Luigi’s Mansion (2001) Haunts Switch 2’s Classics Library — Here’s the Real Story

A GameCube Classic Returns Right on Cue for Halloween

This caught my attention because Luigi’s Mansion isn’t just another retro drop-it’s one of Nintendo’s most distinctive experiments. Nintendo is bringing the original 2001 GameCube version to the Switch 2’s Classics lineup on October 30 via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. That timing is no accident: it’s a moody, bite-sized haunt that basically feels engineered for a late-night Halloween session. Importantly, this is the GameCube original, not the 3DS remake. That matters more than you’d think.

• It’s the 2001 GameCube version, which means original atmosphere and pacing, not the 3DS remake’s changes.
• Available through the Switch Online Expansion Pack-no mention of a standalone purchase.
• Expect modern emulator comforts (save states, rewind, button remapping) if Nintendo follows its usual playbook.
• Controls and aspect ratio are the big question marks: the GameCube used analog triggers and 4:3 presentation.

Breaking Down the Announcement

Nintendo is slotting Luigi’s Mansion into the Switch 2’s Classics library on October 30, which keeps the Halloween tradition alive without another full-price remaster. If you’ve never played the original, it’s less “Mario platformer” and more slow-burn ghost hunting: a compact, cleverly looping mansion, puzzle-forward ghost encounters, and Luigi humming to himself while his flashlight and vacuum define the rhythm. It’s six to eight hours of tightly wound level design, portrait ghosts with personality, and a memorable showdown with King Boo. The original lighting and sound design still carry the vibe.

For anyone who came in with Luigi’s Mansion 3, this first entry is leaner and stranger. There’s no hotel level-hopping or Gooigi gimmicks-just a single, steadily evolving mansion and clever use of the Game Boy Horror to scan clues. That focus is why fans still champion it.

What This Changes (and What It Doesn’t)

The headline win is access. Nintendo could’ve sold a separate remaster (again), but putting the GameCube original in the subscription library makes it easy for new players to see where the series started. If Nintendo’s GameCube emulator follows what we’ve seen from its other Classics apps, you should expect save states, rewind, rumble, and display options. That’s great for a game with boss patterns that reward experimentation.

Two caveats. First, controls. The GameCube’s analog triggers gave you nuanced suction strength on the Poltergust. Modern Nintendo pads don’t replicate that one-to-one. If this port maps suction to a binary trigger or a face button, we’ll want robust sensitivity options or stick-based control that doesn’t feel mushy. Best case: multiple control presets, including something closer to Luigi’s Mansion 3’s twin-stick feel for aiming the vacuum.

Second, presentation. The original is a 4:3 game. Does Nintendo give us clean borders, optional CRT filters, maybe integer scaling to keep it crisp on a modern display? Forced stretch-to-widescreen would be a disaster. A faithful presentation with tasteful border art and sharp scaling would let the lighting work sing without ugly artifacts. This is a moody game—don’t sand down the edges just to fill the screen.

The Gamer’s Perspective: Value, Controls, and Preservation

Putting Luigi’s Mansion behind the higher Expansion Pack tier is a classic Nintendo move. If you’re already subscribed, it’s a great Halloween bonus. If you aren’t, do the math: is a single classic enough to tip you into a year-long plan? That depends on how deep the GameCube catalog goes next. I’m glad this isn’t a $39.99 remaster, but I’d still love the option to buy classics outright. Subscription-only access is preservation with an asterisk.

It’s also worth calling out why the GameCube original matters. The 3DS remake added stereoscopic 3D and quality-of-life tweaks, but it also altered the feel—lower resolution, different controls, and some pacing changes. The 2001 version’s lighting and atmosphere were showpieces for the GameCube hardware, and that vibe is part of the game’s identity. If Nintendo nails input options and clean scaling, this could easily become the best modern way to play the original—no cartridges, no hunting for a CRT, just boot and bust ghosts.

If you’re coming from Luigi’s Mansion 3: expect a smaller, more puzzle-box experience. Portrait ghosts are essentially boss puzzles with personality—listen for audio tells, watch environmental hints, then time your flashlight stuns and vacuum tugs. It’s cozy, not sprawling. Perfect for a couple of nights in the dark with headphones on.

Looking Ahead: What GameCube on Switch 2 Could Unlock

The bigger story is GameCube finally getting proper space in Nintendo’s subscription ecosystem. If Luigi’s Mansion is the opening salvo, the obvious follow-ups write themselves: Eternal Darkness (ratings hurdles aside), F-Zero GX (still electric), and the Mario sports titles that defined dorm rivalries. We’ve already seen remakes and reissues of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Sunshine; Classics slots could cover the gaps without asking $60 each time.

Still, Nintendo’s cadence matters. One banger at Halloween is great. A slow drip of safe picks won’t cut it. If Switch 2 is the generation where GameCube finally gets its due, let’s see breadth and deep cuts, not just the usual suspects.

TL;DR

Luigi’s Mansion (2001) hits Switch 2’s Classics library on October 30 via the Expansion Pack—a perfect Halloween drop and, if handled right, the definitive modern way to play the original. I’m excited, with caveats: give us thoughtful control options, crisp 4:3 presentation, and a strong GameCube pipeline that justifies the subscription.