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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]

Origin

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The Luigi Death Stare meme emerged shortly after Mario Kart 8's release in May 2014. In the game, characters occasionally glance at opponents while passing them, adding a more dynamic and expressive quality to their interactions. Luigi's particular glare, a cold, unblinking stare seemingly filled with anger or contempt, quickly caught the attention of players and fans. His intense look stood out against the generally lighthearted nature of the Mario Kart series, where the cheerful, colorful environment contrasted humorously with Luigi's fierce expression.

Viral Spread 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.

Media outlets quickly took notice, with sites like Polygon,[9][10] Kotaku,[11][12][13] and The Verge[14] covering the phenomenon. Even Fox News humorously referenced the meme,[15][16] bringing it to audiences beyond the gaming community. This widespread media attention amplified the meme, transforming it from a fan phenomenon into a mainstream pop culture reference.

Response by Nintendo

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Nintendo initially did not comment on the meme, but as the Death Stare continued to gain popularity, they embraced it in a playful manner. In a July 2014 Japanese commercial for Mario Kart 8, Nintendo acknowledged the meme by featuring Luigi's glare prominently, further cementing its place in the game’s legacy. This was seen as a clever move by Nintendo, who managed to engage fans without taking the meme too seriously.

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 and serves as a nostalgic reminder of Mario Kart 8’s release.

The Luigi Death Stare is often compared to other internet memes that use dramatic, unexpected expressions, like the "Dramatic Chipmunk." Its success reflects how video game communities embrace and create humor around minor game details, contributing to the broader internet meme culture. [17][18] [19] [20] [21] [22][23] [24] [25][26][27][28][29] [30][31][32] [33][34][35]

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. ^ "Nintendo has officially adopted the Luigi Death Stare". Polygon. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  10. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (June 2, 2014). "Luigi isn't playing games with his 'death stare' in Mario Kart 8". Polygon.
  11. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More". Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More".
  13. ^ "Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More". Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Nintendo turns Luigi's death stare into a 'Mario Kart' commercial". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Why is FOX reporting on Luigi's Mario Kart 8 death stare?". 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Weirdness: Luigi's Mario Kart 8 'Death Stare' is Deemed Noteworthy by Fox News". 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  17. ^ https://www.lifewire.com/luigi-death-stare-explained-2498133. Retrieved 12 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  19. ^ Walsh, James (9 June 2014). "Luigi's death stare: Are you enjoying Mario Kart 8?". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Japanese ad embraces Luigi's death stare". Eurogamer.net. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Luigi's 'Death Stare' Makes It into Japanese Mario Kart 8 Commercial". Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Luigi Death Stare: The Internet Meme Inspired by a Hostile Glance". 10 June 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Luigi Gets Revenge, Uses Death Stare in Real-Life Mario Kart Video". Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Luigi's Mario Kart 8 "Death Stare" Meme Reported on Fox News". 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Luigi, Luigi's Death Stare, Waluigi, and Their Courses Are Heading to Mario Kart Tour". 21 October 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Mario Kart 8's Luigi death stare featured on American national TV news". 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Kids Can't Handle Luigi's Death Stare in "Mario Kart 8" (Video)". Complex Networks. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Luigi's death stare is still strong with these Mario Kart 8 toy displays". 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  29. ^ "The Luigi Death Stare is the Best Death Stare". 5 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Waluigi gets revenge on Luigi Death Stare". Digital Spy. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  31. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (22 July 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Joins the Canon of Classic Memes". Slate. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  32. ^ "New Mario Kart 8 Japanese TV Commercial Features the Infamous Luigi Death Stare". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  33. ^ Game Informer https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/07/21/nintendo-embraces-the-luigi-death-stare-in-new-mario-kart-8-ad.aspx. Retrieved 12 November 2024. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ^ "Luigi's Death Stare Terrorizes Anime Expo 2014 in Hilarious New Video". 9 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  35. ^ "This should have been the official Mario Kart 8 trailer". 3 June 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
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