Ectochien, chiot fantôme translucide au collier rouge, bondissant sur fond noir

Polterpup: the ghost puppy who won Luigi over

1052 words | Reading time : 5 minute(s)

CharacterLuigi's MansionGhosts

The only ghost Luigi pets instead of running from. Introduced in Luigi's Mansion 2 on 3DS in 2013, Polterpup starts out as a little pest: he swipes keys and precious items, then bolts straight through the walls. This article follows how he was tamed, then his bodyguard role in Luigi's Mansion 3, where he is the one who pulls Luigi out of King Boo's trap and sniffs out hidden objects.

A puppy white, translucent and permanently overexcited: meet Polterpup (Ectochien in French), the most endearing ghost in the entire Mario universe. Tongue lolling, nose in the air, he walks through walls the way other dogs dig holes in the garden.

First a thieving little pest in Luigi's Mansion 2, he has since become Luigi's official companion — the one ghost in the world the green scaredy-cat adores instead of fleeing. The story of a paranormal adoption.

Contents

A ghost puppy among the phantoms

Polterpup first appears in Luigi's Mansion 2 (3DS, 2013). In a bestiary packed with sniggering specters and mischievous Boos , he stands out immediately: he is a puppy, plain and simple — playful, clumsy, incapable of any real malice.

His design says it all: a body milky white and translucent, round eyes, a huge nose and a tail that never stops wagging. Where the other ghosts want to frighten, he only wants to play. The trouble is that his favorite games always involve other people's belongings.

Polterpup mode screen inviting you to capture the ghost puppies
A spectral puppy among hostile ghosts: the exception of the bestiary.

The little pest who stole the keys

In Luigi's Mansion 2, Polterpup plays the recurring troublemaker: he steals essential items — keys and precious finds — then bolts through the walls, forcing Luigi to track him with flashlight and vacuum from one end of the mansions to the other.

Those chases remain among the tastiest moments in the game: the puppy has no idea he is doing anything wrong, he fetches, buries and dashes about like any other dog — except that he is intangible and his hiding places go straight through the floor. An adorable menace.

The adoption: the only ghost Luigi loves

Here comes the twist: over the course of the adventures, the spectral rascal and the ghost hunter tame each other. Polterpup becomes Luigi's faithful companion — a delicious paradox for the most cowardly character in the Nintendo galaxy, who trembles at the sight of the smallest flying bedsheet yet scratches this one behind the ears.

This tender bond gives Luigi something his brother never had: a pet of his very own, as much of a handful as he is irreplaceable.

Bodyguard at the haunted hotel

In Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019), Polterpup is one of the family: he comes along with the whole gang for the stay at the hotel. When the trap set by King Boo snaps shut, he is the one who pulls Luigi out of trouble and watches over him all night long.

  • He wakes his master and guides him at the key moments of the adventure.
  • He sniffs out hidden objects, nose to the ground, like a truffle dog from beyond the grave.
  • He punctuates every reunion with spectral capers and sloppy licks.

From key thief to guardian angel: quite the promotion.

Silhouettes of Luigi chased by ghosts, in green on a black background
Now an ally, Polterpup sniffs out the passages and pulls Luigi out of traps.

A plush mascot built to be adored

With his round little face and his unshakeable enthusiasm, Polterpup has established himself as the emotional mascot of the series: merchandise, official plush toys and fan art celebrate the ghost puppy far beyond the circle of players.

It must be said that he fills a unique niche — a doghouse of his own: in a saga where ghosts exist to frighten, he proves that a specter can be a best friend. The dog remains man's most faithful companion — even without a heartbeat.

Polterpup at a glance

French name Ectochien
English name Polterpup
Species Ghost puppy
First appearance Luigi's Mansion 2 (3DS, 2013)
Original specialty Stealing keys and precious items
Current role Luigi's faithful companion
Claim to fame Saves Luigi from King Boo's trap (LM3)
Special trait The only ghost Luigi adores

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FAQ

  • What is Polterpup?
    He is a white, translucent ghost puppy from the Luigi's Mansion series, known as Ectochien in French. Mischievous and affectionate, he has become Luigi's pet dog.
  • Which game does Polterpup first appear in?
    In Luigi's Mansion 2 on 3DS, released in 2013, where he steals keys and items that Luigi has to recover by chasing him through the mansions.
  • What role does Polterpup play in Luigi's Mansion 3?
    He goes with Luigi to the haunted hotel, saves him from King Boo's trap, guides him at the key moments and sniffs out hidden objects.
  • Why does Luigi love this ghost?
    Because Polterpup is harmless and affectionate: he is the only specter who plays with Luigi instead of scaring him, to the point of becoming his faithful companion.
  • Is Polterpup dangerous?
    No. His mischief never goes further than swiping objects to play with. He never attacks and spends his time on capers, licks and spectral naps.
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