Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon 3DS

Released on 28-Mar-2013

Luigi returns for more ghostbusting action on the Nintendo 3DS in Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon.

• Luigi’s Solo 3D Debut
• Different Ghosts
• Money, Money, Money!
• 3D Delights

Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon marks Luigi’s first solo outing on the Nintendo 3DS in the sequel to the 2002 smash hit GameCube title that saw Luigi step out of Mario’s shadow and into the limelight.

With his knees knocking and teeth chattering, Luigi must shoulder his Poltergust and step foot into multiple mansions to take down the paranormal nasties lurking in draws, closets and curtains.

You’ll find a variety of ghosts inhabit the different mansions meaning each mansion will offer new challenges. As you confront these pesky poltergheists you’ll need to learn the different ways to stun them, from simply shining the light in their eyes to setting your torch to strobe, so that you can stun them before sucking them up with the Poltergust!

Like the Game Cube classic, Luigi’s Mansion 2’s mansions are jammed with hidden loot just waiting to be found, be it crisp notes, dazzling diamonds and even Gold bars. Check everything using the sucking power of the Poltergust, hoover the draws, curtains and even the wallpaper to discover the missing money and treasure chests.

Thanks to the power of the Nintendo 3DS, Luigi’s Mansion 2 is brought to life in new and exciting ways as the ghost pop in the background and foreground, in ways that the GameCube original couldn’t.

Become the other plumber and give Luigi the courage to tackle the ghouls and ghosts of a new set of mansions in Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon exclusively on Nintendo 3DS.

Downloadable copy of Luigi's Mansion 2 Available

Please Note: Luigi's Mansion 2 for Nintendo 3DS is 6757 Blocks (844 MB). Check that you have enough space on your SD Card to download and install this title, if you need more storage space click here for our range of fully compatible SD Cards and how to download.

• 3DS dominates the opening of the Tokyo Games Show

  It seems like only a few weeks since we were slurping up news from Gamescom in Cologne (probably because it was only a few weeks ago) but now all eyes are on Japan, as the Tokyo Games Show bursts into life.

  Predictably, Nintendo has dominated the first day of the show, with a slew of announcements that should make 3DS owners very happy.

  First up is the news that the 3DS port of Monster Hunter Tri - with its second stick add-on - will be followed by official sequel Monster Hunter 4, which will be a Nintendo exclusive. Given that the series has driven the PSP to incredible success in Japan, that's quite a coup for Team Mario.

  Also confirmed are pre-Christmas European release dates for Super Mario 3D Land (November 18th) and Mario Kart 7 (December 2nd). The lack of Mario on the 3DS has been a sore point since its Easter launch, so fans will surely be pleased with that. December 2nd will also see the European launch of Pokemon Rumble Blast, the first 3DS title for another classic Nintendo series.

  Looking ahead to 2012, Mario Tennis and Animal Crossing will debut on the handheld, while Luigi's Mansion, Kid Icarus and Paper Mario are also on the way.

• Mario Tennis named among 2012 Nintendo 3DS releases

  Nintendo has revealed that a new version of Mario Tennis will be among the bulging roster of big-name releases planned for Nintendo 3DS in 2012.

  The previously unannounced sports game was revealed as being in development for the handheld console at a special event in Japan this week, with the title being the first in the series since Mario Power Tennis appeared on Wii in 2009.

  Mario fans can also expect to see a new instalment of the charming Paper Mario role-playing series on the console next year, alongside ghostbusting adventure Luigi's Mansion 2.

  Other 2012 releases will include a 3DS edition of popular lifestyle simulation Animal Crossing, which will include new features such as the ability to become the head of a village and personalise it with upgrades and additions.

  The long-awaited Kid Icarus: Uprising will also debut next year, with the launch to be marked by a series of 3D Kid Icarus animations on the Nintendo Video service.

  Nintendo 3DS has sold one million units in Europe since its March 2011 launch and will soon launch in a new metallic red colour.

  Published: 14/09/2011

• Rising Star Games announces packed 2012 3DS line-up

  Rising Star Games has announced plans to release a diverse array of new titles for the popular Nintendo 3DS this year.

  Five new titles are planned for release on the fast-selling handheld system in the next six months alone, with the acclaimed retro rhythm action compilation Bit.Trip Saga coming in the first quarter of 2012.

