Hello? Mario? (Luigi's Mansion (GC))

Member Name: SimonFinnigan

Product:	Luigi's Mansion (GC)
Date:	11/06/02 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good graphics

Disadvantages: Weird controls, Far too short

What is this? A new Nintendo console being released without a new Mario game? What do they think they are playing at?

I was quite surprised by Nintendo`s decision not to release the new Mario game until a few months after the GameCube was released, but it has appeared on the horizon and will be with us shortly. Until then if you want Mario style action it`s tough, because Luigi`s mansion doesn`t offer the normal Mario style of gameplay.

The basic plot of the game is that Luigi has won a haunted mansion in a raffle, and Mario has gone on ahead. When Luigi gets to the mansion he is attacked by ghosts, and ends up becoming a ghostbuster to try and empty the ghosts from his mansion. This means no jumping and more ghostbusting then has ever been seen before by the Mario brothers.

The graphics in the games are very impressive, but that is only to be expected when it comes to a Gamecube game. The sound is acceptable, but nothing special. The controls are very weird however - it took me an hour or so to really get into using them properly and being able to catch ghosts easily. There is a little tutorial and the game does lead you in gently, so it isn`t as bad as it could have been.

The biggest problem with the game, far worse than the small problem with the unconventional controls, is the length of the game. It took me about 5 hours to finish it the first time because I was taking my time, but when I went back to do it again it took me 2 hours to finish the mansion. Fortunately once you finish the first mansion it unlocks a second mansion for you, which is a bit more difficult than the first.

Having said that the game is still very short and easy, and not really worth the asking price unless you`ve got kids who would enjoy it. I enjoyed playing the game but £35 for 5 hours fun is a bit too steep.

Summary: