For decades, Luigi has occupied a familiar space in Nintendo’s lineup: consistently present, rarely centered, and often defined in contrast to Mario. That dynamic largely carried into the Nintendo Switch era, where Luigi appeared in nearly every major Mario release while only occasionally stepping into a leading role. As the Switch 2 generation begins in 2026, Luigi’s footprint across Nintendo’s platforms is larger than ever, even if true solo outings remain rare.
In total, 19 games available on Switch and Switch 2 allow players to control Luigi in some form. While the majority of these titles position him as a selectable character rather than the narrative focus, the sheer volume reflects Nintendo’s continued reliance on Luigi as a core part of the Mario ecosystem.
Games Where Luigi Takes the Lead
Luigi’s most prominent appearances on Switch come from the Luigi’s Mansion series, which remains the only franchise where he is consistently the sole protagonist. Luigi’s Mansion 3, released in 2019, marked his first starring role on the platform. Set inside a sprawling haunted hotel, the game leaned into Luigi’s established personality as a reluctant hero, pairing light puzzle-solving with ghost-hunting mechanics built around the Poltergust G-00. The title was well received and became one of the Switch’s notable single-player experiences.
That success was followed by Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD in 2024, a high-definition remake of the Nintendo 3DS game originally known as Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. The remaster brought Luigi’s second ghost-hunting adventure to modern hardware, retaining its structure of multiple haunted locations while refining visuals and controls for Switch players.
Luigi also shares equal billing in Mario & Luigi: Brothership, released in 2024. While not a Luigi-exclusive title, the RPG places both brothers on even footing, with cooperative mechanics and puzzle-solving that rely on their distinct abilities. It marked the return of the Mario & Luigi series after a decade-long absence and re-established Luigi as more than just a secondary playable option.
Luigi as a Core Playable Character
Outside of his starring roles, Luigi appears across nearly every major Mario franchise on Switch. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the first Switch title to feature Luigi, where he functions as a balanced middleweight racer. He later returned in Mario Kart World, a Switch 2-exclusive entry that expanded races to 24 players per track and positioned Luigi among a much larger roster.
Luigi is also a mainstay in Mario’s sports and party games. He is playable in Mario Tennis Aces, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Mario Strikers: Battle League Football, Super Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars, and Super Mario Party Jamboree. In these games, Luigi is typically designed as an all-around character with no extreme strengths or weaknesses, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable but understated option.
In platformers, Luigi appears in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Super Mario Maker 2, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. His traditional traits, such as a higher jump and reduced traction, are preserved in some titles, while others treat him as a purely cosmetic alternative to Mario.
Luigi also maintains a consistent presence in crossover and competitive titles. He is an unlockable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he remains one of the few characters to appear in every entry in the series. He also features prominently in Ubisoft’s tactical RPGs Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, where his long-range combat style differentiates him from other party members.
Luigi’s Standing Going Into Switch 2
Despite appearing in nearly 20 games, Luigi’s role on Switch highlights a familiar pattern. Nintendo continues to rely on him heavily as a playable character while rarely positioning him as the primary draw. The Luigi’s Mansion series remains the exception rather than the rule, and there has been no announcement of a new standalone Luigi title following Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD.
That said, Luigi’s consistent inclusion across platformers, party games, racers, and RPGs ensures that he remains one of Nintendo’s most visible characters. As Switch 2 establishes its own library, Luigi is almost certain to continue appearing alongside Mario, even if his chances at another solo spotlight remain uncertain.
Source: Nintendo
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
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Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Luigi games are available on Nintendo Switch in 2026?
There are 19 games on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 that feature Luigi as a playable character.
Which games star Luigi as the main character?
Luigi is the main protagonist in Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD.
Is Mario & Luigi: Brothership a Luigi-only game?
No. Mario & Luigi: Brothership features both Mario and Luigi as co-leads with shared gameplay mechanics.
Does Luigi play differently from Mario in Switch games?
In some games, such as Super Mario 3D World and New Super Luigi U, Luigi has a higher jump and lower traction. In others, like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, he plays identically to Mario.
Is there a new Luigi game announced for Switch 2?
As of 2026, Nintendo has not announced a new standalone Luigi game beyond existing Switch and Switch 2 releases.
