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New Super Luigi U
Final North American box art for New Super Luigi U
North American box cover.
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo EAD
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Wii U
Release date As DLC
Japan June 19, 2013[1]
USA June 20, 2013[2]
Europe June 20, 2013
Australia June 21, 2013[3]
As standalone
Japan July 13, 2013[1]
Europe July 26, 2013[2]
Australia July 27, 2013[3]
USA August 25, 2013
Language(s) Deutsch
English (United Kingdom)
English (United States)
Español (España)
Español (Latinoamérica)
Français (Canada)
Français (France)
Italiano
Nederlands
Português (Portugal)
Русский
日本語
Genre Platformer
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
USK:0 - All ages
Mode(s) Single-player
Multiplayer
Media
Wii U:
Optical disc
Digital download
Input
Wii U:
Wii Remote (horizontal)

New Super Luigi U (stylized as New Super Luigi Bros. U) is an expansion game for New Super Mario Bros. U, released as part of the Year of Luigi, celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Luigi's initial debut. It features Luigi as the main player, with Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, and, notably, Nabbit (who replaces Mario from the original game) playable in multiplayer mode.[2] Although it refers to him, the game does not feature Mario himself at all. The title was first released on the Nintendo eShop on Wii U for region price as downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U; the game must be updated to version 1.3.0 before New Super Luigi U can be accessed in-game, and requires 731.4 MB of memory to be installed. Once downloaded, the prompt to access the Nintendo eShop to download the expansion is replaced with a prompt to go to the main menu for New Super Luigi U. Support for the Wii U Pro Controller is also included in addition to Wii Remote and the GamePad controls in New Super Mario Bros. U. The game was later released at retail as a standalone game for region price, not requiring New Super Mario Bros. U to play. Both games were later released in a compilation known as New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U, initially included exclusively in the Mario & Luigi Wii U Deluxe Set bundle, but later released as a standalone Nintendo Selects disc at a price cheaper than either game individually (the precise price is dependent on the region). This game was also included in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch. The DLC was later removed from the Wii U eShop due to its discontinuation on March 27, 2023, making it no longer possible for players to purchase it. However, players who purchased the DLC before this date can still play it as long as it is on their Wii U device.

Gameplay

 
Comparison of the jump physics in both games.

The gameplay is largely similar to its base game, except that the playable characters retain Luigi's higher jump and lower traction from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. The game has been designed to be more difficult, with each stage starting at only 100 seconds; due to this, however, the courses have also been made shorter than normal while also being packed with enemies and obstacles. While the levels have all been altered from the base game, the world map itself has not been. Elements like items, power-ups, Star Coins, Toad Houses, Enemy Courses, and bosses are retained as such.

The multiplayer of New Super Luigi U is also retained from New Super Mario Bros. U. However, because Mario is not featured in this game, Nabbit is instead used as the fourth playable character. As Nabbit, the player cannot take damage from enemies, but cannot use items; however any items collected are converted to 1-Ups at the end of each stage.

Players can earn power-ups from Toad depending on the time left upon completion of the level. At 088, a Super Star is given; at 077, a Super Acorn; at 066, a Mini Mushroom; 055, an Ice Flower; 044, a Fire Flower; and 033, 022, and 011 a 1-Up Mushroom.

Controls

Stages

Action(s) Wii U GamePad Wii U Pro Controller Wii Remote
Move, swim (Baby Yoshi)   /    
Jump, swim, glide (hold), wall jump, Flutter Jump (Yoshi; hold), double/triple jump (press right upon landing) Option 1:   /  
Option 2:   /  
 
Run, carry objects (hold); shoot fireballs/iceballs, extend tongue (Yoshi) Option 1:   /  
Option 2:   /  
 
Ground Pound (normal, simultaneous*) Jump +   (down) /     +  
Crouch, slide (on slopes)   (down) /    
Climb (on fences, ladders, poles)   (up) /    
Bubble* N/A    
Enter door/Warp Pipe Door:   (up) /  
Pipe:   /   (in direction of entrance)
Door:  
Pipe:   (in direction of entrance)
Spin Jump, Baby Yoshi abilities, dismount Yoshi, Flying Squirrel jump, spin underwater (Baby Yoshi)   (shake) /   /   /   /     /   /   /     (shake)
Grab other players*/frozen enemies Run +   (shake) /   /   /   /  
(release run button to throw)
Run +   /   /   /  
(release run button to throw)
  +   (shake)
(release   to throw)
Tilt Tilt Lifts Tilt GamePad Alternate between pressing   and   Tilt Wii Remote
Pause  
Boost Mode*   N/A

* Multiplayer only.

