Character of the Week #8

Metal Mario · 09-05-2009, 10:12 PM

Luigi

First Appearance: Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1983)
Latest Appearance: Mario Super Sluggers (Wii, 2008)

That's right, folks, we're shining the spotlight on the one and only Luigi this week! Originally conceived as a "player 2" for Mario, Luigi first began to come into his own with the release of Super Mario Bros. 2, which gave him his own physical characteristics that set him apart from Mario - he was taller and slimmer, and his mustache was a different style - whereas he had been portrayed in earlier games as simply a palette-swapped "clone" of Mario (note the third picture - an illustration from the Mario Bros. arcade cabinet - above). Not only that, but both versions of SMB 2 (ours and the Japanese one) defined Luigi by a different set of physical skills; in both these games, he could jump higher and farther than Mario, but suffered from reduced traction. And this same distinction in Luigi's talents would be carried over in later games, including Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, and the Super Mario Advance series.

Much has been made of Luigi's "second banana" status, particularly in recent years (it seemed to reach a fever pitch when he was left out of 1996's Super Mario 64), but this has always been blown out of all proportion. All kidding aside, Luigi has always been an integral and indispensable part of the Mario universe, appearing prominently alongside his older brother in most video games and all adaptations in other media (books, comics, TV, film, etc.). In fact, when counting up all of Luigi's playable roles throughout the years, they number greater than the sum of most other iconic video game franchise characters combined. Luigi, neglected? Compared to Luigi, the likes of Link, Kirby, Samus, Pikachu, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Lara Croft are all "neglected" characters.

In conclusion, yes, Luigi is definitely #2. He always has been, and he always will be. But when you're #2, that means there's only one other guy ahead of you. And Luigi seems comfortable in the role of Robin while he lets Mario be Batman.

Luigiman7 · 09-05-2009, 10:17 PM

Luigi's traction in games has never really caused me any trouble.

Mario271 · 09-06-2009, 12:57 AM

Click to view video.

...Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I found it too funny, plus Beethoven 9 is awesome.

Dizzy · 09-06-2009, 01:02 AM

Poor Luigi...

Redshirt · 09-06-2009, 10:35 AM

Oh wow

09-05-2009, 10:12 PM	#1
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	Character of the Week #8 *Luigi* First Appearance: Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1983) Latest Appearance: Mario Super Sluggers (Wii, 2008) That's right, folks, we're shining the spotlight on the one and only Luigi this week! Originally conceived as a "player 2" for Mario, Luigi first began to come into his own with the release of Super Mario Bros. 2, which gave him his own physical characteristics that set him apart from Mario - he was taller and slimmer, and his mustache was a different style - whereas he had been portrayed in earlier games as simply a palette-swapped "clone" of Mario (note the third picture - an illustration from the Mario Bros. arcade cabinet - above). Not only that, but both versions of SMB 2 (ours and the Japanese one) defined Luigi by a different set of physical skills; in both these games, he could jump higher and farther than Mario, but suffered from reduced traction. And this same distinction in Luigi's talents would be carried over in later games, including Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, and the Super Mario Advance series. Much has been made of Luigi's "second banana" status, particularly in recent years (it seemed to reach a fever pitch when he was left out of 1996's Super Mario 64), but this has always been blown out of all proportion. All kidding aside, Luigi has always been an integral and indispensable part of the Mario universe, appearing prominently alongside his older brother in most video games and all adaptations in other media (books, comics, TV, film, etc.). In fact, when counting up all of Luigi's playable roles throughout the years, they number greater than the sum of most other iconic video game franchise characters combined. Luigi, neglected? Compared to Luigi, the likes of Link, Kirby, Samus, Pikachu, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Lara Croft are all "neglected" characters. In conclusion, yes, Luigi is definitely #2. He always has been, and he always will be. But when you're #2, that means there's only one other guy ahead of you. And Luigi seems comfortable in the role of Robin while he lets Mario be Batman.

09-05-2009, 10:17 PM	#2
Luigiman7 ヽ(◔ ◡ ◔)ノ.･ﾟ*｡･+☆ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ~)´◡｀(~ Gender: Posts: 17,605 Thanks: 1,134 Thanked 1,012 Times in 713 Posts Blog Entries: 8	Luigi's traction in games has never really caused me any trouble. __________________ ／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ＷＯＮ’Ｔ　ＹＯＵ　ＢＥＣＯＭＥ　Ａ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬ？

09-06-2009, 01:02 AM	#4
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Poor Luigi...

09-06-2009, 10:35 AM	#5
Redshirt Wiggidy Wack Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: A place with things Gender: Posts: 16,699 Thanks: 704 Thanked 1,006 Times in 695 Posts Blog Entries: 50	Oh wow