Honestly, Luigi has always been the more interesting brother. While Mario is busy being the perfect hero, Luigi is in the corner shaking like a leaf, clutching a vacuum cleaner, and just trying to survive the night. That’s the charm. When Nintendo announced Luigi's Mansion 2 HD for the Switch, the internet had a bit of a meltdown over the price tag, but if you actually sit down and play it, you realize how much work went into making a handheld game from 2013 look like a modern cartoon. It’s weird. It’s clunky in parts. It’s also probably the most clever puzzle game on the system.
Back when this was called Dark Moon on the 3DS, it was a technical marvel. Now? It’s a HD glow-up that proves Next Level Games—the developers behind the series—are basically wizards with lighting effects.
The Problem With Mission-Based Ghost Hunting
Most people coming from the third game are going to be annoyed at first. You don't just explore one giant, seamless building. Instead, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD breaks the action into bite-sized missions. You go in, find a gear or a bucket, fight a boss, and Professor E. Gadd yanks you back to the bunker. It’s a rhythmic loop that felt great on a bus ride in 2013 but feels a little stuttery on a home console in 2026.
You’re constantly being interrupted. Gadd loves to call Luigi on the "Dual Scream"—the Switch version’s cheeky nod to the DS—and it kills the tension. But there’s a trade-off. Because the game is divided into specific stages, the developers could pack each individual mission with unique scripts and environmental puzzles that wouldn't work in an open-world setting. You’re forced to notice the details. The way the wallpaper peels. The way the snow drifts in through a broken window in the Secret Mine. It’s tactile.
Visual Fidelity and the 60 FPS Argument
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the frame rate. Unlike the original 3DS version which could get a bit choppy, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD runs at a rock-solid 30 frames per second. Some fans were hoping for 60, especially since the hardware can clearly handle it, but Nintendo stuck to a cinematic 30. Does it matter? Not really. The animations are so expressive—Luigi humming along to the background music to calm his nerves is still the best feature in gaming history—that you stop counting frames after five minutes.
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The textures are where the real work happened. In the original, everything was a bit crunchy. Now, you can see the individual threads on Luigi's hat. The ghosts have this translucent, gummy-bear sheen that catches the light from your flashlight perfectly. It doesn't look like a port; it looks like a native Switch title, which is high praise for a game that’s over a decade old.
Why the Poltergust 5000 Still Slaps
The combat is "tug-of-war" style. You flash a ghost with the Strobulb, you vacuum them up, and you pull the analog stick in the opposite direction. It’s satisfying. It’s crunchy. It’s way more aggressive than the first game on the GameCube.
In this sequel, you have the Dark-Light Device. This thing is a game-changer for completionists. You shine it on empty spaces to reveal hidden objects—chests, doors, even paintings. It turns the game into a detective story. You aren't just hunting ghosts; you're hunting for things that should be there but aren't. It rewards people who actually look at the environment instead of just running to the next objective marker.
The Five Mansions: Variety Over Volume
One mansion wasn't enough. They gave us five.
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- Gloomy Manor: The classic "haunted house" vibe.
- Haunted Towers: A botanical nightmare filled with overgrown plants.
- Old Clockworks: A desert-themed industrial factory that will make you hate sand.
- Secret Mine: Icy, slippery, and surprisingly difficult.
- Treacherous Mansion: The final exam.
Each of these locations has its own "feel." The Old Clockworks is particularly standout because it introduces time-based puzzles that require you to manipulate giant machinery. It feels less like a ghost game and more like The Legend of Zelda at times. If you're looking for deep lore, you won't find it here, but the environmental storytelling is top-tier. You can see what the ghosts were doing before they went crazy—playing cards, cooking, or just being nuisances.
ScareScraper: The Best Multiplayer You Aren't Playing
If you ignore the multiplayer, you're playing the game wrong. The ScareScraper (or Thrill Tower in some regions) is a chaotic, four-player cooperative mode where you climb floors under a time limit. It’s frantic. You have to communicate. You have to save your teammates from "Curse" traps.
It's one of the few Nintendo online experiences that actually feels robust. Even better? It supports local wireless. If you have friends with their own Switch consoles, this is the definitive way to play. The difficulty spikes hard on the higher floors, requiring actual strategy rather than just mindless vacuuming.
Is It Worth the Price?
This is the sticking point. Nintendo released this at a premium price point, which is a tough pill to swallow for a remaster. However, the amount of content here is massive. If you’re a 100% completionist, you’re looking at 20+ hours of gameplay, especially with the hidden Boos and the gem collectibles in every level.
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It’s a different beast than Luigi's Mansion 3. That game was about scale; this game is about precision. The puzzles are arguably harder here. The ghosts are more varied in their tactics. It’s a "gamier" game, if that makes sense. It doesn't hold your hand as much as the newer titles do.
Key Insights for New Players
If you’re jumping into Luigi's Mansion 2 HD today, keep these things in mind. First, explore every single room twice. The game hides things in rafters and behind curtains that you’ll miss if you just follow the arrows. Second, use the motion controls for aiming. It feels weird at first, but it’s way faster for snapping onto ghosts than just using the right stick.
Also, don't rush the bosses. The boss fights in this game are more like puzzles than combat encounters. The "Shrewd Possessor" in the Old Clockworks is notorious for being frustrating if you don't pay attention to the patterns. Take your time. Observe. Then strike.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
- Toggle the Controls: Go into the settings and see if you prefer the "Strobulb" on the buttons or the triggers. Most modern players prefer the triggers, but the default button layout is closer to the original 3DS feel.
- Check the Vault: After every mission, check the vault in Gadd's bunker. You can upgrade the Poltergust 5000 using the gold you collect. Prioritize the "Power Gauge" upgrades; they make catching multiple ghosts much easier.
- Hunt the Boos: Every single mission has exactly one hidden Boo. Finding them all unlocks secret "bonus" missions in each mansion. These are the hardest levels in the game and are totally worth the effort.
- Listen to Luigi: If you're stuck, stop moving. Luigi will often look toward the object you're supposed to interact with. It's a subtle hint system that many people overlook.
- Play With Headphones: The sound design is incredible. You can hear ghosts giggling behind walls or the creak of a floorboard that signals a hidden trap. The binaural audio helps you localize where enemies are before they appear.
This version of Evershade Valley is the best it has ever looked. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer, the slapstick humor and dense puzzle design make it a standout on the Switch. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to look back at what made a series special in the first place.