Luigi : le frère de Mario et héros de l'ombre de la série

Luigi: Mario's brother and the series' unsung hero

1643 words | Reading time : 8 minute(s)

CharacterLuigi's MansionMario

Long stuck with the "player 2" label, he ended up earning mansions of his own. Introduced in the Mario Bros. arcade cabinet in 1983, Luigi stands out with his green cap bearing an "L", his lanky build and, since Super Mario Bros. 2, a higher jump with less grip. This article follows his transformation from sidekick into a hero in his own right, from the Luigi's Mansion series to the spin-offs, taking in his voice and his legendary fears along the way.

Luigi is Mario's younger brother, but above all one of the most endearing characters in the Super Mario universe. Long seen as the "player 2", he has gradually established himself as a hero in his own right, with his very own personality, his own adventures and a fan base that stays loyal. Brave in spite of his fears, Luigi has become the antihero adored by players around the world.

Contents

Luigi's origins

Luigi first appears in 1983 in the arcade game Mario Bros., designed as a multiplayer version in which the second player controls a clone of Mario in green. It was a practical choice, dictated by the technical limitations of the time, but Nintendo was quick to give him more personality.

Starting with Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), Luigi becomes more than a simple alternate skin: he jumps higher than Mario, but with less precision. This asymmetrical gameplay becomes a constant and marks the start of his individuality as a playable character in his own right.

Appearance and distinctive traits

Luigi is instantly recognisable by:

  • His green cap bearing the iconic "L".
  • His green shirt and his blue overalls, much like Mario's but cut closer to his lanky frame.
  • His slender moustache and his expressive face, able to reflect a wide range of emotions: fear, surprise, joy, sadness.

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

Luigi in the Mario games

Luigi was long confined to the role of the "second player", yet he is playable in plenty of main games:

  • Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) – The first game where he has abilities of his own.
  • Super Mario Galaxy – Playable after finishing the game with Mario.
  • Super Mario 3D World – Playable from the start, with his distinctive gameplay.
  • New Super Luigi U (2013) – An expansion built entirely around Luigi, with more technical levels.

In these games, Luigi often embodies a subtler challenge: his higher jumps open up more exploration, but demand sharper control.

The Luigi's Mansion series: a hero in the dark

The true solo breakthrough for Luigi came with Luigi's Mansion on GameCube in 2001. There he becomes a reluctant hero, swept into a paranormal adventure to save his brother:

  • Luigi's Mansion – Luigi explores a haunted mansion armed with the Poltergust 3000.
  • Dark Moon (2013) – He takes on ghosts across several mansions, with humour and plenty of fumbling.
  • Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019) – The latest, acclaimed entry, with a hotel as the playground, and support from Gooigi, his gelatinous double.

These games give Luigi a unique depth, blending comedy, fear and emotion, all wrapped in an atmosphere inspired by animated films and haunted-house movies.

Luigi in the spin-offs and crossovers

  • Mario Kart – Present in every entry. He went viral in Mario Kart 8 with the famous Luigi Death Stare.
  • Mario Party – A recurring face, often associated with luck (or bad luck!).
  • Super Smash Bros. – There since the original game, with a fighting style that is unpredictable.
  • Mario & Luigi (RPG) – These games play out a brotherly dynamic that is hilarious and touching.

Luigi's voice and how it evolved

Luigi was voiced from 1997 to 2023 by Charles Martinet, also the voice of Mario; since 2023, it has been Kevin Afghani who plays the part. His voice is more reedy, quavering, often punctuated by little whimpers or cries of fright. That vocal contrast with Mario sharpens the difference in their characters, 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. That special year included:

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

This event was official recognition of the major role played by Luigi in the history of Nintendo.

Personality: an antihero with a big heart

  • Shy, but ready to do anything for the people he cares about.
  • Clumsy, but never ridiculous: his blunders only make him more human.
  • Deeply loyal to Mario, but also to the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom.
  • Often in the background, but capable of shining whenever the spotlight finds him.

Why do fans love Luigi so much?

  • He is human: his fears and his doubts are universal.
  • He is funny without meaning to be: his expressions and reactions are often comedy gold.
  • He is faithful: through it all, Luigi stays true to his mission and to his family.
  • He knew how to evolve: from mere clone to hero in his own right, Luigi has earned his status over time.

Luigi trivia

  • In Super Mario 64, a rumour that lingered for years claimed he was hidden in the game ("L is real 2401").
  • Luigi is invisible in some games (Super Mario Galaxy) until a specific objective has been completed.
  • In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Luigi goes on his own adventure in parallel, told with plenty of humour.

Quick facts: Luigi

First appearance Mario Bros. (arcade, 1983)
Type / Role Mario's younger brother, playable character
Distinctive features Green cap with an "L", green outfit, lanky build
Gameplay Jumps higher than Mario, less grip (from Super Mario Bros. 2, 1988)
Solo series Luigi's Mansion (GameCube, 2001), Dark Moon (2013), Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019)
Voice actor Charles Martinet (from Mario Kart 64, 1997, to 2023), then Kevin Afghani
Notable fact "The Year of Luigi" declared by Nintendo (the character's 30th anniversary, from Feb. 2013 to March 2014)

🍄 Want to keep the adventure going? Discover our Luigi products in the shop.

FAQ

  • When did Luigi first appear?
    In 1983, in the arcade game Mario Bros., originally as a green clone of Mario (a recoloured palette) for the second player.
  • What is the gameplay difference between Luigi and Mario?
    Since Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), Luigi jumps higher than Mario but with less grip, and his jumps float more and carry further.
  • What is the Luigi's Mansion series?
    It is Luigi's solo series, launched on GameCube in 2001, in which he explores haunted places with the Poltergust. It also includes Dark Moon (2013) and Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019).
  • Who voices Luigi?
    Charles Martinet, also the voice of Mario, voiced him from Mario Kart 64 (1997) until 2023; Kevin Afghani has held the role since. Luigi's trademark shy, quavering voice really took hold from Luigi's Mansion (2001) onwards.
  • What was "the Year of Luigi"?
    Announced by Nintendo in February 2013 (and running until March 2014), "The Year of Luigi" celebrated the character's 30th anniversary, with games such as New Super Luigi U and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.

Conclusion

Luigi is no longer simply the brother of Mario. He has become an iconic figure in his own right, one who embodies quiet courage, perseverance, and emotion in a universe often ruled by action. Through his unintentional humour, his sensitivity and his ability to triumph despite his fears, Luigi has won the hearts of players everywhere. He embodies the idea that even heroes in the shadows deserve the spotlight.

The character guide

Heroes, princesses, Toads, Yoshis and the Kong clan: our guide gathers the characters of the Mushroom Kingdom, role by role.

🍄 All the Mario characters →
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