All 23 of the Portrait Luigi’s Mansion Ghosts Ranked
Luigi’s Mansion is one of my favorite games ever made. As much as I enjoy both of the sequels, they were never quite able to capture the same eerie, off-kilter vibe of the original. This game is packed full of atmosphere – spooky, silly, and occasionally downright unsettling – and at the heart of it all are the Portrait Ghosts. These aren’t your average Boos or background ghouls. These are full-on characters: each one with a backstory, a gimmick, and a room that feels like a tiny haunted diorama of their former life.
(Read my full retrospective review)
So in the spirit (pun intended) of celebration, I’m ranking all 23 Portrait Ghosts from Luigi’s Mansion – from the least impressive ones to the absolute icons of the afterlife. Some are hauntingly brilliant. Others? Well… I mean, most of them are good but some are just better. Let’s bust some rankings:
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Table of Contents
#23- Uncle Grimmly (Hermit of the Darkness)
I mean seriously – this guy sucks. What a snooze. When the lights go out after the mansion gets struck by lightning, you backtrack to one of the earlier rooms and just find this guy just chillin’ in the wardrobe room like he’s waiting for his dry cleaning. Apparently this hermit only likes to come out when it’s pitch black – wow, spooky! Except it totally isn’t.
Grimmly has the least interesting lore of the entire roster. No tragic backstory. No memorable gimmick. He doesn’t even have a unique sound to him like most of the others. He’s no challenge, zero tension, and feels like he’s only here to pad out the ghost count. And look, I want this game to be longer – but not like this. This feels like the most useless encounter in the entire game and just an unnecessary detour all together.
Grimmly likes to keep to himself, and honestly? I wish we just could.
#22- Miss Petunia (The Bathing Beauty)
I love the irony here – she was apparently a Miss Ghost runner-up for six years, and now she literally resembles a pig. That’s pretty funny. But that’s really all there is to this catch. Luigi barges in like a little green perv and blasts her with cold water. That’s it. No clever puzzle, not much of a fight – just ice her hot shower and vacuum her up. Kinda rude, honestly.
Aside from the visual gag and that one splash of irony, there’s not much depth here. Miss Petunia feels more like a one-off joke than a fully realized ghost – and in a mansion full of freaks, that just doesn’t cut it.
#21- Lydia (The Mirror Gazing Mother)
Lydia is the second portrait ghost you capture, and while she’s rocking that haunted-house hot mom energy, her actual encounter is over before you’ve even warmed up the vacuum.
You crack the window, let in a cool breeze, and that’s it – her vanity gets disrupted and she’s suddenly vulnerable. No tricks, no traps, no real buildup. After dealing with Neville’s book barrage and looming dad vibes, Lydia feels almost too simple by comparison. She’s not bad, just a tad forgettable.
#20- Neville (The Bookish Father)
Credit where it’s due – this is the first portrait ghost you capture in the game and for that alone he’s pretty memorable. He’s the introduction to what all these Ghosts are about and the room being a creaky old library is a nice vibe to set that tone.
I’m giving him a hair above his wife Lydia because at least his library of books put up a bit of a fight. Despite his gimmick being about as simple as hers with making the fireplace crackle, at least the fight ties together thematically in a way that works.
#19- Jarvis (The Jar Collector)
I don’t even know what to make of this guy. Honestly, what the hell even is this thing?
The mystery around this bizarre ghost – especially with his age being listed as “unknown” – adds a little intrigue to his weird frozen lair, but… he collects jars? Cool… I guess?
He lives in a walk-in freezer, talks like he’s been locked in there since the Renaissance age, and fights you by popping in and out of jars like a game of haunted whack-a-mole. Then he just starts tossing his jars at you. There’s no backstory, no emotional hook, and barely even a theme outside of “cold and vaguely unsettling.”
I will say, I do find it interesting though how he’s the only ghost in the game whose heart cannot be scanned by the Gameboy Horror. I find him strange but without much substance. Just a… jarhead?
#18- Slim Bankshot (The Lonely Poolshark)
Slim is a competitive billiards legend but never got the chance to play against a living soul. Now he spends his whole afterlife practicing solo.
