Overshadowed by his brother Mario, Luigi has a lot of secrets all-time kept hidden. Also bad for him we're hither today to share everything you never knew about him! This Mario brother was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appeared in the arcade game Super Mario Bros. (1983) every bit merely a palette swapped version of Mario. He then reappeared in Super Mario Bros. (1985), became a main playable character for the first time in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), and would get on to announced in many more Mario games. He even got to star solo in his own games, including Mario is Missing! (1992) and Luigi's Mansion (2001).

Learn almost Luigi becoming more than only a palette swap of his brother. From the secrets of his games to fan theories, plus of course his famous meme, relish our list of Super Mario: fifteen Things You Never Knew About Luigi.

fifteen Luigi's Green For A Very Item Reason

In that location is a very specific significant backside Luigi's colour scheme and early appearance inSuper Mario Bros. Information technology really boils down to memory limitations. According to his creator Shigeru Miyamoto, due to the memory limitations of the game, Luigi had to await identical to Mario and could non have his own sprite. This plain changed in future games equally the technology evolved.

However, because of the memory limitations in the game, the color choices were limited as well. In the game, there are two particular enemies: Sidesteppers and Shellcreepers. Sidesteppers are the ruby crabs and the Sidesteppers are the greenish-shelled turtles. Mario and the Sidesteppers shared a color palette, so Miyamoto decided Luigi should be the same colors every bit the Shellcreepers. Miyamoto confirms this himself in an interview with Destructoid, in which he says: "we looked at the turtles in that game. Their heads are sort of pare-toned, their shells are greenish, so what we could exercise is we could use the color palette from the turtle on this character."

xiv Works For Castle Dracula

Luigi apparently took the wrong task. In Castlevania: Lords of Shadows – Mirror of Fate (2013), skeleton knights tin can be found within Dracula'south castle. Most of them accept notes, and one particular notation reads as follows:

"The terrible land of the pipes down here would adjy even my brother Mario.

Some parts have rusted terribly, while others are covered with mucus due to the loftier humidity.

Not all the mushrooms expect good to consume either. Who knows what might happen if I swallow i?"

Unless Mario has a third brother we don't know about, it looks like Luigi's met a terrible fate. Working every bit a plumber in Castle Dracula probably wasn't the best career move for poor ol' Luigi.

The closest anyone will get to seeing Luigi alive in the same universe with Castle Dracula is in the nonprofit flash game Super Smash Flash 2 published by the indie visitor McLeodGaming. Castle Dracula is a starter phase in the game and you tin can fight every bit Luigi. That's a much better end for the plumber.

13 His Voice Player Had Capgras Delusion

Actor and comedian Tony Rosato (Saturday Nighttime Live) voiced Luigi inThe Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 drawing. It is sadly ironic that he portrayed a grapheme who started out every bit but a double of Mario. See, Rosato suffered from Capgras delusion. It is a mental disorder characterized by the mirage that the person's friend, spouse, parent, or other people shut to them accept been replaced by an impostor. In Rosato'southward case, he believed his wife and daughter had been replaced past lookalikes. His married woman left him because she was worried nigh their girl'due south rubber and he ended up getting arrested and plead not guilty to criminally harassing his wife. Rosato ended up spending four years in custody-- ii years in jail and ii years in a psychiatric facility.

The story does have a happy ending though. Rosato was released in 2009 and, thanks to anti-psychotic medication, he was able to go back to existence with his family. In an interview with the Star, Rosato stated, "I'm okay.... Everything is all right. There take been a lot of misunderstandings and they've been cleared up." He still acts to this day, and will be in the Canadian drama Born Dead (2016).

12 Luigi Became His Ain Character In Super Mario Bros. two

Luigi didn't stay a elementary palette swap of Mario. WithSuper Mario Bros. 2, Luigi became a main playable character for the first time ever. The game is actually a rebranded game called Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, which was originally a Mario-fashion tech demo. Nintendo went with this version after they decidedSuper Marios Bros. two was as well hard and too closely resembled the first game. Luigi'south character took the place of Mama, who had the ability to jump higher than whatever other character and could hover a little bit at the summit of her bound. But Luigi can jump even college than Mama.

