By Dean Moses
Game: Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Rating: E for Everyone
Cost: $59.99
The brother of gaming’s most famous protagonist is back in Nintendo’s newest remaster.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is the latest in a slew of re-releases on the Nintendo Switch. First released on the Nintendo DS back in 2013, the sequel to the GameCube classic changed things up for handheld gameplay by feeding players levels in bite-sized chunks. Now it’s back, mostly unchanged except for a complete graphical overhaul.
This outing sees the titular plumber take on a legion of ghosts in several different spooky mansions under the watchful guidance of Professor E. Gadd, who helps our hero with a steady supply of wacky inventions — chief of which being Luigi’s weapon of choice: the Poltergust 5000. This is a makeshift vacuum cleaner that the overalls wearing ghostbuster used to suck up spirits running amuck.
Using the vacuum, Luigi must traverse a variety of different cob-webbed covered areas from dining rooms and gardens to underground caverns, all while solving puzzles. This ghost gobbler power suction can be upgraded too as Luigi uses it to help move things around and find treasure. There is also the Strobulb attachment for the Poltergust 5000 that serves as a charging light to stun ghosts. Each level also has its own objective, whether that be chasing a ghost dog from room to room or searching for a key to open a locked door.
Online multiplayers also returned from the original, allowing pals to team up and take on the supernatural together. In this mode players can go from floor to floor until they reach the final big baddy at the top of the tower. About four people can play cooperatively locally or online, allowing for lots of laughter to be had as the team takes down mischievous ghosts.
Conclusion
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD still holds up and is even more of a good time thanks to the upgraded visuals. However, while there is plenty of fun to be had, asking full price for an old title may be too much for some players. Luigi is our reluctant hero, and although he is absolutely terrified of ghosts, he will brave forward to complete his mission.
