It’s that magical time of the year again—no, not the holiday season, but the thrilling week of Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ)! This annual speedrunning charity marathon captivates audiences with astonishing gameplay, clever strategies, and even whimsical performances, like players expertly utilizing musical instruments while racing through beloved games. This year, however, has seen an unexpected trend: a surge in characters being named Luigi.

What’s going on? It turns out that viewers of AGDQ are leveraging the marathon’s donation incentives—options that let the audience influence game outcomes, including choosing character names—to bestow upon an array of characters the name "Luigi."

Standout Instances of Naming Characters Luigi

Let's break down some of the standout instances:

In a particularly memorable moment during a **Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker** speedrun, Link was transformed into Luigi.

Fans didn’t stop there; during a run of **Skyrim**, players opted once again to name their characters after the beloved Mario brother.

A romance speedrun in **Fallout: New Vegas** also underwent a name change to Luigi for its characters, much to the delight of viewers.

The craze continued with **Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee**, where trainers were affectionately dubbed Luigi.

Not to be outdone, various other games like **Gauntlet IV** and **Final Fantasy Legend 2** followed suit with their own Luigi naming schemes.

According to the AGDQ bid index for 2025, some viewers have generously donated substantial amounts, all for the sake of naming characters Luigi. One particularly enthusiastic supporter dropped an eye-popping $4,379.70, contributing to the Prevent Cancer Foundation while simultaneously advocating for Link to go by Luigi—termed the "most famous green guy" alongside the classic plumber himself.

But why this fascination with the name Luigi? The answer remains elusive, leaving fans and participants to speculate. Perhaps it's the nostalgia attached to the character, or maybe it's just the joy of seeing chaos ensue in a speedrun environment. Regardless of the reason, the AGDQ community is having a blast, and it’s clear that this lovable character is becoming a staple in the gaming marathon's culture.

As AGDQ continues to unfold, who knows what other surprises await? One thing's for sure: Luigi's legacy has never been stronger!