Luigi's sprite in this game changed from looking exactly like Mario to being taller and leaner. This and his improved jumping ability would become staples of Luigi's character. Miyamoto likewise suggested making his legs palpitate while jumping. Hideki Konno, a graphic designer on theSuper Mario Bros.games, stated on Go Nintendothat Miyamoto made this suggestion because Luigi had a very wearisome jump.

11 Luigi Starred In A Game Before Luigi'south Mansion

Some people thinkLuigi's Mansion isouth the first game Luigi starred in. It'south non, merely Nintendo may exist hoping you keep to think that since they probably desire you lot to forget Mario is Missing! ever existed. Back in 1992, this educational game came out for PC and SNES; then, in 1993, the NES version was released. The game is geography-based and starred only Luigi.

The story is nigh Bowser planning to flood the World. He has his Koopas steal famous landmarks so he can go the money necessary to put his program into activeness. After all, why would a buyer remember twice nigh ownership the Eiffel Tower from a behemothic dragon? Mario goes into Bowser'due south castle lone and is captured, so Luigi must rescue him, as well as get all the landmarks dorsum by answering iii questions most them. Yay for education?

Luigi would not star in another game until Luigi'south Mansion in 2001. Probably because the game was pretty desperately panned by critics, and even got featured on The Aroused Video Game Nerd.

ten Luigi Is The Merely One Who Has Seen Shy Guy's Face

One of the great mysteries of the Mario universe is the identity of Shy Guys, who have been a Mario enemy (and possibly ally) since Super Mario Bros. two. 1 Mario fan theory speculated that Shy Guys were the outcome of experimental mutations while others suggested they are secretly part of an international mercenary-spy conglomerate, or are enslaved Shaolin monks. The only one who knows what Shy Guys' true confront looks similar is Luigi.

During Shy Guy's victory celebration at the end of Mario Power Tennis (2004), Shy Guy falls downwardly in front of Luigi, who sees his real confront. His reaction is shock, but gamers are never shown what he sees. Information technology's questionable whether Luigi recognized Shy Guy'due south face from the enemies he fought in Luigi's Mansion (pictured above). The Shy Guys merely appear equally undead ghosts in the game. Their masks, when taken off by Luigi's vacuum, show a dark face up with glowing eyes. Is this what Luigi saw, or do living Shy Guys have fifty-fifty scarier truthful faces?

9 Origins Of Luigi'due south Mansion

Luigi'south Mansion featured Luigi winning a mansion that turns out to be haunted by ghosts. Just when you win a mansion in a contest you lot didn't even enter and it turns out to be in the centre of a night and spooky forest, what do you expect? Luigi finds out Mario has been captured by Rex Boo and he must rescue him. This game cemented Luigi's cowardly personality.

In that location are a lot of rumors almost Luigi'southward Mansion that mention before versions of the game and content that was cut from the final version. The full general conventionalities is that the game was supposed to exist darker and more than violent. One cut piece of content was a hunter ghost in a Safari Room who wants to add together Luigi's head to his bays collection. Even though data for the ghost isn't found in the game, Nintendo Power's October 2001 issue showed the Safari Room and said "When your ghoul-busting mission takes yous to the trophy room, proceed with caution. If you run into upwardly with the ghost of a hunter, he'll desire to add Luigi to his drove." There was also a rumor that the game was supposed to have a time limit of 24 hours and if the role player fails to complete it in that time, the Mansion, along with Mario, would disappear. Quite a nighttime fate indeed.

There are a lot of fan theories surrounding Luigi'southward Mansion, but none are more persistent (or creepy) than this next one...

8 Fan Theory: Luigi Dies in Luigi's Mansion

Among the many nighttime theories surroundingLuigi'due south Mansion, one pop speculation is that Luigi dies pretty much at the beginning of the game. When Luigi walks into the mansion, a wink of lightning strikes as he walks across the entrance. The shadows that are a outcome of that wink of low-cal seem to show Luigi hanging from the ceiling with a noose around his neck. Some call up information technology's a glitch while others take a more... imaginative approach.

Some fans call back this hanging Luigi shadow is actually a sign that Luigi commits suicide in the game. In social club to make this theory piece of work, though, games that came out subsequently Luigi'southward Mansion would have to take place earlier this game. So, fans suggest it's the terminal game in the Mario series in which Luigi appears alive. Like a lot of fan theories, while this is creatively dark, it'south almost probable untrue. It has to be... right?

7 Hidden Messages In Luigi'southward Mansion: Dark Moon

The sequel to Luigi's Mansion, chosen Luigi'due south Mansion: Dark Moon (2013), was released as part of the "Year of Luigi," celebrating thirty years since Luigi first appeared. There are many hidden letters and Easter eggs to enjoy in the game. The outset letter of every mansion, possessor, and bonus mission spell out "ghost." And if you include multiplayer area ScareScraper, y'all go the give-and-take "ghosts". The German translation spells out the word "geist" and the Dutch version spells out the give-and-take "spook". And in the French version, the first alphabetic character of each bonus mission spells out "Luigi".

Another nice trivial Easter egg is the house Luigi lives in. Information technology's uncannily similar to the mansion y'all go if you lot earn a D rank when you beat Male monarch Boo in Luigi's Mansion. You tin besides see the A rank mansion adjacent to the Luigi Circuit racetrack in Mario Kart Double Dash (2003). Looks like Luigi'south house has gone downhill in the ten years between games.

6 Created Controversy By "Promoting Lesbianism"

Luigi caused a fleck of controversy when he was defendant of promoting lesbianism. Apparently, in the game Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003), Luigi celebrates a good shot with his 50-shaped mitt gesture on his chin. Some players thought this was the American Sign Linguistic communication word for "lesbian." They didn't take into account the fact that Luigi isn't using his correct hand and the sign is in the wrong position. Other than that it'due south totally the same affair. It's not similar the Fifty-sign could represent annihilation else. Except for, you lot know, Luigi.

Information technology's sad that something similar this would cause some controversy, but Luigi seems to take a lot of bad luck. The "Year of Luigi" coincided with Nintendo reporting a$456 million operating loss and Luigi was listed as the "Queen" in the Mario chess set--  although that concluding one isn't really bad luck considering the queen is the most powerful piece in chess!

5 Luigi Can Turn Into A Kitsune

Back in Super Mario Bros. three, when Mario or Luigi picked up a tanooki suit, they would turn into basically an advanced version of the Raccoon Mario with the ability to plough into a stone statue. The name references the tanuki, a Japanese raccoon dog. When Mario turns into a statue while in this form, he looks similar to Kshitigarbha, a beloved deity who protects travelers and is the guardian of souls. Luigi was as well able to attain this form in Super Mario Bros. 3, but that changed in Super Mario 3D Land. In this game, Mario can transform into a tanuki, simply Luigi transforms into Kitsune Luigi or Fox Luigi.

A kitsune (the Japanese discussion for play a trick on spirit) is part of Japanese mythology and is described as being intelligent and capable of magical powers.  They are besides able to shape-shift into human being class. A popular version of this creature is the nine-tailed pull a fast one on, who has appeared in Chinese and Japanese folklore. Yous may remember such a creature from the anime Naruto. So aye, Naruto and Luigi take something in mutual-- they can both access the power of the pull a fast one on spirit!

four He Has The Well-nigh Nicknames Of Whatever Mario Character

Out of every Mario character, even his own brother, Luigi has the most nicknames. In total, he'southward been called over 30 different things, including some of these gems: "The Eternal Understudy" (Super Nail Bros.), "Male monarch of 2nd Bananas" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008), "The Other Guy" from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003), "Plunger Puss" from Mario is Missing!, and "Long John Spaghetti " from The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989).

Just the list goes on! At that place'due south "Mr. Lime-Green" from Luigi's Mansion, he gets chosen "Mr. Eyeballs" by Waluigi in Mario Ability Lawn tennis (2004), and even "Mr. Lean 'n' Light-green" in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. 1 of his more pop nicknames is "Weegee," which Mario called him in Super Mario Adventures (1992-1993). When Mario calls you something, it seems to stick. Weegee is actually the name of a photoshop meme using Luigi's avatar in the DOS version of Mario Is Missing!