  This will be followed in the second quarter by the authentic fishing simulator Super Black Bass 3D and the puzzle/strategy sequel Cradle of Rome 2.

  Also slated for release this year are the dimension-warping platform game Shifting World and Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns, the first 3DS entry in Natsume's iconic farming RPG series.

  Martin Defries, managing director at Rising Star Games, said: "We're huge fans of the Nintendo 3DS, the freedom it affords developers and the unmatched fun it brings to the world of gamers."

  It is looking set to be a big year for 3DS, with high-profile titles such as Kid Icarus: Uprising, Luigi's Mansion 2, Resident Evil Revelations and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D all coming soon.
  

  Published: 23/01/2012

• More Mario incoming for 3DS

  If you gorged on the excellent double whammy of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land over Christmas, rest assured Nintendo has more of the rotund plumber planned for 2012.

  As well as already announced titles such as Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario Tennis and Paper Mario for the 3D-enabled handheld, Nintendo big cheese Satoru Iwata revealed that another Mario game is planned for release sometime between March and early 2013. This game will be a "totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D" and is described as a "key title" in Nintendo's 3DS strategy.

  The news followed another rousing sales announcement for the 3DS, as Nintendo confirmed it is now the company's fastest selling console of all time, across the world. Over eleven million of the things have been sold in Europe, Japan and the US.

• The Games We're Excited About!

  
  

  There are lots and lots of great games heading your way in the next few months, and here at gamestation HQ we're as excited as you lot are to give them a go.

  So, we went round the digital team with a prodding stick to find out just what games the team here are really itching to play...

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  I am looking forward to LEGO Batman 2. My brother and I worked our way through the original LEGO Batman with a considered method of "shoot everything in the room first, think about the situation later" and it was amazing. It's also the only game where if you die you can still enjoy seeing Robin explode which I did on many occasions as Player 2. I can't wait to see what LEGO Batman 2 has in store!

  
  

  

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, Max Payne 3.

  After playing through 1 and 2 - which gripped me to the very end - I cannot honestly wait for 3.

  Max Payne's method of storytelling is awesome. The comic book cut scenes are stylish and effective, and are not afraid to poke fun at other, outrageous works of fiction (as well as itself). The noir style and twists and turns throughout provide a flourish of love which even the most dedicated of storytellers fail to keep up with. The ingredients are simple, but it's a recipe which works.

  The gameplay might not necessarily be innovative, but it will be intuitive. It might not change the way we think about games, but I know it's going to be a game through and through; fun, accessible and welcoming to noobs and veterans alike. Max Payne 3 is going to rock. Add online multiplayer to the mix, and I can safely say that I'm looking forward to blasting my way into June!

  (My second choice would be Aliens: Colonial Marines, but that's almost too far away to get excited about yet!)

  Kate - Affiliate Assassin

  Bioshock Infinite - Because of the amazing animation and design of the game. Oh, and Limbo 2 - if/when it comes!

  

  Jamie - Builder of Digital Dreamscapes

  I am looking forward to...

  Grand Theft Auto V: Obviously no one really knows exactly when this game is coming out but I cant wait! Seriously excited about a new GTA! Although I hope it is all of San Andreas and not just Los Santos.

  Madden 13: I always get Madden, and it was pretty much the game that made me buy my first proper games console (the SEGA Mega Drive). I'm particularly looking forward to this year's one as I'm hoping they have taken more of the good stuff out of NCAA12... and also because I can't wait for Madden on the PS Vita.

  Retro City Rampage: This is an indie game that just looks AMAZING! Kind of like a funny GTA but all totally 80s styled. It's gonna be on Xbox LIVE and PSN and I like the fact it looks like you might be able to get this digitally to play on your PS Vita too; it seems like the kind of game you could just lose hours in messing about!

  

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Halo 4. Why? Because it's the best freaking game there is! I'm a massive Halo fan and I'm really looking forward to the next instalment. And really looking forward to seeing Master Chief again. And now we know the release date i know what week to book off work!

  
  

  Aaron - Social Butterfly

  I almost squealed for joy when Luigi's Mansion 2 was announced (Okay, I actually did squeal...). The original Luigi's Mansion was the first game I got on launch day with my Gamecube. It was ALL about Luigi, sucking up ghosts with his Poltergust 3000. The sequel has me itching to play, it will have multiple mansions, a new Poltergust, new ghosts, new story AND it will all be in beautiful 3D. The Nintendo savvy amongst us will know that Nintendo originally planned to release Luigi's Mansion in 3D on the Gamecube but decided the 3D panel was ahead of its time!

