Luigi death: Nintendo kills Mario brother during official broadcast
- Published
It was a pretty brutal death
Despite years dodging blue shells and piranha plants, Luigi has finally been claimed by the Grim Reaper.
Fans were shocked after Nintendo broadcast footage of the green Mario brother's soul being ripped from his body.
The iconic character's apparent death occurred during Nintendo Direct, which is basically an online presentation of new trailers.
But as upset fans flooded the internet, Nintendo felt the need to respond.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
It was much needed reassurance for many fans of the Mario franchise - which has been around since 1981 and has fans young and old.
During a trailer for fighting game Super Smash Bros Ultimate, viewers had watched Luigi nervously walk into Dracula's castle.
All was well until he came face-to-face with a scythe-wielding Reaper, who caused him to faint in fear.
As he dropped to his knees, the Reaper cut him in two.
The scene was unusually gruesome for Nintendo - the most horrific thing Luigi would ever have seen before his final moment was Bowser's dentistry.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Upset fans were quick to tweet and collectively mourn.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Some commented on the graphic nature of his murder.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Others had important questions, which included practical matters.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
For another fan, there were deep existential queries to wrestle with.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
While for one user this was one iconic character's death too far.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Nintendo hasn't confirmed how Luigi has managed to walk off an injury like soul severance.
So its tweet telling fans they have nothing to worry about has prompted disbelief from some.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
And others accused Nintendo of a wider plot to hush the beloved character's passing.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Still, some good has come from the traumatic footage.
Luigi's status as the less popular Mario brother has been widely believed as fact among fans.
His supposed death has prompted an outpouring of support that he never normally enjoys.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
So if you're feeling sad, just remember:
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, external, Facebook, external and Twitter, external.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.
- Published3 March 2017
- Published9 March 2018
- Published1 February 2018
