For decades, a persistent rumor claimed Luigi was hidden within the original Super Mario 64. Back in 1996, IGN, then known as N64.com, attempted to put the speculation to rest by offering a $100 bounty for definitive proof of Luigi's presence in the game. Despite countless attempts by players, the mystery remained unsolved for 24 years.

The Origin of the Rumor

The speculation surrounding Luigi's inclusion in Super Mario 64 stemmed from his integral role in previous Mario titles and the fact that his brother, Mario, embarked on his first 3D adventure alone. Creator Shigeru Miyamoto had previously explained that Luigi was omitted due to memory constraints during development. However, a cryptic sign in Peach's Castle courtyard, which some fans interpreted as "L is Real 2401," fueled further belief that Luigi was indeed present, albeit hidden.

IGN's Douglass C. Perry, then a reporter, recalled the constant barrage of emails from players convinced Luigi was somewhere in the game. To finally settle the matter, Perry offered the $100 bounty, a decision he would later describe as a "biggest mistake I think I'd ever made" due to the overwhelming influx of unverified claims.

The Long Wait for an Answer

In the pre-Google era, video game secrets were often propagated through word-of-mouth and gaming magazines, with answers taking months to surface. The $100 bounty, however, accelerated the community's efforts, though no one could provide the conclusive evidence needed. Even an alleged letter from Nintendo of America, which surfaced years later, claimed the "L is Real" message was a developer joke, but lacked official substantiation for many.

The Gigaleak Revelation

The persistent rumor finally found its answer in July 2020 with the "Gigaleak," a massive leak of Nintendo development data. Among the vast trove of information, a software engineer and visual artist known as GlitchyPSI discovered textures for Luigi within the source code of an early Super Mario 64 build. These textures, a white circle with a green 'L,' provided the tangible proof that had eluded players for over two decades.

GlitchyPSI developed a tool to convert the raw data into recognizable image files, leading to the reconstruction of Luigi within the game's code. The discovery occurred 24 years and one month after Super Mario 64's original Japanese release, aligning uncannily with the "2401" from the fan-interpreted castle sign.

Bounty Settled

With the evidence finally uncovered, IGN settled its 30-year-old bounty not with a cash payout to an individual, but with a $100 donation to AbleGamers, a charity focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities through gaming. The resolution of this long-standing mystery highlights Nintendo's historical ability to guard its secrets, even as modern data mining and fan dedication continue to uncover hidden aspects of game development. The enduring passion for Super Mario 64 and its hidden corners serves as a testament to the timeless appeal of its creator's playful design and sense of wonder.