Map/menus

Action(s) Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller Wii Remote
Move, select option   /    
Open inventory    
View map    
Pause  
Zoom in/out (map view)   /  
Confirm, hide/show Miiverse posts (map view)    
Back    

Characters

Playable

Bosses

Supporting

Enemies

New

Enemy Description First appearance Last appearance
 
Big Eep Cheeps
Larger variants of Eep Cheeps. Cheep Chomp Chase Urchin Reef Romp

Returning

Enemies with an asterisk (*) are enemies that first appeared in New Super Mario Bros. U.

Image Enemy Description First appearance Last appearance
  Banzai Bill Large Bullet Bills that fly straight forward. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle Para-Beetle Parade
  Banzai Bill Cannon Cannons that shoot Banzai Bills. Weighty Waddlewings
  Big Boo Bigger variants of Boos that have the same behavior. Peek-a-Boo Ghost House
  Big Cheep Cheep Large variants of Cheep Cheeps that are found in underwater levels. Cheep Chomp Chase Star Coin Deep Dive
  Big Deep Cheep Large variants of Deep Cheeps that are found in underwater levels. Cheep Chomp Chase
  Big Dry Bones Large variants of Dry Bones that appear in castle levels. Iggy's Swinging-Chains Castle
  Big Fire Piranha Large variants of Fire Piranha Plants. Piranhas in the Dark Rising Piranhas
  Big Fuzzy Large variants of Fuzzies. Frozen Fuzzies Spine Coaster Connections
  Big Koopa Troopa Large variants of Koopa Troopas. Giant Swing-Along
  Big Piranha Plant Large variants of Piranha Plants. Piranha Heights Flame Chomp Ferris Wheel
  Big Pokey Large variants of Pokeys. Morton's Lava-Block Castle
  Big Thwomp Large Thwomps that can break through stone tiles. Wendy's Thwomp Castle
  Big Urchin A gigantic Urchin that can be defeated only with a Star. Urchin Reef Romp
  Big Wiggler Large variants of Wigglers. Wiggler Floodlands
  Bill Blaster Cannons that shoot Bullet Bills. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle Rainbow Skywalk
  Bill Blaster Turret Stacks of Bill Blasters that rotate and shoot Bullet Bills. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle
  Blooper Underwater enemies that move in an erratic pattern. Star Coin Deep Dive
  Bob-omb Bombs that ignite if they are jumped on or have a fireball thrown at them, then explode shortly after. Bowser Jr. Showdown The Final Battle
  Bony Beetle Skeleton variants of Buzzy Beetles that walk around and suddenly stop to stick out their spikes. Icicle Tower Impossible Pendulums
  Boo Ghosts that follow players when their back is turned, but hide their face when they look at them. Peek-a-Boo Ghost House Vanishing Ghost House
  Boomerang Bro Hammer Bros. that use boomerangs, which return to them after being thrown. All Aboard! Above the Bouncy Clouds
  Bowser Stunner* An electric statue that resembles Bowser's head and carries electrical currents. Current Event
  Bramball An enemy that moves around in a set pattern and is mostly covered in spikes, with the head being the only safe part to jump on. It can be forced to move if jumped into from below. Heart of Bramball Woods
  Broozer A walking, boxing Boo. Can break bricks and other blocks that are normally indestructible. A player can defeat it by jumping on it three times, or hitting him with a fireball. Broozers and Barrels
  Bullet Bill Bullets that fly straight forward and are shot from Bill Blasters and Bill Blaster Turrets. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle Rainbow Skywalk
  Burner Constant streams of fire that rotate and are found on airships. Flame-Gear Tower
  Buzzy Beetle Shelled enemies that can be kicked or thrown after being jumped on, and can walk on ceilings. Ice-Slide Expressway
  Cannon Cannons that shoot cannonballs or Bob-ombs. Giant cannons shoot giant cannonballs. Bowser Jr. Showdown
  Cannonball Heavy metal spheres launched by cannons. Bowser Jr. Showdown
  Chain Chomp Enemies tied to posts that lunge at the player. If someone Ground Pounds their post, they are set free. Wiggler Rodeo
  Cheep Cheep Fish that are found swimming aimlessly in underwater levels. Cheep Chomp Chase Star Coin Deep Dive
  Cheep Chomp Large fish that attempt to eat the player(s). Cheep Chomp Chase Star Coin Deep Dive
  Circling Boo Buddies Boos flying in a circle formation. Haunted Cargo Hold Under Construction
  Cooligan An enemy that slides on ice and slows down when hit. Cooligan Shrooms
  Deep Cheep Cheep Cheeps that chase the player(s) as they swim. Cheep Chomp Chase
 
