Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure with Improved Visuals and Controls on Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Headquarters, Kyoto, Japan Japan
Developed by Tantalus Media, this HD version offers improved visuals and controls compared to its handheld predecessor
Each location offers unique challenges and puzzles for players to solve
Follows Luigi who is tasked with exploring several haunted mansions to rescue his brother Mario and uncover the mysteries behind the ghostly inhabitants
Improved visuals include higher resolution textures, shadows, and lighting. Targets native 1080p in docked mode and 720p in portable mode with great anti-aliasing
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Twin-stick controls allow players to swivel Luigi's aim around for a more immersive experience
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure with Improved Visuals and Controls on Nintendo Switch

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: A Remastered Ghost-Hunting Adventure for Nintendo Switch

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, a remaster of the critically acclaimed 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, is now available on the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Tantalus Media, this HD version offers improved visuals and controls compared to its handheld predecessor.

Background

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 3DS game that was first released in 2013 as part of Nintendo's Year of Luigi celebrations. The game follows Luigi, who is tasked with exploring several haunted mansions to rescue his brother Mario and uncover the mysteries behind the ghostly inhabitants.

Improved Visuals and Controls

The HD remaster brings enhanced visuals to the game, including higher resolution textures, shadows, and lighting. The game targets native 1080p in docked mode and 720p in portable mode with great anti-aliasing. Additionally, the twin-stick controls allow players to swivel Luigi's aim around with the right stick for a more immersive experience.

Unique Features of Each Location

Each location in Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is designed carefully and cleverly, offering unique challenges and puzzles for players to solve. From the eerie Dark Moon Fortress to the labyrinthine Evershade Valley, each mansion offers a distinct atmosphere that adds to the overall experience.

Developer Insights

Tantalus Media, the studio behind Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, previously handled The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remasters. With their expertise in enhancing classic games for modern platforms, they have delivered a definitive version of Luigi's second apparition-filled adventure for newcomers or those working their way backwards in the series.

Conclusion

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is an accomplished journey back to the Year of Luigi. With its improved visuals, controls, and unique features in each location, it offers a worthwhile experience for fans of the series or those new to Luigi's ghost-hunting adventures. Whether you're playing in docked mode on your TV or on the go in portable mode, this HD remaster is sure to provide hours of entertainment.



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is being developed by Tantalus Media.
    • Tantalus Media previously handled The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remasters.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes no explicit fallacious statements in the article. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority that slightly lower the score.
    • ][Luigi's Mansion 2 HD] is another strong Nintendo remaster which doesn't mess around with the original too much, but delivers enough improvements (particularly in terms of visual detail) to make it a worthwhile release.[/]
    • [VGC confirmed that] Tantalus Media [was responsible for Luigi's Mansion 2 HD]. The Australian studio is no stranger to Nintendo remasters, having previously been responsible for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on Wii U and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on Switch.[/
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

  • Unique Points
    • Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 2013 Nintendo 3DS game Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
    • The game features twin-stick controls, allowing players to swivel Luigi’s aim around with the right stick
    • Each location in the game is designed carefully and cleverly.
    • The game is the definitive version of Luigi’s second apparition-filled adventure for newcomers or those working their way backwards in the series
  • Accuracy
    • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 2013 Nintendo 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
    • The game features improved graphics, with more detailed textures and enhanced lighting
    • Developer Tantalus has boosted the resolution for this remaster
  • Deception (80%)
    The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses their opinion that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is the 'best way to experience Luigi's second foray into catching cheeky Caspers,' but later states that it is not the best entry in the series due to the release of Luigi's Mansion 3. This creates a conflicting message and selective reporting as they only mention one positive aspect of the game while omitting any discussion about its shortcomings or improvements in comparison to other entries. The author also expresses their personal enjoyment of the game, stating 'I had a ghostbusting-ly good time for the dozen or so hours I spent with Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD.' This is editorializing as it is not providing an objective analysis of the game but rather sharing their own experience and opinion.
    • Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review Screens It’s not likely to win any awards for best visual design in 2024, but compared to the 2013 original the difference is night and day.
    • It is therefore the best way to experience Luigi’s second foray into catching cheeky Caspers,
    • I certainly still had a ghostbusting-ly good time for the dozen or so hours I spent with Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

