Luigi's Mansion 3: Why This Ghost-Hunting Adventure Is Still the Best Reason to Turn On Your Switch at Night
05.01.2026 - 03:43:36
You know that feeling when you want to play something cozy but not boring, smart but not stressful, funny but not childish? You scroll through your backlog, bounce between endless open worlds and sweaty online matches, and somehow nothing feels… right.
You don't want another 80-hour epic. You want something charming, clever, and just spooky enough to feel special – a game you can enjoy alone on the couch or share with friends or family without needing a strategy guide and a free weekend.
That's exactly where Luigi's Mansion 3 on Nintendo Switch slides in like a shy green hero stepping into the spotlight.
Luigi, eternal player two, finally gets the perfect game to call his own – and it might be one of the most satisfying, approachable adventures you can play on the Switch right now.
The Solution: Luigi's Mansion 3 Turns Your Switch Into a Haunted Hotel Playground
Luigi's Mansion 3 drops you and Luigi into the Last Resort Hotel, a gorgeous, ghost-infested high-rise where every floor is its own themed playground: an overgrown garden, a movie studio, a medieval castle, a pirate cove, even a full-blown Egyptian tomb. Nintendo Co. Ltd. (ISIN: JP3756600007) has turned what could have been a simple haunted-house gimmick into a dense, imaginative puzzle box packed with slapstick scares and satisfying exploration.
Instead of overwhelming you with systems and side quests, the game gives you a simple toolkit – your Poltergust G-00 vacuum, a stun flashlight, a suction shot, and your gooey doppelgänger Gooigi – then challenges you to use them in increasingly creative ways.
The result is a rare thing in modern gaming: a single-player (and optionally co-op) experience that feels polished, focused, and endlessly inventive without demanding a massive time investment.
Why this specific model?
You might be wondering: with so many Switch games out there – platformers, action RPGs, cozy life sims – why this one? What makes Luigi's Mansion 3 stand out, even years after release?
After digging through the official Nintendo details, professional reviews, and countless Reddit threads and fan discussions, a few clear themes stand out.
- It's visually stunning, even by 2026 standards. Luigi's Mansion 3 is repeatedly praised as one of the best-looking games on the Switch. The hotel environments are packed with tiny details – dust motes, reflections, soft lighting, physics-driven objects – and the ghosts ooze personality. This isn't just about graphics; it's about atmosphere. On an OLED Switch in handheld or on a big TV, the game still looks shockingly good compared to newer releases.
- The gameplay is clever but approachable. No steep learning curve, no dense menus. You use a handful of core abilities – vacuuming, slamming, stunning, blowing, and using Gooigi to slip through bars or spike traps. Puzzles are rarely obscure, but they reward observation and experimentation. It hits that sweet spot where adults feel engaged and kids feel smart.
- Gooigi transforms puzzles and co-op. One of the game's unique hooks is Gooigi, a green, goo-based double of Luigi you can swap to at any time (or assign to a second player). He can walk through bars, spikes, and certain hazards, but melts in water. This mechanic turns what could have been a simple ghost shooter into something closer to a cooperative puzzle platformer.
- It respects your time. Reddit threads are full of people praising the game's length and pacing: not bloated, not rushed. Most players report a playtime of roughly 12–20 hours depending on how much you explore and hunt collectibles. That's long enough to feel like a full adventure, short enough that you'll actually finish it.
- It works for almost everyone. Parents play it with kids, couples tag-team the puzzles, and solo players treat it as a cozy Halloween staple all year round. The light spooky vibe is more cartoon than horror, so it stays family-friendly without losing its charm.
In a market flooded with massive open worlds and live-service grinds, Luigi's Mansion 3 feels like a tightly directed, hand-crafted experience. It's not trying to be everything to everyone – it's trying to be delightful. And it largely succeeds.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Platform: Nintendo Switch (TV, tabletop, handheld modes) | Play on the big screen at home or take your ghost-hunting on the go without any content compromises. |
| Genre: Action-adventure, puzzle, light horror-comedy | Get a mix of exploration, puzzles, and combat in a spooky-but-funny package suitable for a wide age range. |
| Single-player with local and online co-op modes | Enjoy a focused solo campaign or bring in friends/family for shared puzzle-solving and ghost-busting. |
| Gooigi mechanic (second playable character) | Unlock smart, layered puzzles and easy drop-in co-op where a second player can control Gooigi. |
| Distinct themed hotel floors instead of repeated levels | Experience constant visual and gameplay variety: movie sets, gardens, castles, tombs, and more. |
| Average playtime ~12–20 hours | Finishable, satisfying campaign that fits real-life schedules without feeling short or padded. |
| Optional multiplayer ScareScraper and ScreamPark modes | Extend replay value with party-style modes and timed ghost-hunting challenges locally or online. |
What Users Are Saying
Across Reddit and gaming forums, the sentiment around Luigi's Mansion 3 is overwhelmingly positive. It's often called one of the Switch's "hidden gems" – not as loudly marketed as Mario or Zelda, but cherished by those who play it.