  Who ya gonna call? Ghostb-- No, no wait, let's just get the Green hat-wearing Italian plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom instead. No danger of crossing the streams.

  

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  I'm actually really looking forward to Lollipop Chainsaw. I'm a big Buffy fan, so the concept of a blonde cheerleader fighting supernatural beasties is one that very much appeals to me. It just looks like it's gonna be oodles of OTT fun. Plus, y'know, the boyfriend's head just kicking around. What's not to like?

  As a stark contrast, I'm also a bit excited by Spec Ops: The Line. I don't usually get on with shooters, but having seen the trailer with the bodies-on-poles imagery, plus the obvious Heart of Darkness influence and the sense of "killing people may actually affect you", I really want to try this one out. I mean, who isn't at least intrigued by what appears to be an anti-war third-person shooter?

  

  James - Captain Category

  Diablo III.

   

   

  Because I've been waiting twelve years for it!

  
  

  So there we have it. These are the games we want to play - what about you? What forthcoming titles have got you so pant-wettingly excited to pre-order and play?

• Nintendo 3DS - Great Games Coming Soon

  
  

  The Nintendo 3DS has been with us for just over a year now - where does the time go? - and in that time it's really started to come into its own. With an array of features and controls that can't be found anywhere else, the latest games for this handheld feature some classic Nintendo icons as well as creating some new ones, and show that you can have console-quality gaming on the go, and that 3D is here to stay!

  

  Mario Tennis Open

  Mario once again proves that he's as adept at sports as he is with a plunger in a game that offers tactical tennis fun previous unseen on a handheld. With a choice of traditional controls or the use of touchscreen and gyro sensors, Mario Tennis Open offers players a chance to really maek use of what the 3DS can do. It also takes advantage of Nintendo's StreetPass, letting you play online with friends or with other players in the local area, as well as the chance to upgrade your player. Whether it's a friendly game or a fight to the championship, Mario Tennis Open and 3DS are a perfect match.

  

  Heroes of Ruin

  Heroes of Ruin is the first RPG designed specifically for the 3DS, and takes unique advantage of the handheld's interactive features. You can quest alone or with other players both locally or online using drop-in, drop-out gameplay. There are extra daily challenges online to earn rewards, you can meet and trade with other players using the 3DS social features, and even buy in-game items using StreetPass. And on top of all this, the game itself is fun and immersive, coming from the strong RPG pedigree of Square Enix.

  

  Luigi's Mansion 2

  The original Luigi's Mansion was a launch title for the GameCube back in 2001 and has become something of a cult classic. This follow-up promises more of the same, sending Luigi back into a haunted mansion to capture ghosts using his "Poltergust 5000" vacuum cleaner. Promising a more puzzle-based approach than it's predecessor, Luigi's Mansion 2 also makes use of the gyroscopic controls to move Luigi around the mansion, and will finally deliver the 3D ghost-chasing that they didn't quite manage for the original!

  

  Azada

  There aren't many games that suit a transfer from PC to 3DS, but Azada is just that. Following the misadventures of hapless magician Titus, this is a series of mini-games, hidden object games and escape the room puzzles. This may seem like a simpler, older style of gameplay, but it's one that suits the on-the-go nature of the 3DS and seems a suitable follow-up title for fans of Professor Layton and other puzzle games.

  

  Animal Crossing

  Another Nintendo franchise gets a 3D facelift as Animal Crossing arrives on the 3DS. The use of 3D is said to be subtle, giving a new depth and detail to the animal village, with the bigger changes coming in the form of how much more you can do within the game itself. Customisation has been enhanced for both your player and your home, allowing for more choice in type of house, furniture and clothing. For fans of the series looking to move from DS to 3DS, this "a bit more of everything" approach is really all the reason you need!

  Published: 08/05/2012

• Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon - Preview

  
  

  Ghost-Busting

  We've had to wait over a decade for a sequel to GameCube action adventure game Luigi's Mansion, the only launch title in the Mario series to feature the portly plumber's brother as the main protagonist, but Luigi is almost ready to step out of his sibling's shadow and back into the spotlight once again.

