Luigi’s Mansion 3 stands as one of the most versatile experiences on the Nintendo Switch family of systems, including the newer Nintendo Switch 2. While many primarily recognize it for its charming and atmospheric single-player campaign, the game is fundamentally designed with multiplayer in mind. Whether you are looking for a couch co-op partner to tackle the main story or a chaotic 8-player party session, this title offers several distinct modes to satisfy different social gaming needs.

The game categorizes its multiplayer offerings into three primary pillars: the main story co-op featuring Gooigi, the cooperative Scarescraper mode, and the competitive Scream Park mini-games. Understanding the nuances of each is essential for anyone wondering how to best share the ghost-hunting experience with others.

The Dual Hero Dynamic: Story Mode Co-op

The main adventure of Luigi’s Mansion 3 is not a solitary journey. Early in the game, players unlock Professor E. Gadd’s latest invention: Gooigi. This ectoplasmic doppelgänger is the key to the game’s cooperative potential. In single-player, a lone player toggles between Luigi and Gooigi to solve puzzles. However, the game truly shines when a second player takes control of Gooigi.

How to Unlock and Play as Gooigi

To access the 2-player co-op in the main story, you must first progress through the opening chapters until Professor E. Gadd gives Luigi the Gooigi component for the Poltergust G-00. This typically takes about an hour of gameplay. Once Gooigi is added to your arsenal, a second player can join at any time by connecting another controller and selecting the co-op option in the in-game menu.

Gooigi’s Unique Mechanics

Gooigi is not just a cosmetic clone of Luigi; he possesses unique physical properties that dictate how the two players must cooperate. Because he is made of goo, he can slip through iron bars, walk across spike traps without taking damage, and squeeze through narrow pipes to reach hidden areas. However, he is vulnerable to water and fire, dissolving instantly upon contact.

This creates a complementary gameplay loop where Player 1 (Luigi) handles environmental hazards like puddles, while Player 2 (Gooigi) infiltrates dangerous grates to pull levers or retrieve keys. In combat, both players can use the Slam, Suction Shot, and Burst moves simultaneously, allowing for devastating combos against boss ghosts that might be difficult for a single player to manage.

Scaling the Scarescraper: 8-Player Cooperative Play

For those seeking a more structured multiplayer challenge beyond the story, the Scarescraper (also known as the Thrill Tower in some regions) offers a robust cooperative experience. This mode supports up to eight players working together to clear randomly generated floors of a massive haunted tower.

Team Structure and Connectivity

The Scarescraper can be played locally via wireless play (with multiple consoles) or online. When playing online, you can join a team of up to four Luigis, and each of those Luigis can be accompanied by a Gooigi, bringing the total headcount to eight. This mode requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership for internet play.

Objectives and Time Management

Each floor in the Scarescraper presents a specific objective that must be completed within a strict time limit. These objectives include:

  • Capture all ghosts: Hunting down every specter hiding in furniture or lurking in the halls.
  • Collect enough coins: Exploring the floor thoroughly to meet a financial quota.
  • Find the Toads: Locating and escorting trapped Toads back to a central point.
  • Defeat the Crow: A specialized hunting objective requiring precision.

Success in the Scarescraper depends heavily on communication and splitting up. If everyone clusters in one room, the timer will likely run out before the floor is cleared. Players must utilize the "Over Here!" and "Thank You!" commands to signal their teammates when they find important items or get trapped by a fake door or a cursed chest.

Scream Park: The Ultimate Party Competitive Mode

If you prefer competition over cooperation, the Scream Park is the dedicated party mode of Luigi’s Mansion 3. This mode is designed for local play on a single system, supporting up to eight players. It pits Team Luigi against Team Gooigi in a series of frantic mini-games.

