Awesome!
Of course I'll explain why that's awesome.
Growing up, my cousin and I played Super Nintendo every weekend. That was the rule: only on the weekends were we allowed to even touch the Super Nintendo. Since it belonged to my cousin, that somehow granted him the privilege (or right) to play as player 1 and since we only had Super Mario World, he got to play as Mario. By default, I played as player 2.
Luigi.
Now, most people would bitch and moan about how unfair it is that the younger relative should get to go first or that he would take / knock the controller from my hand whenever it was clear that I actually knew how to play or that it was wrong for him to transfer most of my character's lives to his.
Well, I did complain about the last two, not so much the first one.
Of course, only children complain about the first fact because it still hasn't sunk into their growing minds that someone can do with their property as they please: claim first use, give away their property, or be a jerk with it and not lend it out or anything.
I didn't complain about being player 2 and playing as Luigi because off the bat, I already sensed some sort of connection with Luigi, as strange as it sounds. Coming in second (despite being older than my cousin), being tall for my age, and not getting much recognition for the things I did. Granted, 5 year olds don't often do amazing enough things to be recognized. Though, turkey hands and using glue and safety scissors correctly are remarkable in their own right. But that's not the point, is it? It's about actually noticing that figure at the edge of the limelight who has always been there but not been embraced.
That being said...
I commend Nintendo for giving one of its major (though not often unsung) heroes some major recognition. It's been long over due, in my opinion, given that the first game is called Mario Brothers. Brothers. Not just "Mario" or the "Adventures of Mario and nobody else". Luigi has always been there for me, for you, for player 1 and for player 2 (and recently 3 and 4 and beyond). He isn't made to hog the spotlight but is still just as recognizable as Mickey Mouse and Mario yet doesn't get the acclaim he deserved, until now.
For Luigi to finally get some recognition is great especially since it means he isn't being still treated as just a second fiddle.
Speaking of second fiddle...
His trophy description in Super Smash Brothers Melee probably put it best:
Although Mario's younger brother has always played second fiddle, Luigi finally garnered the spotlight with his very own game, Luigi's Mansion. Things are looking up for the eternal understudy; he's even picked up his own rival in Waluigi. The day he's referred to as the "lean, mean, green machine" may not be too far off.
The only thing that seems to bother me is how often Luigi is portrayed as a coward. It never really used to be this way. Prior to his own game, Luigi's Mansion, he was just as brave as Mario is portrayed and always tagged along, a willing companion and partner. But then they made him into a coward. There's something strange about that.
He's just as capable, if not more, than Mario. He can one-hit K-O opponents, the green missile is a devastating move, and of course, he jumps higher and farther than Mario in the Doki Doki Panic ripoff.
This should make him less of a coward and more of a reluctant hero but of course, there's a bright side to everything. His perceived cowardice can be used as a means of disarming foes. This works, by the way. If you've played Super Mario 64 DS, you'll remember that enemies' texts often deride and underestimate Luigi at first. And when you beat them, their texts are reactions of frustration, surprise, and a twinkle of admiration. Take that, suckers.
Furthermore, one could see his bizarrely implemented cowardice as an obstacle for the player to overcome. A symbol of what one can overcome while achieving great things: restoring peace to a haunted valley, restoring peace to the Mushroom Kingdom by defeating and making your foe acknowledge you by name, and conquering your demons and those who would oppose you in your tasks.
I'll stubbornly see Luigi as that reluctant unsung hero who should get more recognition and less as a coward but I take great comfort in knowing that at least Snake respects him, and so should you.
Thanks, Nintendo, for giving Luigi some major recognition.
Happy Year of Luigi, everyone.
