The Best Versions of Luigi, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Super Mario Bros.
started it all, shaping Luigi into an iconic video game character.
Luigi’s unique abilities, like his high jump in
Super Mario Bros. 2
, define him in each game.
Luigi shines in the
Luigi’s Mansion
trilogy, showing fear but offering bravery when saving Mario.

As a long-time fan of the Mario series, I have to say that Luigi has always been my favorite character. Growing up with Mario, it was Luigi who truly captured my heart. From his humble beginnings as the shy, less skilled brother, Luigi has evolved into a character with depth, personality, and an undeniable charm.

In the world of Super Mario Bros., it’s undoubtedly Mario who takes center stage, yet his timid, taller brother Luigi remains a constant companion in the game Mario & Luigi: Brothership, much like their initial appearance together in the arcade game Mario Bros. Initially, Luigi was the secondary character controlled by the second player, but over time, he has grown to be just as iconic and cherished as Mario, even headlining his own games.

Luigi, with over four decades of existence, has gone through numerous updates, some more successful than others, spanning various Nintendo gaming platforms. Certain iterations of Luigi are superior simply due to the way his character is developed, while others excel because of their unique gameplay, whether it’s in his solo games or collaborative appearances with his elder sibling.

10 The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

Luigi’s Timid Personality Started On Saturday Morning Cartoons

Release Date: September 4, 1989
Created By: Andy Heyward
Starring: Lou Albano, Danny Wells, Jeannie Elias, Harvey Atkin
Genre: Fantasy-Comedy

It’s often overlooked how much credit should be given to “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!” and its two sequel series for their character development, despite Nintendo having no role in the show’s writing. These shows were instrumental in introducing Mario and Luigi as speaking characters, portraying them as Italian-American brothers from Brooklyn. Interestingly, the theme song of this show was reused in Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Prior to the creation of games such as Luigi’s Mansion and the Mario & Luigi series, animated shows initially portrayed Luigi as a character who was scared of everything. He often played the role of the hesitant hero, attempting to persuade his brother to consider another option, but he always excelled when it counted. Over time, Nintendo developed this fearful nature into Luigi’s defining characteristic.

9 Super Mario Bros.

The Original Is A Beloved Classic For Good Reasons

The current state of the franchise owes much to the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES, which transformed from an arcade game into the quintessential 2D platformer. Initially, Luigi was merely a color variant of Mario for the second player, but he would eventually grow into a celebrated video game character in his own right.

For over four decades, Mario and Luigi have kept people of all ages entertained, with the initial game still cherished by every generation. The classic Super Mario Bros. has been reintroduced multiple times through remakes and adaptations, even featuring custom levels in the Super Mario Maker series created by fans.

8 Super Mario Bros. 2

The First Time Luigi Had His Own Abilities

Although it initially started as “Doki Doki Panic” and later transformed into “Super Mario Bros. 2”, it laid the groundwork for numerous elements that eventually became staples in the Mario universe. Characters like Shy Guys and Biro were first introduced here, only to reappear frequently in games such as “Mario Party”. However, it was this game that first granted other characters unique skills.

In “Super Mario Bros. 2,” Luigi was given the power of a high jump for the first time, enabling him to leap nearly twice as high as Mario. Additionally, Princess Peach was introduced with the ability to hover. These distinctive traits have been featured in numerous Nintendo games over the years, such as “Super Mario 3D World.

7 Super Mario 64 DS

Four Characters Helped The Remake Stand Out

Instead of just transferring the original version of Super Mario 64 to the Nintendo DS, they completely rebuilt it as Super Mario 64 DS, offering four playable characters: Mario, Wario, Yoshi, and Luigi. Each character had unique advantages and disadvantages; for example, Luigi had a high jump, faster movement, and swimming abilities, making him more agile in the gameplay.

For the first time ever, I found myself controlling Luigi in those expansive 3D Mario games – a truly unique experience on the Nintendo DS with Super Mario 64 DS. There are some intriguing puzzles and challenges that can only be overcome using Luigi, making it an exciting endeavor to explore different ways and discover if collecting certain stars is more challenging or straightforward in his hands.

6 Super Mario 3D World

New Worlds And Power-Ups Made Luigi Even More Fun

Nintendo often pushes boundaries, and this is exemplified by the game “Super Mario 3D World.” Unlike the expansive worlds found in “Super Mario Odyssey” or the traditional level-based Mario games, “Super Mario 3D World” offers a unique blend of both. The levels are not just single paths but rather intricate 3D environments viewed from an isometric perspective, allowing up to four players to explore simultaneously.

Super Mario 3D World serves as a nearly sequel-like experience to Super Mario Bros. 2, given that characters such as Luigi, Mario, Peach, and Toad each possess the unique abilities they had in that game. For instance, Luigi’s increased jump height adds an exciting twist when using power-ups like the cat transformation or multiplication, making it fun to explore their potential benefits for fellow players.

5 The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Charlie Day’s Luigi Is An Adorably Supportive Brother

In “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” voiced by Charlie Day, Luigi is depicted as a devoted sibling to Mario, their bond being heartwarming evidence of their mutual care for each other. While Mario takes on the role of protector, Luigi – ever fearful – remains terrified even at his own shadow, but never falters in his support for Mario. As long as Mario is content, so is Luigi.

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, despite his father and family teasing Mario mercilessly, Luigi stands by his side as both a companion and a sibling, offering unwavering support. Charlie Day’s portrayal of Luigi breathes life into the character, making him endearing and likable to audiences, even when he takes a back seat in the narrative.

4 Paper Mario

Always Steals The Show In The RPG Franchise

In the Paper Mario RPG series, Luigi typically takes on the role of an NPC character, yet he consistently steals the spotlight with his intelligence and loyalty. Unlike his brother, Luigi can communicate verbally, though the reasons behind this remain unclear. Despite being a secondary character, there are often clues to be found about him, like a note hinting that Luigi feels frustrated about always playing the sidekick to Mario.

In the controversial “Super Paper Mario” game on Nintendo Wii, Luigi gets turned into an unwilling antagonist whom Mario must battle against, due to being tainted by the primary villain. This transformation forces him to confront his internal struggles. Even when Luigi appears briefly in other games as a minor character, he demonstrates a richer side to his persona.

3 Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo Accomplished Wonders With New Visuals And Voices

Visual elements significantly transform a game and its characters, as demonstrated by Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which introduced a vibrant new art style, numerous new power-ups, and infused more character into the diverse playable characters. For instance, Luigi, unlike in many recent games, exhibits far more expressiveness, and players can grant him any desired ability due to the badge system’s implementation.

In a novel twist, Super Mario Bros. Wondermarked the first instance where Kevin Afghani lent his voice to both Luigi and Mario. His portrayal was instantly captivating. The distinct tones of Mario and Luigi, brought to life by Afghani, are appealing in their own unique ways. Fans appreciate the familiarity of the characters, yet they also adore the endearing and lovable spin that Afghani adds to them.

2 Luigi’s Mansion

Horror And Comedy Turned Luigi Into A Star

The Luigi’s Mansion series is what you can thank for giving Luigi a chance to show off more of his personality. In these games, Luigi’s cowardly demeanor became even more pronounced, but don’t be fooled – he’s not actually a coward. Despite being terrified of everything around him, Luigi always finds the courage to press on, battle ghosts, and rescue his brother from the grip of King Boo.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed an interesting pattern across all three of these games featuring everyone’s favorite brother, Luigi. While he maintains his distinctive charm, there are subtle additions to his character that make him even more endearing. One such addition is his beloved pet ghost puppy!

1 Mario & Luigi

Playing As Both Brothers In Memorable RPG Adventures

The concept of Mario role-playing games isn’t fresh, but the Mario & Luigi series, starting with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, transformed the brothers into a renowned duo in the realm of RPGs. Instead of switching between the two characters, players simultaneously control both Mario and Luigi throughout their thrilling adventures across various worlds, such as the latest addition to the series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Despite rarely exchanging words, the distinctive visuals in the Mario & Luigi series beautifully convey their individual personalities and narratives, setting these games apart from many other Mario titles. Whether they’re engaged in comedic or adventurous scenarios, playing them is enjoyable, but just observing them is equally entertaining. Luigi, with his goofy antics and zany behavior, often leaves one unable to resist smiling at him.

2024-11-09 23:54