I remember people being hyped as hell when Luigi’s Mansion 2 (originally called Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon in the West) was first released in 2013. It was a long-awaited sequel for a game that managed to stand the test of time, despite initial backlash. I did not play it back then. Unlike most normal human beings, I didn’t exactly use the 3DS that much, often preferring the Vita. Dark Moon fell off the radar to me as a result. It would take me a further 11 years, and a brand new console, in order to finally give it a go. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 3DS classic (?), but it does feature a fair share of issues, even though I had a good time with it.

The main difference between Luigi’s Mansion and Luigi’s Mansion 2‘s settings is the fact you don’t explore a single mansion, Resident Evil-style. You have to tackle a series of mansions set in a somewhat posh (but crappy) neighborhood called Evershade Valley. Luigi’s Mansion 2 is also mission-based, with you being kicked out of a level after completing an objective, which is both interesting and a bummer. Given the fact the game was originally released on 3DS, I understand the appeal of bite-sized missions for you to tackle ten minutes at a time. But that also goes against one of the most appealing aspects of the first Luigi’s Mansion: thorough, slow-paced exploration.

That, however, is something that wouldn’t have been able to be fixed in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD without having to remake the entire damn game from scratch. So sure, whatever, mission-based. What matters is that the gameplay loop is still really fun. Janky due to some contrived controls, but fun nonetheless. Just like in any other Luigi’s Mansion game, you need to aim your vacuum cleaner at a ghost and try to suck it up after stunning it, but the aiming system felt really janky, as if Tantalus (the team behind the remaster) had a hard time adapting the aiming system from the 3DS to a secondary analog stick.

As for the rest, I thought that the presentation was… fine. Not amazing, not terrible, either. It is a remaster of a 3DS game, after all, so I wasn’t exactly expecting for a huge visual overhaul. That being said, despite these limitations, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD featured some textural and resolution improvements, as well as a strong art direction. What I didn’t appreciate, however, was the 30fps limitation. This is not a game that pushes any modern hardware to its limits, and I feel like a bump on the overall framerate would have been a plus, given how some specific battles require pinpoint accuracy and responsiveness. Still, the game is 100% playable as is. I just expected a bit more, considering the price.

Yep, that might be the hurting point. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD costs sixty bucks, and I do feel that is a lot to ask for. It is, at the end of the day, a 3DS game in size and scope. Its sequel, the Switch-exclusive Luigi’s Mansion 3, is vastly larger, looks better, plays better, and costs the same. I feel like this would have been a perfect addition to anyone’s Switch’s library for 40 or 50 bucks, but them’s the breaks. At this point in time, you know what to expect from these exclusives and their pricing.

This is still a really fun game, and I appreciate it being available on a more modern system that doesn’t give me hand cramps like the Nintendo 3DS. I am not a big fan of the mission-based structure, forcing me to revisit mansions, and hindering exploration. That being said, the core gameplay is still really solid. It’s a wacky and light-hearted take on survival horror that simply works, all thanks to Nintendo’s trademark charm. I just think that Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD isn’t worth the AAA pricetag. If, by any absolute miracle, you can find it for a discount, grab it. Or maybe use one of the eShop’s coupons.

Graphics: 7.0 It clearly feels like a revamped 3DS game, but I appreciate the improved resolution and textural work. I’m saddened by the 30fps cap, though.	Gameplay: 6.5 Walking around and exploring isn’t bad at all, but the aiming sensitivity and controls left a lot to be desired. Sadly, that’s actually a big chunk of the overall gameplay loop.
Sound: 8.5 Between the excellent soundtrack and a scared Luigi humming to it, there’s not a lot to complain about the sound department.	Fun Factor: 7.0 I am not a big fan of the mission-based structure, forcing me to revisit mansions, and hindering exploration. That being said, the core gameplay is still really solid. It’s a wacky and light-hearted take on survival horror that simply works, all thanks to Nintendo’s trademark charm.
Final Verdict: 7.0

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is available now on Switch. The original Luigi’s Mansion 2 (actually called Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon) is available on 3DS

Reviewed on Switch

A copy of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD was provided by the publisher.