Luigi

Luigi is a fictional character in Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, he first appeared in the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. as one of two plumbers, the other being his twin brother, Mario. Luigi is typically described as Mario’s younger twin and is usually depicted wearing a green shirt and cap with an L, paired with blue overalls. He is widely recognized as one of the most prominent figures in the franchise and in gaming culture more broadly.

In the games, Luigi often serves as the alternate playable character to Mario. He is commonly portrayed as taller and slimmer, with a more cautious or anxious demeanor, which has contributed to his image as the “everyman” counterpart to Mario’s brash heroism. Although he shares many adventures with Mario, Luigi occasionally receives his own focused titles and storylines, highlighting his distinct personality.

Luigi’s Mansion series constitutes his most notable solo appearances. The first game, Luigi’s Mansion (2001) for GameCube, follows him as he investigates haunted locales to rescue Mario. Sequels include Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (2013) for Nintendo 3DS and Luigi’s Mansion 3 (2019) for Nintendo Switch. Beyond these, Luigi appears in numerous main-series and spin-off titles, including sports and party games, reinforcing his role as a central, enduring character in the Nintendo universe.

Overall, Luigi remains a key figure in the Mario franchise, valued for providing a contrasting personality and a reliable companion to Mario across multiple generations of games.