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"Luigi's death stare" is an internet meme based on an facial expression of Luigi from the 2014 video game Mario Kart 8.

History
Mario Kart 8 's playable characters usually have expressionless faces however, Luigi was showed to takes on a disturbing malevolence face while slowly rotates. It was discovered after the game's release by a gamer playing with the game's highlight reel feature which allows players to replay and share races. The player uploaded a YouTube video titled Waluigi vs. Luigi 1 in which showed a slow-motion clip of Luigi passes Waluigi and then glares at him. The video plays the 2005 song Ridin' by Chamillionaire. The video would gained in millions of views despite of Luigi not actually making an angry facial expression.

Shorty after the video, Nintendo released a Japanese commercial for the game and critics indicates that the company is embracing the meme in the commercial.

Reception
Luigi's death stare gained spread popularity with users sharing screenshots, videos and gifs of their encounters, and becoming a staple of internet culture. Kotaku Australia writer Patricia Hernandez wrote that the meme has inspired a lots of fan arts and hilarious gifs.

Writers has commented their opinion about Luigi's expression in the meme. James Walsh of The Guardian praised the meme and indicates as a "ice-cold reaction" and the end-of-race highlights. Eurogamer writer Jeffrey Matulef wrote that the meme was liked Luigi revealing a sinister dark side behind the wheel and it was the ominous internet meme. Polygon writer Alexa Ray Corriea noted that his stare was enough to stop players in their tracks on his own. Being unsure of why he is irritable after holds his opponents to down them with his bonus items. Slate writer Lily Hay Newman discussed that the meme supports a meme theory omitting the fact that "It’s always funny when someone looks back over [their] shoulder at you."

Commercial
     

Reception