Dr. Luigi doesn't have any wheels being reinvented, and there are no major overhauls to what was enjoyable about Dr. Mario. There's nothing here on the level of a cat-suited Mario or even a flying go-kart. After a year that showed Nintendo straying from their comfort zones and confidently iterating on sacred cows, it's a bit of a letdown to see Dr. Luigi make so little forward progress.
It's still a far cry from the top-tier classic puzzlers, but Dr. Luigi manages to be fun enough... even if there is that nebulous whiff of tragedy about the whole affair. On the other hand, it doesn't leave the nasty taste in your mouth that you get from exploitatively designed free-to-play puzzlers like Candy Crush Saga, so that's something.
Do you suck at Dr. Mario like I do? I always have and I always will. I think all hope is lost for me, but you can still become a fantastic player with these tips for Dr. Luigi! Take these tricks into online battle and show the other doctors who's boss!
When Nintendo first announced Dr. Luigi during the most recent Nintendo Direct, Operation L mode took center stage. While this turns out to be the least enjoyable part of this farewell to the Year of Luigi, Dr. Luigi does offer other competent updates to the classic gameplay. I can’t get the classic tune out of my head or the smile off my face.
Outside of Virus Buster, Dr. Luigi is very much a no-frills game mostly for fans of the Dr. series. If you don't find yourself getting excited at the prospect of L-shaped blocks or GamePad play though, you might as well just stick with Dr. Mario Online Rx. Either way, the Wii U's newest entry in the Dr. series is a nice cap on a great first Year of Luigi.
Zap viruses in a falling block puzzle game featuring Dr. Luigi™!
There’s a new doctor in the house! Dr. Mar—or, uh, Dr. Luigi is a new twist on this classic virus-popping puzzle game! Use new L-shaped pills in a brand new game mode and compete with players locally or online.*
Drop pills the usual way, or get a second opinion with the Wii U GamePad controller. Virus Buster mode lets you position falling pill segments with the touchscreen and stylus to place them wherever you want. Use L-shaped pills carefully in the new Operation L mode or, for you die-hard Dr. Mario fans, there’s always Retro Remedy mode. Feeling better? Then sweat it out online* and see where you rank among the world’s elite Operation L and Retro Remedy mode players. Both modes feature online leaderboards.* It’s just what the doctor ordered…even if it’s a little late!
Celebrate the Year of Luigi with Dr. Luigi™
New L-shaped pills make you rethink your strategy in Operation L mode
Use the Wii U GamePad controller’s touchscreen in Virus Buster mode
Relive or try out the classic-pill dropping gameplay of Retro Remedy mode
Compete against other players locally or online*
Both the Operation L and Retro Remedy modes feature online leaderboards*