 
Dragoneel* A dragon-like eel that attacks by chasing the player(s). Shorter, purple ones also exist that move slower, but make sharper turns. Dragoneel Depths
(red/purple)
  Dry Bones Skeleton Koopa Troopas that collapse when attacked, but later rebuild themselves. Flame-Gear Tower Stonecrush Tower
  Eep Cheep A Cheep Cheep that swims away when the player comes near it. Mostly appears in schools. Cheep Chomp Chase
  Fire Bar A series of fireballs that spins in a circular motion. Sumo Bro's Spinning Tower Ludwig's Block-Press Castle
  Fire Bro Hammer Bros. that throw fireballs. Piranhas in the Dark Magmaw River Cruise
  Fire Piranha Plant Piranha Plants that aim at the player and shoot fireballs. Slippery Rope Ladders Spine Coaster Stowaways
  Fire Snake Flames that jump in a high arc. Light-Up-Lift Tower
  Fish Bone Skeletal fish that charge towards players. Haunted Cargo Hold Deepsea Stone-Eyes
  Flame Chomp Black spheres that hurl a giant fireball at players, then explode shortly afterward. Flame Chomp Ferris Wheel
  Fliprus* A walrus-like creature that throws snowballs that can be jumped on. Fliprus Floes Hammerswing Hangout
  Foo An enemy that blows fog in order to obscure the player's view. Three-Headed Snake Block
  Frost Piranha* A Piranha Plant that can shoot ice balls from its mouth, like Fire Piranha Plants. Broozers and Barrels
  Fuzzy Enemies that follow tracks and hurt players upon contact, but can be walked on by Yoshi. Mount Fuzzy Cloudy Capers
  Ghost Block A ? Block that floats and charges at the player, breaking if it hits a floor or a platform. Vanishing Ghost House
  Giant cannonball Large variants of cannonballs launched by large cannons. Bowser Jr. Showdown
  Goomba Common enemies that can be defeated by jumping on them. Stonecrush Tower Magmaw River Cruise
  Goombrat* A Goomba that resembles a persimmon and turns at ledges. Wiggler Rodeo Hot Cogs
  Grrrol* A sub-species of Thwomp that roll on the ground. Underground Grrrols Smashing-Stone Tower
  Hammer Bro Enemies that throw hammers and jump. Piranha Gardens All Aboard!
  Hammer Pendulum Hammer-like platforms that swing back and forth on a 180-degree arc. Hammerswing Hangout
  Heavy Para-Beetle A giant Para-Beetle that descends when stood on. Para-Beetle Parade
  Huckit Crab A crab that throws rocks on loop. These balls can be jumped on and used as a temporary platform. Huckit Beach Resort Porcupuffer Cavern
  Huge Fire Bar* A larger version of a Fire Bar. Fire Bar Sprint
  Ice Bro An enemy that throws ice balls at the ground, which can freeze the player and even other enemies. All Aboard! Frozen Fuzzies
  Icicle Icicles that fall when the player gets close underneath. Icicle Tower Wendy's Thwomp Castle
  King Bill A nearly invincible enemy that charges forward, taking up most of the screen. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle Para-Beetle Parade
  Koopa Troopa Turtle enemies that go into their shells when attacked, then can be picked up or thrown. Green Koopa Troopas walk off ledges, while Red Koopa Troopas turn around. Waddlewing Warning!
(green)
Crooked Cavern
(red)
Magmaw River Cruise
(green)
Magma Moat
(red)
  Lakitu Enemies that throw Spiny Eggs. If a player defeats it, they can ride on its cloud until it disappears. Spinning Sandstones Cloudy Capers
  Lava Bubble Fireballs that jump out of lava. Roy's Ironclad Castle Hot Cogs
  Magmaargh Lava monsters that attack by moving towards the player(s) in a wave-like movement. Iggy's Swinging-Chains Castle
  Magmaw Lava monsters that lunges at the player, then dips back into the lava. Magmaw River Cruise The Final Battle
  Mechakoopa A mechanical Koopa. After stomping it, a player can pick it up and use it as a weapon. All Aboard!
  Mecha Hand* A large mechanical hand modeled after Bowser's own hand that attempts to crush the players while they are on board. All Aboard! Bowser Jr. Showdown
