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Luigi’s Mansion 3 – Haunted Hotel Adventure
Luigi ventures into a ghost-filled hotel to rescue friends in this charming action-adventure. Metacritic score of 86 marks the best in the series.
Game Info
Verdict
The best Luigi's Mansion entry combines charming ghost-catching gameplay with cooperative depth and a substantial 17+ hour campaign.
Pros
- Substantial 17-18 hour campaign is longest in franchise history, justifying $59.99 price
- Gooigi cooperative mechanics transform puzzles and require genuine teamwork
- Exceptional visual quality with sophisticated lighting that pushes Switch hardware
- Multiple themed hotel floors provide visual diversity and environmental storytelling
- Cooperative story mode designed for two-player progression through entire campaign
- ScareScraper and ScreamPark multiplayer modes extend value significantly
- Family-friendly design accessible to children while satisfying adult players
Cons
- Locked at 30 FPS; some players desire 60 FPS option for smoother gameplay
- Campaign designed heavily around cooperative play; single-player lacks puzzle variety
- DLC content ended after two packs; no recent post-launch support
- Motion control requirement for certain actions frustrates some players
Performance Notes
Runs at 30 FPS on Nintendo Switch docked (1080p) and handheld (720p). Exceptional technical achievement for the platform with sophisticated lighting and physics. Stable performance with minimal frame pacing issues after launch updates.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 represents the pinnacle of Nintendo’s spooky platformer franchise, delivering a substantial campaign experience with cooperative depth. Released on Halloween 2019 for Nintendo Switch, this third entry builds on 2013’s Dark Moon while introducing Gooigi, a playable doppelgänger that transforms cooperative play from optional to essential. The game combines puzzle-solving, ghost-catching mechanics, and platforming into a cohesive adventure spanning multiple themed hotel floors. Critics praised its production values, design innovation, and multiplayer modes, earning a Metacritic score of 86. This review examines whether Luigi’s latest haunting delivers the scares and charm the series is known for.
How to Play Luigi’s Mansion 3
Players control Luigi as he explores a haunted hotel, sucking up ghosts with the Poltergust vacuum cleaner. Combat involves avoiding ghost attacks, stunning them with flashlight beams, and vacuuming them into the cleaner. Puzzle-solving and secret-finding drive progression through fifteen distinctly themed hotel floors.
- Controls – Intuitive point-and-suck vacuum mechanics. Motion controls optional. Learning curve is gentle; button layouts accommodate varied play styles from children to adults.
- Progression – Campaign advances floor-by-floor with story beats. Collecting Boos, Baby Ghosts, and Dark Moon fragments unlock secrets and enable completion percentage tracking.
- Combat/Mechanics – Stun ghosts with flashlight, suck them in, repeat. Boss battles introduce pattern recognition. Gooigi switches open unique paths by slipping through bars.
- Tips – Search every corner for collectibles; bonus content rewards exploration. Co-op is heavily encouraged; certain puzzles simplify with a second player.
Who Should Play Luigi’s Mansion 3
This title appeals to Nintendo Switch owners seeking charming single-player campaigns with strong cooperative options. Family-friendly content makes it accessible across age groups.
- Family Gamers – Perfect for parents and children to play together. Motion controls and colorful visuals engage younger players while story and secrets satisfy adults.
- Luigi Fans – Longest and most substantial Luigi’s Mansion entry delivers character depth and personality never seen before in the franchise.
- Co-op Enthusiasts – Gooigi mechanics require teamwork on many puzzles. Local multiplayer excels with dedicated co-op story mode and online ScareScraper challenges.
- Skip if – You demand action-heavy combat or competitive gameplay. This game emphasizes exploration and cooperative puzzle-solving over battle intensity.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 Platform Performance
Luigi’s Mansion 3 represents exceptional technical achievement on Nintendo Switch hardware. Digital Foundry analysis reveals sophisticated lighting, shadow systems, and physics rarely seen on the platform.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch (Docked) | 1080p | 30 | Stable 30 FPS with sophisticated lighting. Most visually impressive Switch game |
| Nintendo Switch (Handheld) | 720p | 30 | Maintains visual fidelity in portable mode. Slight framerate dips during intense scenes |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | 720p | 30 | Identical to handheld performance. No frame pacing issues in recent updates |
Luigi’s Mansion 3 System Requirements
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is exclusive to Nintendo Switch. No PC, PlayStation, or Xbox versions exist. Nintendo Switch hardware requirements are straightforward.
