Is it too scary for a 6-year-old?

It depends on the kid, but generally no. The ghosts are goofy and colorful, and Luigi’s slapstick reactions usually turn tension into a laugh. If they can handle a Disney villain, they can handle this.

Can two people play together?

There is a multiplayer mode called 'Scarescraper' for up to four players (local or online), but the main story mode is strictly a solo experience. If you're looking for co-op story play, Luigi's Mansion 3 is a better bet.

Is there a lot of reading involved?

Yes. Professor E. Gadd talks a lot via text boxes to explain missions and mechanics. While a non-reader could fumble through the gameplay, they'll miss the instructions and the humor without a parent reading along.

Does it require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription?

Only if you want to play the multiplayer 'Scarescraper' mode online. The entire main campaign is offline and requires no subscription or internet connection.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2024

87%

WISE Score

70%

IGDB

Luigi’s back to being a terrified janitor in this HD glow-up of the 3DS classic—perfectly spooky without the nightmares.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

game

2024

87%

WISE Score

70%

IGDB

Luigi’s back to being a terrified janitor in this HD glow-up of the 3DS classic—perfectly spooky without the nightmares.

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Where to Play

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a polished, safe, and genuinely funny adventure that proves Mario's brother is often the more interesting protagonist. While it's a remaster of an older title, the updated visuals look great on the Switch, and the gameplay holds up as a premier example of Nintendo's 'all-ages' magic.

It’s a perfect 'gateway' game for kids who want a little tension without the trauma of actual horror. The mission-based design is the real hero for parents; it provides natural stopping points every 15–20 minutes, making it one of the easiest games to manage in a busy household.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7 and up. The puzzles require some reading and logical deduction that might stump younger kids, but the 'spooky' factor is very mild—think Scooby-Doo vibes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Luigi is the ultimate relatable hero—he's terrified but does the right thing anyway. The tone is comical and lighthearted, modeling persistence and problem-solving without the typical 'action hero' aggression.

Imaginative

The puzzle design is top-tier Nintendo, requiring kids to look at environments in 3D and use tools like the Dark-Light and Poltergust in creative ways to find secrets.

Safe

No microtransactions, no ads, and no online chat. The 'violence' is cartoonish vacuuming of ghosts who become peaceful once captured. It's safe as a locked room.

Enriching

Excellent for developing spatial reasoning and deductive logic. The mission-based structure also encourages goal-setting and completionism.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Bite-sized missions make it incredibly easy to enforce 'one more level' screen time limits compared to open-world games.
Luigi's personality is the draw; he hums along to the music to calm his nerves, teaching kids it's okay to be scared while being brave.
Clever puzzles that reward curiosity and poking at every piece of furniture in the room.
Zero-stress combat—if you can call it that—focuses on timing and rhythm rather than twitchy reflex violence.

⚠

What to Watch For

The $60 price tag is steep for what is essentially a visual remaster of a 2013 handheld game; check if your kid hasn't already played it on 3DS.
The mission structure means players are yanked out of the mansion back to the lab frequently, which can feel repetitive and break the 'flow' for older players.
Some boss fights can be surprisingly tricky and might require a 'parent assist' to avoid frustration.

Conversation Starters

"How does Luigi show he's brave even when he's clearly shaking with fear?"
"Which mansion had the trickiest puzzles to figure out?"
"If you had a vacuum that could suck up anything, what chores would you do with it?"
"Do you think the ghosts are actually mean, or just misunderstood?"

Deep Dive

The 'Middle Child' of the Series

Luigi's Mansion 2 (originally subtitled Dark Moon) occupies a weird spot in Nintendo history. It moved away from the single-mansion format of the original GameCube classic and introduced a mission-based structure. For some, this was a step back, but for a family audience, it's actually a secret weapon. Because Professor E. Gadd pulls Luigi out of the mansion after every objective, you have a built-in 'save and quit' point that prevents the 'just five more minutes' cycle from turning into an hour.

Puzzles Over Platforming

Unlike a Mario game, this isn't about jumping or precision. It's about observation. You're using the Poltergust 5000 to peel back wallpaper, blow on ceiling fans, and reveal invisible objects with the Dark-Light. It rewards the kind of kid who likes to take things apart to see how they work. It's essentially a series of 'escape rooms' where the ghosts are just another puzzle element to solve.

Is it better than Luigi's Mansion 3?

Honestly? No. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a masterpiece of modern game design with better physics and a more cohesive world. However, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is still an 'A' grade game. If your kid has already finished the third one and wants more, this is a no-brainer. If they haven't played either, start with the third one—but keep this in your back pocket for the next holiday break. It’s charming, safe, and uniquely Nintendo.

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