Hey guys, I'm posting up a walkthrough of this game that I'm writing. I'm locking the topic until I get enough posted up to constitute part 1 of the guide, at which point I'll open it up to everybody to post.

The Foyer (1st Time):

The game starts with a cinematic of Luigi following a long dirt road to a huge, creepy mansion. Crows are crowing and Luigi walks in through the front door. Looking around, he doesn't see Mario.

The door on the bottom floor will hurt you if you try to open it. Go ahead and head up the stairs and try the door on the north wall. It will be locked and you'll hear a ghost laugh. Head back downstairs to see a large orange blob drop a key then vanish through the door upstairs. Grab the key, then use it on the door upstairs.

The game will cut to a cinematic of Luigi looking around. Suddenly, an orange ghost will pop out and try to attack you! But, it gets caught in the suction of a... vacuum cleaner? That's right, the old guy over there is sucking up a ghost with a vacuum cleaner. It throws him off eventually, and the old guy introduces himself to you as Professor E. Gadd, and his vacuum is called the Poltergust 3000. You'll follow him back to his lab, where he agrees to help you find Mario by teaching you how to deal with ghosts.

At this point, you'll be able to pick your control settings: Standard and Sidstep. Really the only difference is whether you want Luigi to face the direction you tilt on the Control Stick or just move in that direction without facing it (you'll use the C-stick exclusively to turn). I typically use Standard simply because I find it easier to turn with the Control Stick and still use the B button to turn the flashlight on and off. Speaking of the other buttons, here's your controls:

A: Call for Mario/Examine/Open a door
----Examine objects often, there may be treasure or ghosts inside!

B: Turn flashlight off
----Hold the B button to keep your flashlight turned off until the ghost is close enough

X: Search with the Game Boy Horror
----Allows you to scan ghosts and get Luigi's opinion on pieces of furniture (will also solve certain puzzles)

Y: Check the Map
----A good map to use if you're lost

R: Suck up things with the vacuum
----You can use the suction to shake distant objects or even spin them. The vacuum stream will be powerful or weak based on how hard you press the R button.

L: Shoot out fire, water, or ice
----After collecting the Fire, Water, and Ice medals, you can use this button to shoot one specific element for a limited amount of time

Z: Check inventory
----You can check the amount of cash you've collected as well as the boss ghosts you've caught

C-Stick: Change the direction Luigi faces
----This can also be used to point the flashlight/vacuum up and down

So anyway, you'll now go through the tutorial. Here's the skinny on how to vacuum ghosts:

1. Turn your flashlight off (B button)
2. Wait for the ghost to get close
3. Turn your flashlight on to stun the ghost (release B button)
4. When you see the ghost's heart (you'll also hear a *ding* sound) press the R button to begin vacuuming
5. Hold the Control Stick in the opposite direction from the ghost to start reeling it in. If you don't press the Control Stick in the right direction, you'll liable to get dragged around (damaging you) and the ghost can even break free.
6. If you're vacuuming two or more ghosts at the same time and they aren't on the same side as you, try to rapidly switch between which ghost you're pulling on to keep them from dragging you. It takes a ghost about a second and a half from the last time it was pulled on to start dragging you.
7. When the ghost's HP reaches zero, it will spiral into the vacuum cleaner and will be caught.
8. I've found it useful to use quick taps to pull the ghost in quicker. Also, using the C-Stick instead of the Control Stick will allow you to stay in one place while vacuuming. Finally, using the C-Stick and Control Stick in tandem will allow you to vacuum two ghosts or more ghosts easier by pointing each in the opposite direction of a ghost. Using the two together on one ghost doesn't seem to affect it though.

After you finish the tutorial, Prof. E. Gadd will offer to let you look at his Gallery. To be perfectly honest, the only thing you'll get out of this is a minor backstory update where E. Gadd says that he originally kept a bunch of portraits that had ghosts sealed inside, but now they're gone because the Boos (a Boo is a recurring ghost-type Mario game enemy) freed them all. If you do go to the gallery, just talk to E. Gadd in order to leave. You'll end up in the lab and he'll ask you where you want to go. From here you can go to the Mansion, the Training Room, or the Gallery again. Head the Mansion if you're feeling ready.

Anyway, you'll now have the Game Boy Horror, which opens up the ability to scan items (X button), see the Map (Y button), and view your inventory screen (Z button). Scanning items can provide information about them or even trigger some solutions to puzzles. Scanning boss ghosts can give you a hint on how to defeat them.