The Switch may be in its twilight years now, with rumours afoot that 2025 will see what Nintendo have coming next to be launched. But that doesn’t mean that this faithful little work horse is going into the night without a fight. The latest late Switch banger is Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, a remaster of the 2013 Nintendo 3DS title developed by Tantalus Games.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD sees the green one take the spotlight once again. It’s his job to hoover up some ghosts and rescue his most famous brother.
A Late Surprise
And if I am being honest, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, or Dark Moon, is a bit of a surprise release. Even with Luigi’s Mansion 3, the full-fat sequel, hitting the Switch last year, the second game is an altogether more obscure release that few were clamouring for.
However, it was a great choice. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is one of the best games you can play right now. The original had some great ideas, levels and art design, the HD edition modernises the controls and improves the visual fidelity. The result is a hidden gem of thrust into the spotlight it deserved a decade age.
Ghost of a Chance
The game’s tale sees King Boo – who has escaped his painting after the events of the first game, shatters the Dark Moon. Which has a pacifying effect on the ghosts that inhabit Evershade Valley.
With the Dark Moon shattered, this causes the ghosts to suddenly become hostile, forcing the Professor to take shelter in a bunker, while a dark fog covers the valley.
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The Professor asks Luigi to help by collecting the five pieces of the Dark Moon, which have been scattered to different mansions, which will clear out the fog and restore peace.
Brothership Spirit
Luigi packs his new flashlight, which can stun ghosts, before the iconic Poltergust 5000 to suck them up. Luigi will also find new and more powerful tools along the way, which add new layers to the gameplay. Mechanics like dark light letting you see hidden doors and objects add a lot to the exploration. Half the challenge comes from knowing what tool to use and when.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD features a perfectly balanced ghost busting arsenal. Not too vast, but just right to make you think what best suits each situation.
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You’ll find that you have the ability to interact with a vast number of items and objects room to room, which give each room a real puzzle vibe. You’ll never know what pulling the carpet back or tugging a curtain will do.
Every room is packed full of these interactive moments. And that this is based on a 3DS is mind-blowing. Especially when each little moment is you’ll find is full of that Nintendo charm and wit.
Lighter Moments of the Dark Moon
When not exploring and looking in the dark corners, you’ll be getting into a bit of ghost busting. Again, this is a layered affair. Some will hide in objects to avoid you, or even wear sunglasses to stop you from stunning them.
Others will be hulking spooks that just stand and take swings at you – they’re not afraid of you. But worry not, the Poltergust 5000 will see you through most of the ghouls. Even the more challenging end-of-mansion bosses.
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Controls are tight in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. The layout is based on the twin stick system from Luigi’s Mansion 3 rather the the 3DS original. And, this is a huge plus that makes combat that bit more intuitive.
One Room at a Time
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is also mission based, and this may take some by surprise. You complete a mission, then return to to a menu, then head back in and out till you defeat that mansion’s boss, and then move on to the next one.
It’s an interesting structure that lets you explore, but also delivers bite sized attack moments. IT does feel like a hangover from its 3DS roots, offering game sessions more amenable to playing on the move. But despite those bite-sized goals, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD will take around 20 hours to complete.
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Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD also feature a co-op mode ScareScraper – that is a tower-based mode, where players explore each floor of a mansion and complete the specified objective within a time limit.
But in a totally odd move, there is no local co-op. You can only play Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD with friends on other Switches with copies of the game. A real misstep if I am being honest.
Costly Mansion
One of the biggest issues the game has is its price, as it’s marked at full fat release price, but is just an HD port. There is no new music, art, levels or gameplay beyond the quality-of-life tweaks, so that may put some off taking the dive.
Visually, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD has had the work needed to bring it up from a 3DS game, to a Switch game. Everything, from locations, characters and animations, have all have been polished and buffed but they fall a little short of the standard set in Luigi’s Mansion 3.
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Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a cracking remaster of a forgotten gem from the Nintendo archives. Fans of Luigi’s Mansion 3 will especially have a blast with it. However, long-term fans may feel a bit short changed on the asking price front, considering what little has really changed.