Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 2013 game Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon and the latest of Nintendo’s recent line of remakes and remasters. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Review Overview
What is Luigi's Mansion 2 HD?
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remake of 2013’s Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon and the latest of Nintendo’s recent line of remakes and remasters of classic titles. Follow Luigi and Professor E. Gadd as they try to keep the ghosts of Evershade Valley in check and sleuth out the fragmented pieces of the Dark Moon. Use your trusty Poltergust 5000 to suck up the ghastly denizens of this musty old mansion and explore all the nooks and crannies where treasure may hide. Seek gems hidden within the manor’s rickety walls and figure out exactly what’s making the ghosts act up.
The dead are rising in Evershade Valley. Who you gonna call? The green, mustachio’d sucker-upper of ghouls and ghosts, of course!
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD features:
⚫︎ HD remastered assets with smoother animations and higher polygon counts
⚫︎ Fun and unique story following the lesser-known Mario brother
⚫︎ 5 unique areas with 3-5 missions each and various completion ranks
⚫︎ New gem, ghost, and Boo collection viewer in Prof. E. Gadd’s Bunker
⚫︎ Remastered versions of fan-favorite tracks
⚫︎ 4-player online and local multiplayer mode
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's gameplay and story.
 eShop |
$59.99 |
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Remaster Done Right A Good Deviation from the Formula Creative Boss Battles |
Occasionally Wonky Camera and Controls |
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Overall Score - 82/100
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a superb remaster of a fan-favorite game that has stood the test of time. With Nintendo's signature polish and high-quality gameplay, there's no surprise that revisiting one of the franchise's most beloved spin-offs would be successful. It may be "just another remaster," but I certainly won't complain about having another reason to experience near-perfection.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Story - 8/10
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD may not introduce a new storyline—in fact, it's a remake—but it showcases Nintendo's mastery in leveraging its worlds and characters. While this isn't Luigi's first moment in the spotlight, it’s arguably the story where he truly comes into his own. Back in 2013, when Luigi's popularity was soaring, it was already a compelling tale. Today, it serves as an entertaining reflection on how Mario's lesser-known brother cemented his place among Nintendo’s most iconic characters.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Gameplay - 9/10
There’s a reason why the original Luigi’s Mansion 2 became a fan favorite, and the remake only reinforces this acclaim. The gameplay, although completely separate from the usual Mario formula, is fun, inventive, and genuinely addictive for those seeking an exploration/puzzle experience. There’s always something new to discover, and new tools constantly offer fresh ways to experiment. While a remaster could benefit from more additional gameplay elements beyond a glorified gallery, improving on near-perfection is no easy feat.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Visuals - 9/10
Far from me to expect a game purpose-built to look good to…well…look bad. Fortunately, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD fulfills its purpose with more polygons, improved models and animations, and enhanced environments. It looks great and I expected it to—it’s made by Nintendo after all.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Audio - 8/10
To be fair, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD’s audio was already well-crafted in the original game, and the remake's rendition of its iconic OST is just as good. While it may not score points for creativity, I'm a firm believer in not fixing what isn't broken. The original had a fantastic soundtrack, and it works perfectly for the remake—enough said.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Value for Money - 7/10
This game carries Nintendo’s usual AAA price tag of $60. While this price was anticipated, some might be hesitant to pay that much for a remake of a 2013 game, especially with Luigi’s Mansion 3 already available. This isn’t a critique of its quality, but the hesitation is understandable.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Review: Same Great Game, More Polygons
After having developed an appreciation for the Mario franchise, I’ve formed stereotypical expectations for every upcoming mainline Mario title, especially remakes. I expect platforming, a new mechanic to keep things interesting, and a member of Nintendo’s iconic cast to be the main star. This held true for Super Mario RPG, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, and Princess Peach Showtime! So, when a remake of Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon was announced, I fully expected the same. I’m happy to report, however, that my expectations were shattered in the best way possible.
Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon was a welcome break away from the standard Mario formula that people came to appreciate for a decade thereafter. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a chance for modern audiences to do the same, this time with more bells and whistles perched atop an already amazing game. It not only introduces much-needed variety to the Mario universe with its non-platforming gameplay but also allows another character to shine in the spotlight.
So, with that preamble out of the way, get your Poltergust 5000s on and switch on those flashlights because we’ve got a manor’s worth of ghouls and ghosts to go through.
Let’s start with the game’s status as a remaster. Quality-wise, a remaster doesn’t get more textbook than this and I consider that a good thing in this case. Nintendo clearly understood the cultural importance of the game they were working with and ticked all the boxes needed for a good remaster that doesn’t cross over to remake territory. Improved graphics and audio are expected, along with minor gameplay enhancements. On the surface, this game remains very similar to the original. However, as you delve deeper into the gloom, it becomes evident that it was designed for both modern audiences and those who experienced the original.
The game's story remains largely unchanged, but the improved visuals and audio make it easier to appreciate. The scenes are better set, and the Switch clearly offers more freedom to express emotion and movement than the 3DS. In keeping with the game's most common enemy, this remake breathes new life into the original with enhanced technology and storytelling.
The narrative is as clear-cut and whimsical as any other Nintendo story set in the Mario-verse, though the ghosts and ghouls add a macabre touch that sets it apart. Luigi is here to help Professor E. Gadd deal with the suddenly violent ghosts of Evershade Valley by collecting the shards of the recently destroyed Dark Moon. Beyond the titular mansion, Luigi explores haunted towers, ghost-infested mines, and old clockwork while the Professor guides him from the safety of his bunker. As I mentioned, nothing too groundbreaking—especially considering this is a remaster—but there's no need to improve on what was already perfectly fine.