He’s got a slim, quiet presence (true to his name), and his setup is one of the more unique ones – you actually have to ricochet pool balls into him to trigger the fight. It’s a cool idea on paper, but in practice it’s easy to fumble. Miss a shot and suddenly the most frustrating part of the battle is just starting it.
It’s a decent premise with a nice thematic setup, but it doesn’t fully cash in. Once you hit him, it’s a standard vacuum job with not much personality beyond the pool table. Still, I’ll give him credit: he’s one of the few ghosts who feels like he had a dream.
#17- Spooky (The Hungry Guard Dog)
Sorry, pooch. I wish I could’ve had you higher, but this game’s got better ghosts with more bite.
Spooky’s design is pretty great — a ghost dog with glowing eyes and a growl? What’s not to like? However, he’s kind of a one-trick puppy. Once you lure him out with the skeleton bone, you wrestle him in a quick ghostly dogfight and it’s over. And he’s just a dog – no tragic backstory, no puzzle, just a backyard scuffle to get him out of your way.
He’s one of the few ghosts you actually feel bad about. Good boy – just not top tier.
#16- The Floating Whirlindas (The Dancing Couple)
They might not be the most complex ghosts, but what they do bring is atmosphere – and plenty of it. Their candlelit ballroom is one of the most hauntingly beautiful rooms in the mansion, and the sight of them together breaking it down adds a rare touch of eerie romance to the game.
That said, actually triggering their fight is a bit clunky. You gotta walk around the spinning dance floor just right to catch their attention, and it can be a little finicky. Once they’re exposed mid-twirl, it’s a quick back-and-forth before they’re sucked up and back on the wall.
Still, they leave an impression. As far as ghosts go, they’re more vibes than substance. But sometimes, vibes are enough.
#15- Shivers (The Wandering Butler)
I know a lot of people would probably rank the mansion’s butler way lower, but honestly? I think Shivers is hilarious.
The way he patrols the main floor halls, then suddenly starts spazzy grunting and making those goofy “powt” noises – pure comedy gold. He’s definitely a bit freaky looking, but honestly, he’s more funny than frightening.
Plus, he scores bonus points for having one of the coolest gold portraits in the game – you know, the one where E. Gadd presses the photo with that flickering candle? So cool.
#14- Biff Atlas (The Bodybuilder)
Luigi decides to step into a gym for the first time of his life and instantly starts getting beat up by the resident jock.
I actually enjoy this fight because it feels like… well, a fight. You have to provoke Biff by hitting the punching bag first, which sets the tone for a proper showdown. It’s a nice break from some of the more passive ghost encounters and actually makes you feel like you’re in a boxing match with a supernatural heavyweight.
This Johnny Bravo-like ghost is big, brash, and not afraid to throw down – definitely one of the more physical ghosts in the mansion.
#13- Nana (The Scarf-Knitting Granny)
Don’t mess with Granny! She’s been knitting the same scarf since she died, and it’s now almost 900 feet long!
Her design and the fact that she sounds a bit like Gruntilda the Witch scores her points in my book — she’s like your sweet old Grandma… if she was a ghost knitting machine with a deadly yarn whip.
Despite being a rocking chair-sitting old lady, Nana gives some of the bigger, flashier ghosts a real run for their money in terms of the fight. She might look harmless, but she packs a surprisingly tough punch. Never underestimate BaBOOshka!
#12- Sue Pea (The Dozing Girl)
I always found Sue Pea more creepy than maybe was intended.
This young 7-year-old just took a nap… and that was it. She died there. The entire room is flipped upside down, which immediately throws you off and sets a weird, unsettling tone. You can feel the shift in atmosphere the moment you step inside — like something’s just… off.
She makes a promise to never wet the bed, so naturally, you have to do that for her. Yeah, that’s kinda weird when you think about it.
Sue Pea’s quiet, sleepy demeanor mixed with the upside-down room creates a mystery and eeriness that sticks with you after you’ve taken a few doll smacks to the mug.
