Super Mario 126

== Super Mario 126 ==
Super Mario 126 is a 2025 Nintendo Switch game created in partnership with Nintendo of America and Epic Games. Designed through Unreal Engine, this game is based loosely off of the events of Super Mario 64, with the added element of horrific apparitions attempting to expose a murder. It features the voice acting of Charlie Day as Luigi, baring his appearance in the Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and sees Charles Marinet return to voice Mario. 
=== Story: ===
Luigi receives an anonymous letter, telling him Mario is in terrible danger. Having overheard a conversation on the phone, Luigi sets off to Peach's Castle, where he assumes Mario is. After a brief tutorial segment, Luigi arrives at the castle bridge, where he is immediately ushered by Lakitu to leave. Refusing, Luigi enters the castle only to find it eerily empty. Upon further exploration, he finds that someone- or something has broken into the castle, mauling Toads and spreading grafitti all over the place. Fearing that Bowser Jr. is behind all this, he tries to ring Bowser up on the phone, only to realize the signal has been replaced with this scratchy recording. Following the advice on the cryptic recording, Luigi unlocks a secret door in the lobby, revealing a sort of resistance base. There, after narrowly escaping a group of Toad cultists, he meets MIPS, a sentient stuffed rabbit who reveals the terrible events that occurred behind the scenes of Mario's many adventures. Irrationally, Luigi tries to leave the castle, only to find the entryway blocked by some spaghetti-like goop. With MIPS's help, Luigi finds a key that unlocks the basement door. In the basement, Luigi is confronted by his brother, who has unfortunately been possessed by the infamous Wario Apparation. After a brief chase scene, Luigi is injured and rescued by Princess Toadstool, the curator of the Resistance Area. He is then sent out to find the seven Conduits, which, when activated, give access to the home of JARVIS, otherwise known as the Persnolization A.I. Upon confronting the A.I, it reveals that it never intended to hurt anyone, and that the Wario Apparation was born from it's unconscious desire to discipline his ungrateful audience. Unconvinced, Luigi proceeds to battle the A.I, and through a series of nightmare-inducing puzzles, defeats it. Having finally fallen, JARVIS assumes his true form, that being the brother of Shigeratu Miyamoto (Mario's Creator). Though powerless, this does not stop JARVIS from sacrificing himself, stopping the Wario Apparation from ambushing Luigi, as it had intended to do. Mario, finally free from his possession, leaves the castle with Luigi and Toadstool, having decided not to save the Princess anymore. In a post-credits scene, a shrine has been built to Jarvis, who nobly destroyed said Wario Apparation.
=== Gameplay: ===
The gameplay is split primarily between puzzle-solving and defeating horrific entities such as Wario, Father Dorrie, Nora Seafair, and Bowser's Brother. Luigi must alternate between operating mechanics and protecting MIPS in order to progress through the various levels, with MIPS being able to crawl into tight spaces and activate switches and levers. Luigi also operates a lantern at some point, which allows him to combat the various Shadows that attempt to absorb him. MIPS, upon touching a light circle, transforms into a realistic rabbit of which can devour or wound most anomalies. This transformation is only temporary, and each light circle can be used only once. In terms of weaponry, Luigi can use various props such as Water Cannons and Chain Chomps to defeat foes, or utilize knives or vacuums purchased from the shop. In certain areas, such as the Ancient Chambers, Luigi must hide from and evade the bounty hunter known as Elh, which can use multiple elements, as well as it's unique teleportation ability, to hinder his progress. During Boss Fights, Luigi must keep an eye on the magic timer above the arena, which signifies how much time is left before the Boss overwhelms the area with his dark magic. While these bosses don't necessary block progress, defeating them will wield Vacuum upgrades, as well as render a better ending for the game. Once he's reached a Conduit, Luigi either has to ward of a round of Shadows, or play a Kaizo Style Level with hidden Easter eggs.