In terms of gameplay, Luigi’s Mansion stays true to the original, which is definitely a compliment. Unlike most Mario games, this one is not a platformer at all. Instead, the gameplay focuses on puzzle combat and puzzle exploration, with some balancing elements added for extra flair. You use various tools to solve problems, creating a distinct "Ghostbuster" vibe that seems quite intentional. This aspect completely changed my perception of Mario games, and I'm thrilled that one of Nintendo’s rare attempts at experimentation stood the test of time.
Moving on to the game’s new features, there's now a gallery and bestiary function. This lets you view your ghostly adversaries from the safety of the Professor’s bunker and admire your collection of gems. You can also see all the Boos you've captured, though why this requires a separate menu is beyond me. The ScareScraper is back and has been adapted for the Switch, although not much has changed about it mechanically aside from that. Overall, it’s enough changes to warrant the purchase, but not enough to consider it a true remake.
As mentioned earlier, the visuals and audio have received an HD overhaul, and both perform impressively. The environments benefit the most from the HD graphics, and the game’s soundtrack consists of remastered versions of the original tracks. Again, don’t fix what ain’t broken. All in all, this game is shaping up to be quite the catch in addition to the original, save for one massive poltergeist in the room.
This is undeniably a remaster. There's no getting around that. Because of this, many will find it hard to justify spending $60 on it, even with the added content. Personally, knowing how great the game is now, I'd buy it again if given the chance. However, new players might be more hesitant. Maybe they’d feel more comfortable spending this much on a true remake, but even as it stands, the game is still worth the price. It just might take a bit more convincing for some.
And that’s all there is for Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. This remaster of a decade-old classic remains a great game. It’s a great game by virtue of being a remaster of a decade-old masterpiece, but it offers some great additional content on top of that. The HD treatment has done wonders for it, and I’m thrilled to relive the joy of Luigi’s Mansion as if I were there during the character’s peak in popularity.
Some might balk at the idea of buying a remake at full price, but I’d gladly pay again to experience the same great game but with more polygons.
Pros of Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
| Things Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Got Right |
|---|
|
Remaster Done Right A Good Deviation from the Formula Creative Boss Battles |
Remaster Done Right
This game demonstrates that creating a successful remaster requires balance and respect for the source material. Too much ambition can result in an unnecessary remake, while too little respect for the original can lead to a disappointing experience. Nintendo improved what was necessary without committing to a full overhaul, which I respect.
The gallery and bestiary added just enough spice to keep things interesting, while the HD visuals and audio enhancements did the rest. That’s all that was necessary and Nintendo did not step a toe over the line. If this game had been transformed into something unrecognizable, it likely wouldn't have lived up to the legacy of the original Dark Moon.
A Good Deviation from the Formula
As much as I enjoy the consistent quality of mainline Mario games, platforming can only be done so many times before it becomes old hat. Luigi’s Mansion and its subsequent titles were a great deviation from the standard formula that didn’t prove too alien for the casual Mario fan to enjoy. Variety is the spice of life, and despite Nintendo's tendency for formulaic approaches, their experiments occasionally hit the mark, and this one is a bullseye.
Creative Boss Battles
Platformers often suffer from weird, wonky, or uninteresting boss battles, and the Mario franchise is no exception. Fortunately for this game, it isn’t a platformer, which afforded it the design space to create some of the most interesting and dynamic boss fights I’ve seen in a mainline Mario game. These battles incorporated game mechanics effectively and encouraged lateral thinking over platforming skills. It's a refreshing change from the monotony of another Bowser fight where you dodge his predictable attacks and hit his weak spot repeatedly.
Cons of Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
| Things That Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Can Improve |
|---|
|
Occasionally Wonky Camera and Controls |
Occasionally Wonky Camera and Controls
The HD treatment did wonders for this game’s graphics, but it didn't address the occasionally wonky camera and controls. Since the game is set in a 3D world with a (mostly) free camera, navigating rooms and hallways can be tricky, especially around chandeliers and other decor that have collision. Depth perception can also be challenging, as the camera doesn’t typically rotate when moving north or south. This issue was particularly noticeable during the first boss fight, which involved dodging projectiles and enemies along that exact path.
Is Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Worth It?
It’s Worth It, More So if You’re a Fan
$60 is a AAA price that has become standard for Nintendo, even for remasters or remakes. It's a significant amount to spend on a game that already exists, but I believe it's worth it for the sheer quality alone. While some might understandably hesitate at the cost, fans certainly won’t mind.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| eShop |
$59.99 |
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD FAQ
Is Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD a Remake or a Remaster?
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster. Instead of being rebuilt from scratch, the game has been carefully updated to suit modern consoles. In contrast, a remake involves a complete overhaul, as seen with Super Mario RPG.
For a deeper dive into the distinctions between remasters, remakes, and reboots, check out our featured article on the topic.
How Do I Unlock the Bonus Missions in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD?
Bonus Missions are unlocked for each of the game’s five areas after all Boos are found in each of the area’s levels.
You may also like...
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Product Information
 |
|
| Title | LUIGI’S MANSION 2 HD |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 27, 2024 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Puzzle |
| Number of Players | 1-4 |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone |
| Official Website | Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Website |
