In the recently broadcast February Nintendo Direct, Mr. Iwata-san declared that 2013 would be the "Year of Luigi".

With that we got news on a number of Luigi related news.

First up was an official European releae date for the long anticipated Gamecube sequel; Luigi's Mansion 2.
You can expect to be hoovering up ghosts on the 28th of March.

Luigi will also return alongside Mario this summer again on the 3DS in a new entry in the popular Mario & Luigi series. In this new game Mario is trapped inside the dream world of a sleeping Luigi, Luigi's face will appear on the bottom screen with the "dream action" taking place on the top. The player will be able to poke and prod at Luigi's face in order to effect the dream world to help out Mario; such as pulling on his nose to make him sneeze creating a gust of wind to aid Mario in the dream.

Not content with sharing the spotlight in New Super Mario Bros. U however, Luigi will now be taking over that game via newly announced DLC titled "New Super Luigi U". The DLC will feature only the green half of the Brothers Mario in solo platforming action across new stages. New Super Luigi U is due for download later this year.

And finally in all the "Year of Luigi" announcements, while not taking a staring role, Luigi grace the 3DS for a second time this Summer as he turns his sights to the golf course in Mario Golf World Tour for the 3DS.

Luigi for so long seemed to be hidden in Mario's shadow but this year Nintendo seem intent to give the green clad plumber a greater share of his big brothers lime light.