I finally got my hands on Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for the Nintendo Switch, and wow, it’s amazing to jump back into the shoes of our favorite green-clad ghost hunter on a more powerful console. Growing up with the Luigi’s Mansion series, I was super excited to see how the remastered version would stack up against my fond memories of the original game on the Nintendo 3DS.
Diving into the game, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD stays true to the heart and soul of the original adventure. Luigi, who’s always been seen as Mario’s quieter brother, steps into the limelight once more. His mission? To bring peace back to Evershade Valley after King Boo breaks the Dark Moon, turning the friendly ghosts hostile. Professor E. Gadd, the eccentric scientist, is back too, guiding Luigi to collect the Dark Moon’s pieces scattered across various haunted mansions.
The first thing that hit me was the graphic overhaul. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD looks stunning on the Switch, with every shadow, texture, and spooky corner brought to life with an amazing amount of detail. The environments are rich and vibrant, making each mansion’s exploration an immersive thrill.
When it comes to gameplay, it still feels like the Luigi’s Mansion I fell in love with. Using the Poltergust 5000 to catch ghosts and solve puzzles feels as fun as ever. The addition of the Dark-Light Device uncovers secrets and hidden paths, keeping the curiosity alive. The controls have been tweaked for the better, leveraging the Switch’s dual analog sticks for smoother navigation and aiming, a definite step up from the 3DS’s controls.
However, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD has adopted a mission-based structure, dividing the gameplay into chunks across five mansions. This means more short, digestible play sessions, but it can sometimes yank you out of the game world, disrupting the flow of exploration that I loved about the original.
That said, the missions themselves are a blast with a great mix of ghost-catching action and brain-teasing puzzles. Exploring pays off, as hidden treasures and secrets are stashed throughout the mansions. The boss fights, though? They’re a bit hit or miss. Some feel less about the thrill of the hunt and more about puzzling your way through, which isn’t necessarily what I’m looking for in a ghost face-off.
On a brighter note, the multiplayer modes are a total hoot. Scarescraper mode lets you and up to three friends get your ghost-busting on in a series of challenges. The variety here, with modes like Hunter Mode and Polterpup Mode, keeps things interesting and adds a whole new layer of fun.
All in all, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a respectful and well-polished remaster that makes the original 3DS game shine on the Switch. The updated visuals and controls are a treat, and despite some personal reservations about the mission structure and certain boss fights, it remains a delightfully spooky adventure. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD will be a worthy addition to any Switch library, offering both nostalgia for long-time fans and a fresh experience for newcomers. Despite its few quirks, Luigi’s solo adventure stands as a testament to his ghost-hunting prowess in the loveliest light possible.
