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How to Use Luigi in Mario 64: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re eager to play as the lanky, green-clad wonder, Luigi, in Super Mario 64? The bad news first: Luigi isn’t natively available in the original Nintendo 64 version. He was initially planned but removed due to memory constraints, a decision that still stings many fans. The good news is that Luigi is a playable character in Super Mario 64 DS, the remake for the Nintendo DS.

To unlock and use Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS, you must first unlock Yoshi, then unlock Mario, and finally unlock Luigi. Once you have unlocked Luigi, simply start the game as him and begin your adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom.

Unlocking Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of getting Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS involves some dedication and exploring! Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Start as Yoshi: Begin a new game and play as Yoshi. Yoshi is the first character you’ll control.
Collect the Key to Mario’s Room: As Yoshi, you’ll need to venture into the castle and find the key to Mario’s room. This is typically achieved by completing the first star in the course, which causes stairs to appear.
Unlock Mario: After earning the first star in the course, a set of steps will appear in the main house that lead to the second level. The door to the east (upstairs) leads to a secret loft with a painting of Mario. Complete the Big Boo’s Haunt Challenge as Yoshi. Once you defeat the Big Boo, you will find Mario.
Complete Luigi’s Loft: As Mario, unlock the door to the east (upstairs) in the castle. There’s a secret loft with a painting of Luigi. Enter the painting.
Beat the Big Boo Challenge: Complete the Big Boo Challenge as Mario. Defeating King Boo in Luigi’s Loft will unlock Luigi.
Start the Game as Luigi: After unlocking Luigi, simply start the game with Luigi.

Luigi’s Unique Abilities in Super Mario 64 DS

Luigi brings a unique set of skills to the table, making him more than just a reskin of Mario. Mastering these abilities is key to conquering the game:

Backflip Spin: After performing a backflip, Luigi can spin in mid-air, giving him a small height boost and extending his jump.
Scuttle Jump: After jumping, Luigi can scuttle a short distance in the air, allowing him to cover slightly more ground. This can be useful for reaching platforms that are just out of reach.
Water Running: Luigi can run on water for a short duration before sinking. This allows you to skip certain areas or grab coins floating on the surface.
Vanish Cap: Luigi’s Power Flower ability activates the Vanish Cap. This makes him temporarily invisible and allows him to pass through thin walls. You can find Power Flowers in various levels.
Super Swimmer: Luigi is the fastest swimmer among the four playable characters.

Controls for Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS

Controlling Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS is fairly similar to controlling Mario:

Control Stick: Moves Luigi around. The analog sensitivity lets you control his speed, from a tiptoe to a full run.
A Button: Jump.
B Button: Punch.
Y Button: Action button (used for interacting with objects and characters).
X Button: Map.
L and R Buttons: Center the camera behind Luigi.
Touch Screen: Used for various interactions, including character switching and mini-games.

Tips for Playing as Luigi

Master the Backflip Spin: This is one of Luigi’s most useful abilities. Practice the timing to get the most out of it.
Utilize the Scuttle Jump: This ability is subtle, but it can make a big difference in certain situations. Use it to extend your jumps and reach tricky platforms.
Explore with the Vanish Cap: The Vanish Cap opens up new areas and secrets. Look for Power Flowers to activate it and explore thoroughly.
Take Advantage of Luigi’s Swimming: If a level involves water, Luigi is your best bet. His superior swimming speed makes navigating aquatic environments much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Luigi in Mario 64

1. Why isn’t Luigi in the original Super Mario 64?

According to Looper, legendary Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto actually addressed the lack of Luigi in SM64 way back in 1996 when it released. The primary reason was memory limitations. The Nintendo 64 hardware couldn’t handle both Mario and Luigi without compromising the game’s performance. The multiplayer was too troublesome for developers.

2. How do I unlock Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS?

You first have to unlock Yoshi (by starting the game), then Mario. Once Mario is unlocked, complete the Big Boo Challenge in Luigi’s Loft to unlock Luigi.

3. What are Luigi’s special abilities in Super Mario 64 DS?

Luigi can perform a backflip spin, scuttle jump, run on water, and use the Vanish Cap to become invisible and pass through walls. He is also the fastest swimmer.

4. Is Luigi stronger or weaker than Mario in Super Mario 64 DS?

It depends on the situation. Luigi’s unique abilities give him advantages in certain areas, such as swimming and passing through thin walls. Mario is more well-rounded, and Wario is considered the strongest due to his high strength.

5. Where can I find the Power Flower to use Luigi’s Vanish Cap?

Power Flowers are located in various levels. Keep an eye out for them, as they are essential for activating Luigi’s Vanish Cap.

6. Does Luigi control differently than Mario in Super Mario 64 DS?

Yes, Luigi has slightly different physics than Mario. He’s generally considered to be more slippery and less precise. He can be hard to control.

7. Can I play two-player mode in Super Mario 64 DS with Luigi?

Super Mario 64 DS doesn’t have a simultaneous two-player mode. However, you can switch between Yoshi, Mario, Luigi, and Wario at any time after unlocking them.

8. What is the hardest part about unlocking Luigi in Super Mario 64 DS?

The hardest part is often defeating King Boo in Luigi’s Loft. His attack pattern can be tricky to master.

9. Is Luigi in every Mario game?

No, Luigi is not in every Mario game. He’s been absent from some mainline Super Mario titles, such as the original Super Mario 64, but he frequently appears in spin-offs and role-playing games. Luigi has appeared in every Mario role-playing game. While he originally made a cameo appearance in the end credits of Super Mario RPG, he appears more prominently in the Paper Mario series.

10. Is Super Mario 64 DS the only version of Super Mario 64 where you can play as Luigi?

Yes, Super Mario 64 DS is the only official version of the game where Luigi is a playable character.

11. What other characters can you unlock in Super Mario 64 DS besides Luigi?

Besides Luigi, you can also unlock Yoshi, Mario, and Wario. Each character has their own unique abilities.

12. Why is Luigi so nervous in the Mario games?

Luigi’s nervous and timid personality is a recurring trait that makes him endearing to many fans. This can contrast with his heroic actions, showing his bravery despite his fears. Although Luigi is a plumber like Mario, other facets of his personality vary from game to game; Luigi always seems nervous and timid, but is good-natured and can keep his temper better than his brother.

13. Does Luigi have a girlfriend like Mario has Peach?

While Luigi doesn’t have a consistent girlfriend throughout the Mario series, he is often paired with Daisy.

14. What is Waluigi’s relationship to Luigi?

Waluigi is the self-proclaimed rival of Luigi. Waluigi is willing to put in a lot of effort to best Mario and Luigi, if only to annoy them. His long arms and long legs help keep him competitive at sports.

15. How does gaming, particularly games like Super Mario 64 DS, contribute to learning?

Games like Super Mario 64 DS foster problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and hand-eye coordination. They encourage players to think critically and develop strategies to overcome challenges. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores these educational aspects of gaming in depth.

How do you use Luigi in Mario 64?