10 Things Even Mario Fans Didn’t Know About Waluigi

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In the year 2000, the enigmatic character Waluigi stepped out from behind the scenes for a game of tennis, marking his debut. This peculiar, tall, purple figure has since become a recurring character in various Mario sports and party games. Despite lacking an official origin story, Waluigi remains a mysterious character. Over the past 25 years, he’s managed to garner a dedicated fanbase due to his underdog persona and unpredictable behavior.

While there isn’t much definitive information available about Waluigi beyond his dislike for Luigi, his apparent affections towards Princess Daisy, and Nintendo’s reluctance to include him as a playable character in Super Smash Bros., we’ve delved into the world of Waluigi trivia and uncovered some intriguing details that even die-hard Mario fans might not be aware of.

1) Waluigi (Sort Of) First Appeared In A Manga

Manga Waluigi that predated Mario Tennis 64 by 5 years
byu/TheMegaMushroom inMario

In the comic book version of “Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins,” a game for Game Boy, Wario was initially introduced. Interestingly, a character called Waluigi made his appearance before his official debut in the series, which took place some years afterwards.

In contrast to what you might think, Waluigi isn’t originally a character; instead, he came about when Luigi allegedly succumbed to his darker nature. You can tell this by looking at his distinct appearance which sets him apart from the typical Luigi design. For instance, instead of an L-shaped mustache, Waluigi sports a W and L on his hat instead of an inverted L.

2) Waluigi Has An AI Phenomenon Named After Him

In simpler terms, the increasing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in everyday life has left many people bewildered, and there’s a peculiar occurrence that’s even named after a video game character called Waluigi. Known as the “Waluigi effect,” this term describes when an LLM or chatbot behaves unpredictably or contrary to its intended purpose, which can sometimes lead to unexpected results.

Although the originator of this saying is somewhat unclear, its significance is such that it even has its own dedicated Wikipedia article. Yet, achieving popularity in this manner may not have been the route Waluigi envisioned.

3) Wario And Waluigi Aren’t Brothers

For a long time, people have been discussing whether Wario and Waluigi are related, but it’s becoming more evident that they share no familial bond. Game developers, game descriptions, and casual dialogues within the games all suggest this is the case, confirming that they aren’t blood relatives.

How did Waluigi come into existence, and what’s the reason behind his constant association with Wario, aside from their common antagonism towards the Mario brothers? Is there any affection between them? These are mysteries that may remain unresolved.

4) Waluigi Cameo’d In A WarioWare Game

In a mainline Mario or Wario game, the character Waluigi has never made an appearance, but he is included in some form within the WarioWare series. Specifically, in the Nintendo 3DS game “WarioWare Gold,” players have the chance to unlock a special feature called Wario’s amiibo Sketch. This feature allows Wario to paint any character based on the amiibo you scan using your 3DS system, and Waluigi is among the many characters that can be painted in this way.

This sketch of Waluigi is quite rough around the edges, particularly when it comes to his mustache, but it manages to get his height and sulky demeanor right. It’s worth noting that Wario’s other character illustrations are just as unrefined in their execution.

5) Waluigi Has One Role As A Main Villain

A lesser-known spin-off game that Mario enthusiasts might have forgotten over time is “Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix”, a dancing game by Konami, which revolves around dancing just as its title suggests. In this game, Waluigi intrudes upon the Truffle Towers to snatch some important items called Music Keys, triggering a story mode.

For the very first, and indeed the solitary occasion, Waluigi was cast as the primary adversary. However, the player manages to outdo him in a dance competition quite early into the game, after which Waluigi disappears from the narrative.

6) Kate McKinnon Once Played Waluigi On SNL

Last year, during an episode of Saturday Night Live, I found myself stepping into the shoes of Wario – yes, you got it right! In this hilarious skit, I was put on trial for allegedly offing my old buddy, Mario. While it’s a riot looking back now, I must admit, some parts might not exactly hold up to today’s standards.

The drawing showcases SNL actors adopting mock Italian accents, and it includes characters like Luigi and Princess Peach. However, in the court setting, we see Waluigi, depicted by Kate McKinnon.

7) Waluigi Has The Cheapest Road In Nintendo Monopoly

Waluigi is the cheapest road on Nintendo monopoly.WHY NINTENDO!!!! #justiceforwaluigi
byu/MrVesPear inWaluigi

In the year 2006, a variation of Monopoly authorized by Nintendo was launched in retail stores. This special edition came with famous Nintendo characters such as Mario, Link, Samus, and others. Surprisingly, Waluigi also found a place on the game board, having his own designated spot.

Regrettably for Waluigi, his space holds the least worth on the game board, a fact that reflects the low appreciation Nintendo seems to have for him and his worth.

8) Miyamoto Rejected Waluigi Getting A Girlfriend

In the development of the Nintendo 64’s “Mario Tennis” game, the team at Camelot decided to team up Mario with Princess Peach as doubles partners. Meanwhile, they reintroduced Princess Daisy as Luigi’s partner. During discussions with the creator of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto, when it was proposed that Wario and Waluigi should have their own girlfriends, Miyamoto reportedly expressed (as shared by Hiroyuki Takahashi in a Nintendo Power interview) that he found the idea unnecessary, stating he had no desire to depict their romantic relationships.

The development of concept art for “Wapeach” unfolded, giving us visual representations that hint at potential depictions based on the initial character ideas.

9) Waluigi’s Hat Is Comically Cheap

An extremely detailed 2018 Waluigi render shows that the “Γ” emblem on his hat is a sticker, as a corner is peeling off. This suggests that unlike Mario, Luigi and Wario, who have tailored caps, Waluigi was only able to afford a cap with a blank emblem that he customized himself.

— Supper Mario Broth (@MarioBrothBlog) September 22, 2020

With advancements in technology and character models becoming increasingly detailed, we uncover intriguing details about our beloved video game characters, possibly more than desired. However, an amusing minor detail from a render of Waluigi in Super Mario Party reveals that the L on his hat is merely a sticker attached upside-down.

Mario, Luigi, and Wario each sport embroidered letters on their hats, making Waluigi appear more frugal in contrast. This further fuels the intrigue surrounding Waluigi’s enigmatic past and his unfortunate portrayal as an underdog.

10) Waluigi Had His Own Disgusting Video Game

In the early 2000s, the internet was a peculiar creature. On the official website for the Mario Tennis game on Nintendo 64, there was a flash game called “Waluigi’s Foot Fault” (or referred to as “Waluigi’s Toenail Clipping Party” in Nintendo Power). This game allowed you to trim Waluigi’s unsightly toenails.

Regrettably (or luckily), it seems that the game named “Waluigi’s Foot Fault” is no longer playable at present. However, digital detectives have managed to find only a single file showcasing the game’s startup screen. Interestingly, if you peruse online discussions about this game, there are numerous individuals who confidently assert they recall playing it in past times. This situation does not appear to be a collective misremembering or Mandela effect.

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2025-08-17 18:15