Polterpup

The Polterpup is a spectral dog that has appeared as a recurring supporting character in the Luigi's Mansion series.

Background

The Polterpup was a ghostly dog that was different from most of the ghosts that Luigi encountered. The Polterpup was not of an evil or malicious nature, and not even the Dark Moon seemed to have a strong effect on his behavior. Rather, he was capable of being friendly and loyal, but he also had a strong mischievous streak. E. Gadd speculated that the dog acted out because it hoped that someone would take him in. As a ghost, the Polterpup could move through walls and could also turn invisible. He still could leave footprints while invisible and could be exposed through the use of the Dark-Light Device. He was also rare among ghosts in that he could escape even from the Poltergust.

Dark Moon and Minor Appearances

The Polterpup originally appeared in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, where he was among the ghosts residing in Evershade Valley. He was first seen at the game's first area, the Gloomy Manor, which contained the Polterpup's doghouse and thus was most likely his home. The Polterpup was seen digging up an amethyst jewel by his doghouse (in the part of the manor called the Mudhouse Exterior) and got it stuck in a tree after playing with it and proceeded to leave the area.

In all following areas of the game, the Polterpup directly met with Luigi and challenged him in a playful manor. In each instance, the Polterpup would appear right after Luigi had earned an item (a key in every area except the Old Clockworks, where he took a Clock Hand). Luigi would have to explore the level to track the Polterpup down and suck him up with the Poltergust 5000 in order to get the item back. After being brought back to E. Gadd's lab, the Polterpup would manage to escape from the Poltergust, allowing it to appear in the later levels. These appearances were in the Doggone Key mission of the Haunted Towers (after having stolen the key at the end of the previous mission), the Play Catch mission of the Old Clockworks and the Front-Door Key mission of the Treacherous Mansion. After the Polterpup was caught at the Treacherous Mansion, E. Gadd's modifications to the Poltergust allowed the dog to be successfully contained this time. The Polterpup was only released in the game's ending, after the Dark Moon had been restored. The Polterpup seemed to feel guilty about the trouble he caused for Luigi, but Luigi quickly cheered him up. He proceeded to adopt the Polterpup, and he was seen staying with Luigi at his home.

The Polterpup also had roles outside of the main storyline of Dark Moon. This included functioning as part of the extra life system: if Luigi lost all of his health while having a Gold Bone item, the Polterpup would appear to take the bone and also revived Luigi by licking him in the process. This sequence would occur regardless of whether or not the Polterpup was captured at the time. This sequence could also occur in the 3DS version of the original Luigi's Mansion if a Luigi amiibo was scanned, and the same extra life system would also be in placed in Luigi's Mansion 3. Multiple Polterpups were also featured in the Polterpup Mode of the multiplayer ScareScraper mode in Dark Moon. Players competed to catch as many Polterpups as possible, with normal-sized and big variations both appearing. In Luigi's Mansion Arcade, the Polterpup only appeared in the ending, which was the same as the final scene of Dark Moon (featuring the Polterpup with Luigi at his home).

Luigi's Mansion 3

In Luigi's Mansion 3, the Polterpup played a stronger role as a supporting character. Luigi brought the Polterpup with him to The Last Resort. The spectral dog stayed in Luigi's room and was in his bed when he went to sleep, but he was not present when Luigi woke up in the middle of the night. After Luigi escaped from King Boo's trap through a laundry chute, the Polterpup found him in the basement level and woke him up by licking his face. He guided him towards E. Gadd's car, where the Poltergust G-00 was stored. He also acted as a tutorial and taught him how to use some of its functions. The Polterpup continued to appear throughout the game, where he helped to guide Luigi through parts of the hotel, provided hints and saved him from deadly situations. He still was mischievous, as shown in one case where he briefly possessed a giant prop of a Bigfoot-like creature and made it grab Luigi in a giant hug on the movie studio floor. The Polterpup was also helpful in tracking down the Polterkitty.

During the final confrontation with King Boo, the Polterpup saved Luigi from being trapped in a painting with his friends by pushing him to the side. After King Boo was defeated, and the hotel was destroyed, the Polterpup saved Luigi from falling to his doom. The Polterpup then accompanied Luigi when he returned home in the game's ending.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, the Polterpup has been represented by a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and as an Advanced-rank Support Spirit (granting immunity to being buried) in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. When fought in a Spirit battle in Ultimate, the Polterpup's Spirit would possess an invisible Duck Hunt.

Trivia

• Its name is a simple combination of the terms "poltergeist" (a type of ghost, specifically one that causes physical disturbances) and "pup". Its Japanese name, Obaken, similarly combines Japanese words for "ghost" and "dog".
• The normal Polterpup wears a red collar. The Polterpups that appear in the ScareScraper mode of Dark Moon are distinguished by having blue collars instead.
• In Luigi's Mansion 3, it is said that E. Gadd has not yet determined what breed of dog the Polterpup is, but he speculated that he could be something like a "silver retriever".
• The Polterpup is notably the only ghost that Luigi shows no actual fear towards. He is usually friendly towards the Polterpup and is more exasperated by his mischievous acts in Dark Moon, occasionally scolding him by calling him a bad doggy.
• The Polterpup gains pupils at the end of Dark Moon, like most of the ghosts of Evershade Valley, but they are missing in Luigi's Mansion 3.
• In Dark Moon, the Secret Mine is the only area of the game in which the Polterpup does not appear.