Luigi

Luigi (Japanese: ルイージ, Hepburn: Ruīji, pronounced [ɾɯ.iːʑi]; English: /luˈiːdʒi/ loo-EE-jee, Italian: [luˈiːdʒi]) is a fictional character featured in video games and related media released by Nintendo. Created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi is portrayed as the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario, Nintendo's mascot. Luigi appears in many games throughout the Mario franchise, oftentimes accompanying his brother.

Luigi first appeared in the 1983 Game & Watch game Mario Bros., where he is the character controlled by the second player. He would retain this role in many future games, including Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, among other titles. He was first available as a primary character in Super Mario Bros. 2. In more recent appearances, Luigi's role became increasingly restricted to spinoffs, such as the Mario Party and Mario Kart series; however, he has been featured in a starring role in Luigi's Hammer Toss, Mario is Missing, Luigi's Mansion, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Dr. Luigi, New Super Luigi U, Luigi's Mansion Arcade, and Luigi's Mansion 3. In most of said games, he is called upon to act as the hero because Mario is in need of rescue. Luigi has also appeared in every episode of the three DiC TV series based on the NES and Super NES games.

Originally developed as a palette swap of Mario with a green color scheme instead of red, Luigi has since developed a personality and style of his own. As his role in the Mario series progressed, Luigi evolved into a physically distinct character, and was made taller and thinner than his brother. Nintendo called the period of March 2013 to March 2014 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.