Core Mini-Games in Scream Park

The base game includes three main activities, each focusing on different mechanics of the Poltergust G-00:

  1. Ghost Hunt: Teams compete to defeat the most ghosts within a graveyard setting. Some ghosts are worth more points than others, and they often hide inside gravestones that must be destroyed first.
  2. Cannon Barrage: This game requires coordination within the team. One player must fetch cannonballs, another loads them, and a third fires at moving targets. You can even steal cannonballs from the opposing team’s area to slow them down.
  3. Coin Floating: Set in a pool, players use their Poltergusts to propel themselves on inflatable floats. The goal is to collect as many coins as possible while avoiding falling mines. Popping your float results in a time penalty as you wait for a replacement.

The Multiplayer Pack DLC: Expanding the Chaos

Nintendo released a two-part Multiplayer Pack DLC that significantly enhances both the Scarescraper and Scream Park modes. For players who find themselves returning to the multiplayer modes frequently, this pack adds much-needed variety.

Scarescraper Enhancements

The DLC introduces special themed costumes for Luigi, such as the "Mummigi" or "The Green Knight." When a player wears one of these costumes in the Scarescraper, the tower may generate themed floors that match the outfit (e.g., a medieval theme or an ancient Egyptian theme). These floors feature unique ghosts and environmental hazards, keeping the long-term gameplay fresh.

New Scream Park Games

The DLC also expands the Scream Park with six additional mini-games, such as:

  • Dodgebrawl: A supernatural take on dodgeball where you use your vacuum to catch and fire balls at opponents.
  • River Bank: A high-stakes coin collection game on a rushing river where logs and debris threaten to knock you off course.
  • Puck Stravaganza: A chaotic air hockey match where players use their vacuums to blast a giant puck into the opponent's goal.
  • Floaty Frenzy: An obstacle course on water that tests your navigation skills while under pressure.

Technical Considerations and Hardware Requirements

To enjoy the multiplayer aspects of Luigi’s Mansion 3 effectively in 2026, you should be aware of the hardware and subscription requirements.

Console Compatibility

The game is fully compatible with the entire Nintendo Switch family, including the Switch Lite, the OLED model, and the backward-compatible Nintendo Switch 2. On the Switch Lite, players will need to connect external Joy-Con or Pro Controllers to play the 2-player story co-op or the local Scream Park modes, as the console does not have detachable controllers.

Controller Options

Luigi’s Mansion 3 supports a variety of controller configurations:

  • Single Joy-Con: A single horizontal Joy-Con is sufficient for most multiplayer modes, making it easy to facilitate a 2-player session out of the box.
  • Dual Joy-Cons / Pro Controller: These are recommended for the Scarescraper or the main story, as the dual-analog setup provides much better camera and aiming control when dealing with more aggressive ghosts.

Internet and Subscriptions

While the 2-player story co-op and the local Scream Park are entirely offline, the online Scarescraper requires a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription. If you intend to play with friends across different households, ensure everyone has an active membership. For those playing on the same console in Scream Park, no internet connection is required.

Is the Multiplayer Worth It?

Deciding whether to dive into the multiplayer of Luigi’s Mansion 3 depends on your social gaming preferences. The story co-op is a fantastic way for a parent and child or a couple to experience the game together. Player 2 (Gooigi) has a slightly lower stakes role since he can regenerate infinitely, which makes it an accessible entry point for less experienced gamers.

On the other hand, the Scarescraper offers a genuine challenge that requires teamwork and mastery of the game's mechanics. It is one of the few games on the platform that successfully blends spooky atmosphere with high-intensity cooperative strategy. In 2026, the community remains active, especially on themed floors, thanks to the game's inclusion in various library collections and its status as a foundational Switch title.

Scream Park serves as a great alternative to traditional party games like Mario Party. Its sessions are shorter and more focused on mechanical skill, making it a perfect "warm-up" game for a night of gaming with friends.

Final Verdict for Interested Players

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is an exemplary multiplayer game that provides a wide spectrum of ways to play. It successfully transitions from a personal, atmospheric puzzle-adventure into a loud, frantic party game without losing its core identity. If you own a Switch or a Switch 2 and have friends or family to play with, the multiplayer modes are not just "extras"—they are a core part of the value proposition that makes this game a must-play years after its initial launch.