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Draft:Luigi death stare

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The Luigi Death Stare is a viral internet meme originating from Mario Kart 8, a racing video game developed by Nintendo for the Wii U console. The meme features the character Luigi giving a menacing glare at opponents as he passes them, often after using an item to knock them off course. This intense, comical stare quickly became a sensation, with fans creating videos and images that circulated widely across social media platforms, being featured in several viral videos and animated GIFs,[1][2][3] and the phenomenon was covered by WNYW in early June 2014.[4][5] Nintendo referenced the meme in their E3 2014 digital event.[6] VentureBeat praised Nintendo's handling of the meme, noting that it was a "slick way" of acknowledging fan culture.[7] The meme was nominated for the Best Gaming Moment at the 32nd Golden Joystick Awards.[8]

Background

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Usually, playable characters in the game have expressionless faces however, Luigi was showed with a disturbing malevolence face while slowly rotates. It was discovered after the game's release by a gamer who would uploaded a YouTube video titled Waluigi vs. Luigi 1 in which showed a slow-motion clip of Luigi passes Waluigi and then glares at him with the 2005 song Ridin' by Chamillionaire playing on the background. The video would gained in millions of views,[9] and the meme gained spread popularity with users sharing screenshots, videos and gifs of their encounters, and becoming a staple of internet culture.[10]

Popularity and reactions

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Once players noticed Luigi's glare, they began sharing clips and screenshots online, especially on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and X (Twitter). Fans added dramatic music, slow-motion effects, and commentary, heightening the comedic impact. Videos like "Luigi Death Stare Compilation" amassed millions of views, and the meme's popularity led to increased interest in Mario Kart 8. The meme's appeal lay in the unexpected hostility expressed by the usually calm Luigi.

Writers has commented their opinion about Luigi's expression in the meme. James Walsh of The Guardian praised the meme and indicates as a "ice-cold reaction" and the end-of-race highlights.[11] Eurogamer writer Jeffrey Matulef wrote that the meme was liked Luigi revealing a sinister dark side behind the wheel and it was the ominous internet meme.[12] Polygon writer Alexa Ray Corriea noted that his stare was enough to stop players in their tracks on his own. Being unsure of why he is irritable after holds his opponents to down them with his bonus items.[13] Slate writer Lily Hay Newman discussed that the meme supports a meme theory omitting the fact that "It’s always funny when someone looks back over [their] shoulder at you."[14]

Shorty after the video, Nintendo released a Japanese commercial for the game and critics indicates that the company is embracing the meme in the commercial.[15][16] VentureBeat writer Jeffrey Grubb was impressed that the company acknowledged its fan culture without taking it away, and made that choice in an effort to reward its customers. Nintendo of America senior director of communications Charlie Scibetta states, "It was a late addition, and we thought that we could pay homage to the fans".[17] Media outlets quickly took notice, with sites like Polygon,[18][19] Kotaku,[20][21][22] and The Verge[23] covering the phenomenon. Nintendo Life writer Damien McFerran wrote that the meme has gone viral and featured in mainstream media as evidenced by a clip on Fox News in North America.[24]

Legacy

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The Luigi Death Stare has since become an iconic part of Mario Kart history, representing one of the few times a Nintendo character’s unintentional expression sparked a cultural phenomenon. The meme's popularity inspired other content, including fan art, cosplays, and merchandise. Luigi's Death Stare continues to be referenced in Mario Kart communities.

