09. LUIGI

Franchise / home series: Super Mario / Luigi’s Mansion

Notable non-Smash games: Super Mario Bros. (1985); Luigi’s Mansion (2001); Luigi’s Mansion 3 (2019)

Luigi has been playable in every Smash entry, representing both his role as Mario’s brother and his own spooky-adventure spin-off series. Often depicted as nervous yet brave, Luigi’s personality shines through in his animations, taunts, and quirky moves, distinguishing him from his more straightforward sibling.

In gameplay, Luigi takes the base template of Mario and twists it toward a more awkward, combo-oriented style. He has higher jumps, lower traction (causing him to slide), and a different set of special moves, including the Green Missile and a highly rewarding Super Jump Punch with sweetspot KO power. Across the series, Luigi has developed a reputation for explosive grab-based combos and powerful punish options, especially in games where his throw and aerial strings are particularly effective.

His design and animations increasingly reference the Luigi’s Mansion titles, with more expressive fear reactions and ghost-hunting flavor in later games. Luigi serves as both a humorous and serious competitor, offering a distinct, offbeat alternative to Mario while showcasing how Smash can reinterpret “clone” characters into unique, fully realized fighters.