5 Reasons Why Luigi’s Mansion Is Still Beloved Even Today

Luigi’s Mansion Packs Secrets in Every Corridor

While Luigi’s Mansion shows its age in some regards, it introduced a generation of Nintendo fans to the timeless tradition of searching every corner of a game for secrets. Tapping on vases occasionally rewards treasure hunters with bars of gold, and hidden rooms lay stocked with valuable gems.

Interacting with the environment always feels rewarding. Whether you’re getting sucked into mouse holes or caring for plants, you can find something new every time you play the game.

This post was originally written by Tyler Kelbaugh.

It’s Highly Replayable

Although Luigi’s Mansion isn’t a long game, there are plenty of reasons to explore the mansion again. Finding secrets you missed previously is a big one of course, but at the end of the game you receive a rating based on how much money you found. Luigi can either end up with a little shack on a hill, or a glorious mansion befitting an A-List hero.

Each individual ghost also gives you a score depending on how easily you trap it. Getting golden frames on each ghost doesn’t have a tangible prize, but they do look beautiful in the gallery!

That Iconic Soundtrack (And Overall Atmosphere)

The Luigi’s Mansion theme song is synonymous with the GameCube. It’s reappeared in countless games, and if you asked any Nintendo fan to hum the jingle they’d gladly do it. When the music goes quiet and Luigi is all alone, he hums the tune nervously to add to the tension.

Lighting adds to the mood as well, as areas plagued by ghosts are dark as night and those that have been cleared light up. Still, even those lighted rooms feel kind of creepy… everything is just so perfectly placed it feels paranormal. Graphically Luigi’s Mansion holds up pretty well by today’s standards, and definitely is one of the prettiest GameCube games out there.

Creative and Charming Foes

Every ghost bursts with personality, striking the perfect balance between being scary and fun. Ironically, the standard Boos feel like the least exciting enemies Luigi encounters. Bratty twins, billiards enthusiasts, and a spin-off of Vincent Van Gogh are just a few of the creative designs you’ll encounter.

Even more creative is the way you take each ghost on. Things start simply, but eventually you’ll have to get a rather round ghost’s attention by sucking up his waiters to prevent him from getting another course. Another young ghost won’t become vulnerable unless Luigi tricks her into thinking she wet her bed. Winning a music trivia game, hitting a gym rat with his own equipment, and unwinding toy soldiers are a few other highlights. 

Luigi Brings the Heart

While Luigi’s Mansion sets out to be a slightly darker Nintendo story, it still has loads of feel-good personality. Luigi himself takes centerstage for a change, and watching him anxiously press forward despite his fears makes him a great protagonist. Time and time again the adventure shows you just how much Luigi cares for his brother, and just how difficult it is for him to overcome his fears to rescue him.

Its ending is an honest tear-jerker, and thanks to the bond built between Luigi and the player they have the same reaction to seeing Mario freed. It’s rare for a Mario game to get gushy and emotional, but few games give us a better look at what it’s means to be brothers than Luigi’s Mansion.