Over 10 years ago, we set out on a second ghostly mission with the taller Mario brother via the Nintendo 3DS. Now, we get to break out the Poltergust 5000 vacuum again to take on the Boos, Greenies, Slammers, and Gobbers in the remastered Luigi's Mansion 2 HD!
Thank you to Nintendo for sending over the game. All opinions are our own.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Review
In 2001, Nintendo unveiled a new job for the green overall wearing Mario brother- ghost hunter. It may have seemed like an odd one for the scaredy cat but the GameCube launch was a big hit. Then in 2013, Luigi was back to hunting ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (aka Luigi's Mansion 2) this time the game utilized the split screen and 3D fun of the Nintendo 3DS. Fast forward to 2024 and fans finally get to relive all the fun of busting ghosts but now on a bigger screen with superior graphics. Listen, I too thought the 3DS version was awesome, and it was, for the time, but this version of the game (which is almost entirely unchanged from the original) is now the definitive way to play.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is pure not-so-scary fun. Fans of the original and newcomers alike are going to want to add this one to their Switch collection. For us who have been around for a bit, the in-game 3DS and classic sounds are sure to take you back to the earlier 2000s, no need for Professor E. Gadd's teleportation machine. Featuring updated graphics and mechanics but losing none of its charm, this ghostly romp with Luigi is still as entertaining and sometimes as puzzling as ever. Although this time we have the benefit of easily looking up solutions to specter problems!
The team at Tantalus Media, also responsible for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, didn't just settle on increasing resolution for this remaster, no they've crafted one of the best looking remakes on the Switch to date. The enhanced lighting allows for a depth to each room and location that even the original’s stereoscopic 3D couldn't achieve. Those dark corridors especially pop on the Nintendo Switch OLED model. They have also taken the dual-screen setup and combined it into a single panel with visuals that really bring to life the textures and feel of the game. Even Luigi's overalls look immaculate. Whether it's in 1080p in Docked mode or 720p in Handheld mode, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD looks amazing.
Unlike Luigi's Mansion 3, which allows two people to play on the same system, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a one player per console game. Despite the kids' initial disappointment, they quickly decided they enjoyed watching me navigate (sometimes struggle) through the levels so that when they played they knew exactly where to go. You're welcome I guess! There is a multiplayer mode called Scarescraper (called Thrill Tower in the original release) which allows you and up to three players to team up either online or locally on a LAN. In Scarescraper, you are transported to a haunted building overrun with cheeky ghosts and loaded with challenges not found in the main storyline. It is still as chaotically entertaining as you remember. My tween and teen loved it but note it may be overwhelming for younger gamers.
STORY
Professor E. Gadd has been able to study ghosts in Evershade Valley thanks to the calming effect of the Dark Moon. But when it suddenly shatters, the friendly haunts turn mischievous and begin causing mayhem. In order to find each piece of the Dark Moon, spread across spooky locations all over the Valley, Gadd calls the only man for the job– Luigi. Once again, Luigi must put aside his fears and shaking in order to recover the fragments and tame the ghostly residents.
The story is told mostly through cutscenes with Gadd popping up (albeit too much) with a big grin on his face to tell you where you need to go. Sometimes it's quite obvious other times his suggestions are helpful. Either way, his rendering in the HD version is definitely easier to look at. No offense Gadd.
GAMEPLAY
In order to capture ghosts, coins, gems, and Dark Moon pieces, Luigi needs the handy dandy Poltergust 5000 vacuum. The seemingly bottomless bag does it all. It not only sucks up ghosts and spiders, but it also can be used to tug, swing, dangle, water plants, and even hold flaming spiderwebs to use as a makeshift torch. This do-it-all contraption helps Luigi out of his biggest challenges and keeps you the gamer interested throughout the 10-15 hour campaign. It's hard not to giggle when poor Luigi gets whipped around as you frantically smash the A button to suck up a tricky ghost.
That tug-of-war begins when you stun the Boos, Greenies, Slammers, and Gobbers with a flash from your vacuum’s Strobulb attachment. Then you must wrestle and out maneuver the slippery spirits using impressive thumb work. Each ghost has a specific stamina meter that tells you how difficult they will be to defeat. Once it hits zero, they'll find a new home inside the Poltergust 5000’s Mary Poppins-like bottomless bag. Unlike the original 3DS version which had the camera and Luigi's position fixed, the updated game allows you to swivel Luigi's aim via the right analog stick. This upgrade cut down on the frustrations I felt with the original, I really do dislike not being able to pivot at will!
Equally engaging are the different locations Luigi must visit in order to find all the Dark Moon pieces. Unlike in the first and third games, where he is restricted to one manor, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD offers five different places to explore:
- Gloomy Towers
- Haunted Towers
- Secret Mine
- Old Clockworks
- Treacherous Mansion
Each environment features its own challenges and puzzles to be solved as Luigi creeps through the haunted areas. Some missions require him to retrieve a specific trinket, like a key or a gear, while others force him to do some housework by cleaning up all the cobwebs. Fortunately, you are rewarded nicely for all your hard work which means you can upgrade your Poltergust 5000. Having distinct stages also helps those of us who are completionists find all the things. Oh and one more thing to note, this game even features the classic lack of mid-mission saves. Sure I grew up playing like this, but newer games have definitely spoiled me with the save options.
Verdict
Ultimately, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a spooky good time that brings back all the memories made playing the 3DS original. But unlike those jagged graphics days, this Luigi outing looks colorful with details that even the littles will appreciate. Whether you are new to this game or reliving it, there is ghost busting and puzzle-solving antics galore. Plus there are some epic boss battles and moments that I completely forgot about that had me giggling. Although I still really dislike the giant spider fight. Some things never change but thankfully the graphics and controls have been, because this game is an upgraded blast!
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is available wherever games are sold.
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