  • Unique Points
    • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a revamped version of the original Luigi's Mansion 2 game.
    • Each location in the game is designed carefully and cleverly.
  • Accuracy
    • The game looks much nicer with improved resolution, lighting, and environmental effects.
    • Controls are better with the addition of a second stick on the Switch.
    • The game features five distinct areas for Luigi to battle through and gather pieces of the Dark Moon.
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses their personal opinion that the game controls were a 'niggle' in the original version and that they prefer the updated controls on Switch. They also state that they found some frame rate stuttering during an early cutscene, which is not a deceptive practice but worth mentioning for transparency. However, they express disappointment that there are no added extras or new features in this HD remaster, despite acknowledging that it is the best way to play the game as of 2024. This selectively reports on certain aspects of the game while omitting information about potential improvements or additions in other versions.
    • It was always just one of those things with this series. A great idea, smart games, excellent puzzles and tons of atmosphere, all held back a little bit.
    • This issue was then fully addressed with Luigi’s Mansion 3. The big fancy Switch follow-up that showed just how amazing this spooky sub-series could be if it got the right sort of treatment and wasn’t held back in the controls department.
    • It's gonna be a sticking point for some, but Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is the exact same game that many of you will have no doubt played 11 years ago - it just looks much nicer.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by stating that Luigi's Mansion 2 is the favorite game of the franchise and that it outdoes the scope and scale found in the first two games. They also make a dichotomous depiction by contrasting Luigi's Mansion 2 with Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, implying that one is superior to the other.
    • It was always just one of those things with this series. A great idea, smart games, excellent puzzles and tons of atmosphere, all held back a little bit.
    • This issue was then fully addressed with Luigi’s Mansion 3. The big fancy Switch follow-up that showed just how amazing this spooky sub-series could be if it got the right sort of treatment and wasn’t held back in the controls department.
    • It's our favourite game of the franchise, an experience that outdoes the scope and scale found in the first two games, and the model that Next Level Games has worked towards with this HD revamp of the first sequel.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses a preference for the controls in Luigi's Mansion 3 over the original game due to the lack of an extra thumbstick on the 3DS. They also mention that they found some aspects of the game marred by this issue. However, they do acknowledge that their initial review of Luigi's Mansion 2 gave it a high score and that their current opinion is still in agreement with it.
    • It was always just one of those things with this series. A great idea, smart games, excellent puzzles and tons of atmosphere, all held back a little bit. A franchise that felt like it needed unleashing onto a new platform.
      • ][The issue was then fully addressed with Luigi's Mansion 3. It's our favourite game of the franchise, an experience that outdoes the scope and scale found in the first two games, and the model that Next Level Games has worked towards with this HD revamp of the first sequel.][/
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      • Unique Points
        • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a remake of the 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
        • The game features improved visuals on Switch, including higher resolution textures and shadows, and upgraded lighting
        • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD targets native 1080p in docked mode and 720p in portable mode with great anti-aliasing
        • The game runs at a locked 30fps on Switch
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      90%

      • Unique Points
        • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a port of the handheld game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon to console.
        • Animation in Luigis Mansion 2 HD remains exceptional.
      • Accuracy
        • Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a port of the handheld game Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon to console.
        • ,
      • Deception (80%)
        The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses their personal opinion that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is not as visually impressive as other Nintendo Switch upgrades, but fails to mention that this was a handheld game originally. They also praise the animation while criticizing the lighting and effects, but do not acknowledge that these were limitations of the original platform. Additionally, they express frustration with having to unlock multiplayer mode through regular play and call it an unnecessary hurdle.
        • I am grateful to have Luigi’s Mansion 2 on the Switch. Dropping the Dark Moon subtitle and giving it a number also feels like a specific choice to make sure this game is fully recognized as part of the Luigi’s Mansion canon, which it fully deserves to be.
        • Despite kicking off Nintendo’s fourth-generation console with a starring role in Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube, Luigi’s sequel always felt a little relegated. He was downgraded to the handheld platform, but it wasn’t because he delivered a bad game.
        • I often wanted to do more before leaving or just stay in the building to pursue the next big goal, but that choice isn’t up to the player.
        • The game has been smoothed out and looks sharp, but this is not an overhaul job. The lighting and effects are perfunctory, but the animation (which has always been a Luigi’s Mansion highlight) remains exceptional.
      • Fallacies (90%)
        The author makes several comparisons between Luigi's Mansion 2 HD and other games, implying that the visuals are lacking compared to them. This is an appeal to authority fallacy as the author is not providing any objective evidence that the visuals are indeed lacking. The author also expresses their personal preference for taking a leisurely stroll in the game instead of sprinting to find Polterpup, which is an informal fallacy as it's based on their subjective opinion.
        • ][The game has been smoothed out and looks sharp, but this is not an overhaul job. The lighting and effects are perfunctory,][][ compared to recent Nintendo Switch upgrades like Metroid Prime and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the visuals are lacking.][][ I often wanted to do more before leaving or just stay in the building to pursue the next big goal, but that choice isn’t up to the player.][][ Each of the Mansions is labyrinthian by design, and trying to sprint through them in a winding path to find the dog just isn’t as enjoyable as taking a leisurely stroll, solving puzzles, and jumping in the air when a ghost appears out of nowhere.]
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication