Top 10 Times Luigi Proved He’s More Than Just Player Two

#10: Luigi’s Role in Super Mario Galaxy

Though Mario stars in Super Mario Galaxy, Luigi’s inclusion as a playable character after collecting all 120 Power Stars is a huge moment. Unlike Mario, Luigi has higher jumps and slipperier movement, making his version of the game more difficult. But this isn’t just a hard mode—it’s a badge of honor. The fact that Luigi gets his own full adventure in a galaxy-sized challenge proves he’s more than a sidekick. His presence is also important thematically; while he’s often shown as nervous or overlooked, in Galaxy, he gets a shot at the exact same adventure and proves he can rise to the occasion—and even soar beyond it.

#9: His Secret Bravery in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

While Luigi doesn’t join Mario’s party in this RPG classic, he constantly shows up throughout the game, recounting tales of his “parallel” adventure to rescue Princess Eclair. It’s all played for laughs, but when you really listen, Luigi’s story sounds just as intense—sometimes more so—than Mario’s. He fights monsters, recruits his own oddball crew, and even accidentally becomes the villain in someone else’s story. Through all of this, Luigi keeps going with determination and optimism. The absurdity of his journey adds layers to his character, showing he has his own unique adventures… whether anyone’s paying attention or not.

#8: The Poltergust 3000 in Luigi’s Mansion

The original Luigi’s Mansion wasn’t just a genre shift—it was a role reversal. Suddenly, Luigi was center stage, tasked with exploring a haunted house full of ghosts to rescue his brother. Armed only with a flashlight and the Poltergust 3000, Luigi faced his fears—literally. What makes this so iconic is how it embraced Luigi’s anxious, easily spooked personality and turned it into a strength. His vulnerability wasn’t a weakness—it was the core of his courage. The slow pacing, atmospheric tension, and spooky ambiance all spotlighted a version of Luigi that had to work harder to succeed. And he did. It was the ultimate “Player Two” redemption arc.

#7: His Final Smash in Super Smash Bros

When Super Smash Bros. Brawl introduced Final Smashes, Luigi’s “Negative Zone” stood out. While other characters went full firepower, Luigi created a surreal, psychedelic field that distorted time, space, and emotions. It was weird, unpredictable, and completely unique—just like him. The move doesn’t seem very “Luigi” at first, but that’s the point: it’s mysterious, powerful, and subtly unsettling, challenging the idea that Luigi is just a quirky background character. His Final Smash wasn’t just strong—it made you look at him differently. It hinted that Luigi’s got layers, and maybe even some hidden powers no one expected.

#6: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon Leadership

In Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Luigi doesn’t just explore one mansion—he tackles five. What’s more, this time he’s a trusted ghostbuster, working directly with Professor E. Gadd to contain a spectral crisis. He’s more experienced, more confident (well, kind of), and far more skilled with his gear. The game builds on his original hero arc by showing growth. He’s still scared, but now he’s braver. He rescues Toads, battles bosses, and faces King Boo again—proving the first time wasn’t a fluke. This was the moment Luigi fully stepped into his role as a legitimate hero with responsibilities, victories, and his own fan base.

#5: Winning the Year of Luigi

Nintendo officially declared 2013 the “Year of Luigi,” and the celebration wasn’t just for show—it came with real titles where Luigi stepped into the spotlight. New Super Luigi U gave him an entire platformer to himself, replacing Mario and offering more difficult levels with Luigi’s signature slippery physics and higher jumps. In Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, he returned as the sole protagonist. Even Mario & Luigi: Dream Team leaned heavily into Luigi’s subconscious, exploring his dreams and emotional depth. For a full year, Luigi wasn’t just Player Two—he was the face of the franchise. While often played for laughs, this was also Nintendo’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Luigi’s growth and his importance to fans. He wasn’t just the support act anymore. He was the hero of his own story—repeatedly.

#4: Stealth Saves in Super Paper Mario

In Super Paper Mario, Luigi is once again separated from Mario—but instead of just being a sideshow, he becomes a major part of the main plot. Not only does he fight his own battles, but he’s also brainwashed into becoming Mr. L, a powerful villain who nearly takes down the heroes. Eventually, Luigi breaks free from this control and reclaims his identity. That arc isn’t just cool—it’s complex. He literally confronts his darker side, defeats it, and rejoins the team as a key figure in saving the multiverse. He plays the role of the lost brother, the villain, and the comeback hero—all in one game. It’s character development that proves Luigi can carry emotional and narrative weight just as well as Mario, if not better.

#3: Rescuing Mario in Luigi’s Mansion 3

In Luigi’s Mansion 3, Luigi returns once again to the haunted-hotel setting, but this time with more confidence, more tools, and more resolve than ever before. After his friends are captured, including Mario himself, it’s Luigi who has to rise to the occasion. With the help of Gooigi (his green, gooey doppelgänger), he navigates puzzles, bosses, and increasingly bizarre hotel floors to rescue everyone. This time, he’s not just proving himself—he’s in command. His expressions, hesitations, and eventual triumph all show a Luigi who’s grown into his role as hero. He faces literal nightmares and comes out the other side, not just saving the day but doing so with heart and humility. It’s the strongest and most capable version of Luigi we’ve ever seen.

#2: Beating Bowser in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Luigi is a full partner—no longer following Mario but fighting right beside him. What’s more, one of the game’s most memorable sequences has Luigi disguising himself as Princess Peach to help in a rescue mission. It’s a mix of comedy and courage, especially since it places him in danger without any glory. He even ends up in solo combat, proving he’s just as capable when left on his own. His quirky personality, goofy humor, and loyal heart become central to the story—and often carry it emotionally. Far from being just a backup, Luigi is vital to the adventure’s success. He isn’t just helping Mario—he’s equal to him in both gameplay and story impact.

#1: Becoming the Real Hero in Super Mario Galaxy’s True Ending

In Super Mario Galaxy, players unlock Luigi after completing the game with Mario. But beating the game again with Luigi unlocks the “true ending”—a reward that acknowledges Luigi’s effort as fully canon. It’s not just a cosmetic change; Luigi’s mechanics make the game harder, forcing players to re-master platforming and adjust their playstyle. When you finally earn the true ending, it’s not Mario standing victorious—it’s Luigi, standing tall in a galaxy he helped save. This ultimate reward cements Luigi not just as a playable character, but as a mainline hero capable of saving the universe. It’s a moment where he literally proves he can do everything Mario can—sometimes better—and gets the recognition he long deserved.

Luigi has always been more than just Player Two. Behind the nervous laugh, the clumsy charm, and the green cap is a hero in his own right—one who’s faced monsters, saved worlds, and grown stronger with every game. Whether he’s wielding a vacuum in a haunted hotel or jumping higher than anyone else in a galaxy far, far away, Luigi has shown time and again that he’s more than a sidekick. He’s a legend of his own, and fans everywhere know the truth: green isn’t second—it’s elite.