Summary
- Nintendo has shown a distinct disinterest in Waluigi, despite vocal fan support and expectations for his inclusion as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Waluigi has been reduced to a filler background character in recent Super Mario games and spin-offs, with limited roles such as a Rabbid counterpart or a playable option among many.
- Fans believe Nintendo should give Waluigi a more significant role, either as an antagonist in other Super Mario games or as the protagonist in a spin-off, especially considering the success of fan-made content like Psycho Waluigi.
Out of all the most well-known and iconic Super Mario characters that have become mainstays in the broader franchise, it does seem that Nintendo has had a distinct disinterest in Waluigi in recent years regardless of how vocal fans have been. Perhaps best exemplified by Waluigi's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as anything but a playable fighter despite players constantly expecting his announcement in DLC, he appears to have been unceremoniously sidelined from Super Mario. So while Waluigi occasionally features or cameos as just one of many Super Mario characters, it seems that Nintendo no longer seems concerned with this fan-favorite figure.
However, whether Nintendo is intentionally pushing Waluigi away from public view has not been confirmed as yet, but considering that he is the second half of the familiar Wario brother duo, it seems unusual to constantly reduce the character to a filler background character. Among Waluigi's various appearances in Super Mario spin-offs such as Mario Kart or Mario Tennis, arguably his most significant role has been the antagonist in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, demonstrating that the character has the potential to be taken more seriously. So between a new surge in Super Mario's own spin-offs and fan-made games, it's time Nintendo finally remembers Waluigi.
Waluigi Has Become A Running Joke Within Super Mario
Out of all of Waluigi's most recent appearances in Super Mario games or its spin-offs, these have all reduced the character's role in one way or another. For example, Waluigi featured in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle not as himself but as a Rabbid counterpart named Bwaluigi, while other games like Super Mario Party, Mario Tennis Aces, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have included Waluigi as one playable option among many. Even his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was only as an Assist Trophy, a Spirit, and as an alternative color for Mario and Luigi, all in spite of the game's tagline "everybody is here."
But it is arguably more telling how Nintendo views Waluigi after looking back into Super Smash Bros. History, back when he was first introduced to the series on the 3DS and Wii U. Game director Masahiro Sakurai stated that just because Waluigi made it into the game doesn't mean he gets to fight, something which now seems less of an intended joke as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate continued to sideline Waluigi. Though this all may be a commitment to the bit of reducing Waluigi to a running gag in Super Mario, this isn't a sentiment that fans seem to share based on their persisting support for the character.
It's Time Waluigi Makes A Comeback
Over the years, many of Super Mario's secondary characters have evolved to become protagonists in new spin-offs, with some even giving rise to their very own series like Luigi's Mansion or Yoshi's multiple games. Even within recent years, Nintendo has released or plans to release spin-offs for even its unlikeliest characters with games such as Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and the latest reveal of Princess Peach Showtime. So given that Wario has his own spin-off series with the upcoming WarioWare: Move It, there no longer is any reason to continue to ignore the other Wario brothers and create an all-new spin-off.
If Nintendo isn't going to utilize Waluigi as an antagonistic character in other Super Mario games, then the least it could do is capitalize on Waluigi's popularity and instead make him the protagonist in a spin-off. Though Nintendo's view on fan-made content is wary at best, unofficial games like Psycho Waluigi at least showcase how Waluigi has the potential to be more based on the positive reception the game received. However, with many upcoming Super Mario games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Mario Kart 9's development, and various remakes and remasters, it could be some time before Nintendo sees fit to back Waluigi.