  Mega Grrrol* A bigger Grrrol that rolls around. Underground Grrrols Smashing-Stone Tower
  Meteor Rocks that fall slowly and break upon hitting either the ground or a block. Magma Moat Firefall Rising
  Mini Goomba Small Goombas that weigh players down until they either attack or walk for a few seconds. Stonecrush Tower Magmaw River Cruise
  Missile Bill Bullet Bills that target players. Roy's Ironclad Castle
  Monty Mole A mole that pops out of mountains and the ground and gives chase. Rolling Yoshi Hills Stonecrush Tower
  Muncher An invincible black plant. Lemmy's Lights-Out Castle Wiggler Rodeo
  Para-Beetle Winged Buzzy Beetles. A player can hop on their back for a ride, unlike with other winged foes. Para-Beetle Parade
  Parabomb Parachuting Bob-ombs that are sometimes shot out of cannons. Bowser Jr. Showdown Current Event
  Paratroopa Winged Koopa Troopas that either jump in high arcs or fly up and down in the air. Dancing Blocks, Poison Swamp Stonecrush Tower
  Piranha Plant Plants that move in and out of Warp Pipes and some grounded. Waddlewing Warning! Above the Bouncy Clouds
  Piranha Pod* A projectile thrown by a Lakitu that turns into a Piranha Plant. Spinning Sandstones Beanstalk Jungle
  Pokey Living cacti that appear in desert levels and move slowly. Underground Grrrols
  Porcupuffer Fish that jump out of the water and follows the player(s). Porcupuffer Cavern
  Prickly Goomba A Goomba that hides inside a spiked chestnut shell until it is hit with a fireball, which is when it turns into a regular Goomba. Fire and Ice
  River Piranha Plant A stationary Piranha Plant that blows a green spiked ball up and down, similar to a Ptooie. Spinning Sandstones Fliprus Floes
  Skewer Spiked Pillars that move up and down. Shish-Kebab Tower
  Sledge Bro Hammer Bro variants that stun players after they jump. All Aboard!
  Spike A green Koopa which will pull spiked balls out of their mouths, and throw them directly downwards from the ledges on which they stand. Spike's Tumbling Desert Spike's Seesaws
  Spike Top Buzzy Beetle variants that have spikes on their shells, preventing them from being jumped on. Switch-Lift Express
  Spiked ball Spike balls that appear in fortress and castle levels. Spike's Tumbling Desert Spike's Seesaws
  Spinner A large spiked ball on a chain that cannot be defeated. Stone-Snake Tower
(regular)
Impossible Pendulums
(large)
Impossible Pendulums
(regular)
Impossible Pendulums
(large)
  Spiny Enemies that hatch from Spiny Eggs and cannot be jumped on. Cloudy Capers
  Spiny Cheep Cheep Fast-swimming fish that chase players. Haunted Cargo Hold Star Coin Deep Dive
  Stalking Piranha Plant A Piranha Plant that walks around and stretches up and down on a regular basis. Spinning Sandstones Rising Piranhas
  Stone Spike A Spike that throws stone rocks downwards. Stone Spike Conveyors
  Sumo Bro Giant Koopas that stomp the ground and create electric waves in two directions. Sumo Bro Bridge Sumo Bro's Spinning Tower
  Targeting Ted* Red Torpedo Teds that home into their target, much like Missile Bills. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle All Aboard!
  Thwomp Large rocks that fall when someone gets close. Wendy's Thwomp Castle
  Torpedo Base* Red torpedo tubes that fire Targeting Teds instead of Torpedo Teds. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle All Aboard!
  Torpedo Ted A slow-moving torpedo that flies in one direction. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle All Aboard!
  Torpedo tube An indestructible box that fires Torpedo Teds. Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle All Aboard!
  Urchin Stationary enemies that appear in underwater levels. Urchin Reef Romp
  Waddlewing* Orange flying-squirrel enemies that glide through stages. Waddlewing Warning! Flying Squirrel Ovation
  Wiggler Caterpillars that move faster after being jumped on. Wiggler Rodeo

