Nintendo revives franchise with “Luigi’s Mansion 3”

By Dekota Ahouse

From busting ghosts to collecting money, Luigi’s Mansion 3 was one of the most anticipated video games of 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. The game is the third installment of the hit franchise made by Nintendo. It pits the cowardly plumber against a hotel filled with ghosts and treasures that await to be found. Luigi’s main goal is to find his brother, Mario, and all his other friends. Luigi finds terror around every corner and crevice of the hotel.

The game has a total of 15 floors to explore. Each floor has a variety of ghosts, gems and treasure that Luigi can find. The bosses of each floor had different styles of fighting against Luigi and its up to him to counter the attacks and capture them. The game also features a cooperative mode where a second player can play as Gooigi and help Luigi on his quest. Luigi will occasionally be accompanied by Professor E. Gadd and Polterpup.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 has many hidden references throughout the game, such as playing the Luigi’s Mansion theme on bottles. It also refers to the Godzilla movies. These references are amazing, because it can catch the eyes of people who hunt for hidden secrets.

Ghosts fill every floor with an otherworldly presence whenever they show up out of nowhere. The cinematic portions of the game make it seem like a Pixar animated film starring Luigi and Polterpup. It is very surprising, considering the Nintendo Switch is much less powerful than its competitors. The details on Luigi during the cutscenes were astonishing to look upon.

There are always hidden secrets throughout the game that Luigi can find using the Poltergust device. He can shine the dark light tool on objects that are invisible to the naked eye. The strobulb can be used to stun ghosts and capture them. It can also be used to open vaults with the possibility of containing coins, gems or even a key. Gooigi can be used to go through pipes and grates for Luigi to progress through the story. It’s like something that a person would see from Terminator: Judgement Day. The suction cup tool can be used on objects and enemies. There is also the option to pound things on the floor with the Poltergust and it is satisfying for players to watch.

The level designs are simple and short, but Luigi can find valuable trinkets and coins to collect along with the variety of ghosts that roam each floor. The bosses, however, are somewhat tricky and forces the player to perform creative ways to counteract the ghost’s attacks. Each level is like an enormous onion waiting to be peeled to its center.

The game features a multiplayer mode called ScareScraper where up to eight different players can go through multiple floors within a certain amount of time. It’s funny watching four Luigis and Gooigis slamming ghosts on the floor with their Poltergusts. However, the other players must have a separate switch system and/or a Nintendo Online subscription to play with friends.

The soundtrack is eerily outstanding, and it makes it sound like a true horror game. The voice acting done by Charles Martinez is amazing. It is an extraordinary game where horror meets a children’s game, and Nintendo pulled it off. Many fans of the franchise could anticipate in more content for the beloved game soon because Nintendo recently announced downloadable content for multiplayer and single player modes. When it comes to Luigi’s Mansion, people will have the most fun exploring and busting ghosts.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a phenomenal game and it is recommended by everyone that loves Mario and horror games. Nintendo did a fantastic job on reviving a franchise that was nearly forgotten.