The Luigi Death Stare is often compared to other internet memes that use dramatic, unexpected expressions, like the "Dramatic Chipmunk." [25][26] [27] [28] [29] [30][31] [32] [33][34][35][36][37] [38][39][40] [41][42][43]

References

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  1. ^ Hooton, Christopher (June 2, 2014). "Luigi's 'death stare' will instantly make you want to buy Mario Kart 8". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  2. ^ Corriera, Alexa Ray (June 2, 2014). "Luigi isn't playing games with his 'death stare' in Mario Kart 8". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  3. ^ Purcell, Patrick (June 7, 2014). "Luigi's death stare from Mario Kart 8 – our video guide to the best memes and gifs". Mirror. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  4. ^ Plunkett, Luke (June 4, 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Makes TV News". Kotaku UK. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  5. ^ McFerran, Damien (June 4, 2014). "Weirdness: Luigi's Mario Kart 8 'Death Stare' Is Deemed Noteworthy By Fox News". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  6. ^ LeJacq, Yannick (June 10, 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Made A Cameo in Nintendo's E3 Address". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on June 13, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  7. ^ Grubb, Jeffery (June 12, 2014). "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Reynolds, Matthew (September 24, 2014). "Golden Joystick Awards 2014 public voting now open". DigitalSpy.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  9. ^ Herold, Charles (December 17, 2019). "Luigi Death Stare: The Internet Meme Inspired by a Hostile Glance". Lifewire. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  10. ^ Lynch, Matthew (2023-06-10). "Luigi Death Stare: The Internet Meme Inspired by a Hostile Glance". The Tech Edvocate. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  11. ^ Walsh, James (2014-06-09). "Luigi's death stare: are you enjoying Mario Kart 8?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  12. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (2014-07-22). "Mario Kart 8 Japanese ad embraces Luigi's death stare". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  13. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (2014-06-02). "Luigi isn't playing games with his 'death stare' in Mario Kart 8". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  14. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (2014-07-22). "Luigi's Death Stare Joins the Canon of Classic Memes". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  15. ^ Webster, Andrew (2014-07-22). "Nintendo turns Luigi's death stare into a 'Mario Kart' commercial". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  16. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (2014-07-22). "Nintendo has officially adopted the Luigi Death Stare". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  17. ^ Grubb, Jeffrey (June 12, 2014). "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "Nintendo has officially adopted the Luigi Death Stare". Polygon. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  19. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (June 2, 2014). "Luigi isn't playing games with his 'death stare' in Mario Kart 8". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  20. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More". Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More". Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  22. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More". Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Nintendo turns Luigi's death stare into a 'Mario Kart' commercial". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  24. ^ McFerran, Damien (June 4, 2014). "Weirdness: Luigi's Mario Kart 8 'Death Stare' Is Deemed Noteworthy By Fox News". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  27. ^ Walsh, James (9 June 2014). "Luigi's death stare: Are you enjoying Mario Kart 8?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Japanese ad embraces Luigi's death stare". Eurogamer.net. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  29. ^ "Luigi's 'Death Stare' Makes It into Japanese Mario Kart 8 Commercial". Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Luigi Death Stare: The Internet Meme Inspired by a Hostile Glance". 10 June 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Luigi Gets Revenge, Uses Death Stare in Real-Life Mario Kart Video". Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Luigi's Mario Kart 8 "Death Stare" Meme Reported on Fox News". 4 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Luigi, Luigi's Death Stare, Waluigi, and Their Courses Are Heading to Mario Kart Tour". 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Mario Kart 8's Luigi death stare featured on American national TV news". 4 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  35. ^ "Kids Can't Handle Luigi's Death Stare in "Mario Kart 8" (Video)". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Luigi's death stare is still strong with these Mario Kart 8 toy displays". 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  37. ^ "The Luigi Death Stare is the Best Death Stare". 5 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Waluigi gets revenge on Luigi Death Stare". Digital Spy. 4 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  39. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (22 July 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Joins the Canon of Classic Memes". Slate. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  40. ^ "New Mario Kart 8 Japanese TV Commercial Features the Infamous Luigi Death Stare". 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  41. ^ "Archived copy". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. ^ "Luigi's Death Stare Terrorizes Anime Expo 2014 in Hilarious New Video". 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  43. ^ "This should have been the official Mario Kart 8 trailer". 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
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