#11- Henry and Orville (The Twin Brothers)
These two rascals are the mansion’s resident troublemakers – basically the ghostly equivalent of that annoying pair of kids who egg your house and run off laughing.
After a couple rounds of hide and seek – which you can totally cheat with your Poltergust – you get into one of the more hectic fights of the game, trying to catch one in the speeding car or bomber plane while dodging the other. Their frantic tag-team chase adds energy and chaos to the mix.
Not the deepest characters in the mansion, but when it comes to bratty sibling prankster vibes, these two are top-tier.
#10- King Boo/Bowser Mech Suit
I know, I know – it’s the final boss. And it’s still a pretty cool final boss fight. You’re on the rooftop, the mansion is on fire, and the sky looks like something out of a gothic opera. It feels epic. But then… It’s just Bowser again.
To be fair, it’s not really Bowser – more like a bizarre mechanical suit King Boo is piloting like some kind of haunted Gundam. And while the fight itself is solid (especially when Bowser’s head pops off), it still feels a bit like a missed opportunity. Did we really need Mario’s villain as the centerpiece of Luigi’s big game?
King Boo’s got enough personality and presence on his own – they didn’t need to shove him into a turtle mech to raise the stakes. Cool fight? Sure. Creative final form? Meh. King Boo deserves his own paranormal throne. I still do love the initial confrontation moment where King Boo drags Luigi into the haunted painting before it all goes down. Great stuff.
#9- Sir Weston (The Chilly Climber)
Aside from the final boss, Sir Weston is the only portrait ghost hanging out in the mansion’s freezing basement.
My dude likes the cold. He’s basically if Mr. Freeze died in a wine cellar and decided to stay there. This frosty showdown actually brings the heat — Sir Weston has some of the most damaging attacks of any portrait ghost, launching icicles and freezing Luigi solid if you’re not careful. And with the slippery floor, the fight feels more intense than most.
The atmosphere sells it. A hidden room, crackling fire, and a pissed-off aristocrat made of ice? That’s a combo worth remembering.
#8- Clockwork Soldiers (The Toy Platoon)
Before you gain access to the roof of the mansion, you’ve gotta throw down with the only trio of portrait ghosts in the game. The Clockwork Soldiers may look like leftover Happy Meal toys, but don’t let the wind-up aesthetic fool you – these guys mean business.
Their synchronized attack pattern makes the fight feel more like a mini-boss encounter than a standard ghost capture. You have to stun them one at a time while the others keep firing, and the longer you leave them active, the nastier it gets. The visual design, eerie music box vibes, and multi-target strategy make them stand out. Creepy, mechanical, and kind of a pain – just like haunted toys should be.
#7- Mr Luggs (The Glutton)
What a unit! Mr. Luggs refuses to let death get in the way of his dinner. He’s literally haunting the dining room table, shoveling food into his mouth with reckless abandon while ghostly butlers serve him eternal appetizers.
It’s grotesque – the burp sounds, his bloated design, the way you have to flame his waiter servants and ruin his meal before he loses it and starts belching fireballs at you. It’s the first REGULAR portrait ghost that feels like a legit boss fight. Dude’s got hella stamina for such a big boy. But once he’s winded, you jump in, suck him up, and clean up the dishes.
#6- Chauncey (The Spoiled Baby)
The first official boss encounter of the game. Once you’ve taken care of Mommy and Daddy, now you’ve gotta punish the baby. Yeah… this game escalates rather quickly. This kid doesn’t mess around though.
Chauncey might be just a 1-year-old, but he’s got some serious rage issues. He sends you into a dream dimensional crib where he hurls rocking horses and bouncing balls at you. He hates grown ups.
As far as boss ghosts go, it’s a standout early moment. The scale of the arena, the music, and that weird echoing baby voice all give off strong nightmarish vibes. When I was really young playing this game I thought he was shouting “APPLE! APPLE!”- That’s just what I was hearing.
He’s creepy, memorable, and just challenging enough for a first boss. He may be in diapers, but Chauncey throws down like a final boss in daycare.
