Is Luigi Canonically Dating Princess Daisy?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Though never outright confirmed by Nintendo, a thorough analysis of the evidence strongly implies that Luigi and Princess Daisy are in fact dating within official Mario franchise canon.

History of the Luigi x Daisy Relationship

The origin of Luigi and Daisy as a romantic couple can be traced back to the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. film, where Daisy is introduced as Luigi‘s love interest. This original portrayal established the idea of a romance between the two characters that Nintendo would later cultivate in its game canon.

In Mario spin-off games throughout the 1990s and early 2000s like Mario Party, Mario Tennis and Mario Golf, Luigi and Daisy frequently interacted in a flirty, chemistry-filled manner. They were often partnered up in sports and racing events, and appeared blushingly shy around one another in some scenes. This built on the foundation of them as a couple laid out in the movie.

Further cementing the implied relationship, Nintendo commissioned and released an official statue in 2005 depicting Luigi and Daisy dancing together in a clearly romantic manner. This artistic representation made by Nintendo itself strongly suggests they consider the two to be dating.

Explicit Hints in Main Mario Games and Media

As the Luigi and Daisy relationship developed, more overt hints began appearing in core Mario franchise games and media:

  • Bios and character descriptions for both Luigi and Daisy started explicitly referring to her as Luigi‘s "special one" and making other indications of a romance.

  • Scenes in games like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour show the two blushing when they interact or team up, behaving like shy romantic partners.

  • Luigi and Daisy are frequently paired together or teamed up in multiplayer Mario sports and racing spin-off games. This happens far more often than other character pairings.

These examples constitute clear hints from Nintendo that the two share a special connection and are canonically dating in the Mario universe.

Lack of Other Love Interests

A compelling argument stems from the fact neither Luigi nor Daisy has ever had any other implied love interests in any Mario media.

Luigi is only ever shown romantically interested in Daisy, unlike his brother Mario who has been linked with several characters such as Princess Peach. Daisy exclusively pairs with Luigi and has no on-screen romances beside him.

This strongly implies Nintendo envisions the two as having an exclusive relationship status within the broader Mario world and its canon.

Nintendo‘s Response (Or Lack Thereof)

When directly asked, Nintendo has never outright denied or confirmed Luigi and Daisy being in a relationship. They have remained coy about definitively addressing it.

In interviews over the years, Mario franchise directors and creators have winked at the idea, teased it playfully, or hinted that they leave it open for fans to interpret. But they‘ve stopped short of clearly stating Luigi and Daisy are an official couple.

The likely reason is that Nintendo prefers to leave some ambiguity in the Mario canon to allow fans room for speculation. However they certainly seem to encourage the interpretation that Luigi and Daisy are dating, even if not 100% confirmed.

Counterargument – Are They Just Close Friends?

Some fans argue against Luigi and Daisy being a romantic couple by claiming they are simply close platonic friends.

However, evidence of their flirtatious interactions, shyness around each other, and lack of any other love interests contradicts a strictly friendly relationship. Friends don‘t blush, dance romantically, and obsessively team up and pair together at every opportunity the way Luigi and Daisy consistently do across Mario media.

While no doubt close friends as well, all signs heavily point to Nintendo cultivating an implicit but clear romantic relationship between the two characters within broader Mario universe canon.

Evaluating all evidence together, it becomes apparent that Nintendo deliberately crafted an implied romantic relationship between Luigi and Princess Daisy. While never outright confirmed, the hints are so strong that they essentially function as a canon couple. Like Mario and Peach, Luigi and Daisy appear to have an official relationship status in the Mushroom Kingdom.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts