Polterpup is a white ghost dog that appears in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and makes a return in Luigi's Mansion 3 as Luigi's pet.
In the second game, he was notorious for taking special important items that Luigi needs to progress, hence his role as a Mini-Boss, while in the third game, Polterpup acts as an ally to Luigi, instead of an enemy.
In both games, Polterpup may also revive Luigi when he loses all of his HP if he happens to have a Gold Bone on him.
Physical description[]
The Polterpup is a white, ghost pup, wearing a red collar around his neck. The Polterpup lacks ears unlike pups.
In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, the Polterpup lacks any pupils but regains them when the Dark Moon is restored. However, the Polterpup lacks any pupils again in Luigi's Mansion 3.
Personality[]
Polterpup behaves like any normal pup. He is playful, kind and extremely loyal to his friends and allies, with his closest ally being his new owner, Luigi.
When the Dark Moon was shattered, the Polterpup still retained most of his normal traits, simply acting quite mischievous. During the time of the Dark Moon's absence, the Polterpup was the only ghost that Luigi did not seem to fear, merely viewing him as a nuisance, getting exasperated or sad when he runs off with important objects, often saying "Bad doggy!". Once the Dark Moon was restored, the Polterpup, alongside his fellow ghosts returned to their peaceful states. The Polterpup felt remorseful for his actions, but he immediately cheered up when Luigi says, "Come here, doggy!".
Following the restoration of the Dark Moon, Luigi likes petting his ghost pup and even hugging him, and they also enjoy sleeping together.
In Luigi's Mansion 3, Polterpup still acts a little mischievous, appearing out of nowhere several times startling Luigi in the process or to eat a slice of cake held by Mario. He also proves himself helpful, acting as a tutorial guide and ally to Luigi in the game. Polterpup's undying loyalty shows in this game, as when Luigi was drowning in the water on B2 - Boilerworks, Polterpup managed to save his life. Luigi is also saved two more times, during and after the final battle against King Boo, saving him from being trapped by King Boo's and portrait and even from falling after The Last Resort collapses. Polterpup also helps Luigi, his friends, and the ghosts rebuild The Last Resort Hotel.
Polterpup also does his best to make new friends, shown with Polterkitty, and is sad, though not aggressive when he is rejected by her.
History[]
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon[]
Gloomy Manor[]
The Polterpup is first shown in level Poltergust 5000 in the Mudroom of the Gloomy Manor. The Polterpup is seen digging up a Gemstone in the Mudroom Exterior. He begins to play with and chew on the gemstone, eventually tossing up into a nearby tree and then flees the scene.
Haunted Towers[]
The Polterpup is seen at the end of level Pool Party in the Rooftop Pool of Haunted Towers. Just as Luigi gets his hand on the key to the treetop, The Polterpup snatches it from him. Luigi exclaims displeasure with the Polterpup's actions, but he merely continues excitedly playing with the key, eventually throwing it out the window and then jumping out as well.
The Polterpup makes his first major appearance in level Doggone Key of the Haunted Towers. Luigi enters the courtyard to find the Polterpup still has the key. The Polterpup once again begins to play with the key and then swallows it whole. Luigi will then chase the Polterpup all over the Haunted Towers, following his spectral paw prints with the help of the Dark-Light Device. In the end, Luigi tracks the Polterpup down in the West Bedroom. Luigi captures the Polterpup and recovers the key. Back in the Bunker, E. Gadd examines the key to find that it is all chewed up and slimey from the Polterpup eating it. Very soon after, The Polterpup escapes the Poltergust 5000, licks E. Gadd and escapes the Bunker.
Old Clockworks[]
The Polterpup makes his second major appearance in level Play Catch of the Old Clockworks. Luigi is pixelated into Clockworks Court, where 3 Greenies are seen playing catch with the hour hand for the Clock Tower Gate. The Polterpup watching the Greenies, snatches the hour hand from them, eats it and then runs off into clock tower, with the Greenies in pursuit. Luigi chases the Polterpup throughout Old Clockworks. Luigi once again captures the Polterpup and recovers the hour hand. Back in E. Gadd's Bunker, the Polterpup manages to escape once more.
Treacherous Mansion[]
The Polterpup makes his third appearance in level Front-Door Key of the Treacherous Mansion. Just Luigi is about to open the front door, The Polterpup flies out and snatches the Front-Door Key. Luigi chases the Polterpup throughout the tunnels beneath the Treacherous Mansion. Luigi eventually tracks down and captures the Polterpup in the Dungeon Cells, this time capturing him for real and recovers the Front-Door Key.
Ending[]
The Polterpup appears one last time in the ending cutscene. After the Dark Moon is restored, the Polterpup walks up to Luigi, feeling remorseful for his past actions. Luigi takes Polterpup in and adopts him at the end of the game. Back in Luigi's house, just as Luigi is about to go to sleep, the Polterpup jumps up onto his lap and sleeps with him.
One of the illustrations in the credits shows the five Toads and Polterpup forming a pyramid.
