Dr. Luigi Coming To Wii U Dec. 31

I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more Luigi. Yes, it’s sad to say, but the Year of Luigi has very nearly run its course, soon to give way to—I don’t know—the year of Toad or something. Anyway, the green-capped plumber is going out with a bang, sort of, as Nintendo announces Dr. Luigi is heading to the Wii U.

As much as I gushed over Nintendo recently and said it was nice to be back to playing their familiar stable of games, it’s stuff like this that reminds me why I fell out of sorts with the publisher in the first place. They have tremendous resources and the ability to make great games, but apparently all of the resources and money in the world can’t buy an original idea.

Be that as it may, Dr. Luigi is set to release by year’s end, as was revealed during Nintendo’s latest Direct event, specifically geared at titles coming out for the 3DS and Wii U through the next several months.

This reimagining of the classic germ-busting, pill-tossing puzzle game is set to arrive on the eShop on Dec. 31, officially sticking a fork in the whole Year of Luigi business. Unless you live in Europe, that is, as our friends across the pond will be able to enjoy Luigi’s most clinical outing come Jan. 15. Maybe a previous leap Year of Luigi threw off the timing?

Along with gameplay pulled directly from the classic Dr. Mario series, Dr. Luigi will sport competitive modes for both couch and online play, as well as a cooperative mode for those who would rather play nice.

The classic gameplay will be available in the “Retro Remedy” campaign, according to the announcement trailer, while the “Germ Buster” option lets you abandon physical buttons for touch-based controls on the Wii U GamePad.

The big twist in gameplay come in the “Operation L” mode, which plays a lot like the classic style of viral warfare, only now the player will be flinging L-shaped doses of two pills fused together. Good lord, they’re really taking this whole Luigi thing to new heights.

No word yet on a price point but, with the release date hiding just around the corner, it won’t be long before final details are revealed. And while I feel justified in my earlier moaning and groaning, I will say this: Nintendo doesn’t make a bad game too often. This looks like a harmless reimagining of a beloved classic and, so long as we don’t get Dr. Bowser this time next year, I suppose I can forgive the Big N for going back to the same well.