Luigi's Mansion: A Profile In Courage

How Mario's brother Luigi cuts a very unlikely figure for a hero

For this newsletter, I like to write about what I know. I love video games. This helps me with my clients—although I’m sure they think I’m “moist” for not understanding much about Roblox or Minecraft—but actually it helps me relax too. I’m currently replaying the game as the sequel is being released.

Anxiety and fear are common experiences for children, often manifesting as worries about the dark, new situations, or the unknown. While these feelings are normal, they can be overwhelming. Surprisingly, Nintendo's ‘Luigi's Mansion’ series offers a relatable metaphor for facing these anxieties head-on. Luigi is an unusual portrayal for a hero—he spends the entire game terrified. He gets so scared that the controls change sometimes, and stop him walking freely, instead only sidling along.

Luigi’s trembling hands and fearful exclamations mirror the physical manifestations of anxiety that kids might experience. By seeing a character they recognise struggle with and ultimately overcome his fears, children are shown that they are not alone in their anxieties. The games never belittle Luigi's fear; instead, they normalise it. This is crucial for children who might feel ashamed or weak for being scared. Luigi's Mansion teaches that it's okay to be afraid. What matters is how we respond to that fear. Luigi's journey shows that facing anxieties, even with trembling knees, is an act of courage in itself.

Tools for Coping

Luigi's Poltergust 3000 isn't just a ghost-catching gadget; it's a symbol of the tools and coping mechanisms that children can utilise to manage their anxiety. Deep breaths, seeking comfort from loved ones, or engaging in calming activities are all "Poltergusts" in their own right, empowering children to face their fears. Throughout the game, gradual exposure and progress is a a part of Luigi's progress—somebody (me) who spends all their time thinking about therapy might see wandering through a haunted mansion as a metaphor for gradual exposure therapy. Luigi starts with smaller challenges and gradually builds his confidence.

This mirrors therapeutic approaches used to help children overcome anxieties, showing them that they can take things one step at a time, celebrating each small victory along the way.

Building Resilience

Each ghost Luigi captures, each puzzle he solves, contributes to his growing resilience. This resilience is a key factor in managing anxiety. By witnessing Luigi's successes, children learn that facing their fears, even when it's difficult, can make them stronger and more capable of handling future challenges. Remember what I said about the walking earlier? As the game progresses, that no longer happens. Luigi realises that by facing his fear, he can conquer it

Can you help me?

Absolutely! I take an integrative, varied, holistic approach to coaching and am happy to adjust my approach to the age of my client, and use materials appropriate to their interests and the goals or presenting challenges. Video games are one such material, but I can help your young person explore their own thoughts, understand their own difficulties, and give them a peek beneath the surface. By knowing themselves, they can engage in their own world in a more meaningful way.

Please get in touch:

Final thoughts

This might read like an editorial for a(n amazing) video game—but the truth is that ‘Luigi's Mansion’ isn't just a video game; it's a journey of emotional growth and courage that resonates with children struggling with anxiety. By identifying with Luigi's fears, normalising their own anxieties, and learning from his strategies, children can develop the tools and resilience they need to navigate the "haunted mansions" of their own lives.

If you have a young person and a Nintendo Switch laying around, why not help them enter a world where they can be brave? Maybe you could ask them if Luigi is teaching them anything.

Did you like this post? Think you have a friend who might want to read it?

Make sure you don’t miss any of my other posts: