Does anyone remember L is real? That rumor going around the internet a while back that claimed that Luigi was meant to be playable in Super Mario 64? Well, for all those that do, we may have found the answer, 24 years after the release of the game.
For all those that don’t, in the development stages of Super Mario 64, Luigi was rumored to be playable in some capacity. Speculation varied wildly on the reason for the green plumber’s omission. Eventually, a mysterious statue in the castle overworld would set people off on a wild goose chase. What in reality was known as the “Eternal Star”, could also be read as “L is real 2401.” As the internet liked to do, people set out to prove Luigi’s existence in the game through secret methods and codes, but to no avail.
It later turned out in an interview with series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, that was due to memory limitations of the Nintendo 64. There was even a multiplayer mode planned, with Luigi also being playable. That was eventually cut due to the belief that most N64 players only had one controller, and so a multiplayer element would be wasted effort.
So, how did they find Luigi?
With the recent Nintendo leaks, the Super Mario 64 source code found its way into the hands of data miners, who found the answer fans had spent years looking for. Within the files are texture images that when combined, makeup Mario’s less featured brother in his entirety. There are even voice clips that certainly could have been used for Luigi, although the credibility is yet to be determined. What is clear to see is that another chapter in the internet’s ever-growing rumor mill has been closed.
So, L really was real all along. As for 2401? The original game was released on June 23, 1996. When were these files discovered? 24 years and 1 month later.
Despite the leaks, Nintendo is pushing ahead with its holiday plans. The company recently held another one of their Nintendo Directs, including exciting info for Shin Megami Tensei fans. Find out what else was mentioned here.