Or, to people who don't know anything about Luigi, he'southward simply called: Green Mario.

iii The Many Different Meanings Of Luigi'due south Name

The meanings of Luigi's proper name are also plentiful. The proper name is really a pun on Mario. Apparently, "ruiji" in Japanese means "like."  The similarity of the word to Luigi is not a coincidence. Afterward all, Luigi used to just be a palette swap of Mario. His name indicates their similarities. Ironically, the meaning of Luigi's name is "Renowned fighter"-- so despite Luigi being cowardly, he might accept more power than meets the eye, correlating with the Mario fan theory that Luigi is really extremely powerful. There has also been a longstanding rumor that the pizza place closest to Nintendo'due south headquarters was chosen Mario & Luigi'due south, which inspired the brothers' names.

It's interesting to note that despite theSuper Mario Bros.moving-picture show insisting Mario and Luigi have last names ("Mario", which led to some pretty bad sense of humour), the two brothers practise not have last names. At to the lowest degree, that's what their creator states. In an interview withGame Informer, Shigeru Miyamoto comments, "just like Mickey Mouse doesn't really have a concluding name, Mario is actually just Mario and Luigi is actually just Luigi." The man of then many nicknames actually doesn't have a terminal proper name.

2 "Luigi's Death Stare" Meme

Luigi isn't just known for his Weegee meme but too the briefly popular "Luigi's Expiry Stare" meme. This is about the various memorable facial expressions Luigi makes in the game Mario Cart eight (2014). According to Know Your Meme, his death stare was starting time noticed in a Youtube video, "Waluigi vs Luigi", posted to Youtube by YouTuber Rizupicorr. The same solar day, the Youtube video "Mario Kart 8 – Luigi's Death Stare" was also posted past Mega Beardo.

Information technology only grew in popularity when CZbwoi parodied the original clip by playingRidin' by Chamillionaire. Then the Luigi death stare GIF was posted and it all blew up from there. Numerous "Luigi Decease Stares" have been cropping up since so, just the meme has pretty much died out. Merely the meme became so big that Nintendo even referenced information technology during the E3 2014 Digital Outcome and used the stare for their Japanese ads.

i his rumored appearance in the original game

There has been a longstanding rumor that he was going to be a playable character in the original Super Mario 64 (1996) game. It became known every bit "L is Real 2401". A lot of people created fake codes and videos showing Luigi in the game, but it is not possible to play every bit him. A Game Shark cheat tin besides give Mario his blood brother'southward outfit. Only why did this rumor persist?

Creator Miyamoto Sigeru stated in a Wired interview that "With Mario 64, we had an experiment that took advantage of the idea of the screen growing larger and smaller depending on how far apart the characters were. So nosotros had Mario and Luigi running effectually in that 3-D world, just we concluded up non using it." When asked why they didn't include Luigi in the final production, Miyamoto said, "Ultimately, information technology's the idea of processing speed and working within the constraints of the hardware. The DS Mario 64 had a way with something like to that, where you were playing with four characters." Luigi can be unlocked as a playable character in Super Mario 64 DS (a remake of the original game for the Nintendo DS). But you'll observe a lot of people trying actually hard to convince you he's a playable character in the original game.

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So now you know some of Luigi's deep dark secrets. What else do you know about Mr. Lean 'n' Green? Permit us know in the comments below.

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About The Author

Nicole D'Andria (174 Articles Published)

Nicole D'Andria works as a freelance writer/editor specializing in comics. She adapted Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir to comics and writes her own ongoing comic book series, Road Trip to Hell. Nicole works every bit a freelance comic editor for Tapas Media and Scout Comics. She as well serves equally an Associate Editor for the scholarly journal Clio's Psyche. She writes a series of interviews showcasing Kickstarter creators for Comic Frontline. Find out more than about her on the website, http://comicmaven.com.

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