Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD brings a refined visual experience to the Switch. Though it doesn’t match the extensive visual overhauls of games like Metroid Prime and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, it still looks sharp and appealing. The game’s lighting and effects are serviceable, but the standout remains the animation. Luigi’s expressive reactions, whether he’s cowering in fear or triumphantly capturing ghosts, add a layer of charm that enhances the overall experience.
The core mechanics of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD involve navigating through haunted mansions, capturing ghosts, and collecting treasures. The joy of sucking up ghosts, cobwebs, and money remains intact, even if the controls may feel a bit awkward initially. The game excels in its level design, offering clever and charming environments. Each mansion feels like a unique attraction, complete with transforming stairways, shifting rooms, and imaginative puzzles. These elements make exploring each mansion a delight.
One of the main holdovers from the game’s handheld roots is its pacing. Designed for shorter play sessions, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD often pulls players out of a mansion before they’ve fully explored it. This design choice can be frustrating for those who prefer a more continuous and immersive experience. However, it also means that the game is well-suited for quick gaming sessions, making it perfect for portable play on the Switch.
While Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD offers a variety of engaging missions, the Polterpup tracking missions stand out for the wrong reasons. As endearing as Polterpup is, these missions involve navigating the labyrinthine mansions in search of the elusive ghost dog. This can feel more like a tedious chore than an enjoyable challenge, detracting from the overall experience.
The ScareScraper mode returns in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, adding a fun multiplayer component. However, it must be unlocked through regular play, which can be a bit of a hurdle for those eager to jump into online co-op. Once unlocked, the mode offers a fast-paced, cooperative experience where players team up to capture ghosts across various mansions. Progress in ScareScraper contributes to overall game upgrades, creating a sense of continuous achievement.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library, allowing players to revisit or experience for the first time a game that deserved more attention. By dropping the Dark Moon subtitle and embracing its place as the second installment in the trilogy, this HD version reaffirms its importance in the Luigi’s Mansion series. While it doesn’t reinvent the handheld game, it successfully ports a beloved experience to a broader audience. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy in this charming and entertaining ghost-hunting adventure.
REVIEW SCORE: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️