Not only is it Halloween month, it's also the month of Luigi. Mario's famous green-hatted brother is starring in Luigi's Mansion 3 later this week, one of Nintendo's most anticipated titles. Originally announced last year, Luigi's Mansion 3 is the third installment in the Luigi's Mansion series, once again bringing the title character to a spooky residence. This time however, Luigi will be exploring a haunted hotel. For those who either missed out on the previous two games or want a refresher, here's what you need to know before playing Luigi's Mansion 3 on Thursday.

The Story So Far...

Via mariowiki.com

The original Luigi's Mansion released in 2001 as a launch title for the GameCube. The game's story had Luigi win a contest (one he did not enter), wherein he acquires his very own mansion. Excited, Luigi tells Mario to meet him at the mansion. The residence is located in the spooky Boo Woods. Luigi cautiously enters the mansion, but there's no sign of Mario, and Luigi is subsequently attacked by a ghost. Thankfully, an eccentric man by the name Professor E. Gadd saves Luigi by attempting to defeat the ghost with a vacuum cleaner called the Poltergust 3000.

It turns out the "contest" was just a ruse to lure the Mario Bros. out to the haunted mansion. The one who orchestrated this was King Boo, the mastermind of the ghosts. Armed with the Poltergust 3000, Luigi embarks on a journey through the mansion. After defeating many different ghosts, Luigi finally confronts King Boo, who challenges Luigi while wearing some beautiful Bowser armor. After a hard-fought battle, Luigi turns King Boo into a portrait, and rescues Mario.

Luigi's Mansion would be followed by a sequel 12 year later. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon released for the 3DS. In the story, King Boo escapes his portrait imprisonment and shatters the Dark Moon. E. Gadd, aware of this, summons Luigi for a fetch quest. Luigi treks through different mansions in search of the scattered moon pieces. After acquiring them, King Boo appears. Once again, he has captured Mario. King Boo plans to take over the world as its rightful "supreme ruler." After an even more difficult battle than before, Luigi defeats King Boo, and Mario is saved yet again. Of course, with the third game, it appears King Boo is not done tormenting Luigi.

Single Player and Multiplayer Modes

Via YouTube/Nintendo UK

The gameplay for Luigi's Mansion 3 appears identical to the first two games, though with some new features thanks to the Poltergust G-00. Now Luigi can slam ghosts, and also fire a plunger. The hotel setting is brand new, where each floor has a unique theme. For example, one floor is garden-themed while another features a dance area. The game's producers has also assured fans there will be more diverse boss battles than what was seen in Dark Moon. As for the story, it appears King Boo has captured not just Mario, but Peach and Toad as well.

While the game can be played solo, a friend or sibling can jump in for cooperative play. Player 2 can play as Gooigi, Luigi's gooey doppelganger. Gooigi can do things Luigi can't, such as go through metal bars and walk on spikes. A solo player will have to utilize Gooigi to solve certain puzzles.

RELATED: Multiplayer Looks Like A Real Scream In Luigi's Mansion 3

The game will also feature online play in the forms of ScareScraper and ScreamPark. In ScareScraper, up to eight players cooperate to ascend the tower. ScreamPark is competitive, where teams aim to defeat the most ghosts, acquire the most coins, or break the most targets. Nintendo also says it will be adding paid DLC for the online modes at a later point.

The Reviews Are In

Via nintendo.com

What are early reviews saying for Luigi's Mansion 3? Let's take a look. Its Metacritic score is 86, for now tying Dark Moon as the highest-rated Luigi's Mansion title. Below are three review excerpts.

IGN: 8.3/10 - Ryan McCaffrey

"Luigi’s Mansion 3 is so much fun, so charming, and so smartly designed that, moving forward, I really hope we get more than three of these games every 20 years."

GamesRadar+: 4.5/5 - Heather Wald

"Overall, Luigi's Mansion 3 manages to get the right balance between old and new to deliver a refreshing spin on the formula we've come to know and love from the series."

Game Informer: 8.5/10 - Brian Shea

"With unique puzzles, diverse floor themes, and exciting boss battles, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a spooky delight for players of all experience levels."

Overall, reception for Luigi's Mansion 3 is positive. The game appears to be a worthy successor to the first two games. Luigi has once again stepped into the spotlight with much clapping.

Luigi's Mansion 3 will be released on October 31 for Nintendo Switch.

NEXT: Luigi's Mansion 3 Has Multiplayer, Disco, And Team Gooigi