GameTimeline

Release & story order

Luigi's Mansion timeline

Luigi's Mansion from the 2001 GameCube launch through Dark Moon on 3DS and Luigi's Mansion 3 on Switch (2019)—US release dates, the ghost-hunting trilogy, and FAQ for remakes and arcade spin-offs.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Next Level Games and Nintendo shipped each Luigi-led haunt—Luigi's Mansion on GameCube (2001), Dark Moon on 3DS (2013), then Luigi's Mansion 3 on Switch (2019). GC and 3DS remakes plus arcade are FAQ-only.

  • Full trilogy → all three Release rows
  • Start with GC original or 3DS remake—FAQ
  • Dark Moon before Luigi's Mansion 3 on Story
  • Arcade and HD remasters—FAQ only
Story order tips

Loose Luigi continuity in release order—Professor E. Gadd, Poltergust vacuums, and new haunted locations each chapter. Story rows mirror Release; no hard reboot between mainlines.

  • Core order: GC → Dark Moon → Luigi's Mansion 3
  • Each entry works standalone—order optional for gameplay
  • King Boo threads through the series—Release order helps
  • On Story order, LM3 may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Luigi's Mansion

    Luigi's Mansion

    GCActionMainline

    Luigi's GameCube debut—rescue Mario from a haunted mansion.

    Overview
    Nintendo EAD haunted-house adventure—vacuum ghosts with the Poltergust 3000.
    In-game setting
    Launch-window GameCube title—Story row one.
    Should you play it?
    Essential franchise start.
    Release date
    US launch November 18, 2001.
  2. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

    Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

    3DSActionMainline

    Evershade Valley—mission-based ghost hunts on 3DS.

    Overview
    Next Level Games sequel—Dark Moon shards, multiplayer modes, and 3D depth.
    In-game setting
    Known as Luigi's Mansion 2 in PAL—Story row two.
    Should you play it?
    Year of Luigi spotlight title.
    Release date
    US launch March 24, 2013.
  3. Luigi's Mansion 3

    Luigi's Mansion 3

    SwitchActionMainline

    The Last Resort hotel—Luigi and Gooigi co-op puzzles.

    Overview
    Next Level Games Switch entry—multi-floor hotel and local/online co-op.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of July 2026—Story row three.
    Should you play it?
    After Dark Moon on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch October 31, 2019.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Luigi's Mansion 2 naming, remakes, and where to start.

Release order

Release order and Story order share the same three western mainlines: Luigi's Mansion (2001, GC) → Dark Moon (2013, 3DS) → Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019, Switch). Each chapter is a new haunted location with light series continuity (Luigi, Professor E. Gadd, King Boo threads). Remakes and arcade are FAQ-only, not extra Story rows.

Story newcomers can start with the 2018 3DS remake of the original (cartridge or emulation) or Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (2024, Switch) for modern controls—both are FAQ remasters, not new Story rows. For the full trilogy in Release order, play GC/3DS remake → Dark Moon (3DS) → Luigi's Mansion 3 (Switch). LM3 alone works as a standalone co-op adventure.

Story & canon

Same game. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013, 3DS) is the US title; PAL regions marketed it as Luigi's Mansion 2. This timeline uses Dark Moon on Release and Story row two—one mainline entry, not two games.

Ports & rereleases

Luigi's Mansion (2018, 3DS) is a remake of the 2001 GameCube game—FAQ-only, not a fourth Release row. Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (2024, Switch) remasters Dark Moon—also FAQ-only. Play them instead of hunting original discs when convenient; Story order still follows the three mainline rows above.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.