| Component | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Console | Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED |
| Game Format | Physical cartridge (3.4 GB) or digital download |
| Storage Space | 3.4 GB free space (digital version) |
| Gameplay Modes | Single-player story, local co-op, online multiplayer |
| Online Features | Requires Nintendo Switch Online subscription for ScareScraper/ScreamPark |
Similar Games to Luigi’s Mansion 3
If Luigi’s Mansion 3 resonates, these games offer comparable action-adventure experiences blending exploration with puzzle-solving on Nintendo platforms.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Top-down adventure with strong puzzle design. Less action-focused but equal exploration rewards.
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Platformer with cooperative campaign. More challenging, less puzzle-centric than LM3.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – Puzzle-focused exploration across diorama levels. Bite-sized campaigns versus LM3’s 15-hour story.
- Kirby’s Return to Dream Land – Colorful cooperative platformer with copy abilities. Shorter campaign, gentler difficulty curve.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 vs Competitors
Luigi’s Mansion 3 competes against other Nintendo Switch adventure titles. Its cooperative depth and production values justify the $59.99 retail price point.
| Feature | Luigi’s Mansion 3 | Zelda: Link’s Awakening | Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Campaign Length | 17-18 hours main story, 22+ with collectibles | 12 hours | 15 hours |
| Local Co-op | Full story + two multiplayer modes | No co-op | Full campaign co-op |
| Metacritic Score | 86 | 86 | 79 |
Luigi’s Mansion 3 Story and World
The Last Resort Hotel serves as Luigi’s Mansion 3’s primary setting—a sprawling vertical labyrinth filled with themed floors that range from art galleries to dance halls. King Boo has orchestrated an elaborate trap, luring Luigi and friends to the hotel by impersonating the monarch himself. Once inside, Mario and Luigi’s allies are captured and transformed into paintings by the devious ghost sovereign. Luigi must navigate fifteen unique floors, defeating ghost bosses and collecting Boos to uncover King Boo’s master plan.
The narrative avoids clichés through character-driven moments, boss personality, and environmental storytelling. Each floor reflects distinct themes: a pirate ship, medieval castle, tropical paradise, and cinematic studio among them. The pacing balances serious story beats with lighthearted dialogue, maintaining the franchise’s charm while delivering emotional moments.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 Multiplayer and Online
Multiplayer defines Luigi’s Mansion 3’s endgame content. Gooigi cooperative mechanics extend into dedicated modes alongside traditional competitive offerings.
- Co-op Campaign – Two players control Luigi and Gooigi throughout the story. Designed with cooperative puzzles requiring both characters simultaneously.
- ScareScraper – Cooperative tower climb where up to four players tackle 5, 10, or 20-floor sequences. Updated with new themes including Tomb Suites and Dance Hall.
- ScreamPark – Competitive mini-game collection for up to eight players. Games include Dodgebrawl, River Bank, and Tricky Ghost Hunting.
- Online Play – Full online support for ScareScraper and ScreamPark. Local wireless and online multiplayer available; Nintendo Switch Online required.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 DLC and Expansions
Nintendo released two multiplayer DLC packs post-launch, expanding ScareScraper and ScreamPark with cosmetics, themes, and new mini-games. A free update accompanied each release.
- Multiplayer Pack 1 – Released December 2019, $9.99. Three new ScreamPark games, three ScareScraper themes, three Luigi costumes
- Multiplayer Pack 2 – Released April 2020, $9.99. Three additional ScreamPark games, three more themes, pirate/magician/explorer costumes
- Free Updates – Sound test, 20-floor ScareScraper option, additional ghost types, Boolossus attack pattern changes
- Post-Launch Support – Both DLC packs released within six months; additional support ended 2020
Luigi’s Mansion 3 Community and Support
The Luigi’s Mansion 3 community remains active on Nintendo Switch Online through regular ScareScraper matchmaking. Official support has transitioned to maintenance mode.
- Official Community – Nintendo Switch Online provides multiplayer matchmaking infrastructure for all online modes
- Fan Communities – Subreddits, Discord servers, and YouTube channels maintain active discussion and speedrun communities
- Speedrunning – Established competitive speedrunning community with leaderboards tracking any% and 100% times
- Patch Status – Last major update May 2020; game considered complete with no active development roadmap