  

  While Dark Moon's gameplay shares similarities with the original, the structure is different. Nintendo has promised more of a puzzle element, and instead of traipsing through a single location in search Mario, this time you're sent to multiple mansions with short zany missions to complete in each one, usually involving defeating ghosts.

  Your best friends in the game are your torch and the Poltergust 5000, a vacuum cleaner Luigi uses to suck up supernatural enemies and a whole lot more. In the original game you merely needed to point your torch at a phantom to stun it before hoovering it up, but this time round the trusty items you carry feature different abilities and new upgrades.

  You're now required to charge up and fire a strobe shot to daze enemies, and larger ghosts often require some serious grappling before they finally surrender, leaving you to tap the A button at the right time to finish them off. The new Poltergust also has a wider nozzle, allowing you to suck up multiple weaker ghosts at the same time.

  

  Haunted House

  While the Poltergust's primary function is ghost-busting, it has plenty of other uses too. Sheets ripple convincingly before vanishing up the tube, ceiling fans spin and chandeliers rock as you target them, and candles blow out in the man-made breeze. You can even suck up a tablecloth in an instant, leaving all the crockery intact.

  Interacting with your surroundings isn't just fun but rewarding too, as a bit of investigative hoovering uncovers a variety of secrets and collectibles. Wallpaper can be ripped away to reveal hidden areas, rugs pulled back to uncover switches, and on at least one occasion you'll need to suck up hot chunks of coal from a roaring fire before using the Poltergust's blow function to fire them back out and melt frozen doors.

  The original game was praised for its superb lighting and fantastic animation, and the sequel will be too. The 3D effect is absolutely stunning at times, managing to display what look like endless corridors stretching into the distance, while the torch creates impressive lens flare effects and Luigi's movements and facial expressions are never less than a joy to behold.

  We loved Luigi's Mansion and we're not sure why a sequel has taken this long to make, but we're glad to see that Nintendo is putting real effort into building on the original rather than simply rehashing a ten-year-old game. As long as it addresses the longevity the original was sorely missing, this could be one of the most impressive 3DS titles yet.

  Published: 23/08/2012

• The Games We're Excited About!

  
  

  There are lots and lots of great games heading your way in the next few months, and here at GAME HQ we're as excited as you lot are to give them a go.

  So, we went round the digital team with a prodding stick to find out just what games the team here are really itching to play...

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  I am looking forward to LEGO Batman 2. My brother and I worked our way through the original LEGO Batman with a considered method of "shoot everything in the room first, think about the situation later" and it was amazing. It's also the only game where if you die you can still enjoy seeing Robin explode which I did on many occasions as Player 2. I can't wait to see what LEGO Batman 2 has in store!

  
  

  

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, Max Payne 3.

  After playing through 1 and 2 - which gripped me to the very end - I cannot honestly wait for 3.

  Max Payne's method of storytelling is awesome. The comic book cut scenes are stylish and effective, and are not afraid to poke fun at other, outrageous works of fiction (as well as itself). The noir style and twists and turns throughout provide a flourish of love which even the most dedicated of storytellers fail to keep up with. The ingredients are simple, but it's a recipe which works.

  The gameplay might not necessarily be innovative, but it will be intuitive. It might not change the way we think about games, but I know it's going to be a game through and through; fun, accessible and welcoming to noobs and veterans alike. Max Payne 3 is going to rock. Add online multiplayer to the mix, and I can safely say that I'm looking forward to blasting my way into June!

  (My second choice would be Aliens: Colonial Marines, but that's almost too far away to get excited about yet!)

  Kate - Affiliate Assassin

  Bioshock Infinite - Because of the amazing animation and design of the game. Oh, and Limbo 2 - if/when it comes!

  

  Jamie - Builder of Digital Dreamscapes

  I am looking forward to...

  Grand Theft Auto V: Obviously no one really knows exactly when this game is coming out but I cant wait! Seriously excited about a new GTA! Although I hope it is all of San Andreas and not just Los Santos.

  Madden 13: I always get Madden, and it was pretty much the game that made me buy my first proper games console (the SEGA Mega Drive). I'm particularly looking forward to this year's one as I'm hoping they have taken more of the good stuff out of NCAA12.

  Retro City Rampage: This is an indie game that just looks AMAZING! Kind of like a funny GTA but all totally 80s styled. It's gonna be on Xbox LIVE and PSN and I like the fact it looks like you might be able to get this digitally to play on your PS Vita too; it seems like the kind of game you could just lose hours in messing about!

  

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Halo 4. Why? Because it's the best freaking game there is! I'm a massive Halo fan and I'm really looking forward to the next instalment. And really looking forward to seeing Master Chief again. And now we know the release date I know what week to book off work!

  
  

  Aaron - Social Butterfly

  I almost squealed for joy when Luigi's Mansion 2 was announced (Okay, I actually did squeal...). The original Luigi's Mansion was the first game I got on launch day with my Gamecube. It was ALL about Luigi, sucking up ghosts with his Poltergust 3000. The sequel has me itching to play, it will have multiple mansions, a new Poltergust, new ghosts, new story AND it will all be in beautiful 3D. The Nintendo savvy amongst us will know that Nintendo originally planned to release Luigi's Mansion in 3D on the Gamecube but decided the 3D panel was ahead of its time!

  Who ya gonna call? Ghostb-- No, no wait, let's just get the Green hat-wearing Italian plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom instead. No danger of crossing the streams.

  

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  I'm actually really looking forward to Lollipop Chainsaw. I'm a big Buffy fan, so the concept of a blonde cheerleader fighting supernatural beasties is one that very much appeals to me. It just looks like it's gonna be oodles of OTT fun. Plus, y'know, the boyfriend's head just kicking around. What's not to like?

  As a stark contrast, I'm also a bit excited by Spec Ops: The Line. I don't usually get on with shooters, but having seen the trailer with the bodies-on-poles imagery, plus the obvious Heart of Darkness influence and the sense of "killing people may actually affect you", I really want to try this one out. I mean, who isn't at least intrigued by what appears to be an anti-war third-person shooter?

  

  James - Captain Category

  Diablo III.

   

   

  Because I've been waiting twelve years for it!

  
  

  So there we have it. These are the games we want to play - what about you? What forthcoming titles have got you so pant-wettingly excited to pre-order and play?

  Published: 17/04/2012

• Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon - New Preview

  
  

  

  It's a-me, Luigi...?

  He still hums along with the music. If you're coming to Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon with fond memories of the original GameCube classic, chances are good that's one of the first things you'll want to know. Just over a decade ago, Mario's cowardly brother stepped into a haunted house and his own starring role in a video game, and his nervous whistling and muttering meant he quickly earned a place in gamer's hearts. Finally, he's getting a sequel. Should you be excited?

  Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon is made by Next Level, the studio that did some blinding work on the Wii's brilliant Punch-Out!! arcade rumbler. It looks like the team's every bit as at home with ghosts as they were with boxers, thankfully: from what we've played, Dark Moon looks like it will live up to the weird genius of the original Luigi's Mansion, and may even provide a few new tricks of its own.

  

  Things That Go Bump In The Night

  Tricks like stereoscopic 3D, of course. Dark Moon's a 3DS game, and that illusion of depth gives your spooky explorations a real sense of immersion. As Luigi pushes his way through cobwebs, as he rattles locked doors and sucks the drapes off their hangers in his search for loot, everything feels chunky and weighty and really satisfying to interact with. This promises to be another of those games that really showcases Nintendo's hardware, pushing it to its limits, and drawing you deeper and deeper into the game.

  That's not the only change. This sequel also sees the plumber exploring a series of haunted mansions rather than the lone stately pile of the original. The story has him tracking down pieces of the mysterious Dark Moon, which is the only thing that can banish a nasty purple fog that allows goblins and ghouls to seep into our world. Along with the help of good old Professor E. Gadd, Luigi's going to have to work his way through a whole neighbourhood of creepy houses, solving puzzles and busting ghosts.

  Luckily, he won't be powerless. He's got his trusty Poltergust vacuum cleaner for sucking in spirits, and it works brilliantly despite the single-stick set-up of the 3DS. In Dark Moon you now need to shock ghosts with a blast of the strobe bulb on your flash-light before you can start to capture them, but as soon as that's done, you use the circle pad to tug the ghost into your snare, wearing down its health as you're dragged back and forth across the environment. You can now dodge incoming attacks from ghosts you've tethered too, and you'll also have to face large groups of the nasty little monsters from time to time. Target prioritisation becomes a big part of the fun as you choose who poses the most threat to you, and then take down the spectres in the right sequence.

