TL;DR: Luigi's Mansion 3 is the rare "spooky" game that won't give your seven-year-old nightmares but will keep your twelve-year-old engaged. It’s a puzzle-heavy adventure on the Nintendo Switch that solves the "older sibling vs. younger sibling" gaming conflict through a genius mechanic called Gooigi. It’s safe, offline-focused, and contains zero "brain rot" or predatory microtransactions.
Check out our full ranking of the best Nintendo Switch games for families
If you grew up with Mario, you know the drill: Mario is the hero, Luigi is the "Player 2" who is basically just Mario in a green hat. But the Luigi’s Mansion series flips that. In this third installment, the whole gang—Mario, Peach, and three Toads—gets invited to a luxury hotel called "The Last Resort."
Spoiler alert: The hotel is haunted, King Boo is back, and everyone gets trapped in picture frames. Luigi, who is canonically a "scaredy-cat" (relatable), has to vacuum up ghosts using the Poltergust G-00 to save them.
Think of it as Ghostbusters meets Home Alone with the physical comedy of a Pixar movie. It’s less about "killing" enemies and more about using a vacuum to solve environmental puzzles, find hidden gems, and slam goofy ghosts into the floor.
The game is structured floor-by-floor. One floor might be a pirate-themed restaurant, another is a movie studio, and another is a botanical garden. This "themed floor" approach keeps the game from feeling repetitive and gives kids a natural "stopping point" when it’s time to turn off the screen.
But the real reason this game is a staple in intentional households is Gooigi.
The "Gooigi" Factor: Sibling Harmony 101
About an hour into the game, Luigi unlocks a doppelgänger made of green goo. In single-player mode, one person toggles between them. But in co-op mode, a second player takes control of Gooigi.
Here is why this is a parenting win:
- Low Stakes for Younger Kids: Gooigi has less health than Luigi, but if he "dies," he just melts and comes back a few seconds later. There’s no "Game Over" screen caused by the second player.
- True Collaboration: Many puzzles require both characters. Gooigi can walk through spikes and pipes that Luigi can't, while Luigi has to handle the water (which melts Gooigi).
- No Screen Splitting: Both players are on the same screen, which prevents that dizzying "split-screen" headache parents often get when trying to help.
If you have an older child who is a "pro" and a younger child who just wants to be involved, playing Luigi’s Mansion 3 in co-op is significantly more productive than the chaos of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Ask our chatbot about other great co-op games for siblings with an age gap
Recommended Ages: 7+
While the ESRB rating is "E for Everyone," there are a few things to keep in mind regarding your specific kid’s temperament.
The "Spooky" Factor
Is it scary? For most kids, no. It’s "slapstick spooky." The ghosts are colorful, they make funny noises, and Luigi’s over-the-top reactions (teeth chattering, knees knocking) usually make kids laugh rather than cringe. However, if you have a particularly sensitive 5 or 6-year-old who is afraid of the dark or "monsters under the bed," some of the boss ghosts might feel a bit much.
The Difficulty Curve
This is not a "mindless" game. It’s a puzzle game. Some of the bosses require specific strategies that aren't immediately obvious. You might hear "Mom, I don't know what to do!" more often than you would with Super Mario Odyssey.
Reading Requirements
There is some text-based dialogue, especially from Professor E. Gadd (the scientist who helps you). If your child isn't reading fluently yet, you’ll need to be nearby to explain the mission objectives.
From a "Digital Wellness" perspective, Luigi's Mansion 3 is a breath of fresh air compared to the "free-to-play" traps found in Roblox or Fortnite.
- No Microtransactions: You buy the game, you own the game. There are no "Skins" to buy or "Gems" to replenish. There is a small paid DLC for extra multiplayer mini-games, but it's entirely optional and clearly labeled.
- Offline Play: The main story is entirely offline. No strangers, no chat rooms, no toxic "Ohio" memes being screamed into a headset.
- Multiplayer Modes: There are online modes like "ScreamPark" and "ScareScraper," but they are structured and don't involve open-ended social interaction in the way Discord or Minecraft servers do.
Learn more about the difference between offline and online gaming safety
If your kid is currently obsessed with the game, use it as a bridge to talk about problem-solving and persistence.
You can ask:
- "That boss was tricky! What did you have to change about your strategy to finally beat it?"
- "I noticed you and your brother had to coordinate your moves to get past those spikes. How did you decide who was going to do what?"
- "Luigi is obviously terrified, but he keeps going anyway. What do you think that says about being brave?"
It’s a great way to reinforce that being "brave" isn't the absence of fear—it's doing the thing even when you're shaking in your boots.
If your family finishes Luigi's Mansion 3 and is looking for the next "vibe," check these out:
- Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: A remastered version of the second game. It’s a bit more mission-based but offers the same charm.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder: For more Nintendo polish and creative level design that feels fresh.
- Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed: For older kids (10+) who want a slightly more "realistic" ghost-hunting experience.
- Princess Peach: Showtime!: Another great "first" action-adventure game with a focus on different "roles" and costumes.
Luigi's Mansion 3 is a "gold standard" game for intentional parents. It rewards curiosity, encourages genuine cooperation between siblings, and provides a high-quality, polished experience that justifies the price tag. It’s one of the few games where "screen time" feels less like a drain on the brain and more like a logic workout wrapped in a ghost story.
If you’re looking for a game that will actually bring your kids together on the couch instead of sending them into separate corners of the house, this is the one.
Check your family's Screenwise dashboard to see how this game fits into your community's habits