I became a fan of Nintendo games during a challenging period for the company, the 3DS and Wii U era. Despite being a low point between the successful Wii and Switch consoles, I immersed myself in playing almost every new Nintendo game during this time. One standout title was Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, a sequel that brought the series to handheld devices with added 3D features. It was a key part of the memorable “Year of Luigi” and set the stage for the success of Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Prior to the end of the Switch generation, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is being re-released as Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. I’ve been revisiting the game on Switch and comparing it to my experience on the 3DS. While not as extensive as the recent remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is definitely worth a look if you missed out on the 3DS era of Nintendo gaming.
Bite-sized ghosts
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD follows Luigi’s quest to retrieve the pieces of the Dark Moon, shattered by King Boo, to restore peace to the ghostly inhabitants. Professor E. Gadd enlists Luigi’s help to explore five different mansions with specific objectives across various levels. The handheld nature of the game has led to a more segmented structure compared to the original.
Each mansion offers a unique experience with modified looks and specific objectives. While this segmented approach may not appeal to all fans of the series, it allows for quick gameplay sessions and a sense of progression. The handheld mode is ideal for playing Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD due to this design.
In addition to the single-player campaign, the game includes a cooperative multiplayer mode called ScareScraper, where teams work together to complete objectives and catch ghosts as they ascend a tower. This underrated feature adds value to the overall experience.
While Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD may not offer the level of remake seen in other recent Nintendo titles, it brings the original 3DS game to life on the Switch with enhanced visuals and art. The addition of HD Rumble and improved controls enhance the gameplay experience, especially in online multiplayer modes like ScareScraper.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD offers a polished experience for fans looking to revisit the 3DS classic in high definition on the popular Nintendo Switch platform. Whether you enjoyed the original release or are new to the game, the HD version presents a fresh opportunity to dive into Luigi’s ghostly adventures.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD launches for Nintendo Switch on June 27.
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