Ennuigi

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Ennuigi is a small art game made with the Pico-8 system, created by Josh Millard. It’s a browser game that blends Super Mario Bros. with a sense of ennui, starring Luigi as he wanders a strange, empty version of the Mario world. The title combines the word ennui with Luigi’s name, reflecting the game’s mood and focus on him as a confused observer of his world. Released on August 5, 2015, Ennuigi is procedurally generated and played in a web browser.

The game uses simple controls: left and right to walk, up to think, and down to smoke. Jumping isn’t possible, because “Jumping is not consistent with ennui!” The idea is to explore why Mario’s universe has little explicit narrative and to present Luigi as a perpetually restless character who reflects on his life in a fractured, dreamlike landscape.

Ennuigi received positive attention for its unusual concept and mood. Reviewers described Luigi as depressed, chain-smoking, and quietly sardonic, portraying him as a bemused observer of strange events beyond his control. The music and atmosphere contribute to a slow, somber tone, and many critics called the game funny, dark, and thought-provoking.