Review: Luigi’s Mansion (3DS)

Luigi’s Mansion was a launch title for Nintendo’s GameCube in September 2001. The game was well-received within our editorial team (then operating as a game forum), and a misplaced copy led to repeated discussions about acquiring a replacement – though these plans never materialized. Given the fluctuations in the retro gaming market, it’s pertinent to consider how often one actually utilizes the original GameCube and engages with its library, especially regarding video output and the necessity for potentially cumbersome converters. While we acknowledge the exceptional design of the GameCube controller, arguably one of the finest ever created.

Therefore, re-releases are often welcome, especially when they feature updated visuals and are available on contemporary platforms. Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon was released on the Nintendo 3DS five years ago, and Nintendo has recently announced that Luigi’s Mansion 3 is in development for the Nintendo Switch, with a projected release in 2019. We opted to forgo Dark Moon on the 3DS, anticipating potential control issues on the handheld. However, with the original Luigi’s Mansion  now available exclusively on the 3DS, we felt compelled to evaluate it. Unfortunately, our initial concerns were validated.

Luigi’s Mansion is essentially a “ghostbusters” themed game where Luigi, Mario’s brother, is tasked with locating his more famous sibling within a newly appeared haunted house. Equipped with a specialized vacuum cleaner, players must guide Luigi in solving puzzles, capturing spectral entities, and overcoming boss encounters. This embodies classic Nintendo quality (circa 2001).

The resolution appears low, even on the 3DS’s smaller screen.

Seventeen years later, in 2018, the presentation exhibits signs of age. While the graphics were initially low-resolution, they appear noticeably dated even on the 3DS’s display. The core concept, while perhaps not as innovative as upon its original release, remains unparalleled in its execution of aggressive vacuum cleaner gameplay. Due to the player managing both Luigi and the vacuum’s direction simultaneously, control issues quickly become apparent. The 3DS lacks the GameCube’s yellow analog stick, and despite attempts to compensate with motion controls and a secondary stick (positioned awkwardly on the right side), the game feels considerably more cumbersome and challenging than it should, leading to missed enemies that are otherwise easily dealt with.

A new feature in the 3DS version is the addition of a two-player cooperative mode, albeit with limitations. Co-op play for the main adventure is only available if each player possesses their own copy of the game; otherwise, collaboration is restricted to boss battles. The underlying reason for this limitation (technical or economic) remains unclear, though it’s likely a combination of both factors. Regardless, it is a notable drawback.

The co-op mode offers a limited visual upgrade for the second player.

Luigi’s Mansion remains a charming and accessible adventure, suitable for younger audiences due to its minimal scares. It also stands as a unique “ghostbuster” simulator, with the act of vacuuming up everything from large blobs to carpets proving surprisingly satisfying. However, the compatibility with the 3DS’s control scheme is problematic, detracting from the overall enjoyment and artificially increasing the difficulty. We are hopeful that both this title and its sequel will eventually be released on the Switch, ideally with support for GameCube controllers via 8bitdo’s adapter.

Ideal implementation scenario.

We infrequently review new 3DS titles these days. This is not necessarily due to a lack of releases (or quality releases), but primarily because the platform itself feels somewhat superseded. The Nintendo Switch (in handheld mode) offers a superior experience, and smartphones provide more refined alternatives for many functionalities. The 3DS is exhibiting its age, and its hardware limitations are becoming increasingly apparent. Touch screen functionalities are no longer unique, and the 3D effect without glasses is no longer a sufficient selling point. Furthermore, games requiring shoulder buttons and rapid responses do not perform optimally on the 3DS. It is better suited for turn-based strategy and role-playing games, or simpler platformers.

Given the platform’s significant presence in Japan, and a recent firmware update coupled with strong Black Friday sales, Nintendo likely has no immediate plans to discontinue support. However, reviewing the release schedule for 2019 onward reveals a sparse lineup, raising the question of whether the 3DS, despite its merits, is becoming obsolete within its established niche of portable gaming. We express a sentiment of “Thank you for your service, 3DS; we cherish the memories, but it may be time to retire.”