Obstacles

Image Enemy Description First appearance Last appearance
  Cog Gear-like platforms that the player must go under to pass. If they remain under one, they are squished and lose a life. Flame-Gear Tower Hot Cogs
  Current Currents that push the player. Cheep Chomp Chase Star Coin Deep Dive
  Dark Block the player's view. Lemmy's Lights-Out Castle Light-Up-Lift Tower
  Lava Molten rock that can cause the player to instantly lose a life. Morton's Lava-Block Castle The Final Battle
  Lava swell Lava that moves up in waves. Iggy's Swinging-Chains Castle
  Poison A liquid hazard that can cause the player to instantly lose a life. Giant Swing-Along Under Construction
  Quicksand Sand that sinks the player. Spike's Tumbling Desert Spinning Sandstones
  Rising lava Lava that rises up. Current Event
  Sand Geyser Sand that rises up from pits. Spinning Sandstones
  Water Large bodies of harmless liquid that the player(s) can swim through. Cheep Chomp Chase Star Coin Deep Dive
  Water Geyser Water that rises up from pits. Huckit Beach Resort The Great Geysers

Changes

 
The game features changed design and assets

The world map itself is unchanged from New Super Mario Bros. U, but level designs have a drastic makeover. As mentioned above, playable characters and their abilities have changed. The timer for each level is also set to start from 100 seconds and a 100-seconds time bonus is added to the timer after going to the boss door in the towers and castles (150 seconds in All Aboard! and 250 seconds in The Final Battle). Items in red Toad Houses may vary as well. For example, a 1-Up Mushroom is in place of a Super Mushroom. Similarly, Enemy Courses contain only Mini Mushrooms and Propeller Mushrooms, as opposed to only Super Stars. There are no Checkpoint Flags. Many elements of the game are colored green to emphasize Luigi, and all of the levels have a hidden Luigi in a wall or platform (Flying Squirrel Ovation has two).

 
A Mii being used in Flying Squirrel Ovation

After the game is completed, a Luigi Block appears at the beginning of each level. This allows the player to switch to the original game's physics, with lower jumps and better traction. Nabbit is not affected by the block. Nabbit is also playable in single player mode if the player holds down  /  on the  /  or   on the   while selecting a level. If the same trick is done on the Flying Squirrel Ovation level in Superstar Road, the player's Mii is played as instead of Nabbit.

Worlds

Secret IslandAcorn PlainsLayer-Cake DesertSparkling WatersFrosted GlacierSoda JungleRock-Candy MinesMeringue CloudsPeach's Castle 
Click an area to open the relevant article.

There are 82 new courses replacing the original courses from New Super Mario Bros. U with different level names, while the world names are retained.