Common praises:
- Best-in-class animation and personality. Players love Luigi's terrified expressions, his humming along with the background music, the slapstick cutscenes, and the expressive ghosts. Many say it feels like "playable animation."
- Level design that keeps surprising you. Each hotel floor feels like its own mini-game, with unique mechanics and puzzles. People mention favorite floors like the movie studio, the garden level, and the medieval floor as standouts.
- Polished from start to finish. Few bugs, smooth performance, and snappy controls. For a Switch game, it's often described as "Nintendo at its best."
- Perfect for co-op. Many parents say it's their go-to game to play with kids, with Gooigi allowing an experienced player to gently guide a newer one.
Common complaints and cautions:
- Camera can feel awkward at times. Some players on Reddit mention occasional frustration with the fixed camera angles, especially during boss fights or when aiming specific shots.
- Combat repetition for some. A minority of players feel the ghost battles, especially basic enemies, can get a bit repetitive over time.
- Puzzles might be too simple for hardcore puzzle fans. While most find the difficulty "just right," those looking for brain-melting puzzles might find it on the easier side.
- Online co-op is situational. The ScareScraper mode is fun but feels like a side dish, not the main course. Some players wish there was even more substantial multiplayer content.
Overall, though, the consensus is clear: if you own a Switch and you enjoy inventive, character-driven games, Luigi's Mansion 3 is considered a must-play.
Alternatives vs. Luigi's Mansion 3
If you're browsing the Nintendo Switch library, you might be comparing Luigi's Mansion 3 to other big-name titles or similar vibes. Here's how it fits in:
- Versus Super Mario Odyssey: Odyssey is pure platforming joy, all about movement and collecting. Luigi's Mansion 3 is slower, more puzzle-oriented, with a stronger emphasis on atmosphere and exploration. If you prefer puzzles over precision jumps, Luigi wins.
- Versus The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom/Breath of the Wild: Zelda offers massive open worlds and deep systems; it's a commitment. Luigi's Mansion 3 is focused and linear, better for players who want a crafted journey rather than a huge sandbox.
- Versus other "cozy" games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley: Those games are about long-term chill, farming, and routines. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a story-driven adventure with a clear beginning and end, but it shares that "comfort game" feeling – just with ghosts and slapstick scares.
- Versus other family-friendly platformers (Kirby, Yoshi): Luigi's Mansion 3 generally offers more complex level design and slightly deeper mechanics, while still being very accessible. It's a great middle ground between kid-friendly and adult-engaging.
- Versus horror games: If you want true horror, jump scares, or M-rated intensity, this isn't it. Luigi's Mansion 3 is "Halloween special" spooky, not "keep the lights on" scary – ideal for players who want the vibe without the nightmares.
In short, Luigi's Mansion 3 doesn't really have a direct competitor on Switch. It occupies a unique space: a polished, mid-length, puzzle-driven adventure with a comedic horror theme and strong co-op support.
Final Verdict
Luigi has spent decades living in Mario's shadow. But in Luigi's Mansion 3, he finally steps into a spotlight made of moonlight, neon hotel signs, and glowing ghosts – and completely owns it.
If you're tired of giant maps, endless checklists, or games that feel like second jobs, this is your antidote. Luigi's Mansion 3 is tightly designed, endlessly charming, and visually impressive, with just enough spooky flair to make it special without shutting out younger or sensitive players.
From its inventive hotel floors and clever Gooigi puzzles to its expressive animation and warm, cartoonish scares, it delivers something surprisingly rare: a game that feels handcrafted – meant to be savored, not binged and forgotten.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The camera occasionally frustrates, some fights can feel a bit samey, and veteran puzzle fans might wish for more difficulty spikes. But those quibbles rarely overshadow the sheer joy of watching Luigi nervously inch through a dark hallway, only to triumphantly slam a ghost into a pile of breakable props while you're grinning at the screen.
If you own a Nintendo Switch and you want a game that you can pick up after work, share with a partner, enjoy with kids, or revisit every October like a favorite movie, Luigi's Mansion 3 absolutely earns a spot on your shelf – and on your home screen.
Turn off the lights, grab your Switch, and let the green guy have his moment. He's been waiting long enough.
