement is Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story. Arguably the greatest Mario RPG this side of SuperStar Saga, this game was an absolute riot on the DS, and will now be available on 3DS too. This game launches on 3DS next year, because the 3DS will truly never die.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgHKl9Cwg-g

The fate Luigi’s Mansion was dealt wasn’t fair though, and justice has been served with the release of Luigi’s Mansion 2. It corrects the design and lifespan issues of the original and, now free from the shackles of a console launch, Luigi’s adventure is free to breath. It leads to an impressive title that comes as one of the first essential 3DS exclusives outside of the core Mario games.

The plot is little more than a vehicle for the action, with professor E. Gadd calling Luigi back to the mansion to tackle the ghost menace once more. The ghost-pacifying Dark Moon above Evershade valley has mysteriously broken into shards that are scattered across the valley, and Luigi needs to find them all to restore order. It won’t win awards, but it opens up the locations of the game far more than the solus mansion of the original. They all revolve around the same gothic themes, but water-powered towers and decrepit clock factories grant the series a variety you never knew it could have.

The virtues of the levels are plentiful though. Beyond sheer variety, each individual stage is lovingly crafted. Every nook and cranny is a joy to explore, with a fantastic artistic direction bolstering a multitude of secrets, alternate routes and collectibles. Pretty much everything hides some form of currency that goes towards powering up your gear, and the promise of unique gems and hidden Boos proves difficult to resist.

Though the levels are all expansive and rewarding, their structure and the subsequent pacing of the game is something of a mixed bag. Rather than operating as an open map, each environment is divided into several smaller stages that lasts a little over ten minutes on average. Though this piecemeal approach gives the game a tighter focus and the shorter bursts of gameplay that benefit handheld titles, it robs LM2 of the Metroidvania style exploration it so clearly demands.

Regardless of how you feel about the level structure, there is still a definite joy in exploring that can’t be denied. Luigi rocks up with plenty of tools for exploration, from his all purpose ghost-absorbing vaccum cleaner to a powered torch and a darklight capable of uncovering illusions and other paranormal activity. A lot is squeezed out of a fairly limited set of gear, to the point where puzzles become about cleverly using what you have, rather than just scrambling for yet another piece of kit/upgrade. Bosses follow a similar pattern, taking the form of extended puzzles rather than all-out action. This cerebral focus pays off though, as the bosses are always a highlight.

Controlling Luigi and his contraptions is fairly simple. The scheme make sense for a single analogue stick setup, and you’ll be stunning and capturing ghosts like a pro in no time. Aiming isn’t always as snappy as you’d like though. Charging up your vacuum pack/torch locks Luigi in the direction he’s facing and, though you can still use the analogue nub to alter his orientation, it sometimes winds up being a bit fiddly in the heat of combat.

The combat itself isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s the puzzles and explorations that are the game’s forte. What a shame then that the multiplayer shifts its focus away from them. The multiplayer has you progressing through a set number of levels in the Thrill Tower with up to three local or online players. The objectives for each floor are little more than finding a certain number of items or clearing the floor of all ghosts based on your selected game mode and, though the levels are randomised, it all becomes tiresome quite quickly. At no point is there any bad design going on. The mechanics and netcode are solid and it all works well, but it’s devoid of the same imagination and charm that is present in the main game. Criticisms aside, kudos goes to the inclusion of download play, allowing you to play with your buddies even if only one of you has a copy of the game.

Whatever mode you delve into, there’s no denying that Luigi’s Mansion 2 is a visual delight. The evocative locales are brought to life vividly and the animations on the leading man himself are some of the best to grace a handheld title. From his casual stroll to the clumsy arm-flailing that accompanies a rapid descent, it’s always a pleasure to navigate your surroundings as the underestimated Mario brother. The gorgeous textures and animations are accompanied by a catchy soundtrack and the suspiciously emotive vocal work that goes behind Luigi’s non-vocal sound bites. The entirety of the presentation demonstrates the playfulness of a first party Nintendo title but, without the company’s history putting pressure on them, developer Next Level Games have been able to take the charming Mario aesthetic to a whole new level. It looks good, sound good and, ultimately, is good.

Two years into the 3DS’ console cycle and we’re finally starting to get compelling reasons to keep our system at the ready. Though the Mario games have been a real incentive to stay glued to our 3D screens, their classic platforming gameplay has lacked the depth that the system needs in its exclusives. It now has that depth and quality in the form of Luigi’s Mansion 2. Though the multiplayer is disappointing and the level structure hinders the game’s grand environments to an extent, LM2 is still a necessity for anyone with a 3DS.

This game was reviewed on 3DS.

Source – IGN

Nintendo has officially delayed Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon was slated for this holiday season, and Nintendo has stated that “Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon will now be available in the first half of 2013″. No official reason was provided to why the game was delayed till next year. The game was announced back in E3 2011, and was a given a release date of 2012, at this year’s E3.

Considering this year is already filled with so many high quality titles that are coming out later this, and holiday season. It is not very surprising that this could be the cause of the delay, mainly to avoid the competition, and get higher sales in the longer run.

Hopefully in the near future Nintendo will provide a real reason for the delay, and release some new information regarding this title, for now we just have to sit tight, and wait.

For more news come back, and visit us at GamingBolt.