Luigi is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. As Mario’s younger brother and sidekick, Luigi has starred alongside Mario in countless games over the past few decades. However, one aspect of Luigi’s backstory that remains murky is the identity of his and Mario’s father. While Mario and Luigi’s creator Shigeru Miyamoto has provided some tidbits over the years, Luigi’s father has never been officially named or depicted in the games. In this article, we’ll explore the possibilities and rumors regarding who Luigi’s dad might be.
What Miyamoto Has Said
When creating Mario and Luigi, renowned game designer Shigeru Miyamoto did not establish much concrete backstory for the pair. However, he has stated that in his mind, the brothers are originally from Brooklyn and their family name is “Mario.” Their individual first names are Mario Mario and Luigi Mario.
As for their parents, Miyamoto has simply said that they have a mother and father who still live in Brooklyn as plumbers. Very little else has been revealed about their dad by the Mario series creator. So the identity of Luigi’s father remains a mystery within the official Mario canon.
Theory: Their Dad is a Plumber Too
Given that Miyamoto has established the Mario brothers grew up as plumbers in Brooklyn, the most logical theory is that their father is a plumber as well. It would make sense that Mario and Luigi followed their dad into the family business before eventually ending up in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Luigi’s father being a plumber also fits with the blue collar backgrounds of the Mario brothers. They are portrayed as hard working, salt-of-the-earth guys in contrast to the regal Princess Peach and magical Toadstalk Kingdom. It’s easy to imagine their father was a working class plumber who taught them values like diligence, honesty and brotherhood growing up.
If we ever do see Luigi’s dad in a future Mario game, there’s a good chance he’ll be wearing overalls and carrying a big wrench.
What Luigi’s Plumber Dad Would Be Like
If Luigi’s father is indeed a plumber like his sons, what else might he be like as a character? Here are some possibilities:
– Has a big mustache like his boys.
– Is short and stocky like Mario.
– Loves Italian food such as pasta and pizza.
– Speaks with a Brooklyn accent.
– Tells funny stories about Mario and Luigi as babies.
– Is now retired and spends time golfing.
– Refers to Luigi as “my boy.”
– Is thrilled one of his sons rescues Princess Peach.
So while unknown, it’s easy to imagine Luigi’s hardworking plumber father shaping who Luigi is today. Hopefully we get to meet dad in a future Mario game!
Theory: He is King of Italy
While less likely, some fans speculate that Mario and Luigi’s father could secretly be the King of Italy. This would make the brothers of royal blood and Princess Peach a suitable match for Mario.
Under this theory, Mario and Luigi’s dad met their mother long ago while visiting Brooklyn. They had a brief affair, resulting in Mario and Luigi being born. Their father had duties in Italy and could not stay permanently with their mother in Brooklyn.
As boys, Mario and Luigi knew their father only as a distant figure who would occasionally send gifts and money. Later when they traveled through the warp pipe to Mushroom Kingdom, they were shocked to learn their father was Italian royalty.
This theory adds a new layer of mystery and intrigue to the Mario bros backstory. And it suggests Mario is good enough for Peach not just because of heroism, but his secret royal lineage. However, there is little evidence within the games to support this king dad idea. Still, it’s fun to imagine!
What the Royalty Dad Would Be Like
If Mario and Luigi’s father turned out to be the King of Italy, what might that character be like?
– Lives in a castle or palace in Italy.
– Has an opulent mustache and regal attire.
– Speaks with an Italian accent.
– Tells stories of Mario and Luigi’s infancy to the court.
– Hosts the Mushroom Kingdom royals for visits.
– Arranges for Mario to marry Princess Peach.
– Throws elaborate feasts with huge pasta dishes.
– Wishes Luigi would be more princely and less timid.
The idea of royalty connects Mario and Luigi to Peach in a new way. And it suggests they may inherit the throne one day – King Mario and Prince Luigi has a nice ring to it!
Theory: He is an Italian Immigrant
Rather than being a plumber or king, another possibility is that Mario and Luigi’s father is a humble Italian immigrant. In this version, their dad came to America from Italy, met their mom in Brooklyn, and settled down to raise a family.
Their father took whatever work he could find, whether as a construction worker, chef, handyman or shopkeeper. He infused Mario and Luigi with classic Italian traditions and cuisine while adapting to his new American home.
This backstory fits nicely with the bits Miyamoto has revealed. And it casts Mario and Luigi’s upbringing in modest, immigrant terms that many families can relate to. Just because their father wasn’t a king doesn’t mean he didn’t profoundly shape who Luigi became.
What the Immigrant Dad Would Be Like
If Luigi’s dad migrated from Italy and embodied the immigrant experience, he might have traits like:
– Speaks broken English with a heavy accent.
– Sports a mustache and 5 o’clock shadow.
– Wears a faded flat cap everywhere.
– Drinks strong espresso coffee.
– Knows how to make the best pasta dishes.
– Plays Italian music and sings arias.
– Tells the boys folktales from the old country.
– Has menial jobs but a strong work ethic.
– Dreams his sons can rise above his own status.
– Beams with pride at their accomplishments.
This dad would fill young Luigi with a spirit of resilience, craftsmanship and possibility through example. An iconic immigrant father inspires in different ways than royalty, but no less profoundly.
No Definitive Answer – Yet
Unfortunately, Nintendo has never provided a clear answer on who exactly Luigi’s dad is. The company and Shigeru Miyamoto tend to keep character backstories broad and flexible. Until Luigi’s father appears in a Mario game or Miyamoto reveals more biographical details, we can’t say anything definitive.
Fans are free to imagine Luigi’s dad as a Brooklyn plumber, Italian immigrant or even secretly a king. In a way, leaving his identity ambiguous makes Luigi feel more relatable. His origins are humble but hint at greatness, reflecting the dreams immigrant families everywhere pass to their children.
Perhaps someday Nintendo will give us an official take. For now, the mystery endures – and lets our imaginations fill in the details of this much-loved green plumber’s past.
Conclusion
Luigi’s father remains one of the biggest enigmas in Mario lore. With only tidbits from Shigeru Miyamoto to go on, fans can construct different theories on who Luigi’s dad was:
– He continued the family plumbing business as a Brooklyn pipefitter.
– He is secretly the King of Italy and Mario and Luigi’s royal father.
– He brought his family over through Ellis Island and exemplified the immigrant struggle.
Until Nintendo confirms otherwise, Luigi’s origins are wide open to speculation and imagination. And there’s something poetically compelling about not knowing for certain what hardships or triumphs shaped Luigi into the man we know. His story feels more relatable and human that way – the offspring of unknown parents who dared to dream big.