ScareScraper[]
- Main article: Polterpups
Polterpups make an appearance in the ScareScraper, in Polterpup and Surprise mode. Polterpups hide in kennels, but once they are revealed, they flee into other rooms.
There are normal and Big Polterpups, which have 50 and 100 HP respectively, and increases by five after every fifth floor. Instead of a red collar, these Polterpups have a blue collar instead.
Luigi's Mansion 3[]
The Polterpup reappears in Luigi's Mansion 3, when he accompanies Luigi, Mario, Princess Peach and the 3 Toads to the The Last Resort. He acts as a tutorial character for Luigi early in game. He can also help track down important items for Luigi, give Luigi hints on where to go, and allow Luigi to access certain areas (e.g., the stage in 4F - The Great Stage or the top of the ship in 12F - The Spectral Catch).
Mission appearances[]
| Gloomy Manor | ||||||||||||
| A-1. "Poltergust 5000": | Cameo | |||||||||||
| A-2. "Gear Up": | Absent | |||||||||||
| A-3. "Quiet Please!": | Absent | |||||||||||
| A-4. "Visual Tricks": | Absent | |||||||||||
| A-5. "Sticky Situation": | Absent | |||||||||||
| A-Boss. "Confront the Source": | Absent | |||||||||||
| A-Bonus. "Gradual Infiltration": | Absent | |||||||||||
| Haunted Towers | ||||||||||||
| B-1. "A Job for a Plumber": | Absent | |||||||||||
| B-2. "The Pinwheel Gate": | Absent | |||||||||||
| B-3. "Graveyard Shift": | Absent | |||||||||||
| B-4. "Pool Party": | Absent | |||||||||||
| B-5. "Doggone Key": | Debut | |||||||||||
| B-Boss. "Tree Topping": | Absent | |||||||||||
| B-Bonus. "Hostile Intrusion": | Absent | |||||||||||
| Old Clockworks | ||||||||||||
| C-1. "A Timely Entrance": | Absent | |||||||||||
| C-2. "Underground Expedition": | Absent | |||||||||||
| "C-3. "Roundhouse Brawl": | Absent | |||||||||||
| C-4. "Play Catch": | Appears | |||||||||||
| C-5. "Piece at Last": | Absent | |||||||||||
| C-Boss. "Showtime": | Absent | |||||||||||
| C-Bonus. "Outlandish Interruption": | Absent | |||||||||||
| Treacherous Mansion | ||||||||||||
| E-1. "Front-Door Key": | Appears | |||||||||||
| E-2. "Double Trouble": | Absent | |||||||||||
| "E-3. "A Train to Catch": | Absent | |||||||||||
| E-4. "Ambush Maneuver": | Absent | |||||||||||
| E-5. "Paranormal Chaos": | Absent | |||||||||||
| E-Boss. "Stop the Knightmare": | Absent | |||||||||||
| E-Bonus. "Terrifying Invasion": | Absent | |||||||||||
| King Boo's Illusion | ||||||||||||
| Boss. "A Nightmare to Remember": | Ending | |||||||||||
Behind the scenes[]
Creation and development[]
The design for Polterpup is very similar to Zero, from The Nightmare Before Christmas, both being ghost dogs with a red collar that look like they are covered by a white blanket, and it may have been a source of inspiration to create Polterpup.
Etymology[]
The name "Polterpup", is a combination of the words, "Poltergeist", and "pup".
Profiles and statistics[]
E. Gadd's Vault[]
"I haven't come up with a name for this mischievous and adorable Polterpup yet. He's caused us a whole mess of trouble, but I think the playful tyke just wants someone to take him in."
Official website[]
"These playful canines have a strange and voracious appetite. They tend to eat objects you need, running off with them at exactly the wrong moment."
Trivia[]
- When Polterpup passes through a wall, he leaves an imprint behind, similar to Slimer from Ghostbusters and Boos.
- The Polterpup has 50 HP.
- In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, after the Dark Moon is restored, the ghosts, including the Polterpup, regain their peaceful composure, noticeable by how they once again have pupils. The Polterpup goes on to live with Luigi in his home and is seemingly still pacified by the Dark Moon, since he still has pupils. However, in Luigi's Mansion 3, The Polterpup remains by Luigi's side but no longer has pupils and yet is still friendly and helpful toward Luigi.
- This may be a simple design change, since the other ghosts in the game also do not gain pupils after breaking King Boo's spell at the end of the game.
- In Professor E. Gadd's Research Journal, Polterpup almost accidentally caused E. Gadd's death by scaring him while he was studying the Goo, making him drop a stiff version of him in his face that prevented him from breathing.
- In Luigi's Mansion 3, Polterpup has spoken dialogue translated by his barks.
- Despite being only a dog, Polterpup is still strong enough to completely lift Luigi and the Poltergust G-00.
- In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, despite not being very powerful, Polterpup is able to escape from the Poltergust 5000 at least twice.
Gallery[]
| “You're all going in a painting! An ensemble portrait is your fate!”
To view the gallery for Polterpup, click here. | |
