Luigi death stare
Luigi's death stare is an internet meme originating from the 2014 video game Mario Kart 8. The meme features the character Luigi giving a glare at opponents as he passes them. First discovered by a gamer who uploaded a video on YouTube, the meme quickly gained popularity after another user posted the same video with a song. Users would share content surrounding the meme.
Origin and spread
Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game released in May 2014 for the Wii U. The game's playable characters usually have cheerful faces when they knock down an opponent with an item due to the game's fun atmosphere. However, one of the playable characters, Luigi was shown with a glare after knocking down an opponent as he was slowly rotating and passing the opponent.[1] It was discovered after the game's release by a gamer who uploaded a YouTube video titled "Waluigi vs. Luigi 1" in which showed a slow-motion clip of Luigi using the facial expression as he passes Waluigi. Another user would upload the same video, but with the 2005 song Ridin' by Chamillionaire playing in the background. The video would gain millions of views,[2] and the meme gained widespread popularity with users sharing screenshots, videos and GIFs of their encounters.[3] Users on the forum website Reddit created r/LuigiDeathStares, a subreddit dedicated to the meme which has gained more participants than the Mario Kart subreddit.[2] YouTuber D Piddy uploaded a video of him cosplaying as Luigi for the Anime Expo 2014 where he would interrupt attendees by tossing green shells at them while he ran by, glaring at the camera.[4]
Reception
Luigi's death stare has gained positive reception from media outlets. James Walsh of The Guardian saw the meme as a celebration of Luigi, and showing that Mario Kart 8’s highlight reels are an absolute delight.[5] Polygon writer Alexa Ray Corriea discussed that Luigi's death stare could be created due to the failure of the Year of Luigi, or it's foreshadowing potential aspects involving him.[1] 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."[6] The meme was nominated for the Best Gaming Moment at the 32nd Golden Joystick Awards.[7]
Mentions in media
In the Nintendo Digital Event for E3 2014, the video presentation features a video clip of the meme in Mario Kart 8 without explicitly mentioning it. GamesBeat writer Jeff Grubb was impressed how the company acknowledged its fan culture. Nintendo of America senior director of communications Charlie Scibetta stated that the meme's appearance was made in an effort to reward its customers and fans.[8] Nintendo Life writer Damien McFerran wrote that the meme has gone viral and featured in mainstream media as evidenced by a video clip on Fox News in North America.[9] A Japanese commercial for the game also features the meme as media outlets quickly took notice, with sites like Polygon,[10] Eurogamer,[11] and The Verge covering the phenomenon.[12]
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.[13][14][15]
https://www.themarysue.com/kids-react-luigi-death-stare/
https://www.slashgear.com/watch-nintendo-rise-as-luigis-death-stare-takes-anime-expo-14-10336943/
https://time.com/3023495/the-luigi-death-stare-is-now-nintendo-canon-apparently/
https://www.dailydot.com/news/luigi-death-stare-mario-kart-8/
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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 May 2, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Lynch, Matthew (June 10, 2023). "Luigi Death Stare: The Internet Meme Inspired by a Hostile Glance". The Tech Edvocate. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Reynolds, Matthew (September 24, 2014). "Golden Joystick Awards 2014 public voting now open". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Grubb, Jeff (June 12, 2014). "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (July 22, 2014). "Nintendo has officially adopted the Luigi Death Stare". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Webster, Andrew (July 22, 2014). "Nintendo turns Luigi's death stare into a 'Mario Kart' commercial". The Verge. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ↑ "Luigi's 'Death Stare' Makes It into Japanese Mario Kart 8 Commercial". Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 12 November 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Luigi Gets Revenge, Uses Death Stare in Real-Life Mario Kart Video". Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
Mario Kart series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Main games | ||
| Arcade games | ||
| Other | ||
| Luigi's Mansion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mario & Luigi | ||
| Other | ||
| Related | ||
This article "Luigi death stare" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Luigi death stare. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