  

  Ghouls And Ghosts

  On top of that, it looks like you can expect fairly regular gadget upgrades, with Luigi quickly receiving a new Dark Light addition to his flashbulb within the first hour of the game, allowing him to find invisible objects scattered around the mansions he explores. Then there are regular puzzles that break up the flow of combat, and bosses that promise to really get under your skin.

  Beyond that, though, the real pleasure of Dark Moon promises to come from rattling around these huge, beautifully crafted mansions, searching for secrets, opening every drawer, peeling back every strip of wallpaper, and hunting for the bank notes and chunky gold coins that are scattered about the place. Each level you play through tracks how much loot you've snagged along the way, and it may prove worryingly compulsive to suck as much cash out of the game as possible.

  That's replay value sorted, then, and with loads of little nods for fans of the classic Nintendo characters and licenses - Luigi's means of talking to E. Gadd, for example, is an old DS console renamed the Dual Scream - this could be a great reason to keep your 3DS all powered up and ready to go. After all, there are plenty of ghosts, ghouls, spectres and spooks out there - and Luigi's going to need all of the help catching them that he can get.
  

  Published: 28/01/2013

• Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon has local and online multiplayer

  3DS exclusive Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon will come with a co-operative multiplayer mode, Nintendo has revealed.

  The original game - a launch title for the rather wonderful but sadly short lived GameCube - was a single player only title. In it, Luigi went searching for his brother, Mario, who had been trapped inside a spooky old house. Using the "Poltergust" vacuum cleaner, you slurped up spirits like a ramshackle Ghostbuster.

  As well as an all-new story and mansion map to explore, a new Hunter Mode has been added to the 3DS sequel so you can play with friends. You'll work together to trap ghosts and keep each other safe as you ascend haunted towers through 5, 10 or an epic 25 floors to defeat the boss spook at the end. It's similar to the Luigi mini-game in the absolutely bonkers Wii U launch title Nintendo Land.

  Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon was announced back in 2011, shortly after the 3DS was released. It'll reach the UK in March.

  Published: 29/01/2013

• UK gets glow-in-the-dark Luigi's Mansion 2

  Mario's emerald-hued brother will finally get another turn in the spotlight at the end of the month, as Luigi's Mansion 2 creeps onto 3DS.

  It's the sequel to the 2002 Gamecube launch title, in which Luigi explored a haunted house to find his missing brother. For this long-awaited sequel the Poltergust 5000, Luigi's ghostbusting vacuum cleaner, has been upgraded and he'll also have other gadgets to help him fend off the phantoms. The Strobulb will dazzle the undead, while a new Dark Light feature will reveal hidden clues and messages.

  Puzzles will revolve around using the Poltergust's suck-and-blow windy physics to work out the way forwards. You may need to blow back a carpet to reveal a switch, for example, or suck wallpaper off the walls.

  As well as the single player story game there's the multiplayer Hunter mode, in which you team up with others to clear floor after floor of Thrill Tower against the clock, and minigames such as Polterpup, in which you use your Dark Light to track down a wandering spectral pooch.

  The European release will also come with a limited edition glow-in-the-dark cover, so you'll never have a problem finding your copy!

  Luigi's Mansion 2 is out exclusively for 3DS on March 28th.
  

  Published: 15/03/2013

• Luigi's Mansion 2 - Review

  
  

  

  Silbling Rivalry

  Poor old Luigi. He's usually portrayed as Mario's idiot brother, a clownish figure riding the coat-tails of a character who's become an icon to millions. And although he often appears alongside Mario in games like New Super Mario Bros. or Mario Kart, he rarely gets his own game - unlike other Nintendo second-stringers such as Donkey Kong and Yoshi.

  In fact, Luigi's last starring role was all the way back in 2001. The first Luigi's Mansion game saw him shouldering the responsibility of launching the GameCube console in Mario's absence. It was a spooky comedy caper in which Luigi had to hoover up all the ghosts (and money) in a haunted house. It became something of a fan favourite, but it wasn't a huge game - or a huge hit. And so Luigi returned to his brother's shadow for another decade.

  It's taken this long for him to get a sequel, but it was well worth the wait. Luigi's Mansion 2 loses nothing - and, in fact, gains a great deal - in moving to a handheld format. It's bigger, better, more beautiful and even more charming than the original, and one of the best games you can buy for your 3DS. Also, there's been nothing like the original Luigi's Mansion since it came out, so this feels unusually fresh for a sequel.

  

  Ghosts In The Machine

  Luigi's Mansion 2 reunites the man in green with Professor E. Gadd, the pint-sized mad scientist and inventor of the Poltergust, a vacuum cleaner modified to trap and contain mishievous ghosts. While the first game took place in just one mansion, Luigi's Mansion 2 spans five locations across Evershade Valley, a haunted vale where the Professor's been studying the local population of spooks. After King Boo steals and shatters the Dark Moon that shines over the valley, the ghosts run amok, and Gadd promptly presses an unwilling Luigi into service to clean up the mess.

  Each location - starting with a mansion, but moving on to places like a factory and a mine - is split up into half a dozen levels and a boss fight. There's plenty of game here, in other words, but Luigi's Mansion isn't really a game where size matters. Rather, it's about exploring every nook and cranny of the insanely detailed interiors, uncovering the myriad secrets and interacting with anything and everything using your trusty Poltergust. You never know - sucking that poster off the wall or pulling the chain on that toilet might reveal a hidden room or a surprise fountain of coins, banknotes and gold bars.

  You're given plenty of opportunity to do this as most of the levels involve moving through at least some rooms you've visited before. But using your expanding knowledge of all their tricks and secrets - and spotting where things have changed - is all part of the fun.

  When you eventually encounter ghosts - which come in a variety of shapes, sizes and personalities - you need to stun them with a flash of your torch before locking on with the Poltergust and engaging them in a frantic, slapstick tug of war as you try to reel them in. It's part fishing, part Ghostbusters, and an absolute hoot.

  

  All The Old Haunts

  It's the attention to detail in Luigi's Mansion 2 that really impresses. The game wasn't made by Nintendo's in-house studio - instead being put together by a Canadian outfit called Next Level Games - but you wouldn't know it. It has the dedication to polish, playability, surprise and sheer fun factor that you expect from the best Nintendo games.

  The level design, animation, sound, music and lighting are all of sky-high quality, giving the game the feel of a playable animated movie. The way Luigi's torch beam illuminates the scene while lightning flashes outside, for example, is amazingly atmospheric. And the 3D effect is just lovely, turning those painstakingly detailed interiors - all crumbling and ramshackle and cobwebbed - into a tiny, believable diorama in your hands. There's even a pretty decent multiplayer mode with online, local and download play options, in which four of you compete and collaborate to clear randomised levels in the Thrill Tower.

  But above all, it's Luigi himself that delights. He's still a bit of a clown, but he's a completely loveable one, tiptoeing around and humming the game's theme tune nervously to himself as he hunts down ghosts and treasure. Animated with exquisite care and hilariously voiced by Charles Martinet, in Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario's brother finally becomes a star in his own right - and not before time.

  GAME's Verdict:

  The Good:

  • Stunning presentation and great 3D really sells the idea of a playable cartoon
  • Amazingly detailed levels are crammed with one-off gags and secrets
  • The exploration and slapstick ghostbusting action are truly original and never get old

  The Bad:

  • Multiplayer mode is fun, but doesn't really require players to work together
  • One or two recycled ideas, and a couple of levels that feel like padding
  • Even though it's much bigger than the first game, it'll be over sooner than you want

  Published: 03/04/2013

• Buy three 3DS games, get one free

  Nintendo is running a generous promotion over the next few months that's sure to be of interest to 3DS owners. Going by the rather self-explanatory title of "So Many Games!" the promotion simply requires you to buy and register three games from a list of eight, and you'll be given a code to download a fourth game from the list absolutely free.

  The games in question are all fantastic as well. Included in the promotion are the following stonkers:

  Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Nintendo 3DS Version)
  Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate
  Luigi's Mansion 2
  Fire Emblem: Awakening
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
  Animal Crossing: New Leaf
  LEGO CITY Undercover: The Chase Begins
  Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

  The promotion covers games purchased in store, as well as downloads from the Nintendo eShop. Did you know you can buy Nintendo download codes exclusively from GAME? Well, you can, which just made the promotion even easier for you!

  The promotion runs from April 23rd and all games must be registered with a Club Nintendo account by June 30th to be eligible. You can only take part in the promotion once, and you must claim your free game by July 31st.

  Published: 23/04/2013

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