Luigi

This article is about the Nintendo character. For other people named Luigi, see Luigi (given name). For other uses, see Luigi (disambiguation).

Luigi
Mario character
2D art of a cartoon plumber with a mustache, a large round nose, a green cap with the letter L, a green shirt, indigo overalls, and brown shoes.
Promotional art by Shigehisa Nakaue (2017)
First gameMario Bros. (Game & Watch) (1983)
Created byShigeru Miyamoto
Designed byShigeru Miyamoto
Yōichi Kotabe
Voiced byCharles Martinet (1992–2023)[1]
Kevin Afghani (2023–present)
Others:
Portrayed byDanny Wells (The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!)
John Leguizamo (Super Mario Bros.)
In-universe information
FamilyMario (Brother)
NationalityItalian (games)
Italian-American (other media)

Luigi (Japanese: ルイージ; /luˈiːdʒi/) is a character created by video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Part of Nintendo's Mario franchise, he is a kind-hearted, cowardly Italian plumber, and the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario. Like his brother, Luigi's distinctive characteristics include his large nose and mustache, overalls, green hat, and high-pitched, exaggerated Italian accent.

Luigi first appeared in Mario Bros., a 1983 platform game, in which he was originally designed as a palette swap of Mario with a green color scheme; Luigi has since appeared in multiple games and other media throughout the Mario franchise, in which developed a personality and style of his own. As his role in the Mario franchise progressed, Luigi evolved into a physically distinct character, and become the main protagonist of Mario is Missing! and the Luigi's Mansion series. Charles Martinet voiced Luigi from 1992 to 2023, when he was succeeded by Kevin Afghani.

Luigi has appeared in over 200 video games. These include puzzle games such as Dr. Luigi, role-playing games such as Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, and sports games such as Mario Kart and Mario Tennis. Luigi has also appeared in other Nintendo properties, such as the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games. From March 2013 to March 2014, Nintendo called the period the Year of Luigi to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the character's existence. Correspondingly, games released in 2013 emphasized Luigi. An unlockable Luigi-themed version of Mario Bros., titled Luigi Bros., was also included with Super Mario 3D World.

Luigi's likeness has been featured in merchandise based on the Mario series, as well as comic books and television shows such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, in which he was portrayed by Danny Wells. He was also portrayed by John Leguizamo in the live-action film Super Mario Bros. (1993) and voiced by Charlie Day in the animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).

  1. ^ "Interview with the Voice of Mario". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 14, 2004. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Mario Is Missing!". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Super Mario Bros. Movie - Audio Poster Pack". YouTube. November 2, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "Hotel Mario". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2023 film was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "News Release : Nov. 30, 2022 "Illumination and Nintendo Announce Second Trailer and the Japanese voice cast for The Super Mario Bros. Movie"". Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.