Worlds
World 1: Acorn Plains World 2: Layer-Cake Desert World 3: Sparkling Waters World 4: Frosted Glacier
       
A grassy world with plenty of shrubs, slanted mountains, and the Acorn Tree. This world is similar to many other first worlds in the Super Mario series. A desert world with various desserts, such as melting ice creams, giant cakes, and a sea of sand with Moai-like statues called Stone-Eyes. A tropical world with multiple islands and bubbling water geysers, similar to World 4 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. This world can be entirely skipped for Frosted Glacier. A snowy world that takes place at night filled with stars and constellations. This world can be entirely skipped for Sparkling Waters.
# Level # Level # Level # Level
1 Waddlewing Warning! 1 Spike's Tumbling Desert 1 Huckit Beach Resort 1 Broozers and Barrels
2 Crooked Cavern 2 Underground Grrrols 2 Urchin Reef Romp 2 Cooligan Shrooms
  Flame-Gear Tower 3 Piranhas in the Dark   Shish-Kebab Tower   Icicle Tower
3 Rolling Yoshi Hills   Wind-Up Tower   Haunted Cargo Hold 3 Fire and Ice
4 Piranha Heights 4 The Walls Have Eyes 3 Waterspout Sprint 4 Weighty Waddlewings
5 Piranha Gardens 5 Stone Spike Conveyors 4 The Great Geysers 5 Ice-Slide Expressway
  Lemmy's Lights-Out Castle 6 Spinning Sandstones 5 Dragoneel Depths   Peek-a-Boo Ghost House
  Cheep Chomp Chase   Morton's Lava-Block Castle   Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle   Wendy's Thwomp Castle
  Slippery Rope Ladders   Beanstalk Jungle   Fliprus Floes
World 5: Soda Jungle World 6: Rock-Candy Mines World 7: Meringue Clouds World 8: Peach's Castle
 
 
     
A rainforest flooded by purple poison, based on the Forest of Illusion from Super Mario World and World 4 from New Super Mario Bros. A mountainous world with tall, pillar-like mountains, similar to Chocolate Island from Super Mario World or World 6 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Several red and blue switches similar to ! Switches appear in this world, and pressing them activates Stretch Blocks with their corresponding color. A sky world resembling the foreground of levels in World 7 from New Super Mario Bros. Two levels take place at sunset, and this world's Castle takes place near the tornado surrounding the next world, as marked by different cloud coloration. A grassland area, similar to World 1 from the previous New Super Mario Bros. games, containing mushroom hills and the castle of the princess. It has been taken over by the Koopa Troop and is slowly transformed into Bowser's image until eventually being surrounded by a tornado. By the time the player reaches the castle grounds, it has been transformed into a lava-based area. Princess Peach's castle remains mostly unchanged on the outside but on the inside it is similar to Bowser's Castle from the previous installments. This world must be completed to beat the game.
# Level # Level # Level # Level
  All Aboard! 1 Mount Fuzzy 1 Frozen Fuzzies 1 Magma Moat
1 Giant Swing-Along 2 Porcupuffer Cavern 2 Wiggler Rodeo 2 Magmaw River Cruise
2 Dancing Blocks, Poison Swamp   Smashing-Stone Tower 3 Rainbow Skywalk 3 Hot Cogs
3 Heart of Bramball Woods 3 Spike's Seesaws   Stonecrush Tower 4 Firefall Rising
  Stone-Snake Tower 4 Light-Up-Lift Tower   Vanishing Ghost House   Current Event
  Boo's Favorite Haunt 5 Rising Piranhas 4 Above the Bouncy Clouds  2 The Final Battle
4 Painted Pipeworks 6 Spine Coaster Stowaways 5 Flame Chomp Ferris Wheel
5 Deepsea Stone-Eyes   Sumo Bro's Spinning Tower 6 Three-Headed Snake Block
6 Sumo Bro Bridge 7 Switch-Lift Express   Ludwig's Block-Press Castle
7 Wiggler Floodlands   Roy's Ironclad Castle   Bowser Jr. Showdown
  Iggy's Swinging-Chains Castle
  Para-Beetle Parade
World 9: Superstar Road Secret Island
   
A secret world unlocked after beating Bowser's final battle. Its levels must be unlocked with the Star Coins collected from all the levels of the previous worlds. A small area between Acorn Plains and Sparkling Waters that houses a Purple Toad House. It must be unlocked as the same way as Superstar Road.
# Level
1 Spine Coaster Connections
2 P Switch Peril
3 Star Coin Deep Dive
4 Hammerswing Hangout
5 Under Construction
6 Fire Bar Sprint
7 Cloudy Capers
8 Impossible Pendulums
9 Flying Squirrel Ovation