#5- Vincent Van Gore (The Starving Artist)
Har-har, very funny. This guy still got both his ears though – and when he hears you walk into his studio he brings his creations to life to attack.
Vincent is the tortured artist type: he hasn’t sold a single painting in over three decades, yet he still refuses to stop creating. Pretty admirable honestly.
He’s the last major ghost you take on before the rooftop finale, and it feels fitting. After all, most of the regular ghosts you’ve faced up to this point were his creepy little art projects. It adds a layer of story that’s subtle but cool – this guy didn’t just die mad, he died misunderstood.
The art world wasn’t ready for him. But Luigi sure is.
#4- Boolossus (The Jumbo Ghost)
One of the most legitimately creepy parts of the game. Boolossus is just an awesome escalation of what the boos have been doing all game – hiding in rooms, jumping you when you least expect it, and being an over all annoying pain in my neck. Now they’re united… until you pop ‘em like ghost balloons with an ice-powered unicorn.
Bonus points for atmosphere too – the snowy rooftop, the looming moon, and a swirling mass of 15 giggling jerks. Not just a good boss – a great ghost. I know many may disagree and probably hate this boss fight for how obnoxious the boos are, but I love this fight.
Definitely one of the coolest soundtracks in the game. The way it lulls you in with that slow, ghostly theme when they scatter – then kicks into panic mode when they swarm and try to crush you? It’s like the boss music itself is haunted.
#3- Melody Pianissima (The Beautiful Pianist)
Melody doesn’t just haunt a room. She owns it. You walk into the conservatory and immediately start humping every instrument in sight until the full ghost band kicks in. That’s when she floats down – the haunted maestro. Instead of throwing hands, she tests your gamer knowledge by playing a random Nintendo track. If you flub the answer, she loses it and starts aggressively slamming her ghost keyboard like a rage-quit YouTuber.
Her room is dripping with personality – sheet music flutters, instruments stir, and she sits at that piano like a composer who’s been waiting a long time to be noticed again. There’s real elegance to her design, and the battle itself is a symphony of haunted charm.
She’s not the toughest, but she’s classy, iconic, and unforgettable – a ghost with style.
#2- Bogmire (The Cemetery Shadow)
Look, I know this dude’s design isn’t winning any originality contests – I mean this is probably something I could’ve drawn in 2nd grade – he’s literally just a cartoonish shadow ghost. But man if he isn’t the creepiest thing in the whole game. There’s something about the way he slinks around that haunted graveyard, duplicating himself with that dark goop. His sudden appearance from the tombstone – it just gets you.
The boss fight? Honestly, not all that complex. But the scale, the eerie fog, the pounding soundtrack – it all smacks together to make this moment feel massive. Simple? Sure. Effective? Absolutely.
#1- Madame Clairvoya (The Freaky Fortune Teller)
I had to give top spot to her. She’s easily the best ghost in the mansion – not because she puts up a big fight (she doesn’t), but because she’s got the most character. While most of the other portrait ghosts are busy doing their little haunting routines, Madame Clairvoya actually helps you out throughout a good chunk of the game. She engages in a ton of dialogue with you – giving you cryptic insight into your missing brother’s fate and slowly unraveling the mystery of the mansion piece by piece.
She’s one of the few ghosts that isn’t entirely hostile – in fact, she wants to be captured once her role is complete. It’s eerie, emotional, and totally unique. When she’s finished telling you all you need to know she surrenders without a fight – her soul finding new peace and her dignity strong. For all of this, she earns my respect as the #1 portrait ghost in the mansion’s gallery.
Final Thoughts
Luigi’s Mansion is one of those games I find myself coming back to every now and then—especially when October rolls around and I’m ready to lean into the spooky season. There’s just something about its ghostly charm, creaky mansion halls, Luigi nervously humming along to the music, and that spooky-but-not-too-scary Nintendo tone that makes it the perfect seasonal play. Most of that charm comes from the 23 portrait ghosts you hunt down to fill out your haunted gallery—each one weird, funny, or creepy in their own way. And of course, none of this would be possible without my guy, Professor E. Gadd – Shoutout! Absolute legend.
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