You finally did it. You battled through the waves of Goobs, solved the floor puzzles, and took down a major boss in the towering Last Resort hotel. You’re ready to grab that elevator button, shove it into the panel, and see what weird theme the next floor has in store. Then, the screen fades. A purple tail flicks. Suddenly, that hard-earned button is gone, snatched away by a spectral cat that looks cute but acts like a total nightmare.
Luigi's Mansion 3 Polterkitty is, honestly, the ultimate vibe-killer for some players, while others find it a clever way to force you to actually learn the hotel's layout. It’s not just a boss; it’s a recurring hide-and-seek mechanic that halts your progress right when you feel like you’re on a roll.
Most people expect a straightforward ghost-hunting experience when they pick up a Mario-adjacent title. But Polterkitty changes the rules. It forces you to backtrack. It makes you look at the ceiling. It demands patience in a game that usually rewards quick reflexes and slapstick vacuuming. Whether you love the challenge or find it a tedious chore, there is no way around this ghostly feline if you want to reach the top of the hotel.
The First Encounter: Why Polterkitty Stole Your Progress
The first time you meet this creature is on the 7th Floor, Suitemery Gardens. You’ve just beaten the gardener boss, and the elevator button is right there. Then the cat appears. This isn't just a scripted cutscene; it’s the beginning of a multi-room chase.
What makes Polterkitty unique compared to standard ghosts like Oozers or Hammers is its triple-life system. You don’t just drain its health and call it a day. You have to find it, scare it out of hiding, and then bait it into an attack.
A lot of players get stuck here because they try to rush it. You can't just run up and vacuum. Polterkitty is fast. If you move too quickly, it jumps to a chandelier or hides under a bed. You have to use the Dark-Light device to track its paw prints, which are often glowing purple on the floor. It’s a detective game disguised as an action-platformer. Honestly, the tension of following those prints only to realize the cat is literally right above your head is one of the more "horror" moments in this lighthearted game.
Tracking the Ghost Cat Across Multiple Floors
After the initial encounter, the game doubles down. On the 13th Floor (Fitness Center), the cat returns to snatch the button for the 14th floor. This time, it’s not just one floor. Polterkitty retreats all the way back down to the 12th floor (The Spectral Catch).
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This is where the "backtracking" criticism usually stems from.
To catch Polterkitty here, you have to remember specific mechanics you might have forgotten. For instance, in the gym area, you need to use the Poltergust G-00 to spin exercise equipment or check inside lockers. The cat loves verticality. If you aren't looking up, you're never going to find it.
- Look for the tail: Often, Polterkitty hides in containers but leaves a twitching purple tail hanging out.
- The Flash/Scare Tactic: Once you find its hiding spot, you use the Strobulb. It won't work immediately. The cat will hiss, grow, and crawl along the ceiling.
- The Turnaround: This is the part that trips everyone up. You have to turn your back to the cat. It’s a classic feline move; it won't attack if you're staring at it. When you hear it creep up behind you and its paws make that "tink-tink" sound on the floor, that’s when you turn and flash the light.
It's a test of nerves. If you flash too early, it runs away, and you have to start the tracking process all over again.
Why the Mechanics Frustrate Some Players
Let’s be real: Polterkitty feels like "padding" to a segment of the fanbase. When you've already cleared a floor, going back to it to find a cat can feel like the developers are just trying to stretch the play clock.
However, looking at the game design from a different angle, it’s actually a brilliant use of the environment. Luigi's Mansion 3 is packed with incredible detail that players often sprint past. By forcing you to track Polterkitty, Nintendo makes you notice the physics of the sand in the pirate area or the way the plants react in the garden. It turns the hotel into a cohesive place rather than just a series of disconnected levels.
There’s also the Gooigi factor. Some of the Polterkitty phases require you to use Gooigi as a decoy or to reach areas Luigi can't. It’s one of the few times in the single-player campaign where the "two characters" mechanic feels essential rather than just a gimmick for co-op play.
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Combat Strategy: Taking the Button Back
When you finally corner the beast, the combat isn't like a normal ghost. Polterkitty has three "lives" or phases. Each time you successfully slam it, it loses a tail and flees to a different room or a different floor entirely.
- Phase One: Usually involves simple tracking. Follow the prints, find the hiding spot, and do the "turn-around" bait.
- Phase Two: The cat gets more aggressive. It might hide in places that require the Suction Shot (plunger) to break open.
- Phase Three: This usually takes place in a room with more hazards. You have to manage the cat's pounce while avoiding environmental damage.
The most important tip? Don't mash the A button. The timing for the Strobulb is tighter here than with almost any other ghost in the game. You want to wait until the cat is mid-leap, paws extended, teeth bared. That's the window.
Common Misconceptions About Polterkitty
One big myth is that Polterkitty is random. It’s not. The cat follows a very specific pathing script. If you lose it on the 13th floor, it will always go to the same spots on the 12th. You aren't wandering aimlessly; you’re following a trail.
Another misconception is that you can "skip" these segments if you're fast enough. You can't. The cat's appearance is a hard gate for story progression. You have to engage with the hunt. Interestingly, Polterkitty is actually the pet of Hellen Gravely, the hotel owner. It adds a bit of narrative flavor—it's not just a random ghost, but a loyal (and pampered) guard dog—er, cat.
Essential Tips for a Faster Hunt
If you're currently stuck or just want to get through these segments as quickly as possible, keep these points in mind:
The Dark-Light is your best friend. Don't just look for prints on the ground. Check the walls and the furniture. The prints show exactly where the cat jumped.
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Listen to the audio. Luigi’s Mansion 3 has incredible 3D audio. If you have headphones on, you can actually hear which direction the cat is hissing from. It’s way more effective than just wandering around.
Don't forget the Burst move. Sometimes, Polterkitty will pin Luigi down. If you don't have Gooigi out, you need to use the Burst (pressing L and R together) to knock it off. This saved me more times than I care to admit on my first playthrough.
Clear the room first. If you’re in a room with smaller ghosts and Polterkitty, kill the small fry first. Trying to time a Polterkitty flash while a Mini-Goob is pelting you with trash is a recipe for losing hearts.
Final Actionable Steps for Players
To wrap this up and get you back into the game, here is exactly what you should do the next time that cat disappears with your elevator button:
- Equip the Dark-Light immediately: Do not leave the room where the cat vanished until you've scanned the floor for the first set of purple prints.
- Check the map: Usually, your map will give a vague yellow circle or hint as to which rooms the cat has moved to.
- The "Wait and See": When you find the cat on a high ledge, stand still. Turn Luigi's back to the ledge. Wait for the audio cue of the cat lunging.
- Strobe and Slam: The moment you hear the lunge, spin around and hit the Strobulb. Once the cat is stunned, vacuum it up and slam it as many times as the prompt allows.
Polterkitty might be a polarizing part of the Last Resort, but it's a testament to the game's personality. It's frustrating, sure, but it's also a memorable challenge that breaks up the formula. Take a breath, follow the prints, and get that button back. You've got a hotel to save.