Luigi: Mario's brother and shadow hero in the Super Mario universe

1074 mots | Temps de lecture : 5 minute(s)

Luigi is Mario's younger brother , but above all, one of the most endearing characters in the Super Mario universe. Long seen as "player 2," he has gradually established himself as a hero in his own right , with his own personality , his own adventures, and a loyal fan base . Courageous despite his fears , Luigi has become the favorite anti-hero of gamers around the world.

Luigi's Origins

Luigi first appeared in the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. , designed as a multiplayer version where the second player played as a green Mario clone. It was a practical choice , dictated by the technical limitations of the time, but Nintendo soon gave him more personality.

Starting with Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), Luigi became more than just an alternate skin : he jumped higher than Mario , but with less precision. This asymmetrical gameplay became a constant and marked the beginning of his individualization as a playable character in his own right.

Appearance and distinctive features

Luigi is recognizable by:

• His green cap adorned with the iconic “L”.
• His green sweater and blue overalls , similar to Mario's but more fitted to his slender figure .
• His thin whiskers and expressive face, capable of reflecting a wide range of emotions: fear, surprise, joy, sadness.

Physically, he is taller and slimmer than his brother, which influences his gameplay (higher jumps, longer slides). Mentally, Luigi is reserved , sensitive , but deeply loyal .

Luigi in the Mario games

Luigi has long been relegated to the role of " second player ", but he is playable in many main games:

• Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) – First game where he has his own abilities .
• Super Mario Galaxy – Playable after completing the game with Mario.
• Super Mario 3D World – Playable from the start, with its distinctive gameplay .
• New Super Luigi U (2013) – Expansion entirely centered on Luigi , with more technical levels .

In these games, Luigi often embodies a more subtle challenge : his higher jumps allow for more exploration, but require greater skill.

Luigi's Mansion Series: A Hero in the Dark

Luigi 's true solo breakthrough came with Luigi's Mansion on GameCube in 2001. He then became a reluctant hero , embarking on a paranormal adventure to save his brother:

• Luigi's Mansion – Luigi explores a haunted mansion armed with the Poltergust 3000.
• Dark Moon (2013) – He battles ghosts in several mansions with humor and clumsiness.
• Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019) – The acclaimed final installment, featuring a hotel as its playground, and the support of Gooigi , his gelatinous version.

These games offer Luigi a unique depth , mixing comedy , fear and emotion, all in an atmosphere inspired by animated films or haunted houses.

Luigi in spin-offs and crossovers

• Mario Kart – Featured in all installments. He went viral in Mario Kart 8 with the famous Luigi Death Stare .
• Mario Party – A recurring figure, often associated with luck (or bad luck !).
• Super Smash Bros. – Present since the original episode, with an unpredictable fighting style.
• Mario & Luigi (RPG) – These games feature a hilarious and touching brotherly dynamic.

Luigi's voice and its evolution

Luigi has been voiced since 1996 by Charles Martinet , who also voices Mario . His voice is more reedy , trembling , often punctuated by small moans or cries of fright . This vocal contrast with Mario reinforces their difference in character, while making Luigi infinitely more endearing .

“The Year of Luigi”: official recognition

In 2013, Nintendo officially declared “ The Year of Luigi ” to celebrate the character’s 30th anniversary. This special year includes:

• The launch of New Super Luigi U.
• The release of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon .
• Consoles and collector's items bearing his image.

This event marks an official recognition of Luigi 's major role in Nintendo history.

Personality: An anti-hero with a big heart

• Shy , but ready to do anything to help those close to him.
• Clumsy , but never ridiculous: his clumsiness makes him more human .
• Deeply loyal to Mario , but also to the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom .
• Often withdrawn, but able to shine when brought into the spotlight.

Why is Luigi so loved by fans?

• He is human : his fears and doubts are universal.
• He is funny without meaning to be : his expressions and reactions are often comical.
• He is faithful : despite everything, Luigi remains faithful to his mission and to his family.
• He has evolved : from a simple clone to a full-fledged hero , Luigi has gained his status over time.

Anecdotes about Luigi

• In Super Mario 64 , a long-persistent rumor claimed that it was hidden within the game (" L is real 2401 ").
• Luigi is invisible in some games ( Super Mario Galaxy ) until an objective is completed.
• In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door , Luigi leads his own humorously told side adventure .

Conclusion

Luigi is no longer just Mario 's brother. He has become an iconic figure in his own right, representing quiet courage , perseverance , and emotion in a universe often dominated by action. With his unintentional humor , sensitivity , and ability to triumph despite his fears , Luigi has won the hearts of gamers. He embodies the idea that even the heroes of the shadows deserve the spotlight .