Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

Game review by Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Light scares, clever puzzles make for a fun adventure.

Nintendo 3DS 2013
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 15 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a lightly scary action game filled with lots of challenging contextual puzzles. Colorful ghosts that pop out of objects in the environment and chase Luigi around could give younger players a mild fright. There's very little violence, though. Players spend most of their time exploring and trying to noodle out solutions to tricky conundrums. When Luigi is attacked by bugs, ghosts, and bats he generally just sucks them up with his vacuum. There is an online mode that allows kids to play with strangers online, but the only way they can communicate is through four safe, pre-configured text phrases.

Community Reviews

Coop816
Coop816 Adult
November 18, 2015
age 7+

Fun

This is a game that my son has spent quite a bit of time playing and he has really enjoyed it. He would occasionally get scared at certain parts of the game but never actually frightened or to the point of really being afraid; I think just mode anticipation of going into certain areas, etc. This is a cute game with known Mario characters and I would recommend it overall.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
athlon32
athlon32 Adult
July 5, 2013
age 7+

A Christian Review

I am Christian, and I let my son play this game. He is ten. I bought it with lots of worries, but I watched him play, and found nothing wrong with it. The ghosts aren't Demons from hell. They're just little spooks. They're like creatures, that just so happen to be called Ghosts. It's far different from something like Ghostbusters. In the long run, it's similar to Pokemon. And Luigi doesn't have to go into a Haunted Mansion, but he does for the sake of his brother. You help him do it. I highly recommend it.

This title has:

Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

After standing in Mario's shadow for 12 years, Nintendo's green-capped super bro has finally emerged to star in LUIGI'S MANSION: DARK MOON, a sequel to his only previous solo adventure. Professor E. Gadd has lost control of his ghostly research subjects and needs help from the young plumber to pacify his poltergeists. He sends the trembling Luigi into several different haunted mansions on a series of quests that involve recovering gadgets, ridding rooms of various infestations, and tracking down particularly impish spirits. These tasks are all part of Luigi's grander goal to reconstruct the titular Dark Moon, an object with the power to make phantoms behave nicely. Players employ various gizmos to scour the mansions' rooms for clues, mission items, and treasure, stopping now and then to use the Ghostbusters-ish PolterGust 5000 to hoover up any specters foolish enough to show their ghostly faces. Expect fun exploration, some challenging puzzles, plenty of action, and a few mild scares.

Is It Any Good?

There's loads to love about Luigi's second solo outing. The game's world is bursting with personality and is just begging to be explored. And the fun puzzles contained within -- such as figuring out how to burn away cobwebs or engage two pressure plates at once to start a motor -- are always fair and make sense within the context of the situation. Plus, sucking up ghosts -- a bit like reeling in a fish, ending with a rubbery popping sound -- can be quite satisfying. However, the most endearing part of it all is Luigi himself. Timid but lovable, you can't help but root for Mario's little brother as he tiptoes around dark rooms. He even occasionally hums along to the game's score to work up a little courage. He's adorable.

The only thing that puts a damper on the experience is an interface that proves occasionally irksome. Without a second analog joystick to control the camera or help with aiming, players may end up a little frustrated. Still, it's no deal breaker. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a blast, and quite unlike anything else on Nintendo's handheld.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about fear and courage. What sorts of things make you afraid? How do you deal with that fear? Is it possible to be brave if you don't first feel fear?

  • Families can also discuss why Mario games are so popular.

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love Mario and 3DS games

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