Power-ups and transformations

Small Luigi
(starting form)
Super Luigi
(  required)
Flying Squirrel Luigi
(  required)
Fire Luigi
(  required)
Ice Luigi
(  required)
Mini Luigi
(  required)
Invincible Luigi
(  required)
P Flying Squirrel Luigi
(  required)
Propeller Luigi
(  required)
Penguin Luigi
(  required)

Luigi sightings

 
A jumping Luigi silhouette can be seen on the third column in Rolling Yoshi Hills
Main article: List of Luigi sightings in New Super Luigi U

In every level within New Super Luigi U there is one Luigi image hidden somewhere within the level. There are a total of 83 Luigi sightings, a reference to Luigi's debut year. These images range from 8-bit Super Mario Bros.-esque to his various artworks throughout the series. The way these Luigis are placed in the level ranges from being in the open to being a background detail.

Staff

Main article: List of New Super Luigi U staff

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:New Super Luigi U.

Development

During the development process of both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Mario Bros. 2, the developers began to think of ideas for downloadable content for the two games. Both teams thought of expanding the secondary modes, New Super Mario Bros. 2 being Coin Rush, and New Super Mario Bros. U expanding on Boost Rush; in the end it was decided that 2 would be the game to receive content first, since it was being released first. However, during the development of the Coin Rush courses the team decided to scrap the idea of additional Boost Rush course packs and began to think of other ideas. The team then began experimenting with the idea of shorter but more difficult courses to replace the ones in the original game.[4]

Originally, the downloadable content was being made with Mario in mind. However, when the Year of Luigi came up during a meeting, it was decided that Luigi would be the focus instead.[5] When it was decided to make Luigi the main character, the developers also decided that Mario would be kept out of the game. When deciding on a new fourth playable character, the original idea was to use three Toads, but when testing this it was deemed too confusing; the idea to use Nabbit as the fourth character then came up, reusing his ability to pass by enemies; around that time, the team had also been talking about adding something for beginners, and the idea to use Nabbit was kept.[6]

Reception

New Super Luigi U was mostly received positively by critics. The game holds a 77 average on Metacritic based on 59 reviews[7], and a 75.92% on GameRankings based on 36 reviews[8]. GameSpot's Peter Brown gave it an 8.5/10, stating, "Though the world map, themes, power-ups, and visual assets are 'old,' Luigi's physics and the level design at large rise to the top."[9] Chris Carter of Destructoid gave the game an 8/10. He praises the game's design, stating that, "There are a lot of new concepts and designs this time around, and even if a large portion of them are re-used assets, they're remixed in a way that makes its own mark on the franchise."[10] Vince Ingenito of IGN gave the downloadable content a 7.3/10, citing that, "Its smaller levels, restrictive time limit, and floaty physics work well as a challenge mode add-on to an already terrific game," but criticizing that it, "[it] still feels more like an addendum to NSMBU [...] rather than something that stands out on its own."[11]

Conversely, Chris Shilling of Eurogamer gave the content a 6/10, criticizing that, "It's not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination: the level design is still a cut above so many of Nintendo's peers. But by the series' consistently high standards, it qualifies as a disappointment."[12]. Edge also gave the game a 6, criticizing the game's stages by saying, "the quality of the level design is mixed: some stages feel claustrophobic yet others are surprisingly baggy, and few are considerate enough to accommodate four players." The writer goes on to say that, "At its best, New Super Luigi U is an exhilarating test of skill," but also criticizes the game by saying that, "on occasion it dangerously approximates a fan-made ROM hack," in the end saying that, "Some will undoubtedly find its challenge inviting, but others will rightly expect more ingenuity from Nintendo than this."[13] GamesRadar writer Henry Gilbert, giving the game 3/5 stars, also says that, "If you’re ready for the heightened difficulty of solo play in New Super Luigi U, then you’ll find it rewarding. Otherwise, it’s a taxing platformer that’s only made more rage-inducing in multiplayer."[14]

Reviews
Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Chris Carter, Destructoid 8/10 "If you loved New Super Mario Bros. U., getting Luigi U is a no-brainer, as it features a collection of superior levels and an interesting re-work of Luigi as a character. If you weren't crazy about the game however, you may want to wait a bit. For those of you who have some patience, the game is launching later on in July and August (EU and US respectively) as a full standalone retail disc for $10 more that will not require the core game."
Chris Schilling, Eurogamer 6/10 "What's most surprising about New Super Luigi U is that Nintendo has already proven it can transform a game through DLC. New Super Mario Bros. 2's downloadable challenge packs made a slightly lacklustre Mario game that much better, offering smart, creative twists on existing ideas. This, by comparison, just feels like an expansion pack, offering shorter, harder levels and nothing else. It's not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination: the level design is still a cut above so many of Nintendo's peers. But by the series' consistently high standards, it qualifies as a disappointment."
Vince Ingenito, IGN 7.3/10 "New Super Luigi U is the chance the taller brother has waited for since being relegated to “player 2” status so many years ago. Its smaller levels, restrictive time limit, and floaty physics work well as a challenge mode add-on to an already terrific game. But as fun as it often is, this still feels more like an addendum to NSMBU – a remix, rather than something new that stands on its own."
Peter Brown, GameSpot 8.5/10 "Nintendo has done a good job of creating a "new" experience out of old rags. You're still on a quest to rescue Princess Peach, and the same old Mario mechanics persist, but the challenges along the way feel different. Never have levels been this short, nor the emphasis on perfection so explicit, and these elements work in New Super Luigi U's favor. You don't need to be an expert player to save the princess, but there's room for advanced play in speed-running levels, collecting star coins, and, ultimately, tackling the legendary Rainbow Road. It can be a challenging game if you elect it to be, but it's accessible to a wide range of skill levels. The story is a compulsory component devoid of originality--unless Mario's not only missing but actually dead--and the lack of new power-ups or themes is disappointing, but underneath it all is a positively twisted take on the Mario Bros. formula, and it's an excellent add-on to New Super Mario Bros U."
Thomas Whitehead, Nintendo Life 8/10 "New Super Luigi U is a terrific title for capable platform gamers, with intense and exciting bursts of momentum to put those thumbs to the test. What that does do, however, is make multiplayer even more awkward than before, and possibly puts the title beyond the reach of less experienced gamers, even with the indestructible Nabbit. The sense of the old is thankfully tempered by a fresh feel and clever level design, however, and even if the adventure won't last long for those without completionist instincts, it's fun while it lasts."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 77
GameRankings 75.92%

Sales

As of September 30, 2021, New Super Luigi U is the 8th best selling game for the Wii U, having sold 3.07 million copies worldwide.[15]

References to other games

References in later games

Trivia

 
Mario's cap seen on Peach's table
 
The Luigi pin
  • Even though Nabbit helps Luigi in multiplayer mode, Nabbit still steals items from the Toad Houses, and the players will have to catch him. It will not work when Nabbit is playing in Co-op mode, and in single-player mode if the player does the trick to play as Nabbit in the level where Nabbit went, the player will still continue playing as Luigi.
  • An in-game time unit in New Super Luigi U is 1 second, while in New Super Mario Bros. U, an in-game time unit lasts only 0.75 seconds.
  • New Super Luigi U is the only game in which Luigi appears, but Mario does not. However, Mario is referenced in the game in three ways; in the intro, in which his hat is on the table, in the level Broozers and Barrels, which features a Mario-based snowman at the beginning, and on the Luigi Block, which has Mario's emblem on it.
  • US and Canada Club Nintendo members who purchased New Super Luigi U from the Nintendo eShop by August 1, 2013 and completed the surveys within four weeks after downloading could receive double the amount of coins (for a total of 40 coins) compared to the original amount (20 coins). They also had a chance to win 1 of 980 Luigi pins.[16]

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese Newニュー スーパールイージ U
Nyū Sūpā Ruīji Yū
New Super Luigi U

Chinese (simplified) New 超级路易吉U
New Chāojí Lùyìjí U
New Super Luigi U; as labeled in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

Chinese (traditional) New 超級路易吉U
New Chāojí Lùyìjí U
New Super Luigi U; as labeled in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

Korean 뉴 슈퍼 루이지 U
Nyu Syupeo Ruiji U
New Super Luigi U; as labeled in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

External links

References