Fans of Nintendo’s classic game, Super Mario 64, might be delighted to learn about the discovery of vintage footage that appears to show an elusive multiplayer mode featuring Luigi. Years after the game’s original release, a video surfaced from 1995's Nintendo Space World event, where Luigi is seen performing a spin jump beside Mario, something that was never included in the final game released for the Nintendo 64. Though Luigi eventually made it to the DS version of Super Mario 64 alongside other characters, his presence in the N64 edition has been a subject of speculation and desire among fans for decades.

Historically, Shigeru Miyamoto had discussed Luigi’s intended role in Super Mario 64, indicating that memory constraints led to his exclusion close to the game’s finish line. The footage potentially showcases a development stage room or an early multiplayer concept that was scrapped due to hardware limitations and the common reality of players initially owning only one N64 controller. The discoveries in the 2020 Nintendo Gigaleak, which rendered Luigi in an 'Ultra 64 Mario Brothers' build, further fueled the narrative of Luigi’s near-miss inclusion in the iconic title.

Is there any official confirmation of Luigi initially being planned for Super Mario 64?

Yes, there is official confirmation. Shigeru Miyamoto acknowledged in previous interviews, including a published roundtable and an 'Iwata Asks' session, that Luigi was meant to be a part of Super Mario 64. He was removed close to the game's completion due to limitations with the